As executive director of Polk Vision, Colleen Burton works with the community-led partnership of organizations, businesses, government and individuals to ensure implementation of Polk County's community vision. Through her work with Polk Vision, as well as her many community involvements, Burton is working to make Polk County its best, while being a positive role model for others in the community.
Name: Colleen Burton
Age: 51
Family: Husband, Brad, and three children: Chris, 27; Tim, 25; and Elizabeth, 21.
Resident of: Polk County for 16 years.
How long have you been involved with Polk Vision? I have been the executive director of Polk Vision since its inception. We opened our office and began the countywide visioning process in January 2004.
Tell me about your community involvement: I currently serve on the following: Central Florida Development Council, Polk County Workforce Development board, United Way of Central Florida Community Impact Cabinet, MyRegion.org executive board, Heartland 2060 Leadership Team, Harrison School for the Arts School Advisory Council, Theatre Winter Haven board of trustees, and the American Business Women's Association Hollingsworth Chapter. I'm a graduate of Leadership Lakeland XIX and Leadership Polk I, and I'm currently a member of the Tampa Bay Partnership's CEO Direct program.
Why is your work meaningful to you? It allows me to be a part of something that I believe makes a positive difference in our community.
How do you feel you have made a difference in East Polk County? My sincere commitment to working on behalf of the entire county and encouraging the participation of residents from East Polk County in Polk Vision initiatives has expanded the reach of many residents and organizations in East Polk County.
What do you enjoy most about East Polk County? The people and their willingness to get involved in making Polk County an even better place to live. Also, I've always thought I would love to have an office at Bok Tower. It is one of the most peaceful places I know.
In what ways do you feel you are a role model? I think I am a role model for women who want to put their family first and still build a meaningful career.
What advice would you give to a young person who wants to be successful in your field? Be open to various points of view and be patient. When you work with as wide an array of community members and organizations as I do, you have to be flexible and develop the ability to be open to many points of view. And patience is key because the kind of change we're seeking through Polk Vision takes time.
What challenges have you faced throughout your career, and how have you overcome them? Probably one of the greatest challenges for me has been balancing my personal life with my professional goals. I've been blessed with a very supportive family, which makes a big difference. Additionally, at times I've been placed in the challenging position of reconciling opposing parties. I don't give up easily and I'm able to keep the ultimate goal in focus, which helps in moments like that.
What goals do you have, professionally and personally? Professionally, I'd like to continue working with volunteers from across the county through Polk Vision. We've evolved in many ways during the first five years and I imagine the next five years will bring many more opportunities for us to positively impact our community.
Personally, I'm always open to new opportunities to expand my knowledge and involvement in Polk County. I'm very concerned about the future of Polk County and the state of Florida, and I see myself staying committed to working with others on strategies to build a bright future.
