Some leaders build successful careers. Others use their careers to open doors, bring people together, and create meaningful change. Teresa Mairn is that kind of leader. As the recipient of the Women of Inspiration Award, Teresa is recognized for transforming how sports and entertainment partnerships can create value—not just for organizations, but for communities. Through her work with AdventHealth, Teresa has pioneered a partnership model that brings healthcare into sports, entertainment, education, and community experiences. Her guiding question is simple:
“How can this partnership improve lives?”
— Teresa Mairn
That philosophy has helped her build an extraordinary network of partners, including Walt Disney World, the Orlando Magic, USTA National Campus, Florida Citrus Sports, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orange County Public Schools, Osceola County School District, Second Harvest Food Bank, and many others.
Turning Partnerships Into Impact
Teresa’s achievements demonstrate what happens when partnerships are built around purpose. She developed and led three major community health movements. AdventHealth’s “You Good?” youth mental health campaign brought athletes, behavioral health experts, schools, and community organizations together to normalize conversations about mental wellness and connect families with resources.
Through Drive Out Hunger, Teresa helped unite schools, sports organizations, businesses, and volunteers to address childhood food insecurity—ultimately impacting more than 361 schools and 200,000 students and providing an estimated 1.4 million meals.
She also helped create free sports physical and cardiac screening programs through partnerships with Orange County Public Schools and Osceola County School District. Most recently, more than 1,010 student-athletes received free physicals and 634 received ECG screenings, supported by 170 volunteers.
“Every child should have the opportunity to participate in the sport they love without access to healthcare being the thing that stands in their way.”
— Teresa Mairn
Reimagining Healthcare Through Partnership
Teresa has also helped redefine the patient experience. Through AdventHealth’s partnership with Walt Disney World Resorts, she helped lead the development of an innovative emergency care environment that incorporates Disney storytelling and immersive design to reduce anxiety, improve comfort, and support healing.
“Health is connected to so many things—movement, creativity, connection, community and a sense of belonging.”
— Teresa Mairn
Opening Doors for the Next Generation
Perhaps Teresa’s greatest impact is the people she inspires. She is deeply committed to mentoring women pursuing leadership roles in sports, entertainment, healthcare, and marketing. Through coaching, career guidance, stretch opportunities, and executive exposure, she helps emerging leaders build confidence and find their voice.
“Leadership is measured by the success of the people you develop.”
— Teresa Mairn
Her influence creates a multiplier effect: women she has mentored have gone on to lead major initiatives, take on greater responsibilities, and mentor others.
“One of the greatest responsibilities we have as leaders is to open doors for the people coming behind us—and then make sure they have the confidence to walk through them.”
— Teresa Mairn
A Legacy of Purpose
What distinguishes Teresa is not simply the partnerships she has built, but the new possibilities she has created. She has helped shift the conversation from sponsorship activation to community impact, healthcare innovation, and long-term partnership strategy.
Her work shows that business success and meaningful social impact are not competing priorities. When the right people come together around a shared purpose, partnerships can improve health, expand access to care, strengthen communities, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
That is the essence of a Woman of Inspiration.
Congratulations, Teresa Mairn, on this well-deserved recognition—and thank you for showing us what is possible when partnerships are built not just for visibility, but for impact.