Deputy Mayor Jacqueline A. Guzman
City of Sunrise Commission, Seat D

E-mail: jguzman@sunrisefl.gov

Early Life and Education:
Deputy Mayor Jacqueline A. Guzman was born in Brooklyn, New York. In her teens, she made her home in Sunrise, Florida, where she is now raising her 3 children and serving her community with passion and purpose. She attended Piper High School and graduated from South Plantation High School. Her dedication to service led her to earn an Associate Degree in Healthcare from Las Vegas College in 2016, followed by continued education in Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling.

Community Engagement & Leadership Training:
Jacqueline has been deeply engaged in grassroots leadership and civic education, completing several leadership programs that shaped her public service journey: 

• 2019 – Graduate, Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), Family Central
• 2019 – Graduate, Residents Leadership Academy, City of Sunrise
• 2021 – Graduate, Institute for Elected Municipal Officials, Florida League of Cities
• 2022 – Graduate, Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.), City of Sunrise
• 2022 – Graduate, Sunrise Community Police Academy
• 2024 – Graduate, Sunrise Small Business Academy
• 2025 – Graduate, Poder Collective Fellowship

Public Office & Historic Leadership:
In November 2020, Jacqueline was elected to the Sunrise City Commission, making history as the first Latina (Puerto Rican) woman ever elected in the city. She was re-elected in 2022 and currently serves as Deputy Mayor. Her leadership focuses on empowering families, supporting small businesses, championing youth and inclusive services, and advocating for public health and safety.

Advocacy, Health, and Volunteerism:
As a two-time heart attack survivor, Jacqueline has dedicated herself to heart health awareness. She served as a volunteer local spokeswoman for the American Heart Association from 2012 to 2014 and later as a Board Member from 2022 to 2024. Since her heart attacks, she has hosted several Go Red Fashion Shows to raise awareness of heart disease, with the event held annually at Sawgrass Mills Mall since 2021. 

Her extensive community involvement includes serving as a Board Member for HandsOn Broward (2022–2024) and the Community Action Agency of Broward County (2023–2024). Jacqueline also served as a Child Advocate with the Guardian ad Litem Program.

Her hands-on volunteer work further includes coaching within the City of Sunrise and serving as PTO President at Westpine Middle School, where she founded Panthers with a Purpose, a youth volunteer initiative.

Legislative & Policy Initiatives:
Jacqueline has been instrumental in advancing a range of impactful initiatives, all passed with unanimous support from the Sunrise City Commission:

• Teen Summit – Initiated and secured commission support for this inaugural event aimed at empowering youth through civic engagement, leadership development, and open dialogue on issues affecting teens in Sunrise
• Boys and Girls Club – Supported ongoing investment in youth development
• Baptist Health Hospital, Broward Health, and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Free-Standing Emergency Department – Advocated for increased access to quality healthcare and pediatric emergency services
• Community Town Halls – Championed the implementation of two annual town halls to improve communication, transparency, and public education by providing direct access to city leadership and addressing residents’ concerns
• Road Improvements – Supported major infrastructure and roadway upgrades, including University Drive, Nob Hill Road, and Sunset Strip, enhancing safety
• Quarterly Food Distribution with Farm Share – Championed city-supported food distributions to tackle food insecurity and support families in need
• Recognition of Juneteenth as a Paid City Holiday – Championed equity and cultural awareness through formal recognition
• Sunrise Small Business Academy – Championed creation and ongoing support of the academy to empower local entrepreneurs
• Inclusive Playground Design – Advocated for ADA-accessible and inclusive parks for children of all abilities
• Business Code Updates – Led efforts to modernize city codes, including fence ordinance updates and business signage regulation reforms
• Labor Support – In all five years in office, has supported police, fire, and general employee unions on all negotiations

These initiatives have helped foster a safer, healthier, more equitable, and business-friendly environment in Sunrise. 

National Leadership Roles:
Jacqueline plays an active role in shaping policy at the national level through her work with the National League of Cities (NLC):

• 2022 – Present – Board Member, Hispanic Elected Local Officials (HELO)
• 2022 – Present – Board Member, Women in Municipal Government (WIMG)
• 2024 – Appointed to the Council on Youth, Education, and Families (YEF)
• 2025 – Appointed to the Race, Equity, and Leadership (REAL) Council
• 2025 - Selected as 2nd Vice President of the National League of Cities' Women in Municipal Government (WIMG) constituency group.

She has also served as a voting delegate for both the Broward League of Cities (BLC) and the National League of Cities (NLC).

National Honors and Recognition:
Jacqueline has received significant honors in recognition of her leadership, service, and heritage, including being presented with a United States flag flown over the White House, acknowledging her outstanding service and impact as a distinguished Hispanic leader. 

Notable Recognitions & Achievements: 

• First Latina (Puerto Rican) woman elected to the Sunrise City Commission (2020)
• Nominated for Hispanic Excellence – Florida Panthers
• Recipient, 100 Successful Women in Business – Global Trade Chamber
• Empower Her Legacy Award – HeartSistas
• Connecting Community Award – United Latinas
• Nominated for Elected Official of the Year – TaskForce for Ending Homelessness
• Nominated for Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni – Broward Education Foundation
• Graduate, Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), Family Central (2019)
• Graduate, Residents Leadership Academy (2019)
• Graduate, Sunrise Community Police Academy (2022)
• Graduate, Sunrise Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) (2022)
• Graduate, Sunrise Small Business Academy (2024)
• Graduate, Institute for Elected Municipal Officials, Florida League of Cities
• Graduate, Poder Collective Fellowship
• Board Member, Hispanic Elected Local Officials and Women in Municipal Govt. – NLC
• Board Member & Advocate, American Heart Association (AHA)
• Council Appointee, Race, Equity, and Leadership (REAL) – NLC (2025)
• Council Appointee, Youth, Education, and Families (YEF) – NLC (2024)
• Voting Delegate, Broward League of Cities & National League of Cities
• Founder, Panthers with a Purpose (Youth Volunteer Program)