As Lee County Tax Collector, Noelle Branning is focused on reimagining what people should expect from government service. She leads with a vision for the Lee County Tax Collector to be a role model organization for excellence in providing government services and a belief that achieving that vision begins with creating an exceptional culture.
Under Noelle’s leadership, the organization is committed to delivering 5-Star Service through a culture that values customers, team, and community. Her approach combines a strong commitment to public service with continuous improvement, innovation, and a willingness to challenge the way things have always been done.
Noelle’s perspective is shaped by experience from inside the organization she now leads. She joined the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office in 2013 and spent seven years with the agency before being elected countywide as Lee County Tax Collector in 2020. That experience gave her a firsthand understanding of government operations and an appreciation for the people, processes, and culture required to create meaningful change.
Noelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University and a Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. Her legal education, operational experience, and years in public service have influenced a leadership philosophy grounded in thoughtful decision-making, collaboration, and a willingness to explore new approaches to longstanding challenges.
Her commitment to public service extends beyond Lee County. Noelle serves as a District Director for the Florida Tax Collectors Association, collaborating with tax collectors from across the state to share best practices, strengthen the profession, and advance the delivery of government services.
Community involvement is also an important part of Noelle’s leadership. She serves as Board Chair for The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools and as a board member for United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades, and Community Cooperative. She also serves on the Southwest Florida Regional Council for Leadership Florida, connecting with leaders working across sectors to strengthen communities throughout the region and state.
Whether leading her organization, serving her community, collaborating with other public-sector leaders, or speaking to audiences about leadership and innovation, Noelle returns to the same idea: government can be a place where talented people thrive, new ideas are welcomed, and exceptional service is not the exception; it’s the expectation.
