Lauren Mariano Padova is the Legislative Affairs Officer at Florida Polytechnic University, bringing a wealth of experience from various sectors of Florida politics. A native of Pasco County, Padova has firmly established herself as a seasoned professional deeply immersed in the intricacies of policy and advocacy. With a diverse background spanning legislative campaigns, government agencies, and private-sector government relations firms, Padova’s expertise lies in strategic communication, relationship cultivation, and deftly navigating legislative priorities.
Padova holds a Master’s in Public Administration with a certificate in acquisition and contract administration from the University of West Florida and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from Saint Leo University. Her previous roles, including Deputy Legislative Affairs Director at the Florida Division of Emergency Management, highlight her ability to excel in high-pressure environments and lead critical initiatives during pivotal events such as the COVID-19 response and the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Before assuming her current position, Padova served as Director of Operations at The Advocacy Partners, where she showcased proficiency in client communication and contract management, fostering successful partnerships and ensuring client satisfaction. With a robust skill set honed through years of diverse experience, Padova remains dedicated to advancing Florida Polytechnic University’s interests and nurturing collaborations that fuel innovation and progress in higher education.
Education
This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.
Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.
