Lisa Rain with Duke Energy: Women Who Move The City
Meet Lisa Rain, Marketing Manager, Economic Development with Duke Energy.
LISA RAIN
Marketing Manager, Economic Development | Duke Energy
As Orlando-based marketer for Duke Energy’s economic development team, Lisa Rain gives voice to the company’s pitch for global businesses to locate new operations in Florida. The state’s popularity as a tourism destination often eclipses its appeal as a conducive backdrop for growing companies. “There are misconceptions about doing business in Florida,” Rain says. “People don’t always see the opportunities for business development.”
Rain joined Duke Energy in 2021 as the company expanded its economic development program, which works closely with partners across 35 Florida counties the utility serves. Much of the Pittsburgh native’s work involves crafting promotional messages, organizing events, and communicating the value of Duke Energy’s tools and resources to local economic development organizations. The role comes naturally to Rain, who worked previously as economic development coordinator for the City of Orlando. “I loved working for the city,” she says. Interacting with local businesses was something she discovered a special knack for. With a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and master’s in science, technology and public policy, Rain is skilled at translating complex technical concepts into language people of any background can understand. “I do a lot with our tech and innovation community,” she says, noting her participation in the Orlando Tech Council and other innovation-based economic development strategies. “I have amazing leadership at Duke Energy who encourage me to get involved with these groups and initiatives,” Rain adds.
It was during her time with the city that Rain met her husband, Glenn Closson, a serial entrepreneur who founded Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company. The two were then serving on the board of Ivanhoe Village Inc., one of Orlando’s Main Street districts. “It was a match made in economic development heaven,” Rain says with a laugh. She continues to contribute time and leadership to numerous community groups. Since arriving here in 2014, Rain has been on the board of Keep Orlando Beautiful, where she has helped plan fundraising events and recruit volunteers. She chairs the Community Advisory Board at public radio stations WMFE and WMFV. An avid runner, Rain serves on the board at Girls on the Run of Central Florida, whose mission includes organizing running clubs at elementary schools.
“Lisa’s engaged across the community,” says Marc Hoenstine, managing director of Duke Energy Florida Economic Development. Her perspective as a local business owner adds real force to Rain’s role on Duke Energy’s economic development team. “She’s working to change perceptions that will help other businesses come here and be successful,” Hoenstine says.
