OFM_Superwomen_0525FINAL.qxp_DEPT 4 / 9 / 25 3 : 18 PM Page 2 WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2025 Mona Duffus or over two decades , Duffus has led nonprofits , for - F profits and social - impact agencies addressing our nation’s toughest challenges in education , housing , mental health and workforce development . Duffus ’ parents instilled the value of service at an early age , and the numerous volun - teer opportunities her family participated in left an indelible mark , shaping her life and career . Today , Duffus supports stu - dent and young adult success throughout Central Florida as the senior vice president and executive director of City Year Orlando . She is also the founder and CEO of NorthBlue , a social - impact management consulting firm . Previously , she led as CEO of Dawning Family Services , providing housing and hope to families touched by homelessness . Duffus is a licensed clinical social worker , and her heart of ser - vice extends past her career . For over eight years , she volunteered for YoungLives , a faith - based organization supporting teen moms . She has led a number of community and advisory boards for the advancement of at - promise youth and their families . Duffus was named a Vanguard Award Honoree through the Black Empowerment & Community Council . In 2024 , she received the Game Changer Award from the Orlando Magic and Florida Blue . She is a graduate of Leadership Orlando and Leadership Palm Beach , and is an inductee into Forbes ’ Nonprofit Leaders Council . Makaila Nichols fter being the victim of bullying Research Hospital . In 2020 , she founded Ain her younger years , Nichols the Blatantly Honest Foundation , a decided to take the pain and feeling of 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) organization focused on isolation and turn it into something pos - changing the stigmas behind social itive that would inspire other children issues that young people are facing . facing similar situations . At age 18 , she When Nichols isn’t busy traveling the became the best - selling author of country to addressing topics like mental Blatantly Honest : Normal Teen , Abnormal health , bullying prevention , inclusion Life , and the book gained national atten - and body image , you can find her on the tion , which led to speaking gigs with radio , podcasting or co - hosting Best of major platforms like Google , YouTube , Central Florida on WKMG 6 and Behind Facebook and Instagram . From there , the Law on Fox 35 . She furthers her Nichols went on to develop a series of mentorship of young women from children’s coloring books , donating more across the area by also serving as the than 15,000 copies to kids across Central executive director of the Miss Orlando Florida , including at St . Jude Children’s Scholarship Organization . ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM | may 2025 | ORLANDO FAMILY | 33