MBA names first transgender VP

The Metropolitan Business Association has elected Gina Duncan to the position of board vice president, making her the first transgender person to fill that role. Duncan is the second transgender board member in the MBA’s 18-year existence.

Duncan has been involved with the MBA for several years. She said her initial interest was based on diversity and getting the transgender community involved in organizations around Orlando.

Duncan wants to get the different boards she sits on working together effectively. She also wants the MBA to re-focus on networking, shifting some of the focus away from the MBA’s other role of organizing Orlando’s Pride event.

“Because Come Out With Pride is so big, we’ve turned into an organization where that’s all we do all year,” she said. “But we were formed to promote businesses, like an LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and I’m hoping to head back in that direction.”

Duncan’s politically also motivated.

“I want to use this platform to give some foundation to taking LGBT, especially the transgender platform, to city government and pushing for further improvements in the city as far as equality ordinances and gay rights,” Duncan said. “That dovetails into giving the transgender community a better voice.

She was elected Feb. 18 to fill a vacancy on the MBA Board.

“I am very proud that the MBA continues to represent all persons within our community and we are very excited to have [Duncan] serve this position,” said MBA president Dr. David Baker-Hargrove.
Duncan is a mortgage banking sales manager for Wells Fargo.