ALMA R. GONZALEZ, Esq.

ALMA is the President of LeadSmart, a firm dedicated to leadership and community development, helping nonprofits, small businesses, employers, and employees build a prosperous future. From 2014 – 2019, she served as the corporate governance and employee relations manager of the Hillsborough County Civil Service Board. She served as Special Counsel for the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Florida from 1999 - 2014. Ms. Gonzalez has an extensive legislative background having worked on federal legislative issues for the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund in Washington D.C., the Florida Association of Counties, and AFSCME Florida. Her state legislative background includes serving as Legislative Director for the Florida Association of Counties, lobbyist for the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and attorney for the Florida House of Representatives Majority and Democratic office, as well as a consultant to the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators. Her work as the Executive Director for the Florida Battered Women’s Clemency Project earned her special recognition from the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and she received the “Most Inspiring Speaker” Award from the Florida State College of Law in recognition for her 10-year contribution to the Annual Summer Law Program for Undergraduate Students. Ms. Gonzalez is a consummate trainer offering courses in organizational development, leadership skills, and contract negotiation. She has lectured throughout the state on a variety of issues including ethics, legislative advocacy, election law, and labor law. She has also served as an instructor in U.S. Constitution at the Tallahassee Community College. Ms. Gonzalez is highly regarded among political activists for her involvement in state and federal campaigns and her expertise on Voter Protection, as well as state and local government issues. Ms. Gonzalez served as founding President of the Hispanic Bar Association for the 2nd Judicial Circuit. She is a member of the Florida Supreme Court’s Justice Teaching Project, and the Administrative Law, and Labor Law Sections of the Florida Bar. Ms. Gonzalez has also served on a number of boards including the Advocacy Operating Committee of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, and the Minority, Women & Small Business Enterprise Committee of the Leon County Board of County Commissioners. She was named President of the Florida Labor-Management Conference for 2011-2012. Ms. Gonzalez has the distinction of having attended three law schools in three years – the University of Wisconsin, Georgetown University Law Center, and graduating cum laude from the Florida State College of Law. Alma has her two amazing sons and, after living in Tallahassee for 25 years, is now proud to call Tampa, Florida her home.