Amidst hugs, bouquets of flowers, and congratulations from their family and friends, Norma Camero Reno and Liana Fernández Fox — two representatives of Hispanic culture — were selected for induction into the 2026 Hillsborough County Women’s Hall of Fame.
These leaders were recognized as pioneers in education and community leadership, as announced by the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women.
“We have proudly selected Liana Fernández Fox, Ph.D., and Norma Camero Reno as the newest inductees into the 2026 Women’s Hall of Fame—women who join a distinguished class of honorees whose leadership and achievements have left an indelible mark on Hillsborough County and its residents,” the commission wrote in a special report regarding the event.
Norma Camero Reno
“As a woman, being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a unique experience; for me, it is an honor to have been included. I am grateful for the support I receive from my community — and, above all, for the opportunity to represent Hispanic women. I am very proud,” explained Venezuelan native Norma Camero Reno.
Born in El Tigre, Venezuela, Camero Reno has been a U.S. citizen for over 30 years. She has practiced as a successful attorney for the past two decades, in addition to championing initiatives that uplift disadvantaged families, immigrants, and youth. “I do this with the aim of ensuring that they are visible, valued, and empowered. I fight for the defense of human rights.”
Camero Reno holds a doctorate in public international law with a specialization in human rights — one of the highest academic degrees in the field of international law. “This is the first time a Venezuelan woman has been inducted into the Hillsborough County Hall of Fame. For me, it is an honor — a source of double pride given my roots in Venezuela — and I share this award with all Hispanic women, and especially with the women of my home country,” added the attorney.
Established in 2011 by the Commission on the Status of Women, the Hall of Fame pays tribute to individuals who, through their lives and efforts, have made significant contributions toward improving the quality of life for women and all residents of Hillsborough County.
“I was taken by surprise to learn that I was being recognized for the decades I have dedicated to empowering immigrant and Hispanic communities through my work as an attorney. I believe that my civic leadership and my service as a co-founder of Casa Venezuela in Tampa Bay also played a significant role,” noted Camero Reno, who is also a bilingual author dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding.
Her leadership has extended to the Board of Advisors at the Moffitt Cancer Center, as well as to community projects such as the “A Step to the Future” scholarship program and “Angels on Wheels,” thereby empowering immigrant families and strengthening cultural ties.
Liana Fernández Fox
The Hall of Fame celebrates female leaders whose work has strengthened education, expanded opportunities, promoted equity, and uplifted the community.
Liana Fernández Fox fits this description perfectly; born in the city of Tampa, she comes from a Cuban family that instilled in her a deep love for helping others.
“It is an honor; I never imagined I would receive such an award. I am overjoyed because, on this very special day, I am surrounded by my husband, my son, my brother, and all my friends. I have spent my entire life in this city and this county, and I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved,” said the honoree, who also holds a Ph.D.
Fox is an accomplished leader who has dedicated more than five decades to promoting educational access, empowerment, and women’s leadership in Hillsborough County, becoming the first faculty member to be appointed to the President’s Cabinet at what was then Hillsborough Community College.
“Because I am a very different kind of teacher—one who always wanted to talk with my students, to study how to better understand them, and to provide them with various learning strategies — especially in mathematics, where I managed to bring out the very best in them, and where, through my instruction, they had to think their way through solving their assignments,” explained Liana, who currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida, as well as on the “Women in Leadership and Philanthropy” group at her alma mater.
Dr. Fox served on the Advisory Council for the College of Education — of which she was president — and is a member of the USF National Alumni Association, thereby institutionalizing shared governance and elevating faculty voices in executive decision-making.
“My work, it has always been about guiding students and teachers — ensuring that both parties understand and support one another — because, for me, it is fundamental to firmly establish the educational foundations of children and young people as they embark on their academic journeys, whether in schools or at the university level. This is a vital undertaking in which we must stand alongside parents,” noted Fox, who has dedicated more than 50 years to expanding access to higher education and promoting female leadership in Hillsborough County as a mathematics teacher.
Susan Wagner Leisner
Susan Wagner Leisner — a nationally recognized finance expert and Certified Financial Analyst — was also among the women inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women.
Wagner Leisner has forged a distinguished career in financial analysis and corporate leadership. After beginning her professional life as an educator, she ventured into the business sector and subsequently became a respected leader within Tampa’s financial community.
A permanent exhibition paying tribute to all the honorees is located at the Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library in Tampa, where residents can learn more about these extraordinary women whose leadership continues to inspire generations.