Interview with Tawny Olore on Ecosystems for Change Podcast

Posted on: May 7, 2025

NSF Florida Semiconductor Engine CEO Tawny Olore was recently interviewed on the Ecosystems for Change podcast about the impact of semiconductor ecosystem development on Florida and the national economy.

Ecosystems for Change explores how ecosystem building can help unleash the full potential of the makers, doers, innovators, and visionaries in communities across the country and world. Each episode features guests who share tactics and practical skills they use in their everyday work and what they do to prevent burning the candle at both ends.

In Episode 7, Olore explains what semiconductors are, how they impact society, and why building semiconductor ecosystems isn’t just a matter of economics but one of national security. She also discusses how this Regional Innovation Engine—funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation—is taking on the major project of developing an ecosystem for producing semiconductors in Central Florida that can be translated to other regions.

Tawny Olore serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the NSF Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation Engine, where she is responsible for developing a semiconductor ecosystem in Central Florida that can translate to other regions in the United States. Prior to her role, Tawny served as Osceola County’s Deputy County Manager, responsible for the oversight and management of the Transportation and Transit, Public Works, Real Estate and Right of Way, and Information Technology departments. She has also served as Program Manager for the FDOT Rail Transit program for District Five, specifically managing all aspects of SunRail, Central Florida’s Commuter Rail project – a 61-mile system with 12 stations traversing through a multitude of jurisdictions including four counties and 11 cities.

Click here to listen to this episode on your favorite podcast player!