Everglades University President and CEO Kristi Mollis received three prestigious recognitions at Florida’s 2026 Top 100 Influential Executive Women Awards, celebrating her exceptional leadership and lasting impact in higher education.
Everglades University is proud to announce that President and CEO Kristi Mollis has been honored at Florida’s 2026 Top 100 Influential Executive Women Awards. Held on October 22, 2026, at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott North, the annual awards luncheon recognized outstanding women leaders whose influence is shaping businesses, organizations, and communities throughout Florida.
President Mollis received three distinctions at this year’s event: a place among Florida’s Top 100 Influential Executive Women, recognition as a Top 10 Honoree, and a Legacy Honoree award for her continued presence on the list for more than five consecutive years.
“I was honored to have received these awards and humbled to be sitting among so many extraordinary executives. For the impact of the businesses recognized, to be in the billions of dollars in the state of Florida is a testament to these exceptional women business leaders. Thank you to Lindsey Murphy and the Influential Executive Team for hosting an amazing event.”
— Kristi Mollis, President and CEO, Everglades University
Celebrating Three Distinguished Honors
Each recognition reflects a different aspect of President Mollis’s leadership, from her achievements in 2026 to her longstanding contributions to Florida’s executive community.
Florida’s 2026 Top 100 Influential Executive Women
President Mollis was named among the 100 influential executive women recognized across Florida for their leadership, professional accomplishments, and impact on businesses and communities.
Presented by Influential Executive Women (IEW), the annual awards celebrate women who are making meaningful contributions across industries and helping shape Florida’s economic and professional landscape.
2026 Top 10 Honoree
In addition to her place among the Top 100, President Mollis earned recognition as one of the Top 10 honorees for 2026.
The distinction highlights her exceptional leadership and influence. Her Top 10 Honoree crystal award, presented by PNC Bank, recognizes her contributions among Florida’s most influential executive women.
Legacy Honoree
President Mollis also received a Legacy Honoree award in recognition of her continued presence among Florida’s Top 100 Influential Executive Women for more than five consecutive years.
Her recognition extends well beyond this milestone. President Mollis has been named among the Top 100 Influential Executive Women for more than 14 consecutive years, demonstrating a remarkable record of leadership and dedication.
A Legacy of Leadership and Recognition
The 2026 awards continue a long history of statewide recognition for President Mollis.
In 2017, she was named one of Florida’s Top 10 Women-Led Nonprofits, ranking second in the state during her fourth consecutive year of nomination. In 2025, she was recognized among the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Florida for the 12th consecutive year.
Her leadership also extends to the broader higher education community. President Mollis has served as a commissioner for an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and has participated in more than 30 on-site accreditation reviews as a team leader. In 2012, she was named South Florida Business Leader of the Year for Education.
These accomplishments reflect her continued commitment to educational excellence, institutional leadership, and the advancement of higher education.
A Year of Growth and Achievement at Everglades University
President Mollis’s latest recognition comes during a year of significant progress for Everglades University. Throughout 2026, the university expanded its academic offerings, strengthened its institutional standing, and earned national recognition.
Key milestones include:
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February 2026: The Everglades University Graduate School opened at the university’s main campus in Boca Raton, offering graduate programs online and on campus.
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March 2026: Everglades University announced the reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
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May 2026: The university introduced a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Space Studies, expanding its aviation and aerospace academic offerings.
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June 2026: President Mollis participated in a Florida Trend roundtable with Palm Beach leaders, discussing the role of artificial intelligence in curriculum development and the importance of aligning academic programs with local workforce needs.
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September 2026: Everglades University earned 26 recognitions in Niche’s 2027 College Rankings, including No. 1 Best Online Colleges in Florida and No. 1 Best Small Colleges in Florida.
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October 2026: The university received recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings, including No. 3 Top Performers on Social Mobility and No. 45 Best Colleges for Veterans among Regional Universities South.
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October 2026: President Mollis was named a Top 10 Honoree at Florida’s 2026 Top 100 Influential Executive Women Awards.
During the Florida Trend roundtable, President Mollis discussed how Everglades University develops academic programs in response to evolving workforce demands across Palm Beach County and Florida. Guided by program advisory committees made up of local employers, the university continues to identify opportunities to prepare students for emerging career fields.
These discussions helped inform the development of the university’s Bachelor of Science degree in Space Studies, reflecting its commitment to industry-relevant education.
Celebrating with the Everglades University Community
Members of the Everglades University team joined President Mollis at the awards luncheon to celebrate her accomplishments alongside fellow honorees, business leaders, colleagues, friends, and family.
The event provided an opportunity to recognize the achievements of women leaders from across Florida and celebrate the collective impact they are making in their respective fields.
Everglades University congratulates President Mollis on her outstanding recognitions and thanks Lindsey Murphy and the Influential Executive Women team for hosting this inspiring celebration of leadership.
About Everglades University
Everglades University is a private, nonprofit university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to prepare students for professional success. With a commitment to academic excellence, flexible learning opportunities, and career-focused education, the university continues to support students in achieving their educational and professional goals.
Learn more about Everglades University and its academic programs at www.evergladesuniversity.edu.