GFLGLCC Appoints Dr. Luisa Montoya as Women's Business Initiative Council Chair

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – July 25, 2025 — The Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Luisa Montoya (She/Her/Ella), CEO of Diversity Matters, as Chair of the Chamber’s Women’s Business Initiative. This strategic leadership addition reflects the Chamber’s deep commitment to fostering a more vibrant, inclusive business environment for all women—including LGBTQ+ women, allies, and women in leadership—throughout our region.

Women entrepreneurs are a cornerstone of Florida’s thriving business community. According to the American Express 2024 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, Florida ranks among the top states in the nation for women-owned businesses, with over 1.2 million women-owned enterprises statewide. These businesses employ nearly 480,000 Floridians and generate more than $130 billion in annual revenue.

Even more notably, Broward County is home to over 180,000 women-owned firms—accounting for approximately 40% of all small businesses in the county. The continuing growth of women-owned businesses in Broward surpasses the national average, reflecting both regional dynamism and the increasing impact of women’s entrepreneurship on our local economy.

Dr. Luisa Montoya is widely recognized for her passion, expertise, and advocacy in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in business. As CEO of Diversity Matters—a leading consultancy in corporate and organizational DEI strategy—she holds DEI, MBO, and WBENC certifications, and is heralded as a thought leader who inspires positive change in all sectors. Her bilingual advocacy (She/Her/Ella) reaches across communities, helping to shape more inclusive, equitable workplaces and networks. Dr. Montoya’s influence extends beyond her executive role, as she actively engages in thought leadership efforts, speaking engagements, and advocacy dedicated to economic empowerment for women and underrepresented groups. Through her work, Dr. Montoya continues to champion a more inclusive and progressive future for all.

A New Era for the Chamber’s Women’s Business Initiative

The Chamber’s Women’s Business Initiative strives to help women entrepreneurs and professionals launch, grow, and scale their businesses through networking, mentorship, advocacy, and leadership development. Under Dr. Montoya’s chairship, the Chamber will expand its impact, offering cutting-edge programming and partnerships designed to meet the emerging needs of today’s women leaders.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I welcome Dr. Luisa Montoya as Chair of our Women’s Business Initiative. Her expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion, along with her commitment to women’s empowerment, is exactly what our Chamber needs at this pivotal moment for women in business. Florida and Broward County are seeing historic growth in women-owned enterprises—and under Dr. Montoya’s leadership, we look forward to amplifying this momentum and supporting women business owners from every background,” said Mr. Lenny Brooks.

“We are thrilled to enter this new phase for our Women’s Business Initiative with Dr. Montoya at the helm. Her global perspective and hands-on experience will inspire women at every stage of the business journey. We look forward to launching innovative programming focused on mentorship, access to capital, and growth for our women-owned businesses community,” said Jason Nunez, President and CEO.

Programming tailored for women entrepreneurs and business leaders—including workshops, peer networking, speaker series, and tailored business resources—will be announced soon. With Dr. Montoya’s leadership, the Chamber is dedicated to addressing key challenges facing women-owned businesses, including access to funding, supplier diversity opportunities, and inclusive leadership development.

For more information about the Women’s Business Initiative, or to join the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce, please visit gflglcc.org or contact us below.

Media Contact:

Jason Nunez

President and CEO

ceo@gflglcc.org

About the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce  

The Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to advancing economic growth, equity, and prosperity for LGBTQ+ professionals and their allies. We champion diversity, opportunity, and innovation to ensure a thriving inclusive business community in Broward County and beyond