18 minute read
WOMAN WHO INSPIRES
KRISTINE DEMO-VAZQUEZ
PHOTOS OF KRISTINE BY JULIE OLDFIELD
Advertisement
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I was born and raised in Henrietta, New York. I was a teen parent. I worked my way through college starting at Monroe Community College then graduating with my bachelor’s degree from the State University College at Brockport. I attended law school at New England School of Law in Boston.
My husband, Peter, and I have been married for 18 years. We are a blended family with 5 children, Brandon (30), Solomon (26), Sylus (24), Alyssa (23), and Brent (19). We also have a 2 year old grandson, John. My mother lives with us and for about 10 years my step-mother and motherin-law lived with us as well. Interesting fact - we had 3 mothers in the house for many years and none of them cooked!
I have been an attorney since 2004 and I started my solo law practice in 2005. I have handled thousands of family and divorce cases from mediation, negotiation, litigation and trials.
I participate in the assigned counsel, attorney for the child and pro-bono attorney programs.
When I was in high school, I did a half-day criminal justice program through my high school and it was then that I knew I wanted to be an attorney. So many people throughout my life told me I would never achieve my goal and today, I own a successful law practice, raised 5 children, provide for my mother, and spend every day working with parents and children helping them to move beyond their own barriers to positively change their circumstances.
When did you decide to run for Monroe County Family Court Judge?
It has always been my passion to work with families and children. After more than 18 years as an attorney, I have realized that I can only do so much. The real change comes with the person making the decisions, the Judge.
With a focus on family, my husband and I raised our children, cared for our mothers in our home, gave back to our community, and built a law practice. Now that our youngest son has graduated from high school and all our children have taken on their own exciting paths in life, in February of this year, I decided that this was the perfect time for me to take on this challenge.
What do you feel is the most important piece missing in our family court system today, and how do you plan to try and change it?
I believe a missing piece in our family court system is a systemic approach to figuring out the root cause of the issue(s) creating barriers for families. Family court cases cannot be handled with a ‘one size fits all’ approach. I think an important component to that is looking beyond the courtroom to see if there are environmental factors that are contributing to the issues facing the family. I will bring together mentors, and community resources and programs to help families where they are. I’ve learned that Monroe County has so many programs and services available but are underutilized. I will implement creative ways to bring those programs and services into the Family Court.
What has set the stage for you to prepare you for this role?
I believe that my life experiences and my legal experience working with families and children for more than 18 years has prepared me to be Monroe County’s next Family Court Judge. I have represented thousands of mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, and
custodians. I have handled every type of case that would come before me as a judge. I understand the difficulties that people face going through the family court system.
Who were mentors that encouraged you or inspired you?
My mom has always inspired and encouraged me. She has loved me with an amazing unconditional love and she has believed in me more than anyone in my life. When others told me I couldn’t, she reminded me that I can (and I will).
When I was 12 years old, I joined a martial arts program. Outside of school, that was my life. I practiced several days a week and that gave me the structure and discipline I needed, and it provided me with a level of self-discipline that I have carried me with for the past 38 years. I developed amazing relationships that I still maintain to this day.
Where do you see yourself in three years, five years?
As a Monroe County Family Court Judge.
What kind of person do you feel makes a successful Family Court Judge, especially as a female?
I believe a Family Court Judge must have compassion, understanding, and a heart for the people impacted by their decisions. As your next Monroe County Family Court Judge, I want to have a positive impact in the lives of everyone that comes before me. I will listen. I will be prepared. I will follow the law. I will decide cases fairly. And I will decide cases based on the facts and circumstances of each case.
What makes your hustle?
My family makes me hustle. Being a grandma is one of the most amazing joys of my life.
What sets you apart from your competition?
As a teen mom, a single mom, and a step-mom, I have experienced hardships that gives me a personal connection and deep understanding of the issues people face going through family court cases. I am uniquely qualified for this position because I have represented thousands of mothers, fathers, children, grandparents and custodians, and I have handled every type of case that would come before me as a judge. I understand the emotionally driven challenges of family court cases and the complexities of the family court system. I will always remember that I am dealing with the most important person in someone’s life – their children.
What is your favorite part of what you do?
My heart is in the family court. I love working with adults and children often facing the most difficult time of their life. I strive to help clients find a resolution that allows them to maintain control over the outcome of their case for the betterment of themselves and their family as a whole.
How do you balance personal & family life with the challenges and demands of your career?
Teamwork. Myself, my husband, Peter, and my mom, decided long ago that we were going to work together and help each other reach our goals. When we first started our businesses, there were many days that our children came to the office after school, did their homework there and sometimes even slept in our conference room (a.k.a. the Demo-Vazquez Campgrounds – tents included). It was not ideal but we made it work. My mom has always been an amazing help. From taxi to coach, when Peter and I weren’t available, she made sure our children didn’t miss a beat.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
I believe my greatest professional accomplishment is running a successful law firm for more than 17 years and operating with honesty, integrity and compassion. I am really proud of the work I have done to help children and families through the challenges and difficulties of family and divorce cases. It is important to me to take the time to educate clients about the law, explain the legal process, listen carefully, answer questions and keep clients informed throughout their case.
What’s the best advice you have received that you wish to pass on to our readers?
The 2 best pieces of advice I ever received were “your past does not define your future” and “don’t sweat the small stuff”. I often find myself in the position to mentor youth and I think it is so important that everyone understands that they are not defined by their circumstances. I try to teach people that they can look beyond their current situation and find their own path to achieve their dreams.
How do you stay motivated, especially in such a crazy time in our country?
We are living in such a crazy time right now. I try to always remember what’s most important in life – family, and that life does not revolve around me. There are much bigger things in this life than me. I try to focus on what I can do to help others and make their life a little easier. I try to focus on each day and what I can do to make a difference.
What are the major influences in your life? Why?
The major influences in my life are my children, my husband and my mom. My children are amazing adults. They are homeowners, parents, veterans and advocates. My husband is always striving to make my life easier and forge a path of success for everyone he encounters. And my mother, well, she is still my biggest cheerleader, and I am proud to be able to make her life a little easier.
What injustices have you witnessed in or outside the courtroom and what was your response to those events?
Sometimes the family court system is quick to move cases along without consideration, empathy, and compassion, for the convenience of time, many times leaving families scared, confused and unsure. In addition, the timeliness of final decisions, much needed paperwork, or services can be delayed, causing adverse consequences to the parents and children we serve.
I have made it a point to ensure that my part in this process is completed in a timely manner and all documents are appropriate and accurate prior to submitting to the courts. As a judge I intend to maintain this same practice within my courtroom and to make
suggestions to court administration as appropriate.
What’s one of the toughest decisions you’ve had to make and how did it impact your life?
One of the toughest decisions I had to make was packing up with my son and moving to Massachusetts to attend law school. My son was 5 years old at the time and just starting kindergarten. We didn’t know anyone. We had never even been to Massachusetts before. I was working part-time and going to school part-time. My son was in school and attending a day care program. We lived about 45 minutes from the law school so I had to commute several days a week. I didn’t have any help. It was a very challenging time but I also feel like it made us both stronger. I believe that experience not only proved to me, but also taught my son, that hard work and determination can change ones circumstances making them stronger. Thankfully, my mom visited often and helped when she could.
Please describe a situation in which you took a controversial position that angered or offended people and explain how you handled it.
It is well known that in family court there typically are no winners or losers, and in most cases, everyone must compromise to ensure the best interest of the child. I work really hard to establish trust with my clients and follow through with transparency and expediency.
What do you feel is the most important thing to try and change in the Family Court system? How would you change it?
I believe the most important thing to try to change in the family court system is the length of time it takes to get a case from start to finish. The family court is dealing with life issues
for families and children. The longer the delays, the more that family is without closure. Often times, people are missing work to attend court conferences. Everyone deserves to have their case heard and decided in a timely manner so they can have closure and move on with their life. I also believe there is often a lot of wasted time in between court appearances. As a Family Court Judge, I will set clear expectations for what I expect to happen in between court dates. There has to be movement and progress or there will be more delays. There are also situations in which trial dates are scheduled out for months apart. My goal would be to set consecutive trial dates so that once we start the trial, it continues until completion.
Where will we see Kristine DemoVazquez next?
You will see me as your next Monroe County Family Court Judge.
YOU ARE ENOUGH. JESSICA KOSTON
BY NICOLE HEROUX WILLIAMS I PHOTOS BY NSP STUDIO
Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
My name is Jessica Ambeau, I have been involved in the fitness industry for over 12 years. What started as a passion for competing, turned into a love of coaching others. The last decade has been a wild ride. I became an IFBB Bikini Pro, opened my own boutique fitness studio in Erie PA and have helped hundreds of women worldwide get healthier. I have since moved back to Rochester NY where I am working in the construction industry full time as well as own my online nutrition coaching business, and personal training clients at No Limitz here in Rochester.
What makes you hustle?
I have always had a constant drive to do very well at all things I put my mind to. Also I grew up in a home with extremely hard working parents, I believe that work ethic was passed down to not only myself but my sisters as well.
How long ago did you decide to go into body building and what made you decide to go on that journey?
I started bodybuilding in 2011. I was just at a point in my life where I needed a positive change in my life. I had come across a few pictures online of some women who competed and I made the decision that day to start. Hired my first trainer and have not stopped since.
How many tries did it take to get your PRO card, and what did it mean when you received it?
It took me 5 years in the NPC to finally earn my IFBB Pro card. I had been competing since 2011 but my first Pro Qualifying show was 2016 with the NPC. I earned it in 2020 at the Jr USA Championships. I still do not have words that describe what it was like to finally reach my goal. It is an honor to compete with the IFBB Pro League.
What was the hardest part of your journey?
Not giving up. I have competed in over 37 competitions. I have more losses than wins. It requires a certain mindset to pick yourself up after each show and keep going. Grab judges feedback, apply it and come back stronger.
I know that you were a financial manager at a local bank...what made you decide to leave and what do you do now?
I made the choice to leave as a Financial Center Manager to follow my passion of fitness. I had moved to Erie PA and ended up making that dream a reality. Fit Plus was my pride and joy. Everything about that studio was what I had always envisioned. Unfortunately my business partner and I split up and I moved back home to Rochester NY. Letting that go was a HUGE heartbreak for me. I do know I will succeed in opening a new studio when the time is right and continue on that journey.
Tell us something fun about what you do now and why you do it.
Coaching to me is so much more than helping women get in shape. I love creating opportunities for women to get together, laugh, have fun and build confidence. I have had
many successful women’s events that were very empowering to be a part of. I look forward to having more in the future.
What has been your biggest hurdle to try personally and professionally?
I have had many hurdles in my life. Both personally and professionally. Most recent was splitting away from the business I co-created in Erie. You build personal relationships when you coach and starting a business from the ground up is no easy feat in itself... so I think for me this goes hand in hand for business and personal.
What has been the best compliment you have ever received?
That I inspire women to keep going. I am not the type of person to only share the good times. Women relate to me on a different level because I am open and honest about lifes challenges but continue to march forward.
Who has someone that has inspired you to keep going, especially in the body building journey?
Recently, Sebastian Zona. He has been an former coach, great friend and mentor for many years. When I moved back home he helped me get back on my feet in the gym and took me on as a client to get me back on stage as a Pro athlete. I have 4 sisters, one being a twin :) that is a tough question. I am pretty much an open book.
Who or what inspires you as a professional woman?
I love to follow the Powerhouse Women group. Founder Lindsey Schwartz is a positive role model to myself and many others. Along side with her is Lori Harder. Who is the Founder of Lite
Pink. If you’re not currently following these professional women, I highly recommend it.
How do you juggle being a successful business woman and also having a personal life and the intense schedule for the bodybuilding lifestyle?
That is tough! Prepping for a show is very time consuming and honestly a little selfish. You HAVE to eat a certain way, train a certain way and be prepared at ALL times. I have learned more recently now than ever to find a good balance with my time. It is no longer acceptable for me to miss time with my family due to bodybuilding. So my biggest advice is to have a plan.
What do you feel set you apart from your competitors?
My walk. I LOVE to be on stage!!! Most recent competition I did get more nervous than I typically do. I will make sure that does not happen again. My walk can set me apart if I am in my zone
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Don’t ever let somebody tell you that you CAN’T do something!!!
What would you say to the other women wanting to start this journey?
Hire a coach and someone who is educated in the world of Bodybuilding. Realize that it will most likely take you longer than you expect. Have patience and keep working hard. That is the beauty of bodybuilding, there is always something you can improve on.
What is next for you?
Continue to build my online and personal training business. As well as October 1st ill be competing at the Daytona PRO.
