Board of directors

Susan Christiano | President
(Founding and Inaugural Member)

Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Susan owes her business ethic and passion for community service to her dad who was an entrepreneur and career Rotarian.  She worked in his Kingston office, during the summers from the age 14, after graduating high school and until she moved to the States. Her first board appointment was at 17 where she served as the Vice President of the Rotaract Club of Kingston, the young adult club affiliated with the Rotary Club. Involvement with this organization included fundraising and events to help under privileged and handicapped children.

She worked as a paralegal specializing in real estate for 14 years in New Jersey before settling down to raise her family.  Later, a part-time position with AT&T evolved into full-time and Sue ventured into the world of Power Generation managing the Power Generation Group for AT&T, the group handled the back-up/emergency power sources for AT&T’s 200 critical sites. 

Her love of the arts and recognizing the need for an arts program for kids and for afterschool activity, not sports related, she started, Bravo Center for Performing Arts in Westfield, New Jersey.  Bravo was performing arts, after school and weekend program that offered singing, acting, creative writing and more for children age 5 through high school. Her passion for the arts continued and when she moved to Florida she was one of the founding members of Opera Naples, serving on their board and as their Director of Development from 2005-2006. Other organizations that she was actively involved in are, The Bach Ensemble, The Gay and Lesbian Chorus and Bayshore, CAPA.

With real estate partner, Arlene Goldberg, Sue worked with Equality Florida to Co-Chair the first ever LGBTQ Gala in Lee County in 2014 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center.  The event was to raise funds for Equality Florida especially in their quest for marriage equality. The following year, by popular demand, they again co-chaired a Gala, this was to raise community awareness for the LGBT Fund through the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.

As a Florida Realtor for the past 11 years, Sue is a certified Short Sale/Foreclosure Specialist, Certified International Specialist and an Accredited Commercial Property Specialist.

Sue is honored to serve as the first President of the Southwest Florida Harmony Chamber of Commerce this ground-breaking organization and the quest to embrace diversity and equality. 

    Wyatt Burton  | Vice President 

Wyatt Burton, known by they/them pronouns, hails from the charming town of Mt. Zion,  Illinois, where they spent the early years of their life. In 2018, Wyatt embarked on a    transformative journey and relocated to the vibrant city of Fort Myers, Florida. Armed with a  Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Millikin University, Wyatt embraced their artistic side and  dove headfirst into the world of drag entertainment, captivating audiences with their unique  performances since their arrival in the Sunshine State. 

Beyond the spotlight, Wyatt is a skilled hairstylist and educator, bringing their expertise to the  beauty industry, while owning and operating their own salon, The Tortured Hair Department. Wyatt's passion extends beyond the salon, as they actively engage with and  contribute to the LGBTQ+ community in Southwest Florida. Committed to fostering strong  connections within the community, Wyatt strives to create an environment of support and  empowerment for mutual success. In their personal life, Wyatt is a loving spouse to Kasey  Fraize and a proud parent to four feline companions, embodying a life that balances artistry,  education, and meaningful relationships.

Haley Volcy | Board of Directors

Haley Volcy, a Broward County native, found their passion for the arts and social sciences within South Florida’s vibrant cultural scene. After graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Sociology and Race & Ethnic Studies, they conducted LGBTQ+ advocacy research in Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

In 2020, Haley began volunteering at the Alliance for the Arts and quickly advanced to Membership & Community Outreach Organizer, where they led membership growth, revamped the volunteer program, and supported events like the FRINGE Fort Myers Festival and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Now, as Fundraising and Volunteer Coordinator at Project Help Inc., which assists Collier County residents with services such as a 24/7 Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline, Immokalee Mobile Unit, and free & confidential support groups that are hybrid (virtual & in-person).

Haley’s dedication to promoting SWFL events and supporting local businesses highlights their strong commitment to community development. Passionate about building a thriving community, Haley is excited to bring this commitment to the Board of Directors.

  Suzanne Timmins | Treasurer

I am originally from Boston Massachusetts but moved full time to Fort Myers in 2017. I am semiretired but I have a client base in Boston that I work with during tax season.

I graduated from Stonehill College in Easton, MA with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting & Finance in 1985.

Since moving to Fort Myers I have felt compelled to get involved with an organization that gives me a sense of purpose and I have found this with SWFL Harmony Chamber of Commerce. My motto which I have instilled in my 2 sons and grandchildren is (success is not what we achieve individually but how we can uplift and empower others). This is so important especially in these trying times.

  Arlene Goldberg | Board of Directors
  (Founder and Inaugural Member)

As a Founder and Board Member, Arlene is excited to work with the business community while working tirelessly for the LGBTQ community.  She is an Activist, liaison to the press, public speaker representing the SW Florida LGBTQ community.  In a Landmark case, was a Plaintiff in an ACLU federal same sex marriage law suit that legalized marriage for Florida in 2015 and was issued the first legal document (death Certificate) for a same sex married couple in Florida/first same sex marriage recognized in Florida.

Arlene is quite active in the LGBTQ and Ft. Myers community:

• Past member Board of Directors of United Way of Lee County
• Past Chairperson UUCFM’s Welcoming Congregation
• ACT’s Community Action team
• Initiated Hope Hospice LGBT Bereavement group
• Steering Committee for the start-up of Kaleidoscope (CARES) suicide prevention for LGBTQ
• Steering committee for development of LGBTQ fund in collaboration with the SW Florida Community Foundation
• Re-activated PFLAG Fort Myers
• Board of Directors PRIDE SW FLORIDA, Inc.
• Co-Founder and past member of the Exec. Board for Visuality, Inc.
• Co-Founder and Vice President of SW Florida Harmony Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Board of Directors.
• LGBTQ member of WGCU Diversity Advisory Group
• Member of Lee County Homeless Coalition
• Recipient of Equality Florida’s 2014 “Voice for Equality” award
• Recipient of  2016 newly developed PRIDE SW Florida, Inc. Goldberg Award for outstanding leadership in LGBTQ community
• Initiated and participates in LGBTQ panels requested by local organizations, i.e. Guardian Ad Litem Lee and Charlotte County’s, Area Agency on Aging of SW Florida, Lutheran Services, and Children’s Network of SW Florida, FGCU;
• Previously Facilities/Safety Manager in various organizations/companies
• Previously REALTOR at RE/MAX Trend
• Recipient of The Rotary Club of Fort Myers South's 2017 “4-Way Test” award
• Real Estate Advisor for Engel & Voelker - Fort Myers Downtown

Robbie Maris-Rodriguez | Board of Directors

Robbie was born in Milwaukee and raised in New Berlin, Wisconsin. He attended Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Robbie’s background in community leadership began as the president and founder of Belmont University’s LGBTQ student group Bridge Builders, and he would later volunteer on the Human Rights Campaign Nashville Steering Committee, as well as serve as President and Board Chair of OutCentral, Nashville’s LGBTQ Center. Robbie was awarded the Belmont Bruin award, the highest honor for student leaders during his undergraduate studies and was later designated as “rising star” on Nashville’s LGBTQ 50 list in Unite Magazine. While in Nashville, Robbie worked for a HIV social service agency and for Vanderbilt University as the HIV Vaccine Trials Community Engagement Coordinator. Because of his work in this area, he was selected to be a part of a national campaign with the 25 Under 25 Speak Out Ambassadors organized by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

After living in Nashville for 8 years, Robbie moved back to Milwaukee to study Nonprofit Management at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and during this time he served on the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Milwaukee chapter board. While working and volunteering extensively in the LGBTQ community in Nashville and Milwaukee, Robbie moved to Naples, Florida to begin a new chapter in life, and thereafter began his service with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation on their IBD Partners Patient Advocacy Committee and still serves to this day. During his time in Naples, Robbie obtained his CAM, Real Estate, and Mortgage licenses and has a future interest in investment properties. Robbie was selected to the Associate Leadership Collier class of 2022 with the Leadership Collier Foundation, and currently serves on the Leadership Collier Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Finally, after 4 years of dating, Robbie and his then fiancé Alex were married on November 1 st , 2024, at a quaint ceremony with family at Wedding Park in Naples. Robbie and Alex moved to Lehigh Acres, Florida in March 2025, and are very excited to be serving on the SWFL Harmony Chamber of Commerce board. Robbie and Alex are both very passionate about LGBTQ rights, seek to facilitate making systemic change for marginalized and vulnerable communities, and continuously speak out about advancing the LGBTQ movement.

Alex Maris-Rodriguez | Board of Directors

Alex Maris-Rodriguez is a first generation Cuban-American born to Cuban immigrant parents in Miami, Florida. In 2005 he relocated to Naples, FL with his entire family and was enrolled at Naples High School. After graduating Naples High School in 2008 Alex attended Edison Community College in 2009 through 2011 obtaining his required pre-requisites in order to begin nursing school. Alex was accepted into Nova Southeastern University's (NSU) Entry Level Bachelor's in Science of Nursing program where he began his journey in healthcare. During his time at NSU Alex was elected by his peers as their cohort representative, later on becoming the President of his schools Student Nursing Association chapter from 2012-2013. Alex organized volunteer efforts during his time in nursing school to help the community of Southwest Florida (SWFL) and South Florida. He volunteered to help assess and screen participants in the Special Olympics in Broward County along with several of his peers in 2012. Alex also attended as a delegate at the Florida Student Nursing Association (FSNA) Conference in 2012 and 2013 to help facilitate growth and membership within the state and local chapters. After graduating Nursing School Alex began working in emergency room services, then moved onto working in dermatology specialty. Alex currently works as a pharmaceutical sales specialist in the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area to help educate health care providers on treatment options for their patients in SWFL.
Alex recently married his husband Robbie Maris-Rodriguez on November 1, 2024 in Naples, Florida. They have been together for nearly 5 years and work together to help the LGBTQ+ community of SWFL.

Andy Spaulding | Board of Directors

Originally from Canton, Ohio.  Andy is a graduate of Ashland University  with a Bachelors in music education.  Post college, Andy directed middle school choir until moving to Florida in 2011.

After moving, Andy was the director of a child care center until 2018 when he went full time into entertainment.  Although he performed as Alyssa Lemay since living in Ohio, the “Alyssa Lemay” brand grew into a full time production with weekly shows, bingo event, fundraisers, one woman shows, costume design and other ventures.  As Alyssa, Andy has helped raise over a million dollars for local charities over the years.

Currently, Andy has scaled back with Alyssa and has joined the Cruisers team as a manager and show director.

Lisa Fandialan | Board of Directors

Lisa Fandialan is a seasoned IT Project Manager and strategic leader with a strong background in healthcare and legal technology. With over a decade of experience driving cross-functional initiatives and leading digital integrations, she specializes in aligning operational excellence with regulatory compliance and customer-centered innovation.

Lisa is deeply committed to inclusive economic development and believes in the transformative power of technology to uplift communities. As a director of the Southwest Florida Harmony Chamber of Commerce, she is passionate about supporting LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly professionals by expanding business opportunities, strengthening community connections, and helping position Southwest Florida as a vibrant, year-round destination.

Her leadership reflects the Chamber’s mission of promoting visibility, empowerment, and collaboration across sectors, ensuring all members have access to the resources and networks they need to thrive.