Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Gunther.
Hi Maggie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My parents retired from the real estate business, moving from New Jersey to Florida when I was a year old. I’m the youngest of six children on my Mom’s side and three on my Dad’s. My parents had a significant age gap and had me late in life, so sometimes I feel like I feel like I’m living in the wrong era.
I grew up in North Central Florida, went to the University of Central Florida, got my bachelor’s degree in Journalism with honors and moved to Fort Lauderdale after graduation in 2003, have been here ever since.
I’ve worked in communications roles including at the Small Business Development Center, Florida Atlantic University, and for the past 12 years the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. I earned my MBA from FAU in 2013. I’m currently the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance.
I’ve been very involved in the community my entire life, and enjoy leading organizations and bringing people together for a good cause. I currently serve in volunteer roles as Board President of the Historic Stranahan House Museum and chair of the board of the Tower Forum and serve on the boards of the Research Park at FAU and Emerge Broward.
I love to travel, with friends/family or solo and travel planning, walking an hiking. I enjoy exploring local gems around our South Florida community. In my free time you’ll find me at live performances including concerts and theater and cheering on our Stanley Cup Champion Panthers.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most people over a certain age, I’ve experienced some serious losses in my life, including three of my siblings, Billy, Michelle, Glenn, as well as my Dad, Tom. Losing people puts EVERYTHING into perspective – no day is promised and we need to live our lives while we can. Take the trip, take the chance. We only get one life and it’s too short to put up with nonsense.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance is the official public-private partnership for economic development in Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County. Our team works with companies to assist them in relocating or expanding in Greater Fort Lauderdale, driving investment, job creation and diversifying our local economy through high value, targeted industries including headquarters, technology, life sciences, aviation/aerospace and the marine industries and ocean economy. I’m proud of the work we do to strengthen the economy and beyond that I’m proud of our organization for being a convening force in the community, bringing people and businesses together to support one another and important issues that impact our economic vitality and quality of life.
Personally I enjoy the opportunity to help tell the story of what an outstanding business destination our community is through a variety of communications and marketing channels, and opportunities to amplify our work by partnering with others. No two days or weeks are ever the same. In a community that has an economy larger than some nations, let alone other states, there’s always something new to learn and share.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
A trend we’ve been following for years but continues to grow in importance is that talent drives business and job location decisions. This is why we focus on marketing directly to talent as well as to executives and decision makers. By sharing what a great place this is to live and work, people feel confident starting or continuing their careers in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gflalliance.org
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/gflalliance
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gflalliance
- Twitter: https://x.com/GFLAlliance
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GFLAlliance
