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.

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. 

Elliott Lintner | Vice President

Born and raised in Ft. Myers, Elliott has seen our community evolve into what we have today.  While working multiple part time jobs at the same time while he was in High School, Elliott is a natural multi-tasker.  This has become a tremendous strength for himself and his husband, Sean.  The couple met in 2014 and were married in 2015, not too long after the legalization of same-sex marriage.

While owning his own business, Hair By Elliott, and Serving as Vice President, he has also become a licensed Foster Parent alongside his husband Sean.   

Elliott is very excited to be working with so many wonderful people in our community and he is hoping to expand the Chamber to create a more unified and diverse organization.  He feels that now more than ever, we need to come together and create a better place for our future generations.

Chris Blondin | Secretary

Chris Blondin was raised in Holland, Michigan and relocated to Florida in 2012. Chris’ approach to life and work is founded on a Midwestern “work ethic” and principals of integrity. His career paths have taken him to a variety of settings, which have shaped the strong foundation of his real estate philosophy. Working in the hospitality management sector at resorts, casinos, and companies such as Radisson, Marriott, and Hilton gave Chris a deep immersion into the culture of customer service. Chris began working in the property management field with corporate commercial property management at AIMCO Property Management & Tenant Relations and PNC Mortgage Loan Processing & Assisting. With well-rounded experience, Chris had an easy transition to Real Estate excellence.

As a Relocation Specialist, Chris assists in all aspects of your relocation needs, from finding an agent to sell your current property, to acquiring your dream home in Southwest Florida.

His clients are welcomed with an outstanding balance of interpersonal skills, constant communication and collaborative negotiations. Chris is very active within the community. He enjoys giving back to Southwest Florida through participating in several Habitat for Humanity projects, involvement in his local church, Meals of Hope and other various charities.

               Suzanne Timmons | 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)

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

Christopher Michiels | Board of Directors

Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, being an architect had been a dream as long as he could remember. 

One of his favorite childhood memories was going to his grandfather’s office to help him draw house plans at his drafting table – it was fascinating to see the creativity in his designs.

Later, Christopher attended the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in 1997 with a Bachelor in Marketing and Textile & Apparel with a concentration in Business. His world changed during an interior design internship, who invigorated and inspired him to continue his career as an interior designer.

​No matter how many shows you watch, magazines you read, or books you study, design talent is innate and comes from your soul. "You either have it, or you don’t”, his mother has always said. She’s been his mentor and his inspiration both personally and professionally. Christopher grew up in a family that has always valued honesty, hard work, and transparency. 

After working 10 years for top Chicagoland interior design firms, Christopher gained enough experience and confidence to launch his own design firm. Nearly more than two decades, he has the pleasure of working on some of the finest homes across the country, especially here in Naples and throughout southwest Florida.

​Christopher’s passion for a diverse range of design styles, along with his dedication to customer service, and bold and adventurous vision, clients have trusted him to create stunning interiors nationwide and overseas. 

His work has been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers, on episodes of HGTV’s “New Spaces”, trade publications, and seminars. I4 Design magazine named Christopher “1 of their Suite 16” favorite designers and featured him on the cover. He also designed the Green Room for the 2009 Daytime Emmy Awards

    Wyatt Burton  |  Board of Directors

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. 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.