City official moves up quickly in government hierarchy

When Emily Colón first moved to Florida, it was without much of a plan. 

She came to the state as a first-generation college student from Minnesota, with dreams of palm trees and playing collegiate volleyball. As for career-planning, she says, that was about it. 

It’s hard to imagine that version of Colón, more aimless and carefree. As assistant city manager for the city of Lakeland, the 34-year-old lives on intention — with a capital ‘I.’ She approaches life like a strategic plan and believes there is no such thing as being stagnant, only becoming better or worse.