ABOUT

Belinda Keiser has devoted her career to advancing Florida’s economic development, higher education, workforce development, and global competitiveness communities. In addition to serving on numerous government-related appointed boards, Keiser is the Vice Chancellor of Community Relations and Student Advancement at Keiser University (KU), managing government relations, advocacy, media and public relations, student & career services, and alumni relations, serving for approximately 40 years as an advocate for social mobility, accessibility to higher education, and talent development.

During her tenure, Keiser University has grown into Florida’s largest, not-for-profit university, serving 20,000 students, primarily campus-based, offering more than 100 doctoral through associate degrees in many of Florida’s targeted industries. Approximately 20 percent of Keiser University’s student body are active-duty service members, veterans, or military family members. With 19 Florida campuses and approximately 3,800 team members, Keiser University’s annual economic impact is approximately $3 billion annually and results in more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. Keiser University has consistently been ranked one of the top universities in the country for providing social, upward mobility to students and earned the No 1. ranking in social mobility from U.S. News & World Report in 2023. For nearly 50 years, KU has continued to serve Florida students, families, and employers seeking career-ready graduates. Keiser University is a state and national leader in the production of nursing graduates passing the NCLEX on first attempt, and actively facilitates clinical partnerships in many of Florida’s premier hospitals.

Keiser is a member of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, appointed by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody in 2020. The vision of the Cabinet, under the leadership of Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, is for all children in Florida to grow up safe, healthy, educated and prepared to meet their full potential. In March 2022, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis appointed Belinda Keiser to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women (FCSW) where she serves as Chair of the Public Policy Committee. The FCSW was created over three decades ago by the Florida Legislature with the mission of raising awareness and celebrating the contributions and successes of women and girls.

In addition to these roles, Keiser is a member of the Executive Committee of Florida TaxWatch, appointed in 2019. As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog, Florida TaxWatch works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida. Keiser was a gubernatorial appointee to the Board of Directors for both Enterprise Florida, the State’s primary economic development board, and Space Florida, the aerospace economic development agency for the State of Florida serving congruent eight-year terms on both Boards.

In 2019, Keiser joined the Foundation for Florida’s Future as a member of the Board of Trustees at the request of former Governor Jeb Bush, citing her commitment to the foundation’s goals of providing access to quality education preparing students for lifelong success. In 2017, Keiser was appointed to Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission (2017-18) by former Governor Rick Scott. Florida is the only state in the Union with a Constitution Revision Commission. The 37-member commission meets only once every 20 years to make recommendations for amendments to Florida’s Constitution for consideration by Florida voters. As a member of the CRC, Keiser served as a member of the Executive, Legislative, and Education Committees. In 2016, Belinda Keiser was entered into the Congressional Record in Recognition of Women’s History Month by Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart and Speaker Paul Ryan for her work in the areas of education, public service, and philanthropy.

Keiser is a former member of the 17th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission where she served consecutive eight-year terms, an Ex-Officio member of the Florida Council of 100, former member of the Board of Florida's Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Government Efficiency Task Force, and former member of the Board of Directors of Workforce Florida, Inc., now CareerSource Florida. Most recently, Keiser accepted the 2024 Florida’s Children First Outstanding Corporate Champion for Children award on behalf of Keiser University. Under Keiser’s leadership, Keiser University and its leaders have actively supported various Florida’s Children First initiatives to safeguard and enhance children’s rights and protections in Florida. Their efforts have focused on providing necessary tools and opportunities for all children, especially those facing disadvantages.

In 2023, Keiser was named to Florida Trend’s Florida 500, a list of the state’s most influential business leaders in business, education, real estate, law, medicine, and other areas. Florida 500 honorees demonstrate impact beyond their companies with a high premium on community service and philanthropy. Those included in the Florida 500 are individuals to whom others in their communities or industry sectors turn to for leadership or who set a standard for best practices in their sector. In 2022, Keiser was the inaugural recipient of the Tony Karrat Excellence in Community Service Award from the Broward County Bar and Legal Aid Services of Broward County (LAS). She previously served as the Coordinator of Broward Lawyers Care for the Broward County BAR and LAS from 1988-1992 where she was responsible for implementing a program for the delivery of pro bono legal services to disadvantaged residents of Broward County.

Belinda Keiser also established the Keiser Mills Foundation, which provides unique scholarship and learning opportunities to students seeking international, entrepreneurial, leadership and civic engagement experiences as part of their college education in Florida. Keiser University has awarded over $72 million in scholarships to needs-based and academically deserving students over the last two years. She leads by example throughout the University with her charitable and philanthropic efforts for non-profit organizations close to heart, such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Diabetes Association, and the American Cancer Society.