Our TEAM

FOUNDER, CEO & PUBLISHER

A rare, born-and-raised Central Floridian, Cynthia was drawn to Horizon West by the promise of its Master Plan. Enticed by the vision of Horizon West’s future, her family became first-time homeowners here in 2003 when development was just getting started.

With a degree in Communications - Advertising/Public Relations from UCF and ten years of experience as an Art Director at Walt Disney World, she went on to build her own creative agency business. In her heart, she always knew she wanted to start a community magazine that would connect both locals and business owners about how this developing hometown could provide a happier life. The first annual issue of Living in Horizon West was published in 2018 and continues today under her creative direction and leadership.

CEFO • COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE FORTUNE ORACLE

Dan embraces the Horizon West community and all its offerings with a passionate heart for spreading happiness. A local since 2015, Dan's default mode is bringing a level of excellence to every relationship that makes our community stronger – strengthened by his years of leadership and customer service with brands we all know such as Toys R Us and Disney as well as first-hand experience in what it takes to start and grow a successful small business of his own.

In working closely every day with Horizon West Magazine's community partners, Dan takes the lead in ensuring a win-win relationship that not only assists local businesses and organizations in thriving in their goals, but that betters the community of Horizon West as a whole.

PARTNER RELATIONS MANAGER

As a New Yorker seeking a warmer climate and a community that could nourish her mind, body and spirit, Marie was drawn to Horizon West over 20 years ago. Amazed by and grateful for the ways things have developed over the years, Marie makes fast friends with others who enjoy the benefits of our unique community. 

Marie employs her years of high-end hospitality management to support the businesses and organizations that partner with Horizon West Magazine. With a passion for health and a background in professional fitness, she adores living in a place that allows walking or biking to her favorite places. 

MANAGING EDITOR

A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Leah came to Horizon West in 2012 when a career shift allowed both her and her husband the freedom to work from anywhere. Enticed by nightly fireworks views and the chance to have the world’s most magical neighbor, they built a home here and have never looked back.

Leah’s career started in Pharma IT, but over time she found her calling in local journalism – helping residents, many of whom are transplants themselves, enrich their lives by embracing what Horizon West has to offer.

PARTNER SUCCESS MANAGER

Melanie has proudly called Horizon West home since 2017. She was drawn by its strong sense of community, walkability and the vibrant lifestyle it offers for families like her own. As a passionate outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys biking, running and swimming, and she loves that Horizon West supports those interests with its many trails, parks and welcoming atmosphere.

Believing in the idea that “sometimes you have to create what you want to be a part of,” she founded the Horizon West Kids Tri Club, giving local children the opportunity to discover and grow through endurance sports in their own neighborhood.

She is proud to support our local community and help it continue to thrive—not just for her family, but for all who call Horizon West home.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & CONTENT STRATEGIST

Jen is a community engagement and content strategist with a strong connection to Horizon West. Having called the area home since 2017, she’s passionate about helping local businesses grow through creative storytelling and strategic marketing. With a focus on increasing brand visibility and building meaningful connections, Jen works to amplify the voices of local businesses in the community. 

When she's not crafting content, she enjoys exploring the area's food scene and sharing her culinary discoveries on social media. Jen’s work is driven by her love for the area and her commitment to supporting the businesses that make it thrive.

EVENT PLANNER

A longtime Winter Garden resident, Amy brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing and client services to her role as Event Planner for Horizon West Magazine. 

With a diverse background spanning brand marketing, advertising, event management, and public relations across multiple industries, she is passionate about helping local businesses grow and thrive. Known for her attention to detail, Amy excels at creating engaging, community-focused events.

Outside of work, she enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband and two boys, often spending weekends on the water or evenings at the baseball fields.

DIRECTOR OF EXECUTIVE SUPPORT

Meet Vannessa, a Bolivian native whose journey took her from the vibrant landscapes of South America to the bustling shores of the USA at just 18. Formerly a Virginia resident, she now calls the Horizon West area her home, where she resides with her husband and two daughters. Vannessa's true passion lies in supporting visionaries, empowering them to focus on their unique strengths while she expertly manages the intricacies behind the scenes.

DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE IMPACT

Abby is a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur with a heart for Horizon West. Her superpower is bringing brands to life with big impact by tapping into her strengths in design, writing, photography, and community-grounded strategic thinking. Abby has made it her mission to uplift local businesses. 

Abby values the close-knit feeling of the HW community, whether she's collaborating with businesses or out enjoying the latest in town. Her commitment to the local community and her love for small adventures and magical Disney moments make her part of this vibrant area.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Sylvia is a newcomer to Horizon West. Originally from Bulgaria, she comes to us via Jersey City, New Jersey. She was drawn here by the friendly vibe, perfect weather, vibrant neighborhoods and the appeal of the undeniable sense of community.

Sylvia has worked in a variety of businesses for two rewarding decades as a business development manager. In her current chapter, she serves as Customer Success Manager for Horizon West Magazine, building relationships and helping advertisers achieve their goals.

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

Afrin (pronounced ah-freen) Khan has been a part of the community in and around Horizon West for over 7 years, bringing her dynamic leadership from her roots in New York. With over 20 years of executive experience, she excels in business development, marketing strategy, launch execution, and lead generation. At Horizon West Magazine, Afrin spearheads strategic direction, delivering invaluable insights to surpass revenue targets and drive profitability while ensuring we set our clients up for their own business success.

Having collaborated with visionary leaders like Richard Branson, Deepak Chopra and Muhammad Yunus, Afrin embodies a commitment to excellence and innovation. As an MBA candidate (Class of 2026), her dedication to continuous learning fuels her passion for empowering women business owners, leaders, and game-changers. Afrin’s mission is to inspire transformative change, ensuring businesses excel and make a lasting impact on the community.

EDITORIAL SUPPORT

Marie is a creative writer who started her professional journey in Horizon West 10 years ago at ScribbleSpace. With a passion for community and love of all things local, Marie brings her background in writing for print and digital media to the Horizon West Magazine team.

In her spare time, you can catch Marie volunteering for local nature initiatives, thrifting treasures, or playing with her Corgi-Chihuahua mix, Rigby. Marie’s approach to writing—as well as life—mixes curiosity with warmth and wellness, making her well-suited in crafting stories for Horizon West Magazine.

DESIGNER

A native New Yorker, Rose found herself searching for a lively community where she and her husband could raise their young family. In 2022, they came to Horizon West not only for the ample playgrounds, trails and activities, but also for its vibrant arts scene. 

Rose has enjoyed the company of fellow creatives throughout her career as an illustrator, graphic designer and art instructor. Now, her neighbors in the theme park industry are some of the bests in the world. Rose’s own artistic talents contribute beautiful content to Horizon West Magazine.