In collaboration with the 2025 Advocacy Dinner and Awards Ceremony Partner, Walmart, we presented this year’s Chiles Advocate Award on April 14, to Loranne Ausley for her unparalleled work on behalf of children and families across the state.

For more than 25 years, Loranne Ausley has been a dedicated advocate for children, teens, and families. Her commitment to Florida’s future generation began at the Governor’s office when she served as Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Buddy MacKay. Here she worked alongside the Chiles family, advocating for an investment in early childhood education.

This foundational experience shaped her decision to enter public office, where she served as a legislator for more than 10 years. Throughout her career, she remained focused on improving child care, healthcare, and support services for Florida’s youngest citizens.

Ausley’s leadership has brought lasting change not only at the state level, but also to local communities. She was instrumental in the creation of the Florida Children’s Cabinet, which has shaped policy for child welfare in Florida. She also played a key role in the establishment of Whole Child Leon, an initiative that has advocated for children in Leon County for more than two decades. In addition, she helped establish the Children’s Services Council, further solidifying her unwavering commitment to children’s advocacy in her region.

Currently, Ausley is an attorney and serves as the incoming board chair for the Institute for Child Success (ICS), an organization that works across 30 states to implement innovative programs aimed at improving outcomes for children. She lives in Tallahassee with her husband Bill Hollimon and son, Will. She is also a competitive triathlete and 4-time Ironman finisher.