After graduating from the University of Evansville in 1976 as its outstanding senior woman, Marti Starkey went on to attend the IU School of Law – Indianapolis (now the Robert H. McKinney School of Law). In 1982, after graduation and a federal clerkship, she joined a progressive law firm which allowed her to build her trust and estate practice from scratch. Marti eventually took her practice and started her own trust and estate boutique law firm in 1999. During this time, Marti noticed that most entrepreneurial awards were given to male business owners. Recognizing that many female business owners were doing heroic work and deserved to be honored, Marti decided in 1998 to start an entrepreneurial woman award, thus the Starkey Entrepreneurial Woman Award was born. After Marti merged her law firm into Harrison & Moberly, LLP, they proudly continue this wonderful tradition.
13th Annual
Marti is an Equity Partner at Harrison & Moberly and chairs the Trust & Estate Practice Group. In 2010, the YWCA named Marti as the “Woman of the Year in Law.” Marti was named as an Indiana Super Lawyer each year from 2004 through 2012, and in 2010, she was named as one of the top 25 female attorneys in Indiana. Indianapolis Monthly magazine gave Marti a “Best in Client Service Award” and a “Top Money Manager Award.”
Do you know a woman business owner who has an inspirational story of struggle and success to tell? If so, nominate that person for the Starkey Entrepreneurial Women Award. To nominate, complete an application today! Log on to www.indianapolismonthly.com/sewa, submit your application online or print out form and submit by fax or mail. Nomination deadline is April 15, 2016.
Marti also serves the State of Indiana on the Uniform Law Commission (ULC), being appointed in 1990 by then Governor Evan Bayh and serving under every Indiana Governor since. In 1993, Governor Bayh named Marti to serve as the Chair of Indiana’s ULC delegation. The ULC also honored Marti in 1996 by naming her as the first female to ever serve as a national Division Chair of this prestigious 124year-old organization. Marti has served on its drafting committee of the Uniform Trust Code, the Uniform Power of Attorney Act and the review committee of the Health Care Decisions Act. She currently serves on the Joint Editorial Board for Uniform Trust and Estate Acts, Drafting Committee for the Uniform Act on Divided Trusteeship, and as a Trustee of the Uniform Law Foundation.
The inspiration for the Starkey Entrepreneurial Woman Award derived from one of Marti’s longtime clients, Helen E. Marschke (right). Helen, a restaurateur and business owner, managed her own financial affairs well into her late 90s. Helen passed away in 1998 at the age of 97, at which time Marti expressed her desire to Helen’s family to create this award in Helen’s memory.
2016 STARKEY ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMAN AWARD and
Do you know an inspirational female business owner? To nominate, log on www.indianapolismonthly.com/sewa
CONGRATULATIONS! Denise Pierce, President and CEO of D.K. Pierce & Associates, is the 2015 winner of the 12th Annual Starkey Entrepreneurial Woman Award.
STARKEY ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AWARDS Each year, individuals are honored for their courage, tenacity and selflessness in an endeavor, other than a business. The Starkey Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards focus on a separate and specific discipline, and in 2015, the spotlight for these awards was on teaching.
Missy Quinn
Denise Pierce heads a team of dedicated and passionate individuals, who have built their market reputation for the company as one ensuring patient access to treatments for catastrophic diseases, such as cancers and rare conditions. D. K. Pierce has grown, thrived and succeeded due to the exceptional qualities of its founder and leader, Denise Pierce. Denise’s vision and intelligence are manifested in the company’s ability to navigate the highly complex and dynamic healthcare arena, ensuring patient access to medical treatment. D. K. Pierce provides specialized consulting to biopharmaceutical companies by working with insurance companies, employers and healthcare providers to optimize patient access to pharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostic services. The company’s client list includes the most prestigious and established pharmaceutical companies throughout the country, with new clients added each year. Upon entering the D. K. Pierce offices, one can immediately sense the positive work environment she has created. Her employees are dedicated to her, and morale and teamwork are tangible. Congratulations, Denise!
It was our honor to give the 2015 Female Spirit Award to Missy Quinn. Missy is currently on her 29th year of teaching special education. She has taught every age group, from preschoolers with developmental delays to high school special education. She currently teaches 5th and 6th grade special education for Hamilton Southeastern School District. Missy has devoted her life to this worthy profession and her love and passion for her students and their families is unmatched. Missy has been named Teacher of the Year in 1998 and again in 2012. She also received the WTHR Shinning Star Award in 1993 for her dedication to teaching. Missy is a truly exceptional special education teacher because of her patience, dedication, perseverance, selflessness and joyful spirit. Missy’s love and excitement for teaching is contagious to not only her students and their families, but also to those lucky enough to work with her. Missy Quinn has positively impacted the lives of thousands of children with special needs, and it has been our honor to recognize her outstanding work.
Larry Griepenstroh This year, the deserving Winner of the Starkey Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for a Male is Larry Griepenstroh. Larry began his teaching career in 1967 and taught Mathematics for 38 years at William Henry Harrison High School in Evansville, Indiana. He was known for cleverly designing a metamorphosis in students’ thoughts about Math. Students, who started the semester hating Math and thinking they were no good in it, graduated from Larry’s classes with a love for Math. Larry taught a wide range of Math courses and piloted a program for freshman students in Geometry. He volunteered in many areas of the educational process and was on the football and wrestling coaching staffs. After retiring from the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, Larry taught Mathematics at the University of Southern Indiana for an additional seven years. Most notably, for many, many fortunate students, who had Larry as their teacher, he is remembered as their all-time favorite teacher.
1st RUNNER-UP: Deborah Peters
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Quality Environmental Professionals, Inc. (QEPI)
Deborah Peters seized an opportunity 19 years ago to launch her business in contaminated and hazardous waste site work. Overcoming numerous obstacles, Deborah has persevered and QEPI is now highly recognized for its success and quality work. Deborah, in turn, generously gives back as mentor to other female entrepreneurs, helping them to learn from the challenges she has overcome.
2nd RUNNER-UP: Donna Smithers Northpointe Engineering & Surveying, Inc.
Donna Smithers is unique to be a woman in the largely-male field of professional land surveyors. Donna has weathered many challenges as a business owner, and is proud to have survived it all and grown her company in its ten years from four employees to now employing 25.
For more information on the 2015 winner and runners-up, please go to www.harrisonmoberly.com/sewa.
2004
Marie Stanley Protection Plus Inc.
2010
Barbara Gilbert Barbara’s New Beginnings
2005
Abigail Lawlis Kuzma Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
2011
Crystal Scott Talking Time Learning Center
2006
Ann Day Day Furs Inc.
2012
Kate Bova Drury The Flying Cupcake
2007
Billie Dragoo RepuCare/RepuStaff LLC
2013
Tina McIntosh Joy’s House
2008
Jannett Keesling Keys to Work Inc.
2014
Deborah Wood DWA Health Communications Group
2009
Nancy Ford/Winters Branches for Disabilities Only Inc.