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AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE

Austin WomAn mAGAZinE | MAY 2017

Austin WomAn mAgAzine

AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE

It’s that time of year when we make resolutions and goals for our year ahead. In much the same way, Volvo continually looks to the future with the goal of redefining personal mobility in a safe and sustainable way.

AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2020

Happy new year from Volvo Cars of Austin.

• We want to give back one week of quality time per year through a new Volvo car by 2025.

7/22/13 3:32 PM

THE GETAWAY CAR OUR IDEA OF LUXURY

VOLVO CARS OF AUSTIN | 6375 HWY 290 EAST • 512-452-0266 • 1-800-278-6586 • VOLVOAUSTIN.COM VOLVO CARS OF GEORGETOWN | 7501 S IH-35 (EXIT 257) • 512-930-2111 • VOLVOGEORGETOWN.COM ©2017 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo. Rooftop carrier for illustration only.

NOVEMBER 2011

“If you’re a mom, you’re a superhero—period.” –Rosie Pope

August 2013

OCTOBER 2011

VOLVO CARS OF AUSTIN | 7216 N. IH-35 • 866-974-6096 • VOLVOAUSTIN.COM

©2020 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo.

The new Volvo V90 Cross Country is ready to go whenever you are. Versatile and elegant with all-road, all weather capabilities. So it doesn’t matter if your next adventure is in downtown Austin or out in the hill country, this all-new V90 will be turning heads the whole way.

“Being rich is having money. Being wealthy is having time.” —Margaret Bonanno

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW VOLVO V90 CROSS COUNTRY

I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself. Maya Angelou

“A woman uses her intelligence to find reasons to support her intuition.”—Gilbert K. Chesterton

As long as we have books, we are not alone. Laura Bush

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• Around 50 percent of the cars we produce and sell will be electric by 2025.

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Margaret JABOUR

Meet our most luxurious Volvo ever. Bold, harmonious design, pure uncluttered luxury, intuitive technologies, advanced safety features, and comfort for seven - this is our idea of luxury.

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Roger Beasley Volvo

Every innovation we make is designed to simplify and improve your life. We're especially proud of our advances in efficient power, connectivity and safety.

We call our thinking in these areas: Drive-E, Sensus and IntelliSafe.

Volvo of Georgetown 7501 S. IH-35 (Exit 257)

6375 Hwy. 290 East

(512) 930-2111 volvogeorgetown.com

(512) 452-0266

• 1-800-278-6586 volvoaustin.com

©2015 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo.

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AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE

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©2019 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo.

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As long as we have books, we are not alone. Laura Bush

It’s that time of year when we make resolutions and goals for our year ahead. In much the same way, Volvo continually looks to the future with the goal of redefining personal mobility in a safe and sustainable way.

“A wom an uses

AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2020

Happy new year from Volvo Cars of Austin.

Volvo is committed to pursuing these visions:

intuition .”—Gilber t K. Che sterton

• No one should be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo car by 2020.

• We want to give back one week of quality time per year through a new Volvo car by 2025.

• Around 50 percent of the cars we produce and sell will be electric by 2025.

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THE GETAWAY CAR OUR IDEA OF LUXURY

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VOLVO CARS OF AUSTIN | 6375 HWY 290 EAST • 512-452-0266 • 1-800-278-6586 • VOLVOAUSTIN.COM

3:32 PM

VOLVO CARS OF GEORGETOWN | 7501 S IH-35 (EXIT 257) • 512-930-2111 • VOLVOGEORGETOWN.COM ©2017 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo. Rooftop carrier for illustration only.

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AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE | APRIL 2018

VOLVO CARS OF AUSTIN | 7216 N. IH-35 • 866-974-6096 • VOLVOAUSTIN.COM

©2020 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo.

The new Volvo V90 Cross Country is ready to go whenever you are. Versatile and elegant with all-road, all weather capabilities. So it doesn’t matter if your next adventure is in downtown Austin or out in the hill country, this all-new V90 will be turning heads the whole way.

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AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE | MAY 2018

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VOLVO CARS OF AUSTIN | MOVING THIS MONTH TO 7216 N. IH-35 • 512-402-5554 • VOLVOAUSTIN.COM VOLVO CARS OF GEORGETOWN | 7501 S IH-35 (EXIT 257) • 855-255-5788 • VOLVOGEORGETOWN.COM ©2018 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo.

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POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Dr. Winifred Mak from the Women’s Health Institute answers common questions about PCOS.

Hormones are chemical messengers that are secreted directly into the blood where they travel throughout the body, coordinating complex processes like growth, metabolism and fertility. When your body does not produce the right amount of hormones, conditions may develop that can affect various functions in your body and your overall quality of life.

One example of a condition linked to a hormonal imbalance is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where women produce an excess of male hormones (androgens). PCOS is a common condition, affecting one in 10 women of reproductive age (15 to 44 years), but nearly half of affected women go undiagnosed. PCOS can lead to female infertility and is a risk factor for diabetes, uterine cancer and heart disease.

PCOS can be a lifelong disorder that often requires specialized care to manage. Dr. Winifred Mak, a reproductive endocrinologist at UT Health Austin’s Women’s Health Institute, answers common questions about PCOS symptoms, available treatment options and more.

What causes PCOS? Doctors are not entirely sure what causes PCOS, but believe it involves a combination of disorders associated with an excess of androgens and insulin resistance that results in irregular ovulation and periods. The high levels of androgens prevent the ovaries from responding normally to hormones that enable an egg to be ovulated each month. Studies show that PCOS runs in families and is likely linked to multiple genes.

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What are the symptoms?

How is it treated?

Symptoms include irregular menstrual cycles, excess facial and body hair, male pattern baldness, severe acne, dark skin patches in the groin, armpits and body creases, an abundance of small cysts (fluid-filled sacs) on one or both ovaries, anxiety, depression, difficulty in losing weight or weight gain.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS, but treatment focuses on managing and slowing the progression of symptoms to lower your risk of long-term health problems. One of the best treatments for PCOS is a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a low glycemicindex diet, which means eating foods with complex carbohydrates.

Losing weight can help with all symptoms associated with PCOS; however, some women may need medication to help improve insulin resistance and slow prediabetic or diabetic progression.

Other treatments, such as hormonal birth control, can help restore regular periods, keeping the uterine lining safe from developing endometrial cancer. This can also help improve PCOSrelated acne and excess unwanted hair growth. Fertility treatments are available for women looking to get pregnant, allowing many women to conceive.

How does it affect the body?

Because PCOS affects ovulation, women with this condition may have a difficult time getting pregnant.

In addition to infertility, approximately half of people with PCOS experience weight gain or obesity that is difficult to manage. PCOS, along with obesity, can increase your risk of heart disease as well as becoming prediabetic or diabetic. Having fewer than four periods a year can also lead to abnormal thickening of your uterine lining and increase your risk of developing endometrial cancer. Â

For more information about the Women’s Health Institute at UT Health Austin, call 833.882.2737 or visit uthealthaustin.org

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INVEST IN GIRLS, CHANGE THE WORLD GIRLS TODAY ARE GROWING UP IN A PERIOD OF RAPID CHANGE. Beyond the recent changes forced by the global pandemic and related economic shifts, significant demographic and social changes continue to impact our community. Today’s girls must develop a broad set of skills, behaviors, and attitudes to effectively navigate their environment, work well with others, perform their best, achieve their goals, and become the confident women who will lead Austin in the future. For over 100 years, Girl Scouts has given girls the space to develop their voice and find ways to shape the world.

Quinn sees herself building robots, we see her building confidence.

Sage sees herself creating sustainability, we see her creating character.

Sage’s experience goes beyond a traditional Girl Scout troop. She is part of the nation’s first scuba diving troop.

With the motto, “We do everything a Girl Scout does, we just do it underwater,” the troop has hosted underwater cookie booths and earned badges at 15 meters deep! Scuba diving opened Sage’s eyes to the need for ocean conservation and sustainability.

She created a patch program for all Central Texas Girl Scouts, educating girls about a chemical in many sunscreens that harms coral reefs. Sage hopes to inspires other girls to change the status quo.

What’s the power of encouraging, allgirl environments? Just ask Quinn, a three-time world champion robotics programmer. Quinn and the Lady Cans, a Girl Scouts of Central Texas robotics team, are not only disrupting stereotypes in STEM, but introducing it to young girls as a safe, fun space. Once a shy, quiet girl, Quinn has developed powerful leadership skills through Girl Scouts. She holds the Chief Technology Officer title for the Lady Cans and credits the Girl Scouts’ inspiring learning environment for encouraging her to step up and speak out, especially when it comes to gender-bias in STEM.

Grace sees herself showing support for koalas, we see her showing courage.

6-year-old Girl Scout Daisy, Grace, proves that the Girl Scouts of Central Texas sisterhood goes beyond the Austin community. When Grace learned about Australia’s devastating wildfires, she used her network to connect with the Australian Scouting Program, Girl Guides, to offer support. With the help of her mom, Grace sewed 83 pairs of reusable dressing mittens to be used for koalas that were treated for hand burns.

The power of Girl Scouts comes from the support of the community. Together, we’re teaching girls life-changing skills to change the world. To learn how you can support Girl Scouts of Central Texas, through volunteerism or donation, visit www.gsctx.org.

Photos by Courtney Runn.

MAY 2020

CONTENTS | MAY

36

38 46

20

COUNT US IN Women in Numbers

22

START THE CONVO The Essential Work of Women

36

BEAUTY Four-step Skin Care

38

MAKE ROOM Home Office Makeover

58

RECIPE REVEAL Wine Gatorade

60

ON THE MONEY Managing Credit-card Debt

62

ASK LUCY Supporting Your Local Animal Shelters

64

I AM AUSTIN WOMAN Felicia Peña

FEATURE: LEAN IN 42

KIM HANKS

43 HEATHER BRUNNER

58

44

ANDRA LIEMANDT

45

MARGARET JABOUR

46

BROOKLYN DECKER

47

PATTI ROGERS

48

HEIDI MARQUEZ SMITH

49

SARA BRAND AND KERRY RUPP

50

LISA COPELAND

51

LYNN MEREDITH

52

YOLANDA CONYERS

53

EMILY RAMSHAW

54

KAREN QUINTOS

55

TIFFANY TAYLOR CHEN

56

SHEENA PAUL

57

SYLVIA ACEVEDO

ATX WOMEN TO WATCH

62 64

28

JESSICA CAMPOS

29 KYRA SEAY 30

WENDY COVEY

31

KILLY SCHEER

32

MELISSA M. WILLIAMS

33 ALYSSA ARVIE 34

12 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MAY 2020

LILIYA KONECHNY

Ashley Alaniz-Moyer, ’14 Ashley knew she wanted to earn her MBA and Concordia was the right fit. She learned to fine-tune her management skills and was given realworld experience, such as a capstone project with Student Loan Genius. Now, she is serving as the Executive Director of the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium.

EARN YOUR MBA

Take the world by

 CONCORDIA.EDU/MBA

Maybe she is too frightened to ask for help.

A groundbreaking study from the University of Texas estimates over 79,000 minors and teenagers in Texas today are victims of sex trafficking. These children need help.

Austin Oral Surgery ~ together with area dental professionals ~ are working to identify these victims of child sex trafficking and you can help.

Be on the lookout for: •

Visible injuries, scars

•

Untreated dental or medical needs

•

Tattoos of ownership, money symbols,

•

Malnutrition

emoticons

•

Torn frenum

•

Evidence of being controlled

•

Scripted or memorized history

•

Not allowed to speak for self

•

Appearance younger than stated age

•

No formal ID, documents held by

•

Subordinate, hyper-vigilant, or fearful behavior

companion

•

Companion who refuses to leave

If you suspect someone is a victim of sex trafficking, call The National Human Trafficking Resources Center 333.373.7888 or text HELP or INFO to 233733 for discreet help.

For more information, go to Bethe1Educate1Save1.com

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WHY HOME STAGING IS WORTH THE INVESTMENT Selling your home can be a stressful and emotional process.

Most sellers are trying to close as quickly as possible, get the best offer and generate the most profit. But there is a way to help minimize the stress and maximize the profit: home staging. And it’s definitely worth the investment!

Most sellers have heard about staging, but often question if it costs too much. However, staging is actually a gainful step in the home-selling process. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 83 percent of buyers visualize toured properties as future homes. Staging a home removes the personal feel, which often results in higher offers and decreases time on the market compared to a vacant home.

If you want to get the most out of your home and increase a buyer’s desire to buy and live there, hiring a design agency like The Zella Company, with more than 20 years of experience staging and designing homes, can benefit you.

Working with our team of talented designers requires little to no effort. A simple phone call will start the process and you can just sit back, have The Zella Company stage your home and allow the prospective buyers to feel like they are stepping into their new home.

THE BENEFITS OF HOME STAGING

Want more profit and higher offers? According to the NAR, 58 percent of sellers are offered more money for staged homes.

Staging also generates a 1 to 5 percent increase in the anticipated price and, in some instances, up to 20 percent higher price. Imaging getting 20 percent as a return on investment!

• Staging helps your home stand out.

If you’re worried about your house sitting on the market too long, don’t! In a 2018 survey completed by the Real Estate Staging Association, unstaged homes sit on the market an average of 107 days, while staged homes average at just 18 days. The longer your home sits on the market, the less likely you will get the offers you want and the more likely you’ll incur high carrying costs.

• Staging may encourage buyers to spend more time walking through the house.

• Staging could help buyers look past negatives.

• Staging maximizes the space.

• Staging leads to higher offers.

• Staging helps homes sell faster.

Warning: Staging by The Zella Company may help buyers fall in love with the house.

Contact us for a quote at zellacompany.com or call 512.904.9137 to talk with our team.

zellacompany.com

CONTRIBUTORS

A PUBLICATION OF AW MEDIA INC.

This month, we asked our contributors: What is making you smile?

VOLUME 18, ISSUE 9

DAWN WESTON

Publisher

JOANNE XU

NIKI JONES

Writer, “Women in Numbers,” Page 20

Creative Director

• Mandarin was her first language • used to run a famous One Direction fan account

COURTNEY RUNN

Interim Editor

• met Gloria Steinem this year What’s making her smile: TikTok

DARBY KENDALL

Interim Copy Editor SAM PITKIN

Marketing and Events Manager MONIKA KELLEY

JENNY HOFF

Account Executive

Writer, “On The Money,” Page 60 • walked part of the Great Wall of China

LESLIE WILLIAMSON

Sales and Production Coordinator

•h osted a financial podcast that made it to a coveted iTunes New & Noteworthy spot • is learning how to draw while in quarantine What’s making her smile: Hugs

CONTRIBUTORS

Editorial: Jenny Hoff, Regine Malibiran, Felicia Peña, Hannah J. Phillips, Courtney Runn, Shauntavia Ward, Joanne Xu Art: Rudy Arocha, Andrew Chan, Eric Doggett, Ryann Ford, Heather Halbert, Cody Hamilton, Korey Howell, John Langford, Kate LeSueur, Jessie Lyle, Ilana Panich-Linsman, Annie Ray, Courtney Runn, Jessica Wetterer INTERNS

Landry Allred, Caroline Covert, Haley Riley, Sierra Rozen, Joanne Xu

HANNAH J. PHILLIPS Writer, “Ask Lucy,” Page 62 •h elps research and transcribe Lucy J. Phillips’ monthly “Ask Lucy” columns •h as traveled to seven state parks and nine national parks with Lucy • Lucy is a parvo survivor thanks to Austin Pets Alive!

What’s making them smile: Bacon

AW MEDIA INC. MELINDA GARVEY

KIP GARVEY

Co-founder/Co-owner

CEO/Co-owner

SAMANTHA STEVENS

Co-founder

ASHLEY GOOLSBY

CFO

COVER PHOTOGRAPHERS Rudy Arocha: Sheena Paul Andrew Chan: Yolanda Conyers, Karen Quintos

Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc., and is available at locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville.

All rights reserved.

To offer feedback, email feedback@awmediainc.com.

For submission information, visit atxwoman.com/jobs.

No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission.

Visit us online at atxwoman.com.

Email us at info@awmediainc.com.

512.328.2421 | 3921 Steck Ave., Suite A111, Austin, TX 78759

Eric Doggett: Lisa Copeland, Tiffany Taylor Chen Ryann Ford: Lynn Meredith Cody Hamilton: Heidi Marquez Smith Kristen Kilpatrick: Brooklyn Decker John Langford: Margaret Jabour Annie Ray: Kim Hanks, Andra Liemandt, Patti Rogers Keith Trigaci: Sara Brand and Kerry Rupp, Heather Brunner, Emily Ramshaw

ATXWOMAN.COM | 15

FROM THE FOUNDER

My story is probably a lot like yours. I drove to Galveston,

Texas with my family on March 13 for spring break.

My 80-year-old parents met us at our family home to spend some much-needed time with their 12-year-old grandson, Beck. We were on the bridge to Galveston, competing for who would be the first to say, “First to see the sea” (a family tradition picked up from dear friend Helen Maidment), when breaking news came over the radio that the country was entering a stay-at-home order for the next few weeks—or longer. There were cheers from the backseat as my son quickly realized that meant school would also be out until then—or even longer. My husband and business partner, Kip, and I looked at each other and both said simultaneously, “We better hit the grocery store on the way into town.”

That was the start of what has now become a sevenweek journey, one that has been both the most challenging and stressful of my career and, in so many ways, the most enriching and joy-filled. This issue that you are either holding in your hands right now or reading online is the product of a fantastic team who is passionate, committed and experienced and a community of supportive, compassionate and enthusiastic women. I want to get real here and tell you that, unequivocally, we could not have produced this issue without the financial support of the community of women who at one time graced our cover and who we now are featuring with the next chapter of their stories. Many of these women were on our cover many, many years ago, but have still stayed connected to not only the magazine, but to supporting the amazing community of women that our great city of Austin boasts. They understand what “leaning in” really is and we will be forever grateful for the gift of their friendship to Austin Woman.

I also want to thank our advertisers who stayed with us during this time—there were many, who for very understandable reasons, had to step away and we were able to honor their needs because of the advertisers who were able to stay in and support us. Please help me thank them by remembering them when you make purchases.

I would like to extend a personal thanks to everyone involved in making this issue happen, from our amazing team, to our writers and interns, our printer who worked with us to lower expenses and our distribution team who got creative and is making sure the magazines reach our readers. And a special thanks to Twin Liquors, who not only is an advertiser and participated in our cover-woman campaign, but is also distributing magazines with wine and liquor deliveries all over the city! Also, shout out to Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew and atxGals—both are including magazines in their curbside orders!

It truly took a village to make this happen. Please take time to look at the list to the right and, if you know them, please reach out and thank them and if you don’t, now is the time to get to know them and their businesses. These are the people that make Austin great. And I am personally humbled by the love and support we have been shown.

As you enjoy the issue, you may notice it looks slightly different without the fancy spine and the super glossy cover. Alternative printing choices were made as a creative cost-saving measure this month, but never fear, we will, all of us, be back to our new normal selves soon. Until then, God speed and please, please reach out if we can be of service.

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Asian American food industry. Since COVID-19 emerged, Asian Americans have endured racist slurs, harassment and even attacks throughout the country. In Austin, in the face of professional and personal concerns, the Asian and Chinese American community is still serving up food to Austinites and needs the city’s support in return.

Mary Beth Minnis. From executive producing Emmy-winning Tower to working alongside Steph Curry and Kevin Durant on the documentary Jump Shot, Mary Beth Minnis has dedicated her career to sharing stories of human connection.

Black Women in Business. After it wasn’t safe for her own mother to go to the grocery store, Rose Smith knew she needed to help the other senior citizens and immunocompromised in her community. As the CEO and founder of Black Women in Business, she mobilized her members and partnered with several area churches to deliver food free of cost to vulnerable community members.

Fostering as a single mom. Hallie Graves always thought she would get married and have biological children but after working with local nonprofits dedicated to foster care and adoption, she decided not to wait. Graves has fostered several children as a single parent and is currently fostering a young girl with special needs who she plans to adopt.

OUT OF THE OFFICE After shelter-in-place orders were enacted, Austin Woman launched a new Instagram-live series to offer you practical advice for juggling work, kids, relationships, finances, mental health and everything else while working from home. Here are a few of our OOOs you can catch up on in our IGTV archives. Look out for more weekly live interviews!

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Danielle Locklear: How to Protect Your Mental Health Dre Fox: Social-media Strategy for Small-business Owners Jin Laqui: How to Fuel Your Inner Foodie Joy and Mackenzie Nunn: Planning Retirement During Coronavirus Cara Caulkins: PR During a Pandemic

18 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MAY 2020

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Golden retrievers photo courtesy of LCC, Marth Beth Minnis photo courtesy of Mary Beth Minnis, Black Women in Business photo courtesy of Rose Smith.

LCC Comfort Dogs. This is a Zoom call you’ll actually look forward to! Lutheran Church Charities is now offering digital visits with its comfort dogs. The nonprofit responds to crisis situations throughout the country and employs up to 130 golden retrievers for its K-9 ministry. If you’re feeling anxious or just need a listening ear, you can now schedule video calls with its pups.

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Asian Americans across the country are pulling up seats for themselves at tables that have historically excluded them from the conversation.

BY JOANNE XU ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSICA WETTERER

19 Though some may only associate Southeastern Asian ethnicities with the identifier of “Asian American,” there are actually 19 dominant ethnic groups that fall under the Asian American umbrella, representing more than 40 countries.

$238 million Until 2018’s release of Crazy Rich Asians, it had been 25 years since Hollywood produced a blockbuster production featuring an all-Asian cast.

The romantic comedy— which racked up a whopping $238 million worldwide—follows the love story between a Columbia University professor and a Singaporean heir to a family of tycoons. This year also marked the beginning of what many in the community consider to be a developing movement for true Asian American representation in entertainment and beyond.

63 Since 1900, when the first Asian Pacific American delegate was elected to Congress, 63 Asian Americans have served as United States legislators. In this year’s presidential election, there were a record-breaking three presidential candidates hailing from Asian Pacific American descent, including Andrew Yang, Kamala Harris and Tulsi Gabbard.

20 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MAY 2020

115,000 Asian Americans make up the fastest-growing minority group in Austin, with close to 115,000 residents selfidentifying as Asian Pacific American. According to the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, Asian American businesses in Austin are growing by 7.5 percent annually and there will be a projected 22,000 Asian American owned businesses by 2022 in Central Texas.

13 At least 13 Hollywood projects featuring Asian-centric narratives and casts have been greenlit for production following Crazy Rich Asians’ 2018 success. Showstoppers include Netflix’s Always Be My Maybe, starring Ali Wong and Randall Park, and A24’s Oscar-nominated The Farewell, starring Awkwafina. Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan is also slated for release in 2020.

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TH A N K YO U TO O U R S U P P OR T E R S Aliana Apodaca • Alicia Marie • Ani Colt • Ashley Burke-Muraida • Audrey Ponzio • Avery Price Bridget Karam • Brooke Taylor • Cara Caulkins • Carrie Dyer • Cassandra Bujanda • Cassie Shankman Cathy Northcutt • Cherie Mathews • Courtney Bianchi • Courtney Cope • Ellen Pitkin Hanna Sitting Crow • Heather Emerson • Jackie Brotschul • Jennifer Vergara • Jessica Gaffney Jessica Wetterer • Kacie Crowe • Katrina Moline • Kelly Molak • Kelly Perkins • Kristin Zanotti Laura Craddick • Leigh Renken • Leslie Stiba • Mackenzie Nunn • Madison Anaya • Mariah Harper Maya Smart • Meredith Cooper • Mike and Sue Maine • Pam Hollingsworth • Pamela King Romina Olson • Sarah Leyda • Sarah Trichardt • Stacey Kaleh • Zuzu Perkal

START THE CONVO

WOMEN’S WORK IS ESSENTIAL WORK

Women’s work has always been essential despite being undervalued; it’s time we treat it as such.

BY REGINE MALIBIRAN

E

ven before women were allowed to formally enter the workforce, there was the expectation that they would perform traditionally “feminine” work such as cooking, cleaning and caretaking. For generations, women have filled these roles both domestically and professionally, despite often receiving little recognition and compensation. Now, in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic, duties classically perceived as “women’s work” rise to the top of our consciousness as essential.

When women perform labor within the household, it’s frequently due to a long-standing societal expectation—and because the work is expected, it’s unpaid. Similarly, when women perform that same work outside of the household, it can be perceived as “unskilled” or somehow less than men’s work. Nurses “work under” physicians; women struggle to be taken seriously in professional kitchens; domestic workers are “unskilled” regardless of the value their work provides. Despite these challenges, women continue to feed us, take care of us and clean up after us, even during a pandemic. Because if they don’t do it, then who will?

“There are many different thought processes of what a nurse does and who they are. I am not the physician’s right hand,” says Sharon Carter, an intensive care unit nurse at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. “Some people think the nurse just does what the physician wants…But nurses are the ones that are there with you time after time. Most of your interaction and care comes from a nurse. We’re there to advocate for you and to help you when you’re most vulnerable.”

22 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MAY 2020

Domestic workers are a particularly defenseless group.

According to the National Domestic Workers Alliance, there are more than 2.5 million domestic workers in the United States, most of whom are women of color and immigrants.

Because domestic work is classified as “unskilled,” there are no formal certifications or training curriculum in the United States. Despite performing essential work, an overwhelming majority of domestic workers don’t have access to a living wage, health care or workers’ protections. In 2012, the NDWA found that the median hourly wage of live-in workers is only $6.15. The NDWA also reported that only 35 percent of domestic workers have health insurance. The National Labor Relations Act prohibits domestic workers from forming unions which cripples their collective bargaining power for fair work environments. Domestic workers are also not protected by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The importance of basic rights like paid sick leave are exceptionally relevant right now, as domestic workers often care for the elderly and immunocompromised.

This inequality compounds when observed through the lens of race and class. When women of color work in highly specialized fields, they can face heightened prejudices, a snowball effect due to preconceived notions of race and gender.

“There have been several times when I look up and I’m the only black female on the floor or in a meeting. ...I’m just numb to it now. I don’t let it get to me anymore,” says Rene’ Howard, nursing supervisor for Austin Regional Clinic. “I’m just as qualified and I work just as hard.”

As the world reacts to the spread of COVID-19, society pushes these traditionally undervalued duties and jobs to the front lines, to keep people healthy and the economy running.

In this new normal, the descriptor essential should not refer just to the work, but also the people completing it. Health care professionals need personal protective equipment. Service industry and domestic workers need paid sick leave and a living wage. Employees in these roles need both structural and community support in order to do their jobs safely and effectively. Otherwise, essential really means disposable.

HOW TO START THE CONVO Understand that work should not be gendered. Work that needs to be done is valuable regardless of who is doing it.

Recognize the work of maintaining a household is equally as valid as an office job.

Have a community-oriented mentality. Keeping our communities safe is the No. 1 priority. Providing essential workers with the resources they need to stay healthy and the support they need to stay home if they are sick benefits everyone.

Advocating for workers’ rights protects our community.

Stay at home if you can. Follow local regulations and socialdistancing protocols to slow the spread of the virus and help prevent overwhelming hospitals and clinics.

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JESSICA CAMPOS

F O U N D E R O F M A R K E T I N G F O R G R E AT N E S S

ore than a decade ago, Jessica Campos experienced near devastation when her successful law practice was wiped out in the mortgage meltdown in Puerto Rico. She took life into her own hands and moved out of Puerto Rico to start from scratch, starting an online business. Campos started Marketing for Greatness to help clients strengthen their brand name and grow their profits. Using her background as an accountant and a lawyer, she specialized in forensic marketing and unlocked the secrets of growing a brand online, growing a successful group of more than 4,000 professionals and entrepreneurs in Austin organically. Today, she is known for her local networking events and workshops, leads retreats and mastermind events for her business accelerator program, and when she’s not marketing for greatness, she’s taking care of her four kids and two dogs. She’s currently preparing to release her new book, Born to Be Younicorn. marketingforgreatness.com

28 | SPECIAL PROMOTION

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WOMAN to WATCH

K Y R A S E AY

S P E C I A L P R O J E C T S M A N A G E R AT B U M B L E

A

s the special projects manager at Bumble, Kyra Seay supports the company’s leadership team with the development and execution of unique operational and marketing projects. In this work, she champions her passion for innovating and creating a transformative inclusive experience for others. Most recently, Seay spearheaded the launch of Bumble’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, a team that serves to enrich Bumble’s mission to create a safe and inclusive community. Prior to working at Bumble, she studied social entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Iowa. After graduation, Seay worked as the communications coordinator at her alma mater, earning a distinguished recognition for strategically cultivating a positive relationship between the university and its surrounding community. In 2017, Seay co-founded Regi-Me Beauty, a highly personalized service specializing in hair-care education and product solutions for curly and kinky hair textures. With a combined background in entrepreneurship and project management, Seay is committed to helping Bumble’s mission and values make an impact on society. bumble.com

ATXWOMAN.COM | SPECIAL PROMOTION | | 29 ATXWOMAN.COM 29

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WOMAN to WATCH

WENDY COVEY

CEO OF TREW MARKETING

endy Covey is an author, podcast host and the CEO of a successful technical marketing agency. And she holds a Texas fishing record! With more than 20 years as a marketing leader in engineering design and manufacturing, Covey knows the key to building trust and converting technical buyers is understanding their pains and developing compelling, technical content that leads to a solution. Through her company, Trew Marketing, she has helped hundreds of engineering and technical companies become trusted advisors, grow sales pipelines and increase market share through content marketing. Covey’s book and podcast of the same name, Content Marketing, Engineered, helps technical marketers looking to adopt or improve their content-marketing programs. A fifth generation Texan, Covey gained national recognition when she was named one of WSJ’s 10 Most Innovative Entrepreneurs in America. That said, Covey has something significant to add to every ranch visit, dinner party and keynote stage. trewmarketing.com

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WOMAN to WATCH

K I L LY S C H E E R

FOUNDER OF SCHEER & CO. IN T ERIOR DESIGN

I

n 2013, after nearly a decade in the industry, Killy Scheer founded Scheer & Co. Interior Design, a luxury-residential and boutique-commercial design firm, with the goal of creating thoughtful, enchanting spaces with a central narrative. Rooted in collaboration and informed by a respect for architectural history and an appreciation of the future of design, her nimble team moves with versatility through architecture, interiors, styling, visualization and project management to create enjoyable client journeys. Prior to landing in Austin, Scheer, a New York native, earned a master’s degree in interior design from Pratt Institute, and refined her skills under the tutelage of architecture firms and interior-design tastemakers such as Jonathan Adler and Fawn Galli. As a nationally published, woman-founded and woman-led company, Scheer & Co. has worked with and supported local organizations including LifeWorks, Preservation Austin, Austin Design Week and Inherit Austin. scheer.co

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WOMAN to WATCH

MELISSA M. WILLIAMS DI VORCE L AW Y ER

ative Texan Melissa M. Williams is a board-certified family-law attorney with more than 20 years of experience. She understands divorce is a very difficult process, treating her clients with compassion, dignity and professionalism. She focuses on creating customized solutions for her clients. Williams is available to help her clients with video conferences and other virtual options for family-law issues during this challenging time. She graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1995, and immediately opened her own law practice devoted exclusively to family law. Williams practices both traditional litigation and collaborative divorce. In 2004 and 2005, Williams was selected as a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star.

Outside the courthouse, Williams loves traveling with her daughter, who recently graduated from Texas A&M University, and she also enjoys hiking and reading. melissamwilliams.com

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WOMAN to WATCH

A LY S S A A R V I E

OWNER AND FOUNDER OF BE AUTE STUDIO ESTHE TICS

Photo courtesy of Alyssa Arvie.

A

lyssa Arvie is the owner and founder of Beaute Studio Esthetics. An Austin native who developed a love for art and innovation early in life, Arvie longed to undertake a specialized role in which she could create, build a team and help others feel their best. This longing inspired Arvie to open her first microblading studio in 2018. By March 2020, she had graduated from beauty school as an esthetician and opened Beaute Studio Esthetics. Showcasing her extended scope of practice and ceaseless devotion to helping her clients, Arvie’s new salon includes services such as microblading and semi-permanent makeup, facials, waxing, brow tinting and lash extensions performed by a devoted team dedicated to fulfilling her vision. This quiet yet charming canary-yellow building houses a relaxing and calming space for its visitors. Arvie is currently developing plans to open more salons in the near future. beautestudiobrows.com

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WOMAN to WATCH

L I L I YA KO N E C H N Y

C H I E F F I N A N C I A L O F F I C E R A N D O W N E R O F C O N TA I N WAT E R S Y S T E M S

fter completing her master’s degree, Liliya Konechny spent six years in various business industries. From the various roles she performed, she saw a gap in the market for a full-service water-storage-tank manufacturing company, so she created Contain Water Systems. Konechny was born to do business in her own way. No one taught Konechny how to do business; she simply made up her own rules. Konechny is the chief financial officer and owner of an innovative water-storage-tank manufacturing company. Her company exclusively acts as a full-service provider for its distribution network throughout North America. She welcomes the competition and stamps on them with the best high heels. “My vision is to create a company that stands out for not only providing an excellent quality service, but a business who really cares about why we are doing it, in order to help the client,” she says.

Combining these skills with her strong moral values and a caring personality, Konechny leads the largest corrugated-water-storage-tank company in North America. She is also a millennial mom and a successful entrepreneur. containwatersystems.com

34 SPECIAL WOMAN PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM 34 | AUSTIN | MAY 2020

Photo by Romina Olson.

A

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BEAUTY

STEP 2: TONE Toners are an underrated yet easy-to-use product that can elevate your whole skin-care regimen. More than just an astringent, good toners reduce inflammation, hydrate the skin and balance its pH. Everything in skin care is chemistry. When the skin’s pH is balanced, it better soaks up the serums and moisturizers that follow. If your skin burns or feels dry after toning, consider an alcohol-free option with gentle, nourishing ingredients.

Ingredients we love to see: Aloe, witch hazel, rose water, flower extracts, vitamins, geranium, cucumber

FOUR-STEP SKIN CARE

Build your skin-care regimen with four easy steps.

BY SHAUNTAVIA WARD

Take it to the next level: Two words: hydrosol toner. Hydrosols are floral waters created from the distillation of plants. A byproduct of essential oils, hydrosols contain the plant’s immune system and have a robust affinity for healing and nourishing skin.

Esthetician pro tip: Get a hydrosol toner into your routine today and keep it in the fridge for a cool, refreshing mist. Cool temperatures help bring down inflammation in the skin.

STEP 3: MOISTURIZE Moisturizers are an essential step in maintaining optimal skin health.

Moisturizers allow the stratum corneum, the skin’s outermost layer, to protect and hydrate the layers beneath. Think of moisturizers as your skin’s defense against the environment. When skin is moisturized, the stratum corneum functions properly to protect and provide a thriving environment for your skin to flourish. When the stratum corneum is disrupted, you can expect dry, itchy and irritated skin. All skin types and conditions can benefit from a moisturizer.

Ingredients we love to see: Glycerin, honey, hyaluronic acid, hempseed oil, calendula, ceramides, rosehip

Spring has sprung and it’s time to exfoliate and prep your complexion for a sun-kissed, natural glow. Every skin-care regimen is built on four simple steps that create the foundation for healthy, happy skin.

STEP 1: CLEANSE Cleansers wash the day away and offer you a fresh canvas for your routine. Ideally, the most beneficial cleansers will remove makeup, dead skin cells, oil, dirt and pollutants, while simultaneously prepping your skin to reap the benefits of all the goodness to follow.

A stripped, tight sensation in the skin may indicate a cleanser is too harsh for you.

Ingredients we love to see: Water, green tea, activated charcoal, tea tree, jojoba, fruit enzymes, colloidal oatmeal, manuka honey Take it to the next level: Consider using an oil cleanser just before your regular cleanser. Oil cleansers include a combination of oils that work synergistically to break down buildup in the pores, so your water-based cleanser doesn’t have to work as hard. This is a happy balance in facial cleansing and an excellent choice for oily skin.

Esthetician pro tip: Avoid face wipes, brushes or tools that could potentially disrupt the skin barrier during the cleansing process. Clean hands are the most gentle and effective skin-care “tools.”

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Take it to the next level: Consider layering on a serum just before you moisturize. Serums are typically lightweight and packed with active ingredients that deeply penetrate and target specific skin concerns. Serums are fun, and vitamin C is a cult favorite.

Esthetician pro tip: If you’re no longer wearing a winter coat, why should your skin? With increased heat and humidity, opt for a lightweight gel or lotion moisturizer.

STEP 4: SUNSCREEN The most important thing you can do for your skin is protect it from the sun by all means necessary. Unprotected exposure to the sun and its damaging UV rays cause early signs of wise skin. Think fine lines, loss of elasticity and sun spots way before your wise years. Most importantly, sun-damaged skin increases the risk of developing skin cancer. So, incorporate sunscreen into your regimen like your life depends on it, because it does!

Ingredients we love to see: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide Take it to the next level: Wide-brim hats, large sunglasses, long sleeves and anything that physically shields your skin from the sun and its harmful UV rays will provide additional protection. You know, skin care but make it fashion.

Esthetician pro tip: The first step in treating hyperpigmentation is sun protection. The sun stimulates melanin production and can increase the appearance of sun spots, melasma, acne scars and freckles. Frequent use of sunscreen is your secret weapon against hyperpigmentation.

Shauntavia Ward is a nurse practitioner, licensed esthetician and the founder of eleMint Skin Health & Wellness Studio.

ATXWOMAN.COM |  37

Photo by Heather Halbert.

MAKE ROOM

HOME OFFICE MAKEOVER

Interior designer and entrepreneur Komal Sheth shares tips for transforming your home office.

BY COURTNEY RUNN

Working from the couch might have its perks, but a

38 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MAY 2020

KOMAL SHETH’S FIVE TIPS FOR DESIGNING YOUR HOME OFFICE 1. “ The first thing is to understand what the function of the space will be and what aesthetic will allow you to use the space to its fullest potential.”

2. “ Look for inspiration in things such as magazines, social media or websites [to] spark some creativity.

Think about the best layout for the office: where do you want your desk, do you want a seating area, etc.”

3. “ After that, it’s time to start getting some of your thoughts out of the head and onto paper. According to feng shui, a system of laws considered to govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to the flow of energy, you should place your desk so that you are sitting in the ‘power position.’ This is the furthest spot from the entrance of the room. I consult feng shui quite often when designing spaces because I believe that a strong backbone for an office requires a good flow of energy in order to boost productivity.”

4. “ Another tip is to choose the right colors. Incorporating color in your office can inspire you and create a welcoming environment for anyone who enters as well.”

5. “ Lastly, natural lighting is important. Artificial light can be stifling and hinder creative or analytical thinking, so remember to try and have as many windows as possible and allow the sun to do what it does best and light up your space.”

Photo courtesy of Emily Boone Photography.

few days and a backache later, an actual desk is tempting.

Whether you have a room in your house dedicated to office space or your kitchen table doubles as a desk, you can transform your work-from-home setup into a productive space you’ll be happy to see every day.

Local interior designer Komal Sheth creates high-end commercial and residential spaces, including a variety of modern home offices. Her own office essentials include lots of natural light, comfortable seating and bright colors.

“I need a clutter-free space, so I am able to focus without any distractions,” Sheth says. “A space that has a lot of natural light has proven to be a very effective method to increase productivity, and greenery keeps the office fresh and increases my focus. A space which maximizes natural light through large windows makes people feel happier and healthier than dark spaces with artificial light.”

Sheth founded her design firm, Spaces Designed, in 2005 and over the past 15 years, she’s taken on a wide variety of projects throughout Austin. While any business presents challenges, Sheth says she never loses “sight of the fact [she’s] providing a service.” With a client-first mindset, she’s able to transform spaces into true homes.

“As a social entrepreneur and designer, I am fueled by the conviction that entrepreneurship and design can be a vehicle for social change,” she says. “I never feel like I'm going to work. It doesn't feel like a burden because I'm doing exactly what I want to do, and I have a passion for it. Starting my own business has been empowering, challenging and exciting all rolled into one [package]. Once I got through all the difficulties, I really grew into my own skin and believed in myself.”

“” Our home is our

Photos courtesy of Komal Sheth.

most important space. It’s where we feel comfortable and celebrate family.

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LEAN

IN Austin Woman magazine needed help—

and our community of cover women answered the call.

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F

or the past 18 years, Austin Woman magazine has celebrated, championed and shared the stories of women. When our founder, Melinda Garvey, created the magazine in 2002 with her Co-founder Samantha Stevens, she worried a magazine highlighting local women wasn’t sustainable. Would there be enough women to fill the pages month after month, year after year? Nearly two decades later, finding women to feature has never been a problem. There aren’t enough pages to recognize the women breaking barriers, fighting inequality, founding companies, transforming entire industries and leading our city. Before Austin was a trendy destination, the women in this city were putting it on the map.

This month, like countless other small business and local companies, Austin Woman was faced with the financial ripples of COVID-19. A May issue was no longer a guarantee— without some help. Garvey turned to the women who have always been our loudest and best cheerleaders: our former cover women. She asked if they would lean in and support us, so in turn we can continue to support all Austin women.

The responses were immediate and humbling. The women on the following pages stepped in to financially support Austin Woman to make this issue possible. Representing our first decade through this year, these women are pillars in their communities and industries, and they have changed Austin for the better. In the years since their cover stories, they have gone on to accomplish incredible things, continuing to pave a way for women behind them.

As these women have supported us, we hope you will support them. Many of them have been equally impacted by COVID-19 and yet continue to lift up the women in their communities.

We asked each of them for specific ways we can help them, their businesses and the women in their circles. As you read their career updates, please also take them up on their asks for support if you can. From simply signing up for newsletters to donating financially to sharing resources, there are ways everyone can help.

A global pandemic is daunting, but there is comfort in knowing that regardless of circumstance, women will always support women. As we weather this storm together, we’re grateful for the support of our former cover women and grateful to call this beautiful city home. Thank you for the past two decades, and here’s to the next one.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 41

LEAN IN

KIM HANKS

CEO and Co-founder of Whim Hospitality, 2019 Cover Woman

AW: In your story, you mentioned one of your tips for success in business is having compassion for yourself. You said, “You can have a lot of people that love and encourage you, but sometimes you need to hear from the person who knows you best: yourself!” What have you learned about yourself in the past year and how do you keep your self-dialogue loving?

KH: I’ve learned that my biggest hurdle and trigger is shame. In the past when I’ve felt shame I would overeat and impulse shop to push down the pain and anxiety of a shame moment. How I’ve been able to overcome these addictive behaviors is by getting up in the morning at least one and a half hours before everyone else for my “me time.” I pray, spend time with God and journal. I try to meditate on what is going right in my life and where I’m wanting to go. I’m forward thinking so I get excited about the next steps in my journey. I’ve started a weekly podcast, Shame on Me, which chronicles how I handle shame with self-love, humor and scripture. It’s been therapeutic to share with others.

AW: How can the community support you and Whim Hospitality?

KH: Whim Hospitality needs to start booking events again. If you are getting married or have an event this year or next, please call us now and we will start planning with you. Even though we are shut in, we are still taking calls and orders for the future. It is vital for us to continue to book events to stay healthy and open as a company.

Visit whimhospitality.com for rentals, tents, catering and florals; camplucy.com for weddings, corporate meetings, retreats and overnight accommodations; and tilliesdrippingsprings.com for any restaurant needs.

Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover story followed your unlikely journey of becoming one of the leading wedding and event planners in Central Texas. What have been some career highlights since your 2019 cover?

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WHAT’S MAKING YOU SMILE RIGHT NOW? I won’t let go of hope and my dreams for the now and for the future. I know there will be a way in the wilderness and a river in the desert. I’m still doing the work necessary to keep my businesses intact during this confusing time. I’m still walking out the steps to create a boutique hotel chain in England for future expansion.

I do stay informed with PBS NewsHour, but my guilty pleasure is watching English mystery TV with my husband, Whit. PBS and Britbox are my go-to for Midsomer Murders, Father Brown, Inspector Morse and Doc Martin. My husband and I will curl up on the couch and teleport back to England every night.

Photo courtesy of Kim Hanks.

Kim Hanks: What I’m most proud of is my new relationship with the Austin nonprofit network which was spurred on by my cover article in Austin Woman magazine. My candor about the abuse in my past and my new life remarried to my business partner…has enabled me to mentor and coach other women starting businesses and those who have experienced abuse. Most recently, I was chosen to be the spokesperson for Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE) for its spring fundraiser. I was able to tell my story and explain how hard times are just a chapter, and not the whole story. I’ve used those chapters to become a businesswoman with a philanthropic purpose. Whim Hospitality has created a training program for women leaving abusive homes. This year, we are training two women to be florists and event specialists. By next year I hope to double that number. It gives me great joy to know I’m providing career training for women who will be able to provide for themselves and their children moving forward.

LEAN IN

HEATHER BRUNNER

CEO at WP Engine,

2017 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover story followed your journey in Austin’s technology industry and your role as CEO of WP Engine. What have been some career highlights since your 2017 cover?

Heather Brunner: While a lot has changed since I was last on the cover of Austin Woman, one thing that hasn’t are WP Engine’s core cultural values, which remain steadfast and serve to guide and inform our decision making along each step of our path.

In 2018, we built a partnership with Silver Lake, grounded in these shared values. In securing a $250 million investment, we’ve been able to power the future of WordPress and accelerate our growth.

In the summer of 2019, we reached two monumental milestones for the company. Via the largest acquisition in WordPress history, we welcomed Flywheel, which offers managed WordPress hosting thoughtfully built for busy creatives, into our WP Engine family. This helped deliver our vision of becoming the most trusted WordPress technology company in the world.

Also in 2019, we passed a major milestone for the company: 100,000 customers, thanks in no small part to our core value of being customer inspired. We strive to earn their advocacy through our actions every day.

Upon reaching the 100,000 milestone, we launched our Engine for Good corporate social-responsibility program with a total of $100,000 in donations to causes that matter most to our employees.

Today, I’m proud to say WP Engine serves 130,000 customers in 150 countries, which represents over 1.1 million websites. These businesses and agencies of all sizes are supported by more than 900 employees in eight offices across five countries.

AW: In your story, you said, “Be somebody who is willing to take on challenges. Go where nobody wants to go. Be the one who’s willing to take the problem. Say, ‘I’ll do it,’ and then do it well.” What challenges have you taken on in the past three years?

HB: In good times and in bad, we look to our core values as the North Star for the decisions we make as an organization. Scale is the name of the game in software as a service (SaaS), so I would say the greatest challenge has been keeping a consistent healthy culture through massive growth, expansion internationally and through integrating three acquisitions.

Photo courtesy of Heather Brunner.

WHAT’S MAKING YOU SMILE RIGHT NOW? Seeing our culture come to life virtually has been humbling and inspiring. Our employees have found ways to stay connected, support one another personally and professionally, and through it all still have fun at work. Our teams are sharing recipes, hosting virtual happy hours, having cakes delivered to celebrate birthdays and working on further ways to give back to our communities around the world.

On a personal level, there’s no doubt that it can be difficult juggling work and being productive while taking care of my family during such a stressful time. While this is a real challenge we’re all facing, I do believe that these struggles and uncharted experiences will make us smarter and stronger. I am glad my kids are seeing me work hard, stretch myself to learn new things and deal with adversity.

AW: How can the community support you and WP Engine right now?

HB: Be kind to one another. We are all in different situations and therefore kindness and humanity will help guide us out of this challenge. We must focus on what we can control and do it well. We are very fortunate to be a platform for powering digital experiences and websites when the world is moving in that direction, but also one where our customers have the flexibility to dial up or down their needs easily and quickly as circumstances dictate.

While this storm is scary and unsettling, we will get through it. Better days are ahead for us all. My wish for you is more time to think, to play, to love and to create the future that you want for yourself.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 43

LEAN IN

ANDRA LIEMANDT

Founder of The Kindness Campaign, Drummer for The Mrs, 2015 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover story focused on your growing career as a musician with the band you helped found, The Mrs. What have been some career highlights since your 2015 cover?

Andra Liemandt: That same year that I was on the cover of Austin Woman for The Mrs, I was actually hatching something else entirely in the background: The Kindness Campaign, a nonprofit centered on emotional health for students and children.

AW: A dominant theme in your cover story was fighting against the odds. You didn’t hear songs on the radio that represented your season of life, so you created your own music. How have you continued to grow in that spirit of perseverance?

AL: Something I was learning during my journey with The Mrs was that emotional health was becoming something we as a culture couldn’t ignore. I was being exposed to this in many different ways, but the main way was with the Magic Mirror, an interactive mirror that let people open up about self-worth and the centerpiece of our first music video.

We toured with the Magic Mirror all over the country, and as a result, these deeply felt, personal stories were streaming into my life: children worried they had no friends, men who felt lonely and isolated, women with eating disorders, even an LGBTQ teenager who didn’t come out until they visited the Magic Mirror. It truly became a portal between art and emotional health, and I learned that everyone has a story— everyone—but when you can’t tell it, it eats at you inside.

So, when tragedy struck close in my own life, it was a turning point. I felt that if I didn’t do something, who would?

A new calling and life mission arose, based on emotional health. And in 2015, The Kindness Campaign was born.

AW: How can the community support you and your businesses right now?

WHAT’S MAKING YOU SMILE RIGHT NOW? The evolution of The Kindness Campaign! I’ve been so proud of the milestones we’ve been able to achieve, but the moment coronavirus hit, it was like we were plunged into a brand-new reality. … We are completely digitizing our suite of emotionalhealth tools and that is our singular focus at the moment.

One workshop we’ve recently developed is called Music & Kindness. It takes participants through a creative process, where, step by step, they’re actually developing communication

44 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MAY 2020

skills and emotional-health techniques along the way. And it’s for all ages! Originally designed for adults, we’re now doing it with students. It can be transferred to a corporate setting, to a school setting, even to a home setting for parents and children who are quarantined together.

From live streaming, to digital guides, to online learning, to video workshops, we are working tirelessly to make emotional-health tools that are equitable and accessible to all.

Photo courtesy of Andra Liemandt.

AL: We’ve got a ton of free social-emotional learning resources for anyone to access, and we’re releasing new tools regularly. Visit tkckindness.org, and click on “TKC Online.”

Try out one of our programs, like Music & Kindness. You can also join our volunteer group and help spread emotional health in your community.

Spread the word about our live stream! It’s called The Morning Meet-up & StoryTime, and happens every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. A cheerful check-in about feelings and emotions, this is a wonderful way for families and educators to start the day. It’s on Instagram at our page @tkckindness, where we also archive each of these episodes.

LEAN IN

MARGARET JABOUR

Owner of Twin Liquors, 2008 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover story followed the story of Twin Liquors and your family’s long history in Austin.

What have been some career and life highlights since your 2008 cover story?

Margaret Jabour: Twin Liquors continues to expand across Texas.

In October 2008, we had 58 locations and now, with a great team of over 750 strong, we currently serve 100-plus Texas communities.

Since my cover, I have been honored to receive numerous industry awards and accolades from San Antonio Woman magazine, Austin Woman magazine, Market Watch magazine, Austin Business Journal and the Girl Scouts of Central Texas. I have been honored to be named a Retailer of the Year in both 2009 and 2017 and the Texas Businesswoman of the Year in 2011.

I mention the recognition in hopes that it encourages and inspires those with doubts and insecurities to go after what they aspire to do, become and accomplish. A phrase that inspired me when opening our first store is, “Make it happen.”

AW: In your cover story, you shared the journey of Twin Liquors from a family-inspired business to one of the first high-end spirit and wine stores in Austin. How have you continued to develop a spirit of adaption and ingenuity in business?

MJ: As third-generation co-owners and operators, my brother David and I continue to set an example across the nation for the beverage-alcohol industry. We are so passionate about educating our associates that we have become the first beverage retailer in the United States, and perhaps the world, to offer certifications through Wine and Spirits Education Trust in levels one, two and three for all of our associates at no cost to them.

Technology became a major focus in our company a little over three years ago and it is an area that we are rapidly advancing in.

We now have all our locations online for in-store pick up and/ or delivery. I am proud of our team and the advancements we have made to be able to serve our communities. We are blazing the trail for technology in our industry. What I love about our online shopping experience is that you can still shop from your neighborhood store from the retail associates you have come to know and trust over the years.

AW: How can Austinites support you and Twin Liquors?

Photo courtesy of Margaret Jabour.

MJ: The safety and health of our team members and our communities continues to be our top priority and we ask that our customers practice social distancing when coming into our stores and take advantage of our online ordering, pickup and delivery services. As an essential business, we have been fortunate to remain open during these unprecedented times and truly thank the community and our associates for all that they are doing during this time. We are fortunate to be able to bring employment within our communities and provide an opportunity for waitstaff and bartenders who have lost their jobs to apply with us.

WHAT’S MAKING YOU SMILE RIGHT NOW? The way my company has come together in this crisis is truly putting a smile on my face. Reading comments on social media and emails that come in thanking us for being open and for providing a safe shopping environment puts a smile on my face. Our communities have come back to a simpler mindset and are putting what is truly

important in our lives ahead of all else. Let’s use this time to reflect on the beauties that God has provided us. Take a moment to sit on the patio and look at the beautiful sky, stars and clouds and to breathe the air that God has given and to appreciate the beautiful world around us that we have taken for granted.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 45

LEAN IN

BROOKLYN DECKER

Actress, Entrepreneur, 2020 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover story followed your entrepreneurial journey and acting career. When your story published in January of this year, Grace and Frankie was in production for a seventh and final season. How does it feel to wrap up a significant project and what’s next?

Brooklyn Decker: We were in the middle of shooting our final season, episode five actually, when we shut down due to coronavirus. We have a particularly vulnerable cast and crew, so I don’t know when we will all be back together shooting again. In the meantime, we do weekly Zoom calls with our cast, and we have rallied to do a public table read to give the fans a sneak peek of season seven and to raise funds for Meals on Wheels.

I’ve been trying to write and figure out what’s next, but, like most people, we are in a holding pattern until we see how this thing plays out!

AW: Your cover story ended with the quote, “Ultimately, I try to be a person who shows up, whether as a mom or friend, investor or supporting cast member.” What does “showing up” look like in this unique season of isolation?

BD: This time has been so uniquely challenging because unlike any natural disasters or attacks of our past, we are unable to physically come together to help those who need it most. I’m trying to be creative with little ways to help from my house; the easiest one has been scheduling calls with friends and family members and checking in on those who need a little love. If you’re still getting your income, continue to pay for your housekeeper if you have one, or maybe your child’s preschool.

Additionally, I’m concerned about the small businesses in our communities and those who are food insecure right now. I got a bunch of gift cards from McGuire Moorman Hospitality and went on Instagram and offered them to the first 20 people who said they needed them. I’ll be doing the same with Tiff’s Treats this week.

They aren’t huge sweeping efforts, but they are little things that I hope will help people who need it.

AW: How can Austinites support you and the women in your community right now?

WHAT’S BEEN ON YOUR READING LIST OR NETFLIX QUEUE DURING QUARANTINE? I didn’t go to college, so I signed up for my first college class on edx.org. They do free courses.

Mine is called Justice and it’s at Harvard. If you have time right now, try to use it to be productive. Yes, I am drinking a ton of margaritas, but I fit in a lecture every couple of days! I, of course,

46 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MAY 2020

watched Tiger King. Up next is Unorthodox.

I’m reading Why We Can’t Sleep and Bad Feminist as well. Again, I’m not getting a ton done each day, but even 20 minutes of reading at night calms me down and helps me feel a little bit more productive.

Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Decker.

BD: See my answer above! Buy gift cards, reach out to small-business owners, share their stories. For those who can, think about how much your haircut or color would cost you for a few months, buy a gift card for that amount to use later. (I bought mine from Deep Roots.)

So many of our favorite services are provided by femalefounded companies; do what you can to support them so we can see them re-open when all of this is over.

LEAN IN

PATTI ROGERS

Founder of Rallyhood, 2013 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: In your ​Austin Woman cover story, you shared your cancer journey that led to founding Rallyhood. What have been some career highlights since your 2013 cover?

Patti Rogers: Wow, it’s hard to believe it’s been seven years! Since then, Rallyhood has made enterprise-quality collaboration and community building more accessible for all, and we now serve hundreds of thousands of users and groups across the U.S. Rallyhood’s all-in-one platform helps purpose-driven communities that need more than email to communicate, collaborate, share documents, coordinate tasks, take surveys, manage events and collect money. Historically, these groups have been forced to use fragmented tools scattered all over the internet to try to get things done. The result is usually very frustrating, and people burn out quickly.

Our philosophy has been that when a group is well organized and information is easy to find, people are more likely to stay engaged around the mission, which creates a better, shared experience—everyone wins. We see it as a ripple effect of helping people help. In the past 12 months, we have expanded our offerings to include event management, payment collection and premium solutions for enterprise clients.

It’s really exciting to see the diversity of group size and mission on the platform, as we have groups with a handful of members scaling up to organizations with tens of thousands of members. Equally exciting is the diversity of causes that bring folks together, including youth sports, cheer and robotics; Girl Scouts councils; associations; faithbased communities; nonprofits; schools and classes; fitness groups; and small to medium-sized businesses. Not to mention, families, friends and neighborhoods.

AW: You created a company centered on community and helping others. How have you fostered community and seen your concept of connectivity evolve during this unique time of isolation?

Photo courtesy of Patti Rogers.

WHAT’S BEEN ON YOUR READING LIST OR NETFLIX QUEUE DURING QUARANTINE? I’m currently jumping between a book about business culture, What You Do Is Who You Are, by Ben Horowitz, and a motivational book, You Are A Badass, by Jen Sincero that all Austin women should have on their bedside table. The quarantine watchlist is varied but I’ve started watching Cheers to keep things light and stress-free. I suppose there’s some irony in that it’s a show about people coming together as part of a tribe “where everyone knows your name.” I know we are all missing that in our lives right now.

PR: The inspiration for Rallyhood came as a result of my journey through breast cancer. But it wasn’t cancer that changed my life; it was kindness and community that changed my life. The reality is the power of community is a game changer in our health, hope and happiness.

Community is how we rise up and overcome. And in this unprecedented moment in human history, it is how we are going to survive this crisis.

In light of our new reality, the Rallyhood team is working to bring even more tools to help keep our communities connected. We are adding chat features, video conferencing and new functionality that will give our users the flexibility to further personalize their group’s site based on their needs.

AW: How can Austinites support you and your business right now?

PR: Rallyhood is here to help our ATX community! If you or anyone you know is looking to build an online community with social, collaboration and productivity tools all in one place, please visit us at rallyhood.com. You can start a free Rally site or request a demo of our premium tools for your organization. Together, we can do great things!

ATXWOMAN.COM | 47

LEAN IN

HEIDI MARQUEZ SMITH

Executive Director of the Texas Cultural Trust, 2011 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover story followed your political career in Washington, D.C. and your role as the executive director of the Texas Book Festival. What have been some career highlights since your 2011 cover?

Heidi Marquez Smith: The past nine years have been a blur! I officially left my role as executive director for the Texas Book Festival in 2013 and that same year had my youngest son. I also chaired the Texas Lyceum’s Public Conference, “Texas Infrastructure: Building the Future.”

Transitioning to consulting from home was a challenge with a newborn. During the following years I worked with small nonprofits and burgeoning nonprofits to provide development and strategic consulting. I took full advantage of volunteering for the organizations I loved, serving on multiple boards and committees.

All this to say, I learned that I loved being out in the community and strategically connecting people and organizations that otherwise may have never had an opportunity to collaborate and create and fulfill their goals together.

AW: In your current role as the executive director of the Texas Cultural Trust, you’ve had to lead through unprecedented times with COVID-19. What advice do you have for nonprofits weathering this storm and how can the community best support them?

WHAT IS MAKING YOU SMILE RIGHT NOW? There is definitely an uncomfortable feeling of uncertainty. However, there are many silver linings, including daily dinners and more time with my family, lots of sidewalk chalk art, daily exercise, time to reconnect with neighbors, happy hours with girlfriends, FaceTimes with my mom and takeout dinners to support local restaurants! I am truly moved by the creativity and resourcefulness of people coming together through music, song and art to stay connected and express themselves. Where language fails, art takes over!

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AW: How can Austinites support you and the women in your community right now?

HMS: Tag your favorite artist and their work on your social media, tag restaurants after picking up a meal and invite your network to support them or learn about them. If you don’t already know about the Texas Cultural Trust, I would love for you to visit our website and learn more. Participate in our #ARTCANTEXAS initiative and join our coloring campaign and tag us in your artwork.

Austin women, keep in touch with your networks, especially those you might not have heard from recently. Staying home does have its silver linings, but it can also be isolating, whether you live alone or have six children.

Photo courtesy of Heidi Marquez Smith.

Heidi Marquez Smith with her good friend and former AW cover woman, Maya Smart

HMS: As a statewide leader in the arts and culture sector, I feel a huge responsibility to help, inform and connect. How do we illustrate how important the arts have been to Austin and to Texas during this pandemic, as an emotional salve, a form of expression, a universal language, a way to connect with others and a symbol of hope? I do believe that access to art and culture is and will be essential to healing and rebuilding our local and global communities.

The Trust is encouraging art organizations to complete the Americans for the Arts Economic Impact Survey. Being able to quantify the economic impact of COVID-19 on businesses and individuals is extremely important to ensure we can advocate for local and state relief and recovery funding. The Trust has aggregated a comprehensive list of financial and informational resources for those impacted by COVID-19 in one place to make this a bit easier. We have also allowed our Texas Women for the Arts grantees to reallocate funding from education programming to operations if needed. I recommend other grantors consider doing the same for their grantees.

We are all in this together! Collaboration is key; this is no time to be territorial. Minimize duplication of efforts. Take this time to evaluate your operation. Share best practices and resources. Keep in touch with your sponsors, donors, constituents. Promote others in your community. Utilize your board and their networks.

LEAN IN

SARA BRAND KERRY RUPP

General Partners of True Wealth Ventures, 2017 Cover Women

Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover story followed your founder story of creating venture-capital firm True Wealth Ventures to invest in women. What have been some career highlights since your 2017 cover story?

Sara Brand and Kerry Rupp: In January 2019, we successfully closed our first fund at $20 million, making us the largest venture-capital fund with a proactive gender diversity strategy at that time! Since then, we have been focusing on our primary job now, which is to invest in about a dozen early-stage companies (out of this first fund) with high growth potential and to help them prepare for an exit (usually an acquisition).

We have made eight investments so far and are in the middle of making another. This is the most rewarding part of the job and we are so proud of all of our companies and the impact they are poised to make—both financially as well as improving environmental and human health.

AW: How have your clients pivoted during this unprecedented time?

SB and KR: Austin-based UnaliWear has launched its next generation watch and is targeting vulnerable but independent populations to provide fall detection and medication reminders.

This is more critically important than ever with many of these populations being isolated for the foreseeable future.

BrainCheck, whose product team is based in Austin, is a cognitive-testing platform focused on seniors. The company has adapted to new regulations facilitating telemedicine use.

Cognitive change can indicate a variety of health issues, and it’s also a reimbursable preventative telemedicine service for doctors. reBlend is creating care packages of their superfood pops that can be shipped to anyone struggling to get fresh produce and desire something in a safe package.

Vidafuel, a maker of dietitian-developed medical nutrition products, remains focused on dialysis patients who are extremely vulnerable during this time and in need of optimal nutrition. Its products are also available for direct-to-consumer purchase for not only kidney-disease patients, but anyone who is in need of adequate protein intake to boost their immune systems and increase strength to ward off infection and viruses.

AW: How can Austinites support you and the women in your community right now?

Photo by Jessie Lyle.

WHAT IS MAKING YOU SMILE RIGHT NOW? Sara Brand: Well, I am starting to enjoy having my two boys at home all day. We have gotten into a schedule where they now understand what it means when my office door is closed (please don’t interrupt unless it’s urgent), when there’s a snowflake hanging on my door (severe medical emergencies only) or if it’s just cracked (happy to help if you knock versus shouting “Mom!” from across the house). I am taking the online course The Science of Well-Being through Yale and trying to exercise every day with online classes from local instructors to stay positive. I also hope that this massive pause on travelling and reduced manufacturing may give the planet a much-needed breather, and we as a human race have a better chance of obtaining our climate goals.

SB and KR: If you have an older/vulnerable loved one at home, you can now buy them a UnaliWear watch so you don’t need to worry about them falling undetected or taking their medications on time. You can also inform your older loved one’s doctor about BrainCheck to catch changes in cognition remotely versus waiting for the next face-to-face doctor’s appointment. Our company, Atlantic Sea Farms, farms the only fresh kelp—a superfood—in the U.S. and has ready-made seaweed salad, kimchi and kraut products that can be delivered to your home.

We also have two companies leveraging the microbiome.

Dermala offers a skin-care kit that fights acne by using your microbiome. It doesn’t use antibiotics, doesn’t require a prescription and is available for home delivery. Oralucent is using blue light in a toothbrush to not only gently whiten teeth but kill the bad bacteria which lead to gingivitis and gum disease. Its toothbrush isn’t available for purchase yet, but will be released as soon as possible, as there are studies showing it also has anti-viral benefits.

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LEAN IN

LISA COPELAND

Speaker, Author, Mortgage Broker, 2011 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover story followed your journey of becoming the general manager of Fiat Austin and revolutionizing the car buying process for women and millennials. What have been some career highlights since your 2011 cover?

Lisa Copeland: I sold my dealership in 2016. Since that time, I co-authored Crushing Mediocrity with my best friend René Banglesdorf then wrote another book, Car Buying Her Way. I have traveled around the world speaking to companies such as Subaru, Nissan, Fiat, Chrysler, Bloomberg Industries, Citrex, etc. on the power of female consumers. In 2019, I returned to my roots in real estate and have been running our mortgage company Austin Mortgage Associates. With rates hitting historic lows and the high demand for real estate in the Austin area I decided that now was the time to jump back into the company I cofounded 20 years ago.

AW: Despite many industries halting, people are still investing in bigger purchases like homes and cars. What advice do you have for women car shopping during this season?

LC: Both automotive and real-estate industries are deemed essential. By the time this article goes to print, I will have launched our online financial university. I have been burdened as how to help people get back on their feet after this pandemic.

I have enlisted some of the top financial experts to help me create this online resource that we are offering for free to everyone. I believe that we can come through this stronger if we employ these financial principles. You can find our university at austinmortgageassoc.com on May 15. We will be with you every step of the way with helping you rebuild a solid financial strategy.

AW: How can the community support you and your businesses right now?

WHAT’S BEEN ON YOUR READING LIST OR NETFLIX QUEUE DURING QUARANTINE? I have had the honor of launching an online mastermind with New York Times bestselling author Sharon Lechter. We have a few thousand people from around the world that we are coaching through Sharon and Napoleon Hill’s book, Outwit-

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ting the Devil. It’s been such an amazing experience to work with people on how to not let fear destroy you doing these difficult times. As for Netflix, I just finished watching Madame Secretary again! I am just not a Tiger King kind of gal.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Copeland.

LC: I would love to help anyone who finds themselves in need of advice, real estate or refinancing. My door is always open to serve.

Please don’t hesitate to call. No question is too small. I believe together we are stronger, and we will rebound from this pandemic. Again, I want to serve our community and I will help any way I can. I can be reached at lisacopeland.com.

LEAN IN

LYNN MEREDITH

Philanthropist, 2011 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: Your ​Austin Woman cover story followed your many different seasons of life as a wife, mother and philanthropist. What have been some career and life highlights since your 2011 cover?

Lynn Meredith: Since my cover story, I’ve become an empty nester, seen all four kids through college and grad school, planned three weddings, become a grandmother (I’m “Gramlie” to six grandchildren with another arriving in October) and started traveling more. Three of my children live in Austin with their children and spouses—how lucky is that!

Professionally, I’ve supported a variety of civic projects, including the Thinkery’s opening in Mueller and the Waterloo Greenway, and served on the board of Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) and the Seminary of the Southwest board. I’ve also continued to support nonpartisan journalism, the health and safety of women and children, and the basic needs of citizens of Austin.

AW: Your cover story focused on your love for finding and developing homes. What is inspiring your home decor in this season?

LM: Our home now has delightful, fun spaces for small children—an art table, plenty of Legos and push toys, books and balls. We have a crib, a stroller, diapers, sleeping bags and extra clothes, just in case. Each season gives me the opportunity to bring out the treasures of the season. Today our home is filled with Beatrix Potter stuffed animals that I’ve kept from our children’s Easter celebrations. It gives me an opportunity to tell my grands stories about their parents’ childhoods.

While we continue to entertain larger groups for fundraisers and civic gatherings, our favorite nights are spent at what we call ‘kitchen table dinners.’ Tommie and I cook, and we invite two to four people to share stories, laughter and conversation for the evening. We love living downtown and have many friends in our building and in our neighborhood. We love discovering new restaurants, riding our bikes, walking everywhere and being on Lady Bird Lake.

AW: How can Austinites support you and the women in your community right now?

Photo courtesy of Lynn Meredith.

LM: Women’s issues are community issues. It is critical that you know the issues women are facing and that you use your voice to talk about the value and worth of supporting all women in Austin. Join the Women’s Fund of Austin Community Foundation, support Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE) and support St. Louise House.

WHAT IS MAKING YOU SMILE RIGHT NOW? A few of the things keeping me smiling include: the collective efforts of all in Austin to keep everyone safe by social distancing, helping neighbors, placing rainbows and bears in windows; talking to nonprofits about how they are re-tooling, pivoting and doubling down on their efforts to meet the

needs of their clients; reading stories to and sharing playtime with my grandchildren via FaceTime, Zoom etc.; Zoom dinners and wine and cocktails with friends; and my wildly optimistic husband of 48 years who bounds from bed each morning to take on the day’s challenges.

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LEAN IN

YOLANDA CONYERS

Chief Diversity Officer at Lenovo, President of the Lenovo Foundation and Vice President of Global Human Resources, 2018 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover story followed your Lenovo journey as the vice president of global human resources and chief diversity officer. What have been some career highlights since your 2018 cover?

Yolanda Conyers: In the fall of 2018, I also added a new role to my resume as the president of the Lenovo Foundation, our philanthropic arm. The Foundation really aligns with our vision of providing smarter technology for all and we focus on providing accessibility to technology or STEM education to under-resourced communities around the world. We launched the organization with our Love On campaign where we gave out 16 mini grants to organizations around the world.

To date, we’ve implemented a global volunteer benefit to our employees that led to a record-breaking global month of service, established new partnerships around the world and impacted more than 1 million people around the world through volunteerism and charitable giving.

AW: In your story, you shared the importance of mentorship, especially for women in male-dominated STEM fields. What has been the most impactful thing a mentor has said or done for you, and what advice do you have for women looking for mentors right now?

YC: My high school math teacher, Mr. Lee, recognized my knack for math and science and introduced me to the world of computer science at a formative age. The influence Mr. Lee had on my life was more profound than he probably realized. He took a young, black female and suggested to her that a field like math and science has a place for her in it. His guidance and support led to my eventual lifelong career in the high-tech industry.

Women in search of mentors should think about their longterm goals and try to find a mentor who really ‘lives’ that vision already, and that shouldn’t be limited to strictly professional goals. For example, if the next step in your career is to move into a vice president spot, but your goals for yourself include maintaining a great work-life balance, go find a VP who’s rocking the working-mom or working-dad life and talk to them about their journey, the challenges they face and how they get it all done. Glean insights from people who inspire you and whose achievements you would want for yourself.

AW: How can Austinites support you and the women in your community right now?

WHAT’S BEEN ON YOUR READING LIST OR NETFLIX QUEUE DURING QUARANTINE? I recently joined a book club at the beginning of the year with my girlfriends. We just finished reading An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, and we’re now on The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory.

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Photo by Laura Reed.

YC: I am a Christian, so I’ve been turning to prayer a lot in these uncertain times. We need prayers for each other for strength to endure during this COVID-19 pandemic, and we also need to become allies for each other. Women are often looked to as caregivers, but we have to encourage each other to practice selfcare as well and give each other grace and space to look after ourselves in order to better take care of our loved ones and the community around us.

LEAN IN

EMILY RAMSHAW

Co-founder of The 19th, 2019 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: Your ​Austin Woman cover story followed your journalism career and your role as editor-in-chief at The Texas Tribune. What have been some career highlights since your 2019 cover story?

Emily Ramshaw: The biggest news is that in January, I left the Tribune after an extraordinary 10 years to launch The 19th, the nation’s first nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom at the intersection of gender, politics and policy. The 19th has three primary goals: 1) To elevate the voices of women of color and women off of the coasts in American media. 2) To advance equity for women with journalism that exposes gender disparities across virtually every arena, whether it’s women and the economy or women and the health care system. And 3) To help more women advance into news leadership, with generous pay and benefits, and flexibility like six months of fully paid family leave for new parents, four months of fully paid caregiver leave to care for sick or elderly relatives, and fully remote workspaces. Our full launch is expected later this year and we couldn’t be more excited to hit the ground running.

AW: The 19th has been producing stories on how women are uniquely affected by this pandemic.

Why do you think women are experiencing this differently and how is that showing up in different industries?

ER: Women are overrepresented on the frontlines of this pandemic, from the health care system to the caregiving space to the retail and hospitality jobs that are being lost fastest. They’re managing homeschooling their kids and keeping tabs on their elderly parents and just generally keeping the wheels on. And while men are dying of the coronavirus at higher rates than women, women of color are taking a very disproportionate hit—which is incredibly troubling to watch. The 19th has an obligation to highlight these women, to ensure their voices are heard amid this pandemic and that their stories don’t fall on deaf ears.

AW: How can Austinites support you and The 19th right now?

Photo by Ilana Panich-Linsman.

ER: The 19th certainly didn’t imagine it would be launching in the midst of a global pandemic, which will almost certainly affect our fundraising and corporate revenue in this critical first year. If you can, please join us by becoming a member (even $19 helps!) and signing up for our free newsletter at 19thnews.org. You can also keep up with us @19thnews on Twitter. We need you in our corner!

WHAT’S BEEN ON YOUR READING LIST OR NETFLIX QUEUE DURING QUARANTINE? I can’t tell you what’s been on my reading list because it’s top secret! I’m on the board of the Pulitzer Prize, which is just about the coolest book club ever. Every year, I’m up to my eyeballs in top contenders between Thanksgiving and April. Like everyone else, I binged Tiger King. I started Chernobyl, which was too intense for me under quarantine. Lately I’ve been laughing out loud with Schitt’s Creek.

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LEAN IN

KAREN QUINTOS

Chief Customer Officer at Dell, 2017 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: In your Austin Woman cover story, you had recently taken on the role of chief customer officer at Dell Technologies. What have been some career highlights since your 2017 cover?

Karen Quintos: One of my biggest career highlights of all time actually happened late last year when we announced our 2030 social impact plan, Progress Made Real. We had recently reached many of our 2020 social impact goals early, which was a momentous achievement for the entire company. We wanted to be bold and aggressive for the next decade, so we launched what we call our Moonshot Goals.

Our three big Moonshots are that, by 2030, we will reuse or recycle a product for each one we sell, women will make up 50 percent of our workforce (and 40 percent of our leadership) and we will transform 1 billion lives by advancing health, education and economic opportunity with our technology and scale. It was an extremely proud moment for me when Michael Dell stood on a global stage at one of our Dell Technologies events to announce these goals. It’s a true testament of how we are living our company purpose of driving human progress.

AW: In your cover story, you talked a lot about Dell Technologies’ commitment to creating a healthy environment for women, especially moms. As companies are now forced to have employees work from home, what advice do you have for employers trying to maintain company culture and support their employees from afar?

KQ: At Dell Technologies, we’re fortunate in that we’ve been on this journey of enabling flexible work for over 10 years now. As of just a couple of months ago, more than 60 percent of our workforce was already participating in flexible work options or working remotely. Now, of course, that percentage is much higher. Beyond implementing technology and collaboration tools, we shaped the policies and best practices necessary to promote work-life balance and create a flexible environment in which all of our team members could succeed.

In today’s climate, that need for flexibility has gone into overdrive as many families are juggling childcare, online schoolwork and day jobs—all at the same time, maybe even in the same room! As companies are rolling out work-from-home programs at record speeds, it’s critical that leaders offer empathy, understanding and flexibility for their team members who are now managing those challenges. It’s been our experience that if you lead with empathy, productivity will follow, and I believe that we’re all going to see long-term benefits of creating a culture of flexibility now.

WHAT’S BEEN ON YOUR READING LIST OR NETFLIX QUEUE DURING QUARANTINE? Like most, I’ve been watching the news and following the latest scientific reports, but I’m also trying to find balance in what I’m reading and watching in order to stay optimistic, hopeful and even entertained! I’ve been bingeing Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu and The Morning Show on Apple TV. While I watch these for entertainment, I can’t help but connect how both shows expose barriers women face in their careers—and the opportunities afforded when we remove those barriers. I’ll admit that I attempted to watch Tiger King; it’s not my thing, but my kids really like it.

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KQ: Whether it’s technology roles, leadership positions or smallbusiness ownership, the challenge facing women remains the same: It’s all about access. This means supporting women by giving them access to mentors, sponsors, networks, jobs and leadership positions.

One way Dell Technologies is showing our support of womenowned small businesses during this time is by providing helpful information and advice through virtual events and online resources. Our Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network, which has grown to more than 5,000 participating female business owners, has set up a COVID-19 resources section on dwen.com and launched a weekly podcast with topics centered around helping entrepreneurs navigate these uncertain times.

Photo courtesy of Karen Quintos.

AW: How can the community support you and the women in your community?

LEAN IN

TIFFANY TAYLOR CHEN

Founder of Tiff’s Treats, 2010 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover followed the story of an Austin staple: Tiff’s Treats! What have been some career and life highlights since your 2010 cover story?

Tiffany Taylor Chen: It’s crazy that it’s been 10 years! A lot has changed. Since that time, I have gotten married and had twins (who are now 5). Our company has grown to 1,300 employees with 59 locations and growing. I believe at the time of the cover story we had 80 employees and three locations.

We have raised $50 million in funding for future expansion.

A lot of great and happy things have happened during all that time, but one really sad part was that we recently had to say goodbye to our dog Buster, who lived to be 16 1/2 years old, and will always be our first child. He is desperately missed.

AW: Your cover story focuses on your grit and perseverance to continually grow, pivot and adapt after launching a company that experienced rapid growth. How has your career prepared you for this moment to handle such an unprecedented crisis?

TTC: One of our top five values as a company is, “We adapt and grow.” Our team was built for fast change and quick pivots and we have been able to make very quick maneuvers [during this pandemic], from introducing interaction-free delivery, to curbside service, to sourcing staples like bottled water, bread and paper towels that we are selling at cost and delivering with or without cookies. We are also partnering with local restaurants to offer a warm meal that you can gift or order for yourself in an attempt to help drive sales to restaurants who need it, as well as offer a convenient service to our customers who can add a meal to their order, or, even better, gift it to someone stuck at home. We have built our own technology, so it enabled us to make really quick changes overnight. Instead of struggling with a third party and trying to make it bend to our needs, we can actually go in and program changes to update our offerings and procedures overnight. Our whole team has been remarkable during this time and I do think it’s due to how much adapting and growing we have always done.

It’s literally a part of our culture. In fact, we hired, trained and put to work over 100 new staff in one week alone.

AW: How can Austinites support you and Tiff’s Treats right now?

Photo courtesy of Tiffany Taylor Chen.

TTC: Austinites are already providing us with amazing support. We would just like to say thank you to our hometown. We have gotten so many notes of encouragement thanking us for all the services we are offering. There is nothing better than receiving a positive note telling us how much a delivery of cookies meant to them right now.

WHAT IS MAKING YOU SMILE RIGHT NOW? We are extremely lucky to have a front-row seat to human nature and it has surprised us in the most amazing ways. Customers are sending each other cookies to celebrate all the moments they are missing. From people sending treats to their grandparents in nursing homes that don’t allow visitors to remind them that they are loved to anonymous

gifts to H-E-B workers who are out there helping us all stay fed, to missed 16th birthdays where the only celebration possible was one of sending cookies to one another. We are all missing each other dearly right now and to see the love pouring out through gifting has been uplifting to say the least during this stressful time.

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LEAN IN

SHEENA PAUL

Chief Operating Officer at World Class Holdings, 2018 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: In your 2018 cover story, you offered several productivity tips, ending with the advice, “Sometimes when you are trying so hard to be productive, the thing you need most is a break.” As everyone is balancing the tension of having more time to “take advantage of” and feeling overwhelmed by an unprecedented crisis, how have you fought against the urge to be productive and how do you give yourself grace in this department?

Sheena Paul: Without the typical structures we are accustomed to having in place to tell us when to take a break, it is easy for the days, nights and weekends to start to blur together, with no boundaries and the need to feel productive creeping into all hours every day. The home has become our workplace and vice versa.

I have found that putting work (laptops, notepads, etc.) out of sight when I’m not working, and thereby creating separate areas and times for work and for relaxation, really helps to counteract that blur and to create balance. I also burn a certain candle scent during work time, and another candle scent in the evening.

I’ve also been attempting to maintain balance and prevent burnout by taking time to plan, prepare and eat meals. Not only does cooking engage and distract your mind, providing a mental break from work and the constant current of news, but it feeds the productivity urge in a healthy way! It has been a lot of fun to learn cooking skills that can be used even after this time with family and friends.

Some of my favorite recipe sites include: smittenkitchen. com, sallysbakingaddiction.com and ambitiouskitchen. com. And, of course, all things Alice Waters.

AW: One of your other productivity tips was making a priority list each evening and each Sunday. What does your priority list look like now?

SP: I still keep my normal priority list, but I recently found this great daily checklist for helping keep balance during this time. It’s been a tremendously helpful daily practice and I have it posted on our fridge to keep it front and center!

Daily #StayHome Checklist 1. What am I grateful for today?

2. Who am I checking in on or connecting with today?

3. What expectation of “normal” am I letting go of today?

4. How am I getting outside today?

5. How am I moving my body today?

6. What am I enjoying today?

WHAT’S BEEN ON YOUR READING LIST OR NETFLIX QUEUE DURING QUARANTINE? My favorite book so far has been The Wisdom of Sundays: Life-Changing Insights from Super Soul Conversations by Oprah Winfrey, and I’ve also been listening to the Super Soul Sunday podcast. Oprah’s way of connecting with others through these conversations is like a hearty dose of the social connection we are all missing!

SP: This is a particularly hard time for so many people. We can all support each other first and foremost by doing our part to slow and stop the spread of the virus. I think we can also help each other through kindness, empathy and connection—and by reminding each other that we are truly together in this. On a practical level, I’d love to see Austinites supporting our local economy when the time comes, especially women-owned businesses, to help each other push through the economic challenges created by this pandemic.

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Photo courtesy of Sheena Paul.

AW: How can Austinites support you and the women in your community right now?

LEAN IN

SYLVIA ACEVEDO

CEO of The Girl Scouts, 2005 Cover Woman

Austin Woman: What have been some career highlights since your 2005 cover story?

Sylvia Acevedo: I’m very grateful for my success as a tech executive, which culminated in my being part of a startup in Austin that was successfully sold. The grassroots mobilization campaigns that we started in Austin, called the Feria Para Aprender (Learning Fairs), became a national campaign. This work in education led me to serve as a commissioner on the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, where I chaired the Early Education subcommittee and changed federal policy of funding for dual language pre-K materials.

Governor Ann Richards asked me to be a founding member of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, a school I am still proud to support. She nominated me for the National Board of Girl Scouts of the USA, where I served for eight years before being asked to serve as CEO in 2016.

As CEO of Girl Scouts, I really feel like I’ve come full circle. It was at Girl Scouts that I first discovered my passion for space and astronomy when I was on a troop camping trip. Because of the interest I’d sparked at Girl Scouts, I started taking science and math electives in school. The confidence I developed at Girl Scouts enabled me to be confident to pursue engineering.

AW: During your time with the Girls Scouts, you’ve encouraged more STEM badges and initiatives. What progress have you seen in the STEM field and what more needs to be done to achieve gender equity?

SA: In the past three years, Girl Scouts has created more than 100 new STEM badges as well as challenging outdoor badges that include rock climbing and snow camping. The importance of early exposure to STEM subjects cannot be overstated. By third grade, girls have formed their STEM identities—that is, they develop awareness of their level of interest, and their feelings of confidence and competence. This is a critical time when girls unfortunately start to pull away from STEM, for various addressable reasons, so early and sustained engagement is critical.

I’m so excited by the response we’ve had from girls across the country in urban, suburban and rural communities. In 2019, girls earned 1 million STEM badges in everything from robotics to space science exploration, citizen science, digital game design, app development, cybersecurity and more—129,000 in cybersecurity alone!

AW: How can Austinites support the Girl Scouts right now?

Photo courtesy of Sylvia Acevedo.

SA: Last month Girl Scouts made the tough, but absolutely necessary, decision to suspend in-person cookie booth sales nationwide for the safety of our girls, volunteers and their families. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the primary way local Girl Scout councils fund the life-changing programming for girls, so it’s critical that the cookie sale continue virtually. During our current health crisis, I invite all Austinites to support Girl Scout programming and the service and entrepreneurial goals of Girl Scouts by going to girlscouts.org/en/cookie-care.html, putting in your zip code and finding a local council to buy cookies from. You can also donate cookies and we will safely distribute them to bring comfort to first responders, volunteers and local causes in need.

WHAT IS MAKING YOU SMILE RIGHT NOW? I’ve been so inspired by the actions of Girl Scouts across the country who are stepping up to support and give back to their communities, whether they’re organizing cookie donation drives for the truckers who deliver all the things we need,

creating food drives or sewing masks for hospital staff on the front lines. There’s even a robotics team in Austin that has pivoted from 3D-printing robots to 3D-printing face shields for frontline workers. Just amazing!

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RECIPE REVEAL

CREATIVITY IN CRISIS

Chef Deepa Shridhar shares how she’s adapting food service during COVID-19 and her latest cocktail invention: Wine Gatorade.

BY COURTNEY RUNN

Before a global pandemic crushed the food industry, Deepa Shridhar

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WINE GATORADE During one of Deepa Shridhar’s Instagram lives, a follower asked if she had any recipes for wine drinkers wanting to purchase her cocktail kit. In response, she crafted her new favorite—and what she claims as hangover-free—drink: Wine Gatorade. “I’m also a wine drinker, too,” she says. “But I’ve always been told just like you’re not supposed to play with your food, you’re not supposed to play with your wine. But who’s going to stop you; you’re in your house.” You can purchase your own Wine-R-Ade kit on 33-tigers.com or try this DIY version.

Ingredients A large pinch of smoked salt (Shridhar recommends local farm La Flaca’s seasoning salt.)

7-9 mint leaves (another ingredient she likes to source from La Flaca) 4 ounces citrus simple syrup (Shridhar sells her own mix online) 1/2 cup preferred citrus, sliced 1 bottle of favorite house red wine 1 bottle of preferred sparkling wine Directions 1. In a large mason jar or pitcher, place mint leaves and salt at the bottom.

2. Mix in remaining ingredients.

3. Place pitcher in freezer for about an hour.

4. Let thaw for 10 minutes and serve.

Photo by Kate LeSueur.

was already disrupting it. Day after day after day after day of cooking and serving food at her farmers market stand, food truck and supper clubs grinded on her; instead of accepting the relentless toil as a necessary evil of her industry, she quit. Wary of its sustainability, she “shut down a very successful truck doing daily service” to focus solely on her weekly supper club, quickly garnering repeat fans who came for the creative cuisine she’s known for—naan croissants are a favorite—and the community.

If supper club brings to mind a subdued potluck with friends, you’ve never been to one of Shridhar’s supper clubs. She prefers to think of them as house parties with her curated hip-hop playlists and swag bags full of goodies made by local women. Before the pandemic, Shridhar was feeling familiar pangs of burnout and was already planning her pivot from weekly to monthly dinners. Now, she’s considering how to transition them to the web.

While COVID-19 might have rattled her peers, Shridhar quickly transformed her business model: Within a month of shelter-in-place, she launched an Instagram-live version of her weekly Wine Wednesday parties, offered takeout groceries and launched a podcast. Her podcast—a weekly conversation on food and alcohol pairings and kitchen culture— was in the works, but the pandemic forced her to take action.

“Creating art right now is really important so you don’t have the privilege of being precious with it because really, right now, if you’re in a creative field, it is your responsibility, your duty…to create art for people,” she says. “If you’re good at what you do, you’ll find a way to do it and you need to make sure that’s what you’re contributing to society.”

While this season has provided opportunities to be in front of more people online, it’s also taken. Rental space is expensive, and the future is uncertain. But from destruction can spring renewal and Shridhar is hopeful for a cleansed food industry that is more sustainable, more forgiving to its workers. She’s noticed restaurants are being forced to narrowly focus on their strengths, instead of fighting to compete with every other restaurant in town. She’s also hopeful the pandemic is pushing chefs to stare down the realities of daily service and come to the same conclusion she has: “It’s not feasible, it’s not sustainable and it’s not healthy.”

Until then, she’s making a lot of roti, resting in the comfort of “something buttery and simple” and she’s committed to providing flavorful food for Austinites.

“I feel one of the first things to kinda go with something like this is immigrant cuisine and immigrant cuisine done in a you-can-take-ithome-and-do-it-yourself situation,” she says. “I really wanted to bring that back into peoples’ lives and also just be able to provide a little bit of comfort. Just because we have to ration, just because we have to be smart…doesn’t mean you don’t have to have spice in your life.”

ATXWOMAN.COM |  59

Photo courtesy of Deepa Shridhar.

ON THE MONEY

MANAGING UNEXPECTED CREDIT-CARD DEBT

Here’s how to avoid high fees during times of crisis.

BY JENNY HOFF

There are many crisis situations that can lead to unexpected high credit-card usage and ensuing debt: divorce, health emergencies, loss of job or a global pandemic. If you’ve found yourself with less income and a greater dependency on credit cards, here are two ways you can avoid paying high interest fees on your balance.

CALL YOUR CREDIT-CARD ISSUER OR BANK AND EXPLAIN YOUR SITUATION.

Most credit-card companies won’t automatically waive interest accrued on a balance during this time, but they likely have a program in place that could help, says Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst with Lending Tree. “They have so-called hardship programs that offer temporary relief for folks dealing with short-term financial crises because of a natural disaster, and the coronavirus is certainly that,” he says. “Your mileage may vary by issuer, but banks may offer things like waived fees, higher credit limits, lower interest rates and even reduced or waived minimum payments.” While you can certainly fill out an online form or send an email, you’re more likely to be successful with a phone call.

Just be prepared for long hold times to get someone on the phone.

“”

Good credit card management will help you weather this financial storm both during this crisis and long after it has passed.

60 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MAY 2020

CONSIDER APPLYING FOR A NEW CREDIT CARD.

If your go-to card is a rewards card that allows you to earn miles, cash back or free hotel stays, it likely also comes with very high interest fees. If you’re not paying off these cards in full every month, you’re paying way more in fees than you’re earning in rewards. “It may seem counterintuitive to get a new credit card in these trying economic times, but the truth is that a 0-percent offer credit card can be a huge help for struggling cardholders,” Schulz says.

“Balance transfers are often the first thing people think of when it comes to 0-percent offers, and those are still widely available, but they’re not the only 0-percent offers out there. Many cards that offer 0-percent…annual percentage rate deals [on balance transfers] also offer 0-percent interest on new purchases for a short period of time.” If you get approved for a card that offers no interest for a certain amount of time, it’s important to still only use it for essentials. When the interest eventually kicks in, it will be high, and you don’t want to be stuck with a balance you can’t pay in full.

It’s important to at least pay the minimum payment on time each month to avoid taking a hit to your credit score—unless you work out a deal with your card issuer to delay payments without penalty. But it’s also crucial to not build up a balance that will be difficult to repay once the economy is up and running again. Good credit-card management will help you weather this financial storm both during this crisis and long after it has passed.

Sponsored Content

DIY CAR WASH

BY CHELSEA BANCROFT

If you read my article last month, you know the importance of keeping your car clean and germ-free.

While you probably have some extra free time right now (and maybe some kids you need to keep busy), here are some tips for cleaning your car at home.

Take everything out before vacuuming.

First things first, clean out everything from your car. Throw away the trash, remove any stuff, take out the floor mats, etc. Then, give it a good vacuum from top to bottom, making sure you get the seats and trunk, as well as the floors and floor mats.

Wash your floor mats.

Shine those tires and wheels.

You can buy a specific wheel cleaner but mixing dish soap with hot water works as well. Spray off your wheels, then using a rag or sponge, scrub off all the grease and dirt.

Rinse and immediately dry with a clean towel.

Happy cleaning! On behalf of all of us at Roger Beasley Mazda, we are here to help if you find yourself in need of automotive service or a new vehicle. We are open and taking all necessary precautions to ensure our facilities are clean and safe for everyone.

Please visit rogerbeasley.com or call 866-779-8409 for more info or with any questions!

After vacuuming, hose your floor mats down.

You can buy pre-made car mat cleaners or create your own by mixing water with two tablespoons of washing powder and two tablespoons of regular shampoo. Then, apply to the mats and use a stiff brush to scrub thoroughly. Spray them off, vacuum again with a shop vaccum or a wet/dry vaccum to suck up some of the water and any remaining dirt, then let dry completely before putting them back in the car.

Dust and wipe off all surfaces.

First, dust all surfaces with a duster or damp towel—microfiber is best. For those hard-to-reach places, an old toothbrush, cotton swab or foam paintbrush will do the trick. Then wipe down everything with a disinfecting wipe that’s safe to use on car surfaces.

Clean your seats.

For cloth seats, there are DIY solutions, but I suggest getting a spray cleaner that’s specifically for car upholstery. If you have leather seats, there are special leather cleaning wipes you can use that make cleaning a breeze. Don’t forget the kids’ seats, too!

Toss the covers in the washing machine and use disinfecting wipes to wipe off all other surfaces.

Photo by Shelby Sorrel.

Wash the exterior.

Rinse off your car first to remove a lot of the dirt and dust that can cause paint scratches. Use a specific car wash soap or combine some vegetable oil-based soap (not dish soap that can damage the paint) with a bucket of hot water and use a microfiber mitt or towel to wash, starting from the top down. Rinse off your car completely, then dry with a microfiber cloth right away to avoid streaks. Don’t forget about the windows; use a basic glass cleaner!

Chelsea Bancroft is the strategic-partnerships and social-media manager at Roger Beasley Mazda and a blogger at onechelofanadventure.com.

ASK LUCY

ADOPT, FOSTER OR CONTRIBUTE

Here are three ways to help at-risk animals in Austin and across Texas.

BY LUCY J. PHILLIPS

Dear Lucy, I don’t know about you, but I have been so grateful to have my human working from home.

I am enjoying all the extra snuggles and attention, and sometimes we even take two walks on the same day! We haven’t been to the dog park in ages, but I have seen a lot more dogs out walking with their humans in my neighborhood. With so many people staying home with their pups recently, I can’t help but worry about all the animals still looking for a home of their own. How will people meet their furever friends if shelters are closed?

Love, Alfred the Afghan hound Dear Alfred,

Kyle Chandler, forever known as Coach Taylor from Friday Night Lights, adopted a lucky pup named Clive into his “Texas Forever” home. Chandler and his wife visited the shelter with the intent to foster, but they ended up falling in love with little Clive at first sight! Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski, who has been quarantining in Austin, fostered an APA! pup named Neon, encouraging Austinites to still help their local shelters—even if they can’t make a long-term commitment.

“It’s very important for us to support our local shelters because they’re getting a lot less foot traffic…[By fostering a dog, you] provide the nice quality of life they deserve because they’re pups and they love unconditionally,” Porowski said in a video APA! posted on Instagram.

Austinites definitely listened, and, as of late April, APA! has placed more than 1,300 animals in temporary homes while shelters were closed. In an online Q&A between APA!’s Executive Director Dr. Ellen Jefferson and Don Bland, chief animal services officer at Austin Animal Center (AAC), Bland reported that AAC had placed 479 animals in foster care by April 1, almost double the amount than in previous months.

The rise in fostering and adopting allowed APA! to support other Texas shelters in turn, traveling to towns without no-kill policies like Bastrop and Beaumont to rescue at-risk pets. Looking ahead, Jefferson believes this surge in fostering could create even more sustainable life-saving opportunities in the future. In a video posted on social media in April, she shared her hope for how animal services will continue to adapt long after shelters reopen.

“If you think about the way shelters have always operated,” she said, “we’ve always been these centers that lots of people come to, all the animals come to, and that’s not allowed anymore...We are really excited about the future because it means we can actually do more of the lifesaving hopefully, and do it in a better way.”

In the meantime, APA! is calling for more than just adoption and foster volunteers. Dependent on charitable giving (which dropped significantly in the spring) and on large, annual fundraising events (now postponed or canceled through 2020), shelters like APA! need donations. Humans who are unable to provide permanent or temporary homes can still support animals by donating online.

So, whether humans adopt, foster or contribute financially, there are plenty of options to help local animals through these challenging times!

Puppy love,

Lucy

If you have a dog-related question for Lucy, reach out and follow her on Instagram @asklucydog.

62 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MAY 2020

Lucy photo courtesy of Hannah J. Phillips.

I have certainly been seeing the same trend in my own neighborhood, and while I am grateful for the bonus walks, I share your concern about shelter dogs (ok, cats, too). Fortunately for me, I am a graduate of Austin Pets Alive! and my human was in a position to provide a long-term home when she adopted me in 2013. Thankfully, humans across the country have similarly opened their homes to at-risk pets during this difficult time. In New York City, the Best Friends Animal Society and Muddy Paws rescue groups reported that local shelters saw a tenfold surge of adoption applications in just two weeks in mid-March. Likewise, Austin Pets Alive! announced on social media that Travis County shelters were the emptiest they have been in the last 70 years thanks to local volunteers and a few celebrities.

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THE FACTS ABOUT

Wisdom - tooth Removal

Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop. Eons ago, when our diets were much different and dental crowding was common, the third molars came in or “erupted” and provided another set of functional teeth. With today’s softer, non-abrasive diet and the relative rarity of dental crowding, most often, there is not enough room for the wisdom teeth to erupt into place and be functional teeth that can be maintained by the patient. This is what is meant by “impacted,” simply that the tooth is not able to come into a functional position. There are patients who have the space for wisdom teeth, and in these cases, the teeth may be functional and beneficial. In cases in which the wisdom teeth came in appropriately, it is common later in life to develop decay or gum disease around these teeth first. They are difficult for some to maintain and your dentist may suggest removal rather than a filling or crown if this happens.

Who would remove my wisdom teeth?

While your family dentist may remove erupted or exposed wisdom teeth, many regular dentists do not. Furthermore, impacted wisdom teeth, more complex teeth concerns or higher-risk teeth will likely result in a referral to an oral surgeon. A visit with your dentist or a look at your X-rays would likely answer that question best. Most patients having multiple wisdom teeth removed at the same time prefer sedation rather than being awake. Oral surgeons have extensive hospital-based training in anesthesia to make this procedure pleasant and astonishingly safe. The facility is almost as important as the surgeon, and offices that are board-certified in oral surgery are inspected and certified for anesthesia safety by both the State of Texas and a surgery certifying board. Certification ensures the monitoring and safety equipment mirrors that of a hospital environment.

At what age should wisdom teeth be removed?

In general, younger patients are at a very low risk, as the teeth are typically less difficult to remove. For this reason, the recovery is commonly smoother and faster. The best approach is to image and consult a dentist or oral surgeon at a young age, typically during the teenage years, so an assessment can be made about whether the wisdom teeth will likely ever need to be removed. If it is likely removal will be necessary, earlier surgery is generally easier and more predictable. This assessment might happen with your family dentist, orthodontist or directly with an oral surgeon.

What are the costs associated with wisdomtooth removal?

Most insurance plans cover wisdom-tooth removal.

At consultation, each wisdom tooth will be evaluated and coded depending on how it is positioned within the mouth and whether it is exposed or impacted. Likewise, anesthesia choices are usually discussed, and the level of sedation is agreed upon.

The costs will vary depending on these factors, and your insurance coverage can generally be explored prior to the procedure. The best way to discover costs and insurance coverage, as well as discuss the procedure, is to set up a consultation visit with your provider.

Before you consider oral surgery for your family, call 512.591.9557 or visit austinoralsurgery.com.

A LEGACY OF EXCEPTIONAL CARE

I AM AUSTIN WOMAN

SERVING ON THE FRONT LINES

H-E-B’s public affairs manager Felicia Peña shares how the grocery store is keeping Austin fed.

This mindset allowed H-E-B to be among the first to build partnerships with Capital Metro and Austin Independent School District to feed our most vulnerable neighbors, including children, seniors and immunocompromised citizens, while simultaneously supporting the Central Texas Food Bank as they built out emergency food boxes for thousands of Austin residents.

When 2020 began, my resolution was to reflect daily on new experiences, anything from exploring a new running trail, trying out a new restaurant or connecting with a different nonprofit. I’ve adjusted my daily reflections now to include gratitude. I am thankful for my H-E-B family, for the team that shares this incessant spirit of giving, for the thousands of partners across Texas who show up ready to serve, for the teachers, nonprofits and first responders who uplift our community, and for the customers who trust us to keep them safe and healthy.

So, thank you Austin. We look forward to continuing to serve you, because at H-E-B, people matter.

continuously striving for better, not only in the products we provide to our customers, but in the ways we engage with our community. And as an H-E-B partner (what we call our employees), I quickly found myself taking personal pride in those traits, leaving the office every day with this urge to be better, to be kind and to be helpful.

A few days into my job at H-E-B in 2018, I quickly learned that every day is different. I remain inspired, always ready to step up to new challenges and innovate. While many of my days are spent on community engagement, philanthropy and media relations, a few times a year we’re called to support relief efforts for unfortunate local disasters. Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado, fire or a pandemic, Texans know they can rely on H-E-B to support them during hard times. Our company began planning for the COVID-19 pandemic months before we started to grapple with it as a nation. Having plans in place allowed our partners to be able to quickly adjust to this ever-changing situation, but it also allowed us to give: give our time, talent and treasure; give our customers structure and assurance; give our partners protection and pay raises; and give our communities the meals, materials and support they need to get through this together.

One of the most important things that has come from this crisis is the creative partnerships that have so quickly formed, allowing our local nonprofits to serve thousands of people each week. A past career in fundraising for the Central Texas Food Bank provided me with the knowledge and understanding of how to most effectively support nonprofit organizations during a time of crisis. Our city is well known for innovation, and the groups and organizations that exist to serve the public continue to uphold this reputation, creating opportunity and providing hope.

The most effective way to make lasting positive change is to work together. We must trust the experts and ask how we can help before providing a solution.

64 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MAY 2020

Photo courtesy of Ben Porter Photography.

A s a company, H-E-B is relentlessly dissatisfied,

We shine brighter with you.

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