October 2023

Preeminent Italian design and quality, brought to you by Copenhagen. Come experience our carefully curated collection.

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Shown with the Arcadia chair, Royalton sideboard and Glenn mirror, all available through Copenhagen.

The Skorpio table. Available from stock as shown with a graphite base and clear glass top measuring 94.5” long and a full 47” wide. Copenhagen price $4268.

THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IS HERE

The Educational Revolution that Launched in an Austin Bathtub

Austin is a place where revolutionary ideas can sprout like wildfire, so much so, the next big thing often goes unnoticed until it reshapes the world in ways we couldn’t imagine. We think the Alpha School in Austin is that. Dubbed “the birthplace of an educational revolution,” this school flips everything we thought we knew about traditional learning on its head. It’s a revolution that, oddly, all started in an Austin bathtub. More on that, in a moment.

If you think about it, education really hasn’t changed much over the past 100 years. Lecture-based classrooms, long school days topped with homework. A teacher in front of a class of 25 kids with diverse needs, all learning the same lessons, at the same pace. That system is broken. Just look at the data on student outcomes. The National Association of Educational Progress issues the Nation’s Report Card every year and found test scores for 13-year-olds plummeted to their lowest levels in decades, a downward trend that pre-dates the pandemic. Only 38% of Texas 4th graders are able to do grade-level math. Only 30% are proficient in reading.

Enter the Alpha School, formed in 2016 by Austin-area education and technology experts who challenged themselves to reimagine the place where our children spend the majority of their waking hours.

Imagine a school where your child spends only two hours a day on academics but learns twice as much as they would in a regular six-hour school day. This isn’t a dream; it’s the reality at Alpha School, thanks to the vision of cofounder MacKenzie Price who implemented a system that customizes core curriculum around a student’s individual abilities and learning style.

The results speak for themselves. Senior Kate Alexandra, an Alpha student for the past eight years, just scored a perfect 1600 on her SAT. “Most people think you have to spend six hours a day in class and do a ton of homework if you want to crush academics. But that is wrong. Like, wrong wrong. I’m so happy MacKenzie convinced my parents to take my sister and me out of standard school and send us to Alpha. I’m learning about things like entrepreneurship and leadership, working on my substack, doing things I love and never thought were possible in school.”

Stanford-educated Price envisioned this reality years ago. She believes any student can unlock their potential and learn effectively through her methods built upon 50 years of educational research. “I believe it’s not about intelligence. Any student can learn K-12 common core curriculum and master it through these methods. The problem is so many kids get off to a wrong start and they get labeled a ‘C’ student. Then that child is likely to be a ‘C’ student throughout their entire academic career. We don’t do that at Alpha. We figure out what a student needs to excel, and we provide them with an individualized learning plan. Our student outcomes show it’s working incredibly well.”

Overall, Alpha students score in the top 2% on Texas MAP scores. Kindergarteners score in the top 99th percentile and continue on that performance trajectory at Alpha.

Academics aside, it’s what happens after those two hours of learning that stands out most. The Alpha School deeply understands that education isn’t just about grammar and arithmetic. Afternoons are freed up for “life skills” workshops that allow students to dive into their passions, whether that’s food science, robotics or environmental conservation. They learn public speaking, financial literacy and leadership in a motivational atmosphere that encourages peer-to-peer support.

This hands-on approach not only cultivates life skills; it fosters teamwork, socialization and a genuine love for learning.

“One of our core tenets is: Our students will love going to school. When students are engaged in doing things they love, amazing things happen. High school students spend four years of their afternoons figuring out where their passions meet purpose. They create masterpiece projects. One student’s building a world-class mountain bike park in Texas Hill Country after he raised $400k in funding. Another’s researching the intersection of foods and disease. Three students figured out a way to distribute educational tools to Ukrainian refugee children living in temporary shelters. It’s a school where we tell our students they’re limitless and absolutely anything’s possible,” explains Price.

Let’s not forget to tell you how Alpha’s story began in a bathtub. In the beginning, when Alpha was just a vision without a campus, they held school inside an Austin singlefamily home. Students would find comfortable spots to study: on couches, bean bag chairs, at kitchen counters. But the students’ favorite spot by far was the second-floor bathtub. Student Kate Alexandra remembers it well. “I’d grab a pillow and sit in the bathtub and do my work. Sounds crazy, I know. We were definitely guinea pigs back then, but it worked, and Alpha has been a life-changing experience for me and so many others,” she explains.

Alpha has come a long way from those humble beginnings, with three fully equipped campuses. The lower school’s located in Spyglass/Barton Hills, the high school’s downtown anchored in a former Google office space and another campus is located in Brownsville, Texas. Though it has matured, Alpha’s committed to staying nimble and innovating constantly. It’s central to the school’s philosophy. Students learn to be resilient, set big goals and adopt a “growth mindset.” They know that ideas born in a bathtub today could one day have a transformational impact on the world.

For parents committed to learning about transformative education, Alpha offers a glimpse of what the future of education looks like. Top educational experts across the country have taken notice, touring Alpha’s campuses to embrace this proven methodology and incorporate it back home. Austin’s lucky to have this revolutionary school here in town, and we felt it was high time we shared one of our city’s best-kept secrets with savvy parents. After all, the future is limitless, and so are our children.

Alpha School Roblox Quest: Gaming, Learning, and Fun Unite. On Oct. 28, Alpha School joins forces with global YouTube sensation Unspeakable to host an unforgettable Roblox-themed event. This collaborative event brings Roblox to life through a series of quests, giving participants the opportunity to win Robux, an iPad and, if they complete the course, a meet-n-greet with Unspeakable himself!

This collaboration promises to be more than just a fun-filled day; it’s a chance for kids to see the intersection of gaming, learning and creativity.

By blending Alpha School’s innovative educational approach with the limitless potential of Roblox and Unspeakable’s charisma, get ready for an immersive day and experience firsthand how games and education can come together to create magic. Don’t miss this awesome mash-up.

BY GEORGIA VALLES

BY REGINE MALIBIRAN PHOTOS BY JOI CONTI

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Editorial: Brown Girl in Recovery, Brandi Clark Burton, Elizabeth Colvin, Jenny Hoff, Regine Malibiran, Haley Noble, Hannah Nuñez, Devin Spady, Shonté Jovan Taylor, Georgia Valles, Susie Vybiral

Art: Brown Girl in Recovery, City of Austin, Joi Conti, The Inclusion Plus Institute, Not on Our Watch Texas, Venus V. Piñeyro, Jasmin Porter, Karen Stone, Charles Summer, LisaBeth Thomas, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Lucero Valle, Susie Vybiral

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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.

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Writer, “Journey to Thriving,” Page 38

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• Fall is her favorite season.

“I survived the hot summer hopping around different coffee shops with a good book! ”

CY WHITE

Managing Editor

• She’s released two EPs.

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Thank goodness it’s October! (Best month of the year, but I might be a bit biased.) The insufferable heat is finally breaking, and we can revel in Mother Nature’s blessing without suffering her wrath. As the legendary Gloria Gaynor prophesized 45 years ago, we survived!

The segue might be a bit on the nose, but it doesn’t make it any less true. It’s no coincidence that our October issue is dedicated to survivors. This month, we tackle some incredibly tough issues— sex trafficking and exploitation, assault, cancer, addiction. Our featured women have all come through trauma, helped and advocated for those who have suffered trauma or both. Our cover woman, Sarah Jones Simmer, continues on her path to healing after a difficult bout of breast cancer. Throughout her entire life’s journey, she has been dedicated to providing women with safe spaces. From her former COO position at a then-fledgling dating app called Bumble, to her CEO position at weight care company Found, she has championed women not only accepting themselves, but owning their autonomy and power. This same life mission flourishes in Venus V. Piñeyro, founder and CEO of The Inclusion Plus Institute and The Strong Latina Project. Her own trauma stems from a childhood wrought with abuse; however, with strength, determination and inspiration from her mother, she was able to not only survive, but strive for excellence and thrive. In her own journey to thriving, she insists on including as many womxn as she can. Cyber exploitation is an aspect of trafficking that no one really explores, nor is it something we talk openly about when it comes to the kinds of trauma kids and teens experience through social media. LisaBeth Thomas, co-founder of Texas Women in Business, also co-founded Not on Our Watch Texas to shine a light on this menace making its place in our homes and offer resources and solutions to stop it in its tracks.

I know this all seems so heavy. However, instead of shying away from these topics, as most of us are wont to do when confronted by the harshness of the world, I encourage you to read these stories and really engage with those things that make you uncomfortable. Find inspiration from the featured women and their causes. Every single woman in this issue found strength even in moments of great weakness and pain, and they strive to ensure that every man, woman and child is given the space to not only survive, but truly elevate and soar on silver wings.

Editor’s Picks: Songs for the survivors

CY WHITE EDITOR

“Better Days” by Janet Jackson “Days Like This” by Shaun Escoffery “Run Away” by Georgia Anne Muldrow

Women in AI

The importance of creating, strengthening and diversifying global networks

AI is changing our world; however, there may be more change necessary in the world of AI. Many talk about innovation and fixate on its catalysts, yet one that often gets forgotten is diversity of perspective—particularly from women.

Women in AI and advanced technologies remain underrepresented across the industry, especially within AI-related research, academia, senior leadership positions and application development for the real world.

For some background, there’s been a lack of gender diversity in AI for quite some time. In 2019, women comprised 22% of all AI and computer science Ph.D. programs in North America, just 4% higher than in 20101. In 2021, the AI Index Report from the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI found that women make up just 16% of tenure-track faculty focused on AI globally. Today, women make up only 26% of data and AI positions in the workforce. All the while, demand for AI is expected to continue growing at a rapid pace2

So why does a gap still exist if there’s ample evidence that gender diversity holds value? After all, companies with diverse boards often perform better. Organizations that prioritize gender diversity in executive leadership typically have higher net returns. Increased productivity is even correlated with high gender diversity3

The AI industry should be no exception. If artificial intelligence doesn’t have diverse creators, humanity isn’t accurately represented and AI can create unfair, unintended advantages that may leave others out. Incorporating women’s perspectives can help deliver insights and principles that enable AI teams to develop more representative products

Deloitte has spearheaded several initiatives to increase gender diversity in AI. In 2021, we produced the Women in AI report. That same year, we created a series of monthly meetups presented by our Deloitte AI Institute* focusing on top-of-mind AI topics with leading experts from startups, enterprises, academia and research groups. We have also launched a leadership program designed to offer a unique experience for our talent called Women in AI: Global AI Leadership Development Program. As a global collaboration across the Deloitte AI Institute, this program promotes learning,

*The Deloitte AI Institute helps organizations connect the different dimensions of a robust, highly dynamic, and rapidly evolving AI ecosystem—no matter what stage of the AI journey they’re in. Learn more about how enterprises across the world are leveraging AI for a competitive advantage by visiting us at the Deloitte AI Institute for a full body of our work, subscribing to our podcasts and newsletter, and joining us at our meetups and live events. Let’s explore the future of AI together.

1 Deloitte AI Institute. Women in AI. The State of Women in AI Today | Deloitte US 2 World Economic Forum. Global Gender Gap Report 2020. https://www.weforum.org/ reports/gender-gap-2020-report-100-years-pay-equality/ 3Ibid. Deloitte AI Institute.

building connections and celebrating the equality of women leaders in AI by way of module presentations, mentorship, programs and more. Our collaboration with industry experts and institutions across the AI ecosystem help drive these efforts and are intended to inspire future women leaders. Our hope is that this can not only serve as a model for other companies, but influences the broader AI industry as well.

Additionally, we’re planning to enhance the Women in AI participant experience by developing a long-term metaverse strategy. This pilot program will continue our commitment to leadership training by creating an immersive learning experience using VR-led virtual worlds, 3D-design assets, AI-embedded roleplaying experiences and more.

The next women leaders in AI are out there, and we should all share a collective goal of bringing women and diverse leaders to the table to ensure the best outcomes.

About Deloitte

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a U.K. private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity Please see deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms. Please see deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

This publication contains general information only and Deloitte is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. Deloitte shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this publication.

Copyright © 2023 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.

“GalaxyCon: Beyond Infinity”

Austin Woman experiences GalaxyCon’s first visit to the Lone Star capital.

“Future Fest: A Night of Film Magic”

Cy White experiences the brilliance of Austin’s own creative filmmaking community at Future Fest’s short film showcase.

“Erin Waltz Brings in a New Generation of Music”

Local band manager Erin Waltz is helping to broaden the landscape of women in music.

Thank You for UPLevel-ing With Us!

The Austin community came out in record numbers for Austin Woman’s inaugural UPLevel Her event!

Photos by Cy White.

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Photo booth fun

Morning Breakout Session - Mental Health & Wellness: The Loneliness Effect

A Trailblazer in Caregiving

Liz Colvin, chief executive officer at

Single2do, shares important lessons she’s learned as a mental health caregiver.

BY LIZ COLVIN

Of all the time I’ve spent in various insurance, management and criminal justice roles, I have never felt as fulfilled in my career as I am today, being the driving force for Single2do. To me, helping others find balance in their lives is rewarding. My journey in caregiving began with my daughter being diagnosed with a chronic mental illness in 2013. During that time, I saw myself as an unprepared working professional who was not equipped to manage her daughter’s schizoaffective disorder. The symptoms can consist of hallucinations, delusions, low energy and unstable moods. The disorder is often lifelong; however, the symptoms can improve over time. I learned that once professional medical intervention is received for the sufferer, the second important element comes from the caregiver assisting them in building coping strategies to improve their condition.

LOVE HAS A POWERFUL EFFECT.

Love has a powerful effect when you place your personal wants subsequent to the needs of others. During the beginning of my daughter’s condition, I learned that medicine and therapy were great in calming the manic episodes in her body, but more was needed to heal the wounds of guilt, shame and denial. I sought to educate myself about the psycho-neurological changes in the human mind, along with teaching her to acknowledge the condition, fight the stigma of society and have a successful work-life balance.

SUCCESS LOOKS DIFFERENT FOR EVERYBODY.

Success for a person living with a mental illness is receiving hope that the condition can be managed. The first step is learning about the condition after the diagnosis. The medical provider (normally the psychiatrist) gives a synopsis of the condition and then recommends an antipsychotic medication. As a layperson, I found education about the treatment to become an effective caregiver, so I enrolled in the family-to-family classes offered by the National Alliance of Mental Illness. The classes taught me how to guide my daughter by learning how the brain functions, the types of treatment available and how to manage an episodic crisis. As such, the job as caregiver is to listen, offer suggestions, discuss nutrition and assist the sufferer in communicating their side effects or medical concerns with their providers. When one can celebrate any of these achievements, success can be anticipated.

WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE SUFFERER IS GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.

As found in medical reports from sources such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Institutes of Health, once the symptomatic aspect of a mental health condition subsides or is managed, one can then find outside social settings uncomfortable. I noticed my daughter was lacking in social engagement and acceptance. She preferred to be alone, to sleep or watch television. My awareness of this heightened during COVID-19, when I noticed others without a diagnosis suffering from similar signs of isolation and fear in our community. Many were having difficulty utilizing services involving travel, technology, mental health and loneliness. Therefore, Single2do was formed and joined alliances with other professionals offering travel recommendations, technology lectures and wellness information. Whether you are single, married, widowed or recovering from a lifechanging event, you matter as an individual.

WE ALL DESERVE GUIDANCE AND KIND LEADERSHIP.

Over the years, I’ve built my reputation on being a kind but effective leader. Although I created the business, I would not be able to sustain the excellent job of serving our clients if it was not for my team and the network of businesses who provide services and give us referrals. Thank you. Single2do has current offerings on our website for local meetups and events throughout Austin and Central Texas, including at restaurants, sporting events and concerts, to name a few. Remember: Be yourself. Love yourself.

Photo by Charles Sumner.

Liz Colvin is a writer living in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. She has an upcoming book scheduled for release in 2024.

Exposing Cyber Sex Trafficking

Technology has forever changed the way sex trafficking works.

BY HANNAH NUÑEZ

Sex trafficking has become more of a problem now than it’s ever been in the past.

A concept that once may have seemed distant and obscure is now closer than ever before. Online sex trafficking has reached an all-time high, yet few people even know the severity of the situation. LisaBeth Thomas is the founder of Not on Our Watch Texas, a nonprofit that spreads awareness about the dangers and reality of online child exploitation. It is no longer acceptable to live in ignorance about the issue; in order to stop the problem, one must be conscious of it first.

When Thomas initially found out that Texas was first across the nation for human trafficking, she knew that other mothers immediately had to be made aware of what they were up against. Thomas, along with Andrea Sparks and their team, launched the Not on Our Watch Texas awareness campaign on Sept. 7. The goal is to spread the word about what could potentially be occurring behind closed doors.

CHANGE IN SCENERY

Many are tired of hearing about the pandemic, but to say it still doesn’t have an extreme impact would be ignorant. COVID-19 had children stuck inside for days on end, meaning that rather than seeing friends at school or going to the park, kids were forced to find that human interaction through their phones. “This sudden flood of bored and isolated children online directly affected how predators lure in their victims,” Thomas says. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children states that between 2018 and 2022, reports relating to the sexual enticement of a child went up by 567%, with a fifth of that increase occurring within just the first few months of the lockdown. The idea of changing every child’s relationship with technology overnight is discouraging, but at this moment the concerned population does have the power to adapt to the circumstances and emphasize safety.

Photo courtesy of LisaBeth Thomas.

LisaBeth Thomas, co-founder of Not on Our Watch Texas

Having access to definite resources creates a foundation of reassurance and stability. Organizations such as Not on Our Watch Texas and Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking Texas work hard to specifically spread awareness and educate citizens on the problem at hand.

For immediate action, contact the Department of Homeland Security (1.866.347.2423), The National Human Trafficking Hotline (1.888.373.7888) and local authorities.

Photo courtesy of Not on Our Watch Texas.

“The smartphone is the new white van,” says Thomas. Rather than lurking around parks or shopping centers, these predators have conveniently nestled their way inside kids’ phones. In order to keep children protected, it’s imperative to acclimate to this change of scenery before it’s too late. Thomas encourages parents to educate themselves on the problem at hand rather than stick to what’s familiar. “We can’t go about this the same way we did before because the entire domain has shifted,” Thomas says. “Altering our mindset to better fit today’s age is the only way to stay tuned into these potential risks.” Long past are the days of hiding in ignorance and mindful bliss; people no longer have the privilege of assuming the best when a smartphone is both a tool for information and a potential gateway to danger.

POTENTIAL EVOLUTION

In worst-case scenarios, cyber exploitation has the capability to develop into a physical crisis. In these situations it may not be as easy to recognize trafficking as one may think. While sexual exploitation is the most well known, human trafficking is a large umbrella that also covers debt bondage, forced labor and domestic servitude. Austin’s Assistant Special Agent in charge of the Austin office of Homeland Security Investigations Stanley Seto emphasizes the importance of knowing indicators and understanding available resources.

“Inconspicuous traits could be something as simple as a person avoiding social interactions or even lacking capability to freely speak. Whereas more obvious signs include no longer possessing control over physical and mental autonomy or being

Staged photo enactment of HSI special agents assisting human exploitation victim.

held against one’s will.” Being aware of these red flags allows people to understand if they or others are in a dangerous situation that requires authoritative care. “The immediate response to these types of problems should always be contacting local law enforcement,” Seto urges. “We work with a victim-centered approach, meaning that no matter what, the priority is to have those in need stabilized and taken care of.”

The department prides itself on their victim assistance program as well as outreach agencies such as the Strategic Targeted Reach Program, designed specifically to connect victims with health care, transportation and hospitality. All online trafficking has the potential to evolve into a more physical sense, but if the public is aware of common indicators and armed with proactive resources, there is a chance for prevention and aid.

HOW TO PLAY YOUR PART

Being aware of these dangers is crucial, but change can’t happen if it isn’t actively applied. Communication between a parent and child is what makes the difference between life and death. “To completely cut out technology is unrealistic, but we have the power to strengthen relationships through conversation,” says Thomas. The idea of sitting down with a child and discussing the potential danger they hold in their own hands is something of a dystopian nightmare, but while this conversation is tough, it’s imperative for safety. “We have to allow our minds to be blown behind closed doors but prioritize our kids in the moment,” Thomas insists. It’s difficult to really confront, but take a deep breath and push past the discomfort in order to move toward a safer future for all children.

No matter how daunting this new wave of trafficking is, we can’t forget the power each and every one of us carries as women. If we as individuals have the capability to save lives with one conversation, the potential we hold in numbers is limitless. Allowing ourselves to be engulfed with the horror that this topic holds is only motivating predators to continue their crimes. We must begin the process of saving lives, one conversation at a time.

“

We can’t go about this the same way we did before because the entire domain has shifted. Altering our mindset to better fit today’s age is the only way to stay tuned into these potential risks.

LisaBeth Thomas

Photo courtesy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Calculating Your Net Worth

How to figure out your assets and liabilities.

BY JENNY HOFF

Knowing your net worth can be very empowering. If you have financial goals, you need to know where you are starting so you can make a plan to reach them. Net worth has nothing to do with selfworth; it’s just a snapshot of where you are right now financially so you can build to where you want to be.

First things first, what is net worth? Simply put, it’s the difference between what you own (your assets) and what you owe (your liabilities). It’s a powerful financial metric that paints a clear picture of your financial standing at a specific point in time.

ASSETS: YOUR FINANCIAL LIFELINES

Let’s begin by taking stock of your assets. These are the items of value that you own:

Savings and checking accounts: Start with your bank accounts, including checking and savings. Don’t forget to include any certificates of deposit (CDs) or money market accounts.

Investments: This includes your stock portfolio, bonds, mutual funds and retirement accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs. Add up their current values.

Real estate: The market value of your home(s) or any other properties you own. It’s essential to use current market values rather than what you originally paid.

Vehicles and personal property: If you have a car, consider its resale value. Include any valuable personal property, like jewelry or collectibles.

Business interests: If you own a business, estimate its net value after subtracting any business debts.

LIABILITIES: YOUR FINANCIAL ROADBLOCKS

Let’s tackle your liabilities—the debts and obligations that you owe:

Mortgages: The remaining balance on your mortgages or any home equity loans.

Auto loans: The outstanding balance on any car loans.

Credit card debt: Add up the balances on all your credit cards.

Student loans: Include any lingering student loan debt. Other loans: Don’t forget personal loans, medical bills or any other outstanding debts.

CALCULATING YOUR NET WORTH

With your assets and liabilities in hand, calculating your net worth is a breeze. Simply subtract your total liabilities from your total assets:

INTERPRETING THE RESULTS

Once you’ve crunched the numbers, you’ll fall into one of three categories:

Positive net worth: Congratulations! You have more assets than liabilities. This is a great place to be, and it means you’re building wealth.

Negative net worth: If your liabilities outweigh your assets, don’t fret. Many of us start here, especially with student loans or a mortgage. The key is to work on increasing your assets and reducing your debts over time.

Zero net worth: In this case, your assets and liabilities are equal. While it’s not negative, you should still aim to increase your assets to achieve positive net worth.

WHY TRACKING NET WORTH MATTERS

Now that you’ve calculated your net worth, you might wonder, “Why is this important?” Well, here’s why:

Financial awareness: It gives you a clear view of your financial health. Are you on track to meet your goals, or do you need to make some adjustments?

Goal setting: Setting financial goals becomes more precise when you know your net worth. Whether it’s buying a house, retiring early or starting a business, your net worth guides your path.

Debt management: It helps you prioritize paying down highinterest debts to boost your net worth.

Investment decisions: Knowing your net worth can influence your investment choices and risk tolerance.

While it’s always important to have a clear idea of your net worth outside of just your bank account, it’s especially important to calculate your net worth after a major life event, like a health issue, unemployment or divorce. Confronting our finances can be scary when you feel overwhelmed, but it’s important to be able to make a strong game plan to move and thrive financially.

TOTAL ASSETS - TOTAL LIABILITIES = NET WORTH

WOMAN to WATCH

A ustintacious founder Mia Sims believes the packaging and wrapping of a gift should reflect the personalities of the persons giving and receiving the gift. As the designated gift wrapper in her household, Sims has always had a knack for packaging and wrapping gifts. She received various requests from those seeking gift boxes filled with products representative of the city she loves. After curating these boxes, she was inspired to create a passion-based business committed to sharing the diversity, soul and culture of Austin. A 29-year Austinite, Sims fills her Austintacious boxes with local commodities. Ausintacious offers signature premade boxes, along with customized/themed boxes and gift wrapping for special occasions to ease the hassle of shopping and gift-giving. Sims takes immense pride in providing each and every customer with a unique and high-quality experience. Whether creating one box or 100, Austintacious strives to introduce customers to new local businesses or make them smile at products from familiar ones. They look forward to being of service to you.

austintaciousatx.com

MIA M. SIMS AUSTINTACIOUS | FOUNDER

ATX ATX WOMAN to WATCH

CAT DUONG-VALADEZ

H-E-B

| HR STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGER

C at Duong-Valadez is an HR strategic project manager for H-E-B’s Supply Chain and Logistics team. Her work focuses on cultivating a culture of connection and belonging. Her Austin roots began when she was 9 and were strengthened when she joined H-E-B in 2003. While attending UT Austin, she developed a passion around serving the Austin community. As a member of H-E-B’s Corporate Diversity Leadership Council and the Central Texas Spirit Corps, Duong-Valadez has helped numerous people find their passion within Austin through volunteerism. She always focuses on fostering an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion by encouraging others to be themselves. Duong-Valadez currently serves on both the Urban Roots’ and the Austin Young Chamber’s board of directors. During her spare time, she and her husband, Anival, are often found volunteering together around Austin, trying a new restaurant or at Disney World. newsroom.heb.com

WOMAN to WATCH

Eboni Lunsford Calbow is the CEO and founder of Elixir Austin, a culture-forward social justice and equity–focused behavioral health collective, where she leads advocacy for increasing cultural representation among behavioral health care practitioners through eliminating financial and sociocultural barriers to independent practice. In 2019, Calbow also founded Elixir Therapy, a private behavioral health practice focused on work with children, adolescents and early- to mid-career professionals, along with offering person-centered leadership training for C-suite executives. One of her major areas of focus is to normalize support-seeking behaviors by amplifying access to interdisciplinary, diverse and inclusive resources and practitioners, all to enhance the overall health and well-being of our communities. An ardent advocate for community stewardship and nonprofit leadership, Calbow serves on the Board for Girls Empowerment Network (Board Chair 2021 to 2023), the Texas Jail Project and the UT Charter School System. Her motto: Be kind, be well, be powerful. elixiraustin.co

EBONI LUNSFORD CALBOW ELIXIR AUSTIN | CEO AND FOUNDER

STYLED BY TERESA TEST (WITH INSPIRATION FROM ESTILO). HAIR AND MAKEUP BY MELISSA HAYES (@CALLFORBEAUTY).

SHOT ON LOCATION AT FOUND AUSTIN OFFICE.

Strength in Purpose Jones Simmer:

Strategic and kind, Sarah Jones Simmer leads others to follow their purpose.

BY REGINE MALIBIRAN PHOTOS BY JOI CONTI

Sarah Jones Simmer wants you to find strength in your body. The chief executive officer of Found, a weight care program “dedicated to improving people’s overall well-being by making evidence-based weight loss accessible and affordable for all,” Jones Simmer lives out her bucket list every day by taking chances on herself in service of others.

For Jones Simmer, who grew up the eldest of four daughters, her father’s work ethic was a profound example. He carved his own path in the pharmaceutical industry, starting humbly as a janitor and dedicatedly working his way to a role as vice president of technology. His passing approximately eight years ago from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was a significant bookmark in Jones Simmer’s perspective on her life’s calling.

“He found so much joy in work,” shares Jones Simmer with an inflection of lifelong admiration. “He loved teaching; he loved coaching. He felt the purpose of what he did.”

As someone who chose not to pursue a college education, her father placed strong emphasis on being self-sufficient as she was growing up. (She wasn’t allowed to get her learner’s permit until she proved she could change her own oil.) She recalls how he would teach his children how to be financially savvy from an early age, with the latest issue of The Wall Street Journal opened to the stock tickers as they made their cases for which companies they would choose to invest in.

“He had a really high bar. I felt sometimes like making him proud was my single most important goal in life,” says Jones Simmer. “It took me a while to define success on my own terms, and not just through a lens of what my dad would find meaningful.”

As she progressed in her own career, Jones Simmer developed her own set of values and leadership style, though there were some steadfast lessons she inherited from her father: be intentional about your impact and cultivate relationships with the people around you.

Like many others in 2020, Jones Simmer reckoned with a world-changing health issue. At the time, she was a mother to two young children and the chief operating officer of women-led online dating app Bumble. Aged 37 and lacking any prior history with the disease, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. The news fundamentally shifted the way she thought about the inevitabilities of life and balancing being engaged in her present while also considering what “fingerprints [she] wants to leave on planet Earth.”

Sarah Jones Simmer

Supported by her team, Jones Simmer designed a new professional life as she underwent cancer treatment. She transitioned into a new role as chief strategy officer and concentrated on taking point for Bumble’s IPO launch to Wall Street—something her investment-minded father would surely be proud of.

“Continuing to do work that I was passionate about provided a much needed distraction from an aggressive treatment regime that has now included dozens of sessions of chemo, 10 surgeries and 37 rounds of radiation over 18 months,” shares Jones Simmer to Bizwomen. “I worked on drafts of our S-1 from the chemo chair and first sent it to the board the morning of my double mastectomy.”

Bumble went public in February 2021. Soon after Jones Simmer applauded as Bumble Founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd rang the Nasdaq Stock Market opening bell in their Austin headquarters, she received the news: She no longer had “evidence of disease.”

Her accomplishments during her cancer treatment, along with the big questions around life, career and purpose that she reflected on during the process, empowered her to take a chance on herself and leap toward the role of CEO. She went about it methodically and intentionally, starting by organizing a “spreadsheet with 30 columns with all these boxes I wanted to check in terms of my next role” and narrowing it down to three or four things.

“I ultimately decided it’s about the people I work with,” Jones Simmer says. “I need to get a ton of energy from them and from wanting to work with them, and it needs to be mission-oriented and drive a material impact.”

After seven months on the job market, Jones Simmer joined Found.

The young company fit all of Jones Simmer’s criteria: vision, purpose, product and team. The opportunity to tackle the stigmas around weight reminded her of similar work done at Bumble around dating, especially after how large of a topic health had become in her life.

According to the team, Found is “an evidence-based weight care solution that combines the best of modern medicine with lasting behavior change, access to personalized coaching and a supportive community.” The Found difference lies in the personalization of the program for its members, which takes into account “every factor that makes people unique, including biology, medical history, existent lifestyle and goals” as well as its focus on building a robust medical staff and advisors, as opposed to celebrity testimonials.

“What I really love is the nuance of just how much science and evidence there is,” says Jones Simmer, whose own personal health journey fuels the passion and motivation with which she leads Found. “When we start talking about weight like that, grounded in science, then it’s no longer about willpower and shame and ‘you just didn’t try hard enough.’ [You realize you] were working against your body, not with it.”

Found recently relocated its headquarters from San Francisco to the Springdale General campus in Austin. The leadership team believes that the Austin market has an abundance of talent due to hometown companies like Bumble, Homeaway and Dell, and global brands like Apple, Meta and Google, not to mention the stream of young professionals graduating from the local universities.

“There’s a spirit of collaboration and innovation here that’s attracting world-class folks from other parts of the country,” says Jones Simmer, who has witnessed the growth and cultivated community in Austin since moving to the city with her family eight years ago.

Taking the helm at Found has allowed Jones Simmer to flourish as a decisive and caring leader who leaves space and consideration for her team’s humanity. She’s replicated some of the values that she practiced and benefited from at Bumble and its majority-female workforce in her current role. Jones Simmer is openly proud about encouraging a male senior-level colleague to truly disconnect from work during his upcoming parental leave despite the company’s current workload and advised him that, as one of the company’s leaders, he’s “setting an example around what parental leave should look like and what it means to support the family as a unit.”

“

I ultimately decided it’s about the people I work with.

I need to get a ton of energy from them and from wanting to work with them, and it needs to be missionoriented and drive a material impact.

LOCATION: FOUND AUSTIN OFFICE

Found is a medically assisted weight loss program that provides a comprehensive approach to improving overall health. Found’s personalized program incorporates health coaching, a supportive community and guidance on creating sustainable lifestyle changes, in addition to safe and effective medication when deemed appropriate by one of Found’s clinicians. Found members lose an average of 10% body weight after 12 months, with 25% of Found members losing 15% body weight over a year on the program. Launched three years ago in 2020, Found is one of the largest medically assisted weight loss clinics in the country, having served more than 200,000 Americans to date.

JOINFOUND.COM | 1023 SPRINGDALE RD., BUILDING 13A

It’s an important precedent to set, not just in the policies of a company but also its culture. According to Every Texan, a nonprofit organization that advocates for equitable public policies, 64% of working Texans do not even have unpaid parental leave, nevertheless guaranteed paid time off.

Understandably, Jones Simmer is proud of how being a mother has influenced her leadership style. She recognizes that earlier on in her career she couldn’t quite relate to the challenges that parents faced in balancing their responsibilities, and has since placed high value on the adaptability of professionals with children. Jones Simmer brightens as she shares stories about her relationship with her daughters, how emphasizing strength training in her lifestyle enables her to keep up and bond with her sprightly eldest through rock climbing.

“[When you have a kid], you recognize it’s your job as the parent to create the conditions in which they can be successful,” says Jones Simmer. “You realize that there’s so many applications of that in the workplace as well. How do I cultivate the best in you? There’s something really powerful in trying to nurture that kind of culture.”

Like her father, Jones Simmer understands how a shared purpose can build lasting relationships. She creates a work environment that’s challenging in a way that’s also motivating and takes pride in “watching rising leaders grow.” Under Jones Simmer’s leadership, there’s a lot to celebrate at Found. It’s raised over $130 million from investors and served more than 200,000 Americans as one of the largest medically assisted weight loss clinics in the country. According to the company’s findings, a quarter of Found members lose 15% of their body weight after following the program for over a year.

“But even more important than the loss is the life they found. That’s where the name comes from,” says Jones Simmer. “Stories of people being able to keep up with their kids on the playground or getting out and doing the things they love in the world—that’s why we do this, right?”

It’s all about an improved quality of life at Found. With the focus on weight “care” as opposed to weight “loss,” the program also emphasizes getting members to better health outcomes, like getting off hypertension medication, avoiding diabetes and reversing back pain. Shame is not a factor in Found’s program, but rather the program centers self-acceptance and increased capability.

Every year, millions of Americans go on diets in an attempt to lose weight. Their reasons are as far reaching as they are varied: health, appearance, lifestyle, prejudice. However, restrictive diets are now largely recognized as ineffective, whether it’s because they’re not sustainable or because our bodies are predispositioned to adjust for our survival. Often, diet is prescribed as a fix-all cure, and the responsibility of “failed” results is laid upon the individual. But that doesn’t acknowledge everything else that affects someone’s body and health.

“[We understand] what might be going through their mind and the place of vulnerability they’re in, and we meet them at that same level,” says Jones Simmer. “We want them to come to us because they feel like we’re experts clinically, but we’re also advocates for them.”

Jones Simmer feels a particular kinship with members who are reclaiming their health. She recognizes how much of a “privilege” it is that she got so much emotional and professional support from her team during the most taxing parts of her cancer treatment and that she was able to get treated in the first place; for her, it has contextualized the difficulties and inequalities that others face.

“[Cancer] has certainly made me think about activism and standing up for access to health care in all forms. It has motivated a lot of my willingness to stand up for what I believe in on multiple fronts within the company, but [also] beyond that, as an individual,” says Jones Simmer, who appreciates the “unique inflection point” in health care that she gets to address through her work at Found.

She frames her future in five-year chunks, a mentality she feels balances both the urgency of limited time and the potential of infinite possibilities in a way that is feasible. She leans into her role as an active agent of her life, always considering how each of her goals interconnects for maximum and efficient impact. Throughout her cancer journey she’s developed a “live out your bucket list now” philosophy, one that’s empowered her to pursue her priorities openly and unapologetically.

“I gave myself permission to invest in getting stronger, to take care of my health,” says Jones Simmer. “I carve out a lot more time for kids’ stuff on my calendar now than I once did. I do it on a public calendar intentionally. I want [my team] to feel like they have permission for that too.”

Jones Simmer’s philosophies are inspiring. It’s difficult not to recognize her as someone that is pursuing their calling and should be trusted. She acknowledges that strength is a waste unless it’s being utilized to create a meaningful life for herself and others. When asked what could be accomplished if more people adopted similar values, Jones Simmer says, “It makes me think about legacy. I don’t mean legacy in the wills and trust sort of way, but what do I want my life to mean? I really do feel like our purpose here is to know love. At the end of the day, that’s really all that matters.”

“

It makes me think about legacy. I don’t mean legacy in the wills and trust sort of way, but what do I want my life to mean?

I really do feel like our purpose here is to know love. At the end of the day, that’s really all that matters.

Sarah Jones Simmer

Journey to Thriving

Going down the path of surviving to thriving, Venus Piñeyro hopes to inspire others with her own journey.

BY GEORGIA VALLES

Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, Venus V. Piñeyro never expected to leave her home and become an immigrant by relocating to Austin. For 20 years, she lived her life closely surrounded by domestic violence. She experienced it firsthand and saw it happen to her mother at a young age. It wasn’t until she was 20 that Piñeyro, along with her mother and little sister, then only 4, were forced to flee Mexico. The three of them ended up in Austin, and to keep their safety, they lived “underground” as best as they could to avoid being found by her father. They changed their names, sealed their records and tried to survive physically.

In order to stay in Austin legally, Piñeyro and her mother enrolled at UT Austin—Piñeyro as an economics undergrad student, and her mother as a Ph.D. student. Her mother struggled with side effects from physical trauma she experienced at the hands of her husband. It took her 11 years to finish her Ph.D., but despite everything, Piñeyro found, and continues to find, inspiration in her mother.

“She is still one of the smartest people I know,” Piñeyro says. “With her impediments, she was still able to graduate.”

Now, 30 years later, Piñeyro is 51 years old and thriving as an entrepreneur with multiple successful organizations and as president of Association of Latino Professionals For America Austin (ALPFA). Piñeyro has never forgotten her experiences and brings those hardships into her businesses in order to inspire other survivors to thrive in their newfound success, both personally and professionally.

“The theme of my life right now is that progression between surviving through striving into thriving,” she explains.

It wasn’t an easy road, but Piñeyro was able to follow her successes from early adulthood in college— starting with her economics degree and MBA from St. Edward’s University—to her building a career in business intelligence and analytics at esteemed companies such as Dell.

Over the years, Piñeyro has added other certificates to her “toolbox,” as she calls it. Her project management certification kickstarted a round of other certificates she gained as a way to keep in motion. These experiences led her to a top five consulting firm, followed by her start in technology at Dell. Despite the certifications and work opportunities, Piñeyro was still trying to claw her way through the immigration process. “I knew no one who could open doors for me,” she explains. “It was hard for me to stay here legally. When you have a H-1B visa, you can’t switch roles.” For many years, this caused her to lose out on promotions and further experiences in higher positions. She watched as many people she knew rose in the ranks while she stayed planted.

Piñeyro reflected on this with a saying from her mother: “Flourish where you are planted.” Though she was planted in one position at the consulting firm, with the help of her toolbox and eagerness to strive, when she was approved for her visa, Piñeyro already had a great deal of experience under her belt.

“It’s important that you are in motion,” she explains. “As long as you’re in motion, you’re able to steer your life in the way that you want to based on the new information you’re receiving.”

For a few years, Piñeyro stayed with business intelligence and analytics, making her way through companies such as Dell, General Motors and Facebook. When the pandemic hit, her years of working at Facebook came to an end.

Photo by Gabriel Alba.

“A window of opportunity opened up for me to do something meaningful, which was to be an entrepreneur and to focus on diversity, equality and inclusion.”

Her exit from corporate America was not an easy transition. Piñeyro recalls struggling with imposter syndrome, which caused her to deep dive into a series of new certifications to add to her toolbox. She became a certified executive coach, mediator and diversity executive, but these were accreditations she was collecting and not putting into practice. “If you are out there doing it, yes, learning is important, but you need to be able to put that into practice,” she says. Her work and experiences led her to build two successful organizations, Strong Latina Project and The Inclusion Plus Institute.

The Strong Latina Project comes from her time as a women’s coach in corporate America and her own experiences as a Latina in a mostly white male environment.

“I ended up coaching a lot of Latina women,” Piñeyro says. “But I was seeing that there was so much similarity in the resilience and the grit and the unique way in which these Latinas were using their strengths.”

The organization was created to give Latinas a space to share their stories, grow and flourish in their successes, creating opportunities for them to be able to learn, such as the Latina Changemaker Fellowship and The Strong Latina Playbook. Piñeyro explains, “Inspiration and hope happen when you see that other people have been there and they have done that. If you see that they could, you start to think, ‘Well maybe I could too.’”

Venus V. Piñeyro accepting the 2023 Community Advancement Network Bridge Builder Award. Photo courtesy of Venus V. Piñeyro.

Venus V. Piñeyro at the June 30 L500 event. Photo by Karen Stone.

“

I

But I was seeing that there was so much similarity in the resilience and the grit and the unique way

Piñeyro reflects on a moment when she met a woman who came up to her crying. “[At first,] I was mortified,” she recalls. “[Then] the lady told me she was crying because I gave her hope through my story as a single mom and immigrant, all the things that have been on my survival path. She was able to see herself in a different part of the journey to survival. Her tears were of relief; it told me I wasn’t alone and that others have walked this path.”

With her organization The Inclusion Plus Institute, the goal is to “make the world better, one organization at a time.” They provide a series of capability offerings for companies such as consulting, training and meditation and facilitation. Their most recent service, SafeSpace+, is dedicated to helping organizations prevent workplace misconduct like harassment, discrimination and bullying. Piñeyro, who has experienced these things in the workplace, insists that “once you go through something hard, you have the ability to use your resources to create something to help others. SafeSpace+ is one of my biggest focuses.”

SafeSpace+ had their biggest event in August, when they helped create a code of conduct for the ALPFA Convention in San Antonio, with over 5,400 people in attendance. “I think [SafeSpace+] aligns perfectly with turning surviving into thriving,” Piñeyro says.

SafeSpace+ wants organizations to fulfill their greatest potential. With events like the one they held in August, the organization continues to successfully bring international change to the community.

Venus V. Piñeyro showcases her constant efforts to inspire survivors like herself, through all stages of their journey, in all of her work. “For survivors, we don’t decide the deck of cards that gets dealt to us in life,” she says. “But you do have control of how you react to them. Having that awareness that there’s a level of agency, regardless of what you’re going through, in terms of how you’re reacting to it, I think is important. The path from surviving to thriving involves an element of self-determination and agency to reclaim your power and define your destiny.”

Photo by Lucero Valle.

Venus V. Piñeyro with her daughter. "That is my strong 12-year-old Latinita. The light of my soul." Photo courtesy of Venus V. Piñeyro.

Power Breakfast, "Creating SafeSpaces for all."

Photo courtesy of The Inclusion Plus Institute.

Photo by Gabriel Alba.

Guide to GOOD HEALTH

ASK EXPERT the

How can women overcome the fear of seeking mental health support?

Seeking help for mental health issues can be challenging and intimidating for many, especially women. Women are subjected to greater scrutiny for their integral role within the family system and inordinate expectations in social and professional settings. Acknowledging our struggles can feel like fault or failure, and the discomfort and vulnerability of asking for help is tough to overcome. However, if we desire a different outcome, we must be willing to take a different approach.

GRACE & EMERGE RECOVERY TX

737.257.5963

emergerecoverytx.com

Grace & Emerge Recovery TX is an innovative women-only mental health, trauma and addiction aftercare continuum. Our unique curriculum blends conventional and alternative therapies to provide holistic trauma-focused care. We treat our curriculum as a living entity, growing and transforming alongside our clients.

Founded and led by women, we specialize in treating clients seeking various forms of recovery.

Our aftercare continuum minimizes emotional stress for trauma survivors with gradual step-downs. To maintain a traumainformed approach, we provide individualized electives to broaden client skill sets, concierge wraparound services and triage support based on each client’s unique strengths and challenges.

Gathering information is crucial to overcoming fear and empowering you to make an informed decision. We encourage women to consult with a mental health professional about the types of therapeutic approaches, processes and benefits. Confiding in trusted friends or family members can also help deconstruct stigma and create connections through shared experiences. The most powerful evidence of overcoming fear is working through avoidance and committing to and trusting the therapy process to learn how the benefits outweigh the risks.

What is trauma, and what does it look like?

Trauma occurs when an individual is overwhelmed beyond coping capabilities and can manifest in various ways, with symptoms categorized into four main clusters: re-experiencing, avoidance and numbing, hypervigilance, and inconsistent changes in mood and cognition. Covert trauma refers to hidden or less obvious forms of psychological distress and may not involve a single identifiable event, making it harder to recognize. The manifestations of trauma are highly individualized and are hard to pinpoint amid life changes. Signs of trauma can include irritability, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, deconstructive thought patterns, memory loss, apathy, emotional detachment and hopelessness.

Why is women-specific treatment for mental health and substance-use disorders important?

Women-specific treatment programs for mental health, trauma and substance-use disorders provide a safe and supportive space where women can address their unique challenges.

Gender-specific therapies, trauma-informed care and peer-topeer support are essential to creating an attuned and healing environment. It takes courage to face unresolved trauma, body image concerns, unhealthy relationship dynamics, social pressures and significant life transitions. Women-specific programs offer valuable options for those seeking specialized care and empowerment through safety and connection.

LEAH MALONE AND LAUREL TRACY

BREAST HEALTH made for YOU.

You’re one of a kind. That’s why we’ve designed an experience just for you. With SmartCurve, a mammogram shaped for comfort. With Mammo+Plus, for insight into your breast health future — today. With online scheduling, convenient appointments and fast results to fit your life. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s get personal

Solis Mammography and St. David’s HealthCare. Partnering for your peace of mind

Coming soon to St. David’s HealthCare hospitals and community locations across Central Texas. Learn

ASK EXPERT the

Personalized care in one place

512.324.1000

1201 W. 38TH ST., AUSTIN 78705 ascension.org/setonwomens

As Central Texas grows, so does the need for comprehensive women’s health services. To meet those needs, Ascension Seton is building a women’s tower on the Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin campus dedicated to your care needs.

The 282,000-square-foot tower will provide capacity for innovation in maternity care, maternal-fetal medicine, a dedicated space for OBGYN emergencies and expanded subspecialty gynecologic care in collaboration with UT Health Austin, the clinical practice of Dell Medical School at UT Austin. It will also create more options to receive urogynecology, gynecologic oncology, minimally invasive gynecology and breast diagnostic care.

Having a centralized place to receive comprehensive women’s health services makes getting the care you need easier. The women’s tower at Ascension Seton will serve you at every stage of your lifetime with gynecologic services, from well-woman exams and maternity care to menopause and incontinence care.

Advanced care for expecting mothers

If you are an expecting mother, the women’s tower will create more space to deliver your baby with state-ofthe-art technology, more appointment availability and multidisciplinary care teams. This tower allows for 8,500 deliveries and has double the size of NICU to treat our tiniest patients.

The women’s tower will have a care team in one location to treat some of the most complex and rare diagnoses. “Neonatology, maternal-fetal medicine, OB-GYNs and other specialists will be all in one location to serve you,” shared Wesley Tidwell, president of Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin.

Having your doctors in one location allows for real-time collaborative diagnosis and treatment to create the best treatment plan for you and your baby. The women’s tower is also just two miles from Dell Children’s Medical Center, making providing the best care for moms, children and their families easier.

Emergency care when you need it

There will be a dedicated OB emergency entrance available when emergency care is needed to quickly treat complications during your pregnancy.

To learn more about comprehensive women’s health services at Ascension Seton, visit ascension.org/ setonwomens.

NEW WOMEN'S TOWER AT ASCENSION SETON MEDICAL CENTER AUSTIN

ASK EXPERT the

When should you see a dermatologist?

Dr. Gee: If you have a new, growing or changing mole or another growth, it is important to see a dermatologist. If you have a history of skin cancer, as well as tanning bed history or family history of melanoma in a first-degree relative, then biannual or annual visits are recommended. Lastly, anyone with an organ transplant or taking immunosuppressive medications should get seen. Remember, our skin is our largest organ, so we need to make good choices about skin health.

What is the best at-home skin care routine?

KRISTINA

AUSTIN SKIN

512.886.7546

15601 SH 71 W., SUITE #200, AUSTIN 78738 austinskinphysicians.com

Austin Skin is a boutique private practice that has two locations in Austin/Bee Cave and Smithville. Dr. Sarah Gee and Dr. Kristina Collins have expertise in a wide range of dermatology services including medical dermatology, pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, preventive skin screenings, surgical excisions and Mohs micrographic surgery. At Austin Skin, you will receive experienced and compassionate dermatologic care by Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologists. Nationally recognized leaders in dermatology, our physicians utilize the most advanced knowledge and techniques to personalize a care plan for each patient. We also offer a well curated selection of skin care essentials including Foy by Dr. Collins.

Dr. Collins: I would make sure that the skin care regimen includes hyaluronic acid and occasional alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic or mandelic acid. I also encourage people to make sure their internal health is taken care of including a healthy diet, hydration and stress reduction because the skin can be a window into what’s going on in our body, whether good or bad.

What differentiates you from other practices?

Dr. Collins: We met each other during our residency at Harvard. We believe in bringing the very best in dermatologic care to our patients and are very passionate about physician-led care. As a boutique female physician–led practice, we strive to improve an environment that changes the way our patients think about health care. When you walk into our office, you can tell you aren’t at your typical doctor’s office.

Dermatologist vs. med spa/aesthetician?

Dr. Collins: As board-certified dermatologists, we completed four years of college, four years of medical school, a year of internship, three years of dermatology residency and, in my case, an additional procedural dermatology surgical fellowship for Mohs micrographic surgery and cosmetic dermatology. Med spas and aestheticians can perform skin care services and facials, but for medical and cosmetic procedures, always trust in a board-certified dermatologist.

SARAH GEE, MD, FAAD

COLLINS, MD, FAAD

Breast care experts that specialize in one thing:

Texas Breast Specialists provides leading edge surgical approaches and integrated care that includes a multidisciplinary team. With seven dedicated breast surgeons in 11 locations across the Austin area, we specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the breast, both cancerous and benign, through breast imaging and diagnostics, surgical therapy, and cancer treatment services that are right for you.

To learn more, please visit TexasBreastSpecialists.com.

Julie M. Sprunt, M.D., FACS • Moya Griffin, M.D., FACS • Heather King, M.D., FACS • Caroline Coombs-Skiles, M.D., FACS Bridget O’Brien, D.O., FACS • Sherrie Thomas, M.D., FACS • Aimee Mackey, M.D., FACS

ASK EXPERT the

PLANNING FOR AT-HOME CARE

What is the difference between home care and home health, and what makes both essential during the difficult times we are facing today?

The term home care is often replaced with private-duty or personal assistance services. It is nonmedical assistance involving a care contract for short durations of time or as much as 24/7 care. The care is arranged to provide one-on-one assistance with activities of daily living, i.e. eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transfers and maintenance of bladder and bowel function. Caregivers may also provide aid with transportation, errand running and medication reminders. Services are paid through personal savings or longterm care insurance. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, home care workers were defined as “essential workers.” This has given agencies an opportunity to provide care and companionship for seniors in communities and facilities, offering a layer of security and comfort for your loved one.

Home health differs from home care in that it provides skilled medical care. It requires a physician order, with services covered 100% with no copay under traditional Medicare. Services include skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy. Qualifying events to consider for home health are a recent change in diagnosis or medications, a hospitalization, a fall, a surgical procedure, unsteady gait/balance or wound care. Private-duty home care and skilled home health can be provided simultaneously for your loved one to meet their complete needs.

What is the difference between palliative care and hospice?

Palliative care can take place at any time of a patient’s life and for any disease process. It focuses on physician support to provide relief from pain and decrease the stress of the illness. It is a myth that patients cannot seek curative treatment while receiving palliative care. In fact, that is when you should consider palliative care for your loved one, when they are receiving curative treatmen yet unable to manage the symptoms and/or pain resulting from their diagnosis.

Amy Sweet, proud recipient of the 2019 Austin CEO of the Year award at Austin Woman magazine’s Woman’s Way Business Awards, is the founder and CEO of Halcyon Home. Halcyon Home is an Austin-based privateduty home-health and hospice continuity-ofcare company that allows seniors to age in the residential setting of their choice, with personalized in-home care directed toward their individual needs. Halcyon recently gained additional recognition with its care expansion down the south I-35 corridor to San Marcos, Texas. Sweet earned her master’s degree in Health Science from the University of Pennsylvania, becoming a certified physician asssistant. Her work history spreads across the fields of oncology, gastroenterology and geriatric health. Her dream of creating a company with a concierge level of care became an award-winning reality thanks to a handpicked team that shares her love of care. Halcyon Home provides private-duty (nonmedical), home health (medical) and hospice (medical) care.

Medicare covers both palliative care and hospice care. Hospice care is one of the most underutilized health care benefits in the U.S. Too often, we underestimate the potential hospice can have in making a positive impact on the lives of both you and your loved one. Hospice is the key to an endof-life journey that is full of love, remembrance and beauty. The hospice interdisciplinary team is devoted to you, making a difference through this difficult time by providing significant clinical, spiritual and psychosocial support. All care and medications related to the primary diagnosis are provided and covered under the Medicare hospice benefit, including all durable medical equipment: hospital bed, oxygen, shower chair and incontinence supplies.

How do I plan care for Mom and Dad?

The most important factor in planning for the care of your loved one is to understand their specific goals and wishes. The right time to discuss these goals is before the onset of a debilitating illness. This conversation may be difficult, but it can also be rewarding and strengthen the parent-child bond. It can be an opportunity for life reflection and sharing. There are many resources available. Put “end-of-life decision-making” into your favorite search engine. Here are a few I like: vitaltalk.org, nia.nih.gov and deathwithdignity.org. In the absence of conversations, one has to rely on the caregiver’s (child, spouse, parent, medical power of attorney) best assessment of what the patient would want, evidenced by things the patient may have said or done previously. This is called “substituted judgement.” At Halcyon Home, our team of experts are available to assist with difficult conversations and can provide solution options following a free consultation.

SARAH GEE, MD, FAAD

KRISTINA COLLINS, MD, FAAD

Austin Skin is a boutique private practice that has two locations in Austin/Bee Cave and Smithville. Our two boardcertified dermatologists have expertise in a wide range of dermatology services including medical dermatology, pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, preventive skin screenings, surgical excisions and Mohs micrographic surgery. At Austin Skin, you will receive experienced and compassionate dermatologic care by Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologists.

Nationally recognized leaders in dermatology, our physicians utilize the most advanced knowledge and techniques to personalize a care plan for each patient.

er a well curated selection of skin care essentials including Foy by Dr. Collins.

At Austin Skin, we believe there is beauty and magic within every woman, which is why we created products and formulas to emulate those characteristics. Formulas that are kind and gentle on the skin yet results oriented and effective. Products to inspire the powerful and divine feminine within during every use to nourish your skin.

As your care needs change throughout your lifetime, experienced OB-GYNs and women’s health specialists with Ascension Medical Group Seton Women’s Health deliver the care that’s right for you, from routine preventive care and screenings to care for new symptoms and more advanced specialty care.

Your care starts with a conversation and doctors who truly listen, providing personalized and compassionate care from a team of 70 doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners at over 15 locations.

Ascension Medical Group Seton Women’s Health continues to meet the growing demand for women’s health care at all stages in life. For expecting moms who need more advanced care for high-risk pregnancies, you are connected to maternal-fetal medicine specialists and advanced pediatric specialty care at Dell Children’s Medical Center. We also have specialists in breast health, urogynecology, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and access to Dell Children’s for pediatric and adolescent gynecology care.

Women’s health care is personal, and it means choosing the care that’s right for you. To learn more or to schedule with Ascension Medical Group Seton Women’s Health, call 512.324.4444.

ASK EXPERT the

Questions Answered by Chief Holistic Beautifier, Jessica Devon Nelson, of Esty Skin Studio

What is holistic beauty, and how does it differ from traditional beauty practices?

Holistic beauty is an approach to beauty that focuses on improving overall well-being rather than just appearance. Holistic practices borrow from indigenous cultures from around the world. It takes into account the mindbody connection and emphasizes the use of natural and organic products. Traditional beauty practices, on the other hand, often prioritize the use of makeup and other cosmetic products to enhance physical appearance. Holistic beauty aims to address the root causes of skin issues rather than just treating the symptoms. It also advocates for a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise and stress management as important factors in achieving overall beauty.

What are some common ingredients used in holistic beauty products, and what are their benefits?

Effective ingredients include avocado, hemp seed and grape seed oils for moisturizing and nourishing the skin. Coconut milk has soothing and healing properties. Fruit enzymes provide natural exfoliation without damaging the skin. Essential oils like ylang-ylang, copaiba and jasmine have healing and calming effects. Holistic beauty products also commonly contain antioxidantrich and anti-inflammatory herbs like marshmallow root and neem.

How do holistic beauty practices support overall health and wellness?

Holistic beauty practices—such as using natural and organic skincare products, consuming a balanced diet, staying hydrated and getting regular exercise—can support overall health and wellness. This is because these practices not only promote healthy skin, but also contribute to a healthy body and mind. Natural skincare products can help reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, while a balanced diet and hydration can help improve skin health and overall bodily function. Regular exercise can also aid in reducing stress, improving circulation and promoting a healthy mind-body connection.

Welcome to Esty Skin Studio: Your Destination for Holistic Wellness.

Looking for the perfect wellness sanctuary? Look no further than Esty Skin Studio, an oasis nestled in East Austin. Their Chief Holistic Beautifier, Jessica Devon Nelson, has been leading the charge since 2008, providing clients with an all-encompassing wellness experience. Experience Petals & Clay, their in-house skincare line, featuring all-natural, vegan and chemical-free products. These self-care products not only ease inflammation but also enhance your natural glow.

At Esty Skin Studio, every detail, from the ambiance to the product line, is meticulously crafted to foster holistic wellness. Count on Jessica and her 20 years of experience in the skincare industry to provide expert guidance.

What are some common holistic beauty treatments, such as aromatherapy or acupuncture, and how do they work?

Aromatherapy involves using essential oils to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing and balance energy. Other common holistic beauty treatments include herbal remedies, meditation, yoga, facials and massage therapy. I’m also a very big fan the ancient Indian medicine called Ayurveda. These treatments work by addressing the root cause of beauty concerns, such as stress, tension and inflammation, rather than simply masking symptoms. They aim to promote overall wellness and balance in the body, resulting in a more vibrant and healthy appearance.

How can one ensure the authenticity and quality of holistic beauty products?

Checking the ingredient list and ensuring they are all-natural and free of harmful chemicals can also help ensure quality. Environmental Working Group also has a rating system that you can look up those ingredients. Purchasing from trusted and reputable retailers can also help ensure that the product is authentic and of high quality.

Specialties Available:

• Back and Neck Pain Center

• Infectious Disease

• Livestrong Cancer Institutes

• Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute

• Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences

• Musculoskeletal Institute

• Rheumatology

• Surgical Oncology

• Women’s Health

• And More

halcyonhome.com

Halcyon Home was created to bring the most exceptional care to your home and your loved ones. We hope to create a peaceful, idyllic setting for you even in the hardest or most stressful of times, in order to allow you to enjoy your life to its fullest.

Austin Office

8133 Mesa Drive, Suite 200, Austin 78759 512.815.9009

San Marcos Office

125 W. McCarty Lane, San Marcos, Texas 78666 512.815.9009

Waco Office

6431 Sanger Ave., Waco, Texas 76710

512.815.9009

austinskinphysicians.com

Austin Skin is a boutique private practice that has two locations in Austin/Bee Cave and Smithville. Our two board-certified dermatologists have expertise in a wide range of dermatology services including medical dermatology, pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, preventive skin screenings, surgical excisions and Mohs micrographic surgery.

Sarah Gee, M.D., F.A.A.D.

Kristina Collins, M.D., F.A.A.D.

15601 SH 71 W., Suite #200, Austin 78738

512.886.7546

ascension.org/setonwomens

Women’s health care is personal, and so is how we care for you. Choose from a network of 70 doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners who provide specialty care at over 15 locations for OB-GYN and urogynecology care, maternal-fetal medicine and gynecologic surgery.

512.324.1000

1201 W. 38th St., Austin 78705

Today, I Bought a Vibrator

The first step to understanding love is learning how to love yourself.

BY DEVIN SPADY

This piece includes mention of SA and later describes self-pleasure. Reader discretion advised.

2023 REFLECTION

I first wrote this piece in 2019 while reflecting on a sexual assault roughly six months prior. I’ve always known I wanted to share this story more broadly, but I had many doubts. Who is the audience? Can anyone relate? Why am I sharing this if it’s just for my healing? Does it feel like I’m playing off the momentum of the #MeToo movement? I thought of all of the reasons not to share this piece, but now, almost five years later, I’m ready. I’m turning 27 this year, and I am proud of 22-year-old me for asking myself the questions presented in this piece.

To whoever reads this, thank you for engaging in this dialogue with my past and present. To anyone who’s experienced something similar…I hope you find pleasure again.

MARCH 27, 2019

Today, I bought a vibrator. I’m 22 years old, single, and I realized many of my friends have more experience with sex toys than I’ve had. I felt like a virgin walking into the shop, all nervous and giggly at the slightest mention of a clitoris. I didn’t understand why I felt so uncomfortable when considering pleasuring myself, since I’d allowed boys to pleasure me with no hesitation.

I asked myself, “How am I to call myself a feminist who is comfortable with her sexuality, when I’ve allowed the patriarchy to dictate my sexuality for me?”

I’m becoming more comfortable with my sexuality. I tried to convince my therapist that I already was, because I knew I liked having sex and that I was comfortable with that part of me. But I wasn’t.

As I sat there waiting for my new pink, curvy friend to charge, I texted my friends about what was about to go down. It was weird because we never really

talked about masturbation, and when we did, it was awkward. Four Black girls with varying sexual experiences found it awkward to talk about pleasure and sex. We talked about boys all the time. But this conversation didn’t have the group chat as responsive as usual. “Have fun!” one friend responded.

As I texted another friend about how awkward yet excited I was to try something new, I had one of the biggest epiphanies I will likely have as a young woman. It’s the epiphany I’m sharing in this piece, because I want all women to have this realization sooner.

I masturbated last night for the first time since my assault.

The last time I had healthy sex was at the end of August. In early September, I was sexually assaulted. This resulted in a sexual hiatus that has now lasted for seven months. For the first four months of my sexual hiatus, I didn’t want my body to be wrongfully touched again. I wanted to feel protected, so I let my pubic garden grow knowing that I wouldn’t dare let a man see her without a fresh wax. I felt safer without a clear palette.

In December, I began to feel horny again. I was surprised, as if my body had reawakened. I looked at a man and felt the tingle I used to feel. I was shocked and excited. I knew the inner goddess in me was making her return after doing some healing. She wasn’t fully awake yet, but there were slight movements in her crevices.

Throughout February, my mind could only think of sex. I talked about sex in every conversation. You would’ve thought I was having sex every day, twice a day, by the way I lit up when sex came up in conversation. If it didn’t come up, I was the one to bring it up.

Last night, on Feb. 25, I had some drinks with a couple of friends and came home a bit tipsy. I knew going to sleep immediately would result in a headache, so I called friends, watched YouTube videos and scrolled on Instagram for at least an hour. Eventually, I got up to go shower and felt too tired to put on pajamas. I got under my covers naked to lay in the dark.

I couldn’t help that my mind was racing about my previous sexual escapades. My hand took control as the rest of me felt too sleepy to even move. The next thing I knew, my back was arched, my legs were spread and my goddess was awakened.

So today, I bought a vibrator.

I’m 22 years old, and last night was the first time I pleasured myself without the witness or influence of a man. There was no one else to see, hear or engage in this pleasure. Nor was there me explaining to someone how wet I was for their pleasure rather than mine. It was just me and my body. At that moment, I realized I only ever pleasured myself with the help of someone else or for someone else.

As a young woman, I unfortunately believed that only a man could pleasure me. Instead of being taught the value of self-love and then in turn how to love others, I feared not being loved and being left “alone.”

I was only exposed to media that presented women who use vibrators as either “too old to get a man,” “too careerfocused to get a man” or “not attractive enough to get a man” without any consideration of that woman’s identity and her sexual preferences. Masturbation was reserved for men. How dare we even think we can pleasure ourselves? How dare we even think we can love ourselves?

The first step to understanding love is learning how to love yourself.

Once you know how to love yourself, you can then fearlessly express to someone else how to love you. Likewise, you can recognize when someone isn’t loving you the way you deserve. In return, you better understand how to give that love to others.

I’m laying now in my bed, freshly showered, teeth brushed, cocoa buttered down to my toes, and my goddess is awaiting me. For once, I didn’t get sexy to go to bed for someone else to enjoy. I’ve done it for myself.

March 27, 2019 | Updated reflection on August 17, 2023

“

The first step to understanding love is learning how to love yourself.

Devin Spady

Life Post-Sobriety

BY BROWN GIRL IN RECOVERY

Hello, readers. I am Brown Girl in Recovery, sharing with you my seventh— and final—column about my experiences with alcoholism, mental health and, ultimately, sobriety.

Today, as I write this, I am seven years and 10 months sober. That’s how long I have been living an alcohol-free life. Because of it, I am able to have a family of my own, to work on goals and ideas. But I won’t sugarcoat this journey of mine. It has been difficult and unbearable at times, as my previous columns have shown. To put it simply, staying sober is hard work, just like anything else in life that is worth having, I suppose.

So, where am I today in my post-sobriety journey? I still listen to AA meetings on a regular basis. (Since COVID-19 and becoming a mom, I listen to them online via austinaa.org instead of attending in-person meetings.) My sponsor, who is now also a dear friend of mine, and I continue to work together and meet regularly. We’ve known each other through my entire sobriety journey—so wild and yet so needed. She has more than two decades of sobriety and helps keep things in perspective.

I got back on an antidepressant this summer. It was a tough decision for me to make. I felt so defeated by both the depression and the idea of having to get back on medication. I thought I had “conquered” depression, that I had “solved” it. Only if mental illness was that simple. It took several months, a lot of anguish, and reassurance from my doctor, therapist and sisters that it was for the best. I’ve got to say, it’s been a game changer for me again. It’s helped to lift me up and out of the fog of despair; I feel lighter, clearer and more hopeful.

Probably the biggest change since I got sober is that I have a family of my own now. It is something that I have always wanted. I got remarried in December 2018 to a wonderful man who supports me in so many ways. Just like any relationship, we have had our ups and downs, obstacles and challenges. Through it all, though, I have stayed sober, and that is key. We also have a beautiful 3-year-old boy and another little one on the way. The family I dreamed of having one day is happening for me now, and for that I am beyond grateful.

So, what’s next for me? Good question. Pre-sobriety, I used to be a big planner and a perfectionist. I had to let that go, though, because it didn’t serve me, and it weirdly fed my addiction. So now, I balance living in the present while trying to plan for the future. Currently, my focus is on my children, family and my mental health. I also work as a nonprofit consultant and hope to do more of that work in 2024. Beyond that, I am remaining open to opportunities and possibilities.

Thank you, dear readers, for allowing me to be vulnerable with you and share my healing journey. I hope by sharing with you since January of this year, I have been able to give you and other Brown women a space to reflect, perhaps nod along and feel less alone, and realize life is going to eventually be okay.

Photo courtesy of Brown Girl in Recovery.

“

The family I dreamed of having one day is happening for me now, and for that I am beyond grateful.

Brown Girl in Recovery

TALESONTHETRAIL:INTERSECTIONOFART ANDECOLOGY

OCT.

25, 6 P.M. - 8 P.M.

Waterloo Greenway

Join Waterloo Greenway for a conversation centered on the intersection of art and ecology. Near the anniversary of The Way of Water: Waller Creek, gather with Forklift Danceworks and the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection to revisit their past performance and talk about the future of The Way of Water. This free event is presented in partnership with Forklift Danceworks’ Creekside Conversations and includes a welcome reception with free refreshments, moderated discussion and meet and greet.

DÍADELOSMUERTOS

NOV. 1, 6 P.M. - 10 P.M.

Waterloo Greenway

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, long observed in Mexico and other Latin American countries and communities, is a holiday now embraced globally. Each culture infuses their own unique influences into vibrant festivities that honor the dead. Gather with Waterloo Greenway and celebrate both the centuries-old and modern traditions shared from around the world. This free event at Waterloo Park includes live music, dance performances, calavera face painting, a Latinx artisan market, live artists, muralists and a community “ofrenda,” or altar, where visitors are invited to place images and decorations that honor their families and friends who have passed.

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I Will Thrive!

Giving survivors of trauma space to heal and flourish starts with a B.R.A.V.E. Heart.

BY SHONTÉ JOVAN TAYLOR, M.S.(c), PH.D.(c)

Do you remember Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”? This anthem reminds us that our ability to love gives strength to endure hardships and stay connected to our humanity. For survivors, loving again, rebuilding trust and staying connected can be challenging.

“I Will Survive” sheds light on the struggles women face in transitioning from survival to genuinely thriving. In the modern era, the distinction between surviving and thriving may not be as clear as before. The landscape has changed, with skyscrapers and brick houses replacing forests and caves, and primitive threats like panthers and bears replaced by discrimination and toxic bosses. Danger takes on a different form in modern times, but our brain and body systems understand the reality.

Workplace sexual harassment, financial instability, toxic work cultures, predators on college campuses, domestic abuse, human trafficking, social media bullying, loneliness and an ever-escalating school shooting pandemic. The impact of trauma on individuals can have profound effects on their mental and physical well-being, often leading them to navigate life in survival mode. Survivors may grapple with guilt, shame, addiction, and struggle with self-confidence, self-esteem, health issues and maintaining healthy relationships.

By embracing the courage within and nurturing a B.R.A.V.E. Heart, survivors and survivor advocates move beyond mere survival to truly thrive.

B.R.A.V.E. stands for Brain, Resilience, Advocacy, Validation and Emerge, and represents the courage of survivors. Heart symbolizes the emotional and psychological aspects of healing and thriving.

B: UNDERSTAND THE BRAIN

Recognizing the significant impact of trauma on the brain is crucial. It keeps the brain in a constant state of high alert, with stress hormones and adrenaline coursing through the body. These can adversely affect organ function, disrupt eating and contribute to unhealthy habits and obesity. The survivor’s brain struggles to handle negative thoughts and memories. Chronic stress shrinks the hippocampus, impairing memory and learning. This can cause forgetfulness, a common trait among those suppressing painful memories yet unconsciously burdened by the past. Everyday activities like sleep, social interactions and decision-making may be influenced by this enduring pain.

R: RESILIENCE THROUGH INTERVENTION

Focusing on building emotional resilience is a key factor in the healing process, helping survivors cope with challenges and setbacks. It also helps to identify the appropriate intervention to promote emotional regulation and resilience, because survivor needs may differ based on the severity of the trauma and the developmental stage at which it occurred (e.g., childhood versus adulthood).

A: ADVOCATING FOR POLICIES

To protect survivors and prevent future incidents, stronger policies and regulations are crucial. Increasing awareness, education and prevention at various levels—government, communities, etc.—is vital. Legislative acts like the Violence Against Women Act and the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act extend protections to diverse groups, including immigrants, Native Americans and rural women. Online exploitation of children has increased by 567% from 2018 to 2022 (NCMEC). Founded by LisaBeth Thomas, Not on Our Watch Texas, a local nonprofit that raises awareness about online child sexual exploitation, educates parents about risks associated with children’s devices. Recognizing adverse childhood experiences like racism, bullying, sexism, housing instability and untreated mental health issues is key to proactive interventions against child sex trafficking.

V: VALIDATION AND SUPPORT

Physical trauma leaves visible reminders, while psychological trauma can have lasting effects even after physical wounds heal. These distinctions greatly influence self-perception and needs. Society tends to be more empathetic toward visible trauma, leading to a trend of dismissing the invisible. This can discourage survivors from seeking help for fear of minimizing their trauma. In countries like the U.S., justice and empathy toward women are still lacking, leaving survivors of gender-based violence to silently endure and suffer.

By prioritizing a healing culture that emphasizes empathy and support, we empower survivors to reclaim their voices, become advocates for themselves and others and foster a compassionate and proactive support system.

E: EMERGE STRONGER

Positive neuroscience research shows that activities like music, art, nature, therapy, medication, healthy eating, exercise, support groups and community foster trauma healing and promote nervous system reconditioning for thriving individuals.

By promoting a growth mindset, personal growth and development, survivors can move from surviving to thriving. This includes highlighting the endurance and strength survivors exhibit on their healing journey, reminding them that healing is a process that takes time.

HEART: COMPASSION & SELF-LOVE

Finally, let us empower survivors to prioritize the cultivation of emotional well-being through the practice of self-compassion and self-love, which are vital aspects of the healing journey. It is crucial for survivors to recognize their own worthiness of love and support while surrounding themselves with healthy friendships and confidantes who can provide a safe space to release internal burdens and alleviate stress. Together, we can foster an environment that nurtures and uplifts survivors on their path to recovery and growth.

Room Transformations Make for Life Transformations

Susie

Vybiral, founder of Room Redux, has made it her life’s mission to help children living with trauma feel at ease in their own spaces.

BY SUSIE VYBIRAL

As someone who interned and worked as a family advocate at a children’s advocacy center, I was exposed to the horrifying stories and statistics surrounding child abuse and trauma. It was heartbreaking to hear parents share that, despite counseling, their children were still experiencing the effects of abuse in their own homes, even if that abuse occurred at a different location. This is why I believe that a child’s bedroom must be transformed into a safe haven in order to help facilitate healing, break the cycle of abuse and change the trajectory of their life.

After a long, hard day, we all need a place of respite, a sanctuary to call our own. Children who have been through abuse and trauma need this even more. The environment we live in plays a huge role in how we feel and function on a day-to-day basis. If a child’s bedroom is a place where triggers from abuse remain, it can hinder their healing and progress; therefore, it’s important to prioritize creating a safe and comforting space for them. We must remember

that every child deserves a safe and nurturing home environment. Abuse, in its many forms, is a global epidemic that prohibits children from feeling safe in their homes. In Texas, 98% of abuse cases involve someone the child and their family know, love and trust. The abuser is often a family member, which may result in abuse occurring in the child’s bedroom. Approximately 30% of child traffickers are related to the child.

Children who have faced sexual and/or physical abuse—which includes exploitation, trafficking and sextortion—deserve a safe and healing environment. That’s why we transform their rooms and their lives by including lighting, color, textures and psychological elements suggested by the child’s therapist or caseworker. Our mission is to help them heal anonymously and confidentially. Photos of room transformation recipients are never displayed; the during, before and after photos are only of the actual transformations. We want these deserving children to know they are loved and cared about by people who don’t know them and who expect nothing in return.

Photos courtesy of Susie Vybiral.

After

Before

Children who have faced abuse in its myriad forms deserve a safe and secure space to call their own. Room transformations help children heal within their own space once abuse has been brought to light.

Children who have faced abuse in its myriad forms deserve a safe and secure space to call their own. Room transformations help children heal within their own space once abuse has been brought to light. We provide new decor, lighting and furniture, including a new bed with a new mattress. Every room transformation is tailored to each child, so we design rooms with information we have gathered from the child’s parent or caregiver. We also include their name somewhere in their room, so they know everything in their room belongs to them. Subtle changes such as rearranging the position of the bed and other furniture can provide a positive shift on how survivors feel in their room.

We obtain our referrals from counselors, psychologists, children’s advocacy centers, law enforcement, CPS and the FBI. We must know the child is in counseling or has been through counseling for the trauma, because therapy is a crucial part of the healing puzzle. This way, too, we can discuss with the child’s counselor which therapeutic tools they recommend we include in the child’s room. We have placed fidget toys, stress balls, art supplies, music, water features, meditation areas complete with bean bag chairs, pillows and soft blankets in children’s rooms. Room transformations, when coupled with therapy, serve as a holistic avenue for healing for child victims.

Redesigning your own room, as an adult, can be cathartic as well. Love purple? Paint your bedroom your favorite shade! Remember to include elements such as a comfy chair, soft rugs and cozy blankets that help calm you after a long, busy day. Create a sanctuary in your home for your own inner peace and tranquility.

Our organization has a saying: “We are Room Redux.” In fact, our hashtag is #weareroomredux. This means that if you have donated time, money, furniture or decor, volunteered, spread the word, shared on social media, partnered with us, then you are Room Redux.

Please visit ROOMREDUX.ORG to learn more about how you can join our mission by getting involved through volunteer, donor and sponsorship opportunities. You may also reach out to us at hallett@roomredux.org.

—Susie Vybiral

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Mentorship: Our platform, launching Fall 2023, will give you unparalleled access to peer mentors based on specific needs and challenges

Masterclasses: Each month, we will hold a virtual Masterclass to elevate your learning and uplevel your professional outlook

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Resilience in the Face of Disasters

BY BRANDI CLARK BURTON

Laura Patiño moved to Austin from Houston 18 months ago. In that time, she has experienced the fact that despite being one of the hottest (pun intended) cities to live in, Austin is not immune to acute shocks such as floods, freezes, fires, destructive storms, brownouts and extreme heat. But Patiño came here with eyes wide open, because she was hired to be the City of Austin’s first chief resilience officer.

In her role, she helps build the city’s capacity to manage, prepare for and withstand risk, as well as residents’ ability to adapt and thrive, no matter what kind of disasters and day-to-day challenges threaten our way of life. While Austin continues to experience the impacts of climate change, our population continues to rise, placing additional stresses on land and water resources, city systems and infrastructure, and the economy.

In Patiño’s time here, she has worked to weave the city’s values and existing plans into the development of a resilience blueprint report. The three cross-cutting priorities of addressing climate change, increasing affordability and advancing racial equity need to be addressed in an integrated way. This fall kicks off a robust community engagement process leading up to the release of the Comprehensive Resilience Plan next summer, and all are invited to get involved.

Patiño has built on a program initially started by the Office of Sustainability called the Resilience Hub Network. With six active pilot locations, the goal is to establish a distributed network of trusted spaces that strengthen community ties and provide services before, during and after a disaster. On a day-to-day basis, they can serve as information centers, refuge for heating or cooling, potential shelter and even food and water supplies.

MINDSET SHIFT Be prepared, not surprised.

Steps to Prep

Three of the greatest climate risks to Central Texas are floods, fires and extreme weather (heat and ice). In the name of us all being survivors, here are priority actions you can take to prevent, be prepared for and thrive before and after emergencies arise.

General Preparedness

Get familiar with local weather patterns, flood-prone zones and wildfire-vulnerable areas. Every household should establish an emergency plan with meeting spots, communication strategies and roles assigned to everyone.

• Make sure you get emergency alerts by registering at warncentraltexas.org.

• The Office of Resilience, in partnership with the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office and community partners, has developed a Neighborhood Preparedness Guide for facing all climate hazards:

Floods

Central Texas was known as Flash Flood Alley even before this new weather trend of extended drought punctuated by rain bombs. It will continue to get worse as our population doubles again in the next 30 years and development covers more natural landscapes. What can you do?

• Monitor atxfloods.com during rain events to see which low-water crossings and roads are closed. Remember, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!” Vehicles can be swept away in just 12 inches of floodwater, and just six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult.

Fires

Currently 49% of structures in Austin are in the wildland urban interface and face greater wildfire risk. As we grow even more, housing will be built in high-risk areas.

• Do a Firewise assessment of your home and workplace. Go to fireadapted.org to learn about strategies to fireproof homes and businesses. At a minimum, clear away dry vegetation, install (and regularly test) smoke detectors and have fire extinguishers on hand.

• Consider organizing a neighborhood fire drill, first championed by Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea after the Steiner Ranch fires.

MINDSET SHIFT Think as a community, not as an individual, in the event of emergencies.

Extreme Heat and Freezing

Heat is the most detrimental climate impact that has led to more deaths than any other climate disaster in Austin. More people die of heat than they do of floods, cold weather or wildfire smoke. The city is developing Austin’s first Heat Resilience Playbook for release this fall. This is where community resilience comes in. Seek out and especially make sure that vulnerable neighbors or unhoused people know about and can access the network of cooling centers offering refuge for many during the blistering heat as well as in freezes. These will be bolstered by the growing network of Resilience Hubs.

As the City of Austin’s first chief resilience officer, Laura Patiño is ensuring Austin’s citizens have the means to thrive and adapt in any circumstance.

Photo courtesy of City of Austin.

A Roast for All

Sightseer Coffee is working to produce great coffee from great people.

BY HALEY NOBLE

What began as a shared dream between Sara Gibson and Kimberly Zash has evolved into Austin’s sole women-owned and -operated coffee roasting business. Sightseer Coffee emerged from the minds of Gibson and Zash after they did research on women’s roles in the roasting world. After traveling to coffee farms and roasters all over the country, they noticed a common theme: the lack of women in leadership.

“Almost all the manual laborers you see are women, but when you go to meet the manager or the owner or director, they’re all men,” Gibson reveals. “You can see it’s a problem there, and also here with cafes. You have all these different people working and serving in the cafe, but when you drill it down to who owns it, it’s a white man.”

Seeing the opportunity to give women a new place in the coffee industry, Gibson and Zash began to form the idea for Sightseer.

“We talked about things we wanted to see in roasting companies,” Gibson explains. “We both had this dream to see a woman-oriented company that puts gender equity up front. We thought it would be great if there was a roastery that only sourced from women producers.”

Sightseer now does just that. In terms of the product, they strive to create coffee that is both interesting and well-researched yet approachable for all coffee drinkers. Within their community, they have created an inclusive space and hold the values of the company to the utmost standard. Not only does the coffee taste great, but sourcing solely from women has its own advantages.

“When women have more financial power over their land and their product, you can see these shifts in terms of social sustainability, environmental sustainability and community building,” Gibson emphasizes. “All by just giving women a little more say.”

Photos by Jasmin Porter.

Taking on their roles at Sightseer, Gibson works on the creative side of things and does copywriting, while Zash roasts the coffee and handles the majority of the finances. Both women work together to taste and come up with flavor profiles for each unique roast. A typical day consists of roasting and packing the quickly growing number of orders they receive.

The success of Sightseer has not been without struggle, from starting out with little financial means to creating a completely restructured system. They have persisted in creating inclusivity for those of all backgrounds through their own coffee business, an idea that struck Zash while she was having a hard time finding work years ago.

After previously struggling with addiction, Zash got sober in December 2016.

“Coming out of all the chaos and starting over was really difficult,” she explains. “I had no car, no job and so many legal problems. I had dug myself such a large hole that getting out of it seemed impossible.”

While looking for a job, her frustration grew as employers continued to turn her down because of her past. She was eventually hired at a coffee truck, where she was able to train as a barista, and her journey with coffee began. From there, a fire of passion for coffee struck, and Zash continued on to new realms within the coffee industry.

“I found different ways that I could continue in coffee without being stagnant,” she says. “That led to roasting. My feeling and need to help others led to my own business.”

The idea of connection that surrounds coffee keeps Zash inspired to create new products and ideas to evolve with the world of coffee.

“Getting into a field where the main point is to connect is really meaningful to me,” she admits. “The main ‘thing’ is to hang out and drink coffee. That really helped [alleviate] my feelings of isolation and being alone.”

Now having Sightseer and looking back, Zash’s journey has not been an easy one, but has pushed her to new heights.

“I got into coffee when I had basically nothing,” she says. “It was a way for me to be present and focus on something outside of myself. I found that it was a passion for me, and I felt that this could be something for me for a while. I was able to explore the different aspects of coffee, which I found to be amazing. For that, I’m so grateful.”

SARA AND KIMBERLY’S CURRENT FAVORITE ROASTS

SARA’S PICK: EL PRISMA

“You get this beautiful chocolate base, but super fruity notes. It’s the perfect circle of flavor. $3 from every bag sold goes to Out Youth.”

KIMBERLY’S PICK: SPACE COWBOY

“This natural-process Ethiopian coffee is so delicious, it makes me smile. It’s creamy, with strawberry notes, and is so complex.”

“

Getting into a field where the main point is to connect is really meaningful to me. The main ‘thing’ is to hang out and drink coffee. That really helped [alleviate] my feelings of isolation and being alone.

—Kimberly Zash

Sightseer Coffee’s variety of roasts are available at the Texas Farmers’ Market at Lakeline and on their website.

Kimberly Zash (left) and Sara Gibson

Your Community, Where You Belong

As a woman entrepreneur, you face unique highs and lows and challenges and opportunities that others do not understand unless they have gone down that path before you or are going down it alongside you.

JOIN and SAVE $48

The NAWBO Fall Membership Drive runs through November 30th

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It’s a special connection—a community—of leaders, visionaries, innovators and trailblazers that, when tapped into, can power your business, lifestyle and community in a way like no other.

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) was founded over 48 years ago to remove obstacles and create opportunities for other women entrepreneurs across the country. In the decades that followed, it’s become much more than that:

NAWBO is a powerful community for: n Education

n Networking and support

n Business tools and resources

n Advocacy

n Exclusive benefits

n Mentoring n and more!

There are more than 14 million women business owners in the U.S. today, and every one of them would benefit from a NAWBO membership—because as women entrepreneurs, we are better together. Join

Powering this many women’s dreams takes a village and we couldn’t do it without our sponsors and partners, including Austin Woman!

THANK YOU!

“Get a seat at the table or build your own table, and make sure to include other women.”

—NAWBO’s Founding President Susan Hager

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