Phenomenal Woman Magazine by Phenomenal Woman Magazine

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APR 2022

TAMIKA WILLIAMS FINANCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST

JOSEFITA FEHN INDEPENDENT REPRESENTATIVE BEAUTYCOUNTER

RACHAEL SAMPSON SVP, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF KEY4WOMEN, KEYBANK

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Shelley M. Shockley Managing Editor

Writers Shelley M. Shockley Marsha Walker Eastwood Brittany Garrett Rhonda Crowder

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Cover Story: Shelley Shockley Photo: Malinda Hartong Contributing Writers Rhonda Crowder Michelle Phillips Fay Marianna Marron Letitia Nall Stephanie Phelps Kimberly Smith-Woodford

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From the Editor: Shelley M. Shockley

WELCOME SPRING, LET'S BEGIN TO HEAL Spring is a time for renewal; the tiny buds are beginning to rise to the surface and off the hope of longer days, long walks, bike rides and the joys of being outdoors. The month when this rebirth begins is March and it's only fitting that we also celebrate Women's History at this time. Why not, women are the vessels of new life and throughout history we have been the catalyst of change, healing and most importantly the voices of hope.

panel discussion with women working in the industry. These women discussed the pros and cons of their career choices along with the disparities. Surprisingly, many also suggested that women play a larger role than they realize in helping to narrow the gap. To learn more check out the article, “Women are Changing the Face of Construction.”

With that record it is appropriate that the 2022 Women's History Month theme is “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” coupled with the world beginning to open up after more than twenty months of panic, chaos and social unrest.

In this edition we also spoke to women who left the workforce to start their own businesses. Josefita Fehn, a native of Costa Rica, has been an educator and a sales representative in the steel industry. Today she is an independent representative for Beautycounter, a direct-to-consumer company that sells skin care and cosmetic products. In her new role, Fehn can care for her family while educating other women on the importance of non-toxic cosmetics. You can learn more about Fehn and Beautycounter inside this edition.

In explaining the theme, The National Women's History Alliance said on its website it “is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.”

Change was a common theme among our features, a sign of the flexibility of women when a shift is needed. Tamika Williams is a trained graphic designer, who sought to make a name for herself in that field before shifting to the world of finance. Life experiences helped to shape her entrepreneurial venture. Be sure to read about the plans she has to grow her business.

Despite our historic importance, society has shown little respect for the contributions we make. One need only look at the ongoing struggle for equal pay in the US. To illustrate, the Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963 and required that men and women in the same work place be given equal pay for equal work, yet 53 years later the first piece of legislation President Barack Obama signed into law was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, again seeking equal pay for women. At the time, the typical woman working full-time all year in the United States only earned 80 percent of what a typical man working full-time all year earned.

Our cover story features Rachael Sampson, Senior Vice President, Director of Key4Women at KeyBank. Sampson's story is one of resilience and passion. The native Clevelander left home to become a high school math teacher and returned as a young banker with a passion for learning more. Over the years she has worked in a number of positions that ultimately led to her overseeing a complimentary program that helps educate women business owners and leaders. Her story is definitely inspiring, so be sure to take a moment to meet her inside this edition.

In January, Forbes.com posted an article on the gender gap and according to a Pew Research Report, “the gender gap in pay has remained relatively constant over the past 15 years, with women typically earning 84% of what men earn in similar roles.” So, why is it that women can't seem to get a fair shake? Many attribute it to education, occupation segregation, and work experience. Recently the Construction Employers Association and the National Association of Women in Construction celebrated “Women in Construction Week,” and held a 4 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2022

Columnist Marsha Eastwood offers “Financial Comfort Food,” as she takes us on a walk down memory lane when life was less complicated and working a job for thirty years and retiring with a pension were the norm. If you're nearing retirement this column will offer some insight into the differences between 401(K)'s and pension plans. Now grab your favorite beverage and curl up in your favorite chair to enjoy this edition of Phenomenal Woman. We welcome your comments, and wish you joy and happiness this spring.

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COVER 04

WELCOME SPRING, LET'S BEGIN TO HEAL Shelley M. Shockley

FINANCIAL COMFORT FOOD Marsha Walker Eastwood

WOMEN ARE CHANGING THE FACE OF CONSTRUCTION

Painesville native serves the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station Sigonella

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RACHAEL SAMPSON

FEATURES Tamika Williams has always had an interest in creating aesthetically pleasant things. Raised in the suburbs of Cleveland with her parents, younger brother and sister, Tamika attended Maple Hts. High School and following completion of her studies decided to join Bowling Green State University where she earned her bachelor's degree in Technology.

Today Rachael Sampson, KeyBank's Senior Vice President, Director of Key4Women, has an office overlooking the Ohio River, but her roots are in northeast Ohio. Sampson spent her formative years in Orange Village before her family moved to Bedford Heights, where she thrived both in and out of the classroom. Family, service to God and community, and singing are the key ingredients of her life. That importance radiates through her voice and smile as she recalls her childhood. The youngest of five children, her childhood is ripe with memories of spending time with her siblings, camping, fishing, enjoying movies with each other, and sports.

PAGE 8 PAGE 24 Josefita Fehn was born in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Costa Rica and comes from a large family of seven children. Well known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity, Costa Rica attracts millions of visitors every year enabling them to enjoy the country's abundant gifts of nature. PAGE 12

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FINANCIAL COMFORT FOOD A

generation ago, working life was very different from today. Forget the impact of the COVID pandemic – we're talking about how people lived in relation to their jobs, their neighborhoods, the city they lived in – even if the pandemic had never occurred, things were very different. By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, Bs, MSHSV PWM Contributing Writer

A generation ago, or perhaps even further back, people didn't look at mobility as an overarching need. Life was all about security. Security meant that you followed a structure: you finished school, got a job, got married, bought a home near your parents, your friends, or your job, or all three, and then you had your 2.4 kids, your dog, and enjoyed life in the rapidly growing suburbs of America. You mowed your own lawn, you knew all your neighbors, and you went to the church of your choice. Life didn't offer some of the perks we've come to expect today like cable TV with 600 channels, high-speed internet, smart phones, even convenience gadgets like wireless remote controls for nearly every electronic device and power windows and door locks for our cars. Other changes came along – some so subtle we hardly noticed except as we look back over many bygone years and sigh as we remember how simple life once was. But if we're really honest about it, it's not just that life was simpler, it was more predictable, and for most Americans that made it more secure. The analogy of comfort food comes to mind. Pancakes with maple syrup, pot roast and mashed potatoes, fried chicken with – you pick it – ANYTHING! Comfort foods that make us feel warm, secure, and content. Nothing fancy, just the basics that keep us feeling satisfied. So where do we find our financial comfort? Think back to the list we just made, the job, the house, the family. Those are all part of our comfort, but now let's focus on the financial part – the job. There was a time when a person could get that job and work at it for 30 years, more or less, and count on that job being there as long as we wanted it. Maybe it wasn't a glamorous life, but it was secure, it was predictable – it gave us comfort knowing we would never want for anything so long as we did our part. Part of the comfort and security was knowing that most jobs had a pension plan. That meant the company would pay into the pension and when it came time to retire, we had a nest egg that would give us a portion of what we were earning during our working years – maybe 50% or 60% or possibly 70% of our pre-retirement income.

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Since we weren't going to work anymore, we didn't have the cost of commuting. We weren't paying into Social Security. In fact, Social Security as we began to collect monthly benefits was another pension, we could count on to always be there as part of our retirement income. Retirement income was guaranteed. The job and the retirement plan that followed were our financial comfort foods. Then several decades ago, Americans began to see changes in the lifestyle they had known since the late 1940s. Job changes became part of our culture. In fact, it became the norm rather than the exception for a worker to jump to a new company as a strategy for advancement rather than climbing the corporate ladder one rung at a time. Pension plans found themselves having to cash out employee holdings, and sometimes the employee even left the pension behind if they hadn't met the “vesting” requirement. If it wasn't theirs to take, employees walked away empty-handed but often they would receive a bonus from the new employer to make up some of the value of their lost pension. This was the “fast-food” version of financial comfort, but the reality was it came as cash in the paycheck and was spent rather than squirreled away for retirement. Workers weren't too concerned, because most employers were beginning to offer attractive retirement plans called 401(k) plans that had the lure of double-digit earnings using stock market investment vehicles and employer matching to add to the attractiveness. Retirement plans began to create “illustrations” to show employees what they could expect in retirement, based on certain levels of contribution to the plan. Forget the fact that none of the numbers were guaranteed, the figures were so enticing that pension plans and their plodding guarantees just seemed like that old clunker car that needed to be replaced for something faster and more efficient….and more fun. Let's take a moment to understand pension plans by seeing just how they are put together and how they provide income. First, the company brings in an actuary to calculate the average life expectancy of a retiree. Then they bring in the number corresponding to the income they want to create and calculate the number of years they have, based on the present age of that future retiree, for money to grow on deposit. They use guaranteed rates of earning, because the pension will be on the hook for the money it promises, remember, the income is guaranteed when the employee retires, and there's usually an amount – maybe half or two-thirds of the pension payment – that continues to a surviving spouse even if the pensioner dies.

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Now, most people chose to retire at 65, but they also had the option to retire early, like 62. Since the payments would be calculated to start earlier and presumably last until death, early retirement meant taking a reduced pension payment. It's the same way with Social Security. If a person lives a long time, they will actually benefit from waiting for the later retirement age, but keep in mind that we're counting on having the comfort of the job for those few extra years to fill in the gap until retirement. If we have the financial comfort of the job and we can step right into the financial comfort of retirement income that's guaranteed, what could be better? Now let's look at it from the standpoint of the person using the 401(k) rather than the guaranteed pension. First, they're operating on the premise that there will be more money available to create income, so even if it's not guaranteed money, more would be better, right? The short answer is yes, it would be better. Time has a way of allowing money on deposit to grow in really dramatic fashion – compound interest as they call it. The problem is twofold: what if the employee (who, by the way, is the one taking on all the risk that their 401(k) will always earn) makes bad investment choices? What if there are large losses right before retirement is planned to happen? What if the markets have a long period of low earnings or even losses once income starts? Can the retiree afford to stop drawing money out each month and wait it out? We don't have room to go into every scenario here, but with a self-directed plan like a 401(k), your success with income depends not on the average earnings, but also on the sequence of earnings. A few really bad years back-to-

back and it may cut into the 401(k) investment deeper than a market recovery can mend, and non-guaranteed means the account value could drop to zero. Not financial comfort food. Now we come to the present-day, and the way people live and work. Very few jobs have any kind of pension plan outside of government and schools. There is no guarantee a company will stay in business, and people find themselves laid off or fired as companies downsize, consolidate, or just disappear. Without the comfort and security of a job or even retirement guarantees, many people remain in the workforce as long as they can – even into their 70s. Oh yes, there are a few who work because they want social interaction or to keep their minds sharp, but let's face reality, people stay in the workforce because they're afraid to give up the security that a paycheck gives them. Working past “normal” retirement is the newest form of financial comfort food, and the trend isn't going away any time soon. What once was the picture of retirement, meeting friends for lunch or to go shopping, taking a weekend trip to visit family, an afternoon on the golf course, all done within the constraints of the income that the retiree could count on – now replaced with “would you like cheese on your burger” and “welcome to xxx-mart.” Jobs that are simple and easy to come by. Jobs that love to hire seniors, reliable employees who show up, who are on time, who don't spend their time texting friends when they're supposed to be working, who fear being without the comfort of a guaranteed income. When asked what they miss most about the working world today, many older employees say they miss having a pension, their financial comfort food. < www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 7

Tamika Williams FINANCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST Tamika Williams has always had an interest in creating aesthetically pleasant things. Raised in the suburbs of Cleveland with her parents, younger brother and sister, Tamika attended Maple Hts. High School and following completion of her studies decided to join Bowling Green State University where she earned her bachelor's degree in Technology. Her undergraduate degree was in Visual Communications focused on graphic design. She also received a college diploma from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in web design. Following graduation, Williams worked as a freelance graphic designer for local clubs, magazines and design companies in the Cleveland area. While she found the work exciting, she was discouraged that she couldn't find a permanent graphic design position. Moreover, freelance work wasn't generating sufficient revenue so she had to explore other opportunities.

what's reporting, how to dispute any inaccuracies and clean up their credit while building sound financial habits. According to Williams, those habits include paying bills on time, not spending above their means, creating a budget, paying off debts, and using credit wisely.

She then joined the financial industry and worked for some of the leading banks including, Bank of America, Chase, and KeyBank. Her responsibilities varied from customer services, collections, retention, processing to quality control. She also worked as a Real Estate Agent.

First Step Financial Services offers help with establishing business credit for entrepreneurs and beginning in 2023, will offer life insurance services and tax preparation services. The company also sells a “Minding My Business” planner on Amazon that is an all-encompassing yearly planner with a section specially on money savings, debt reduction, paying off bills, and keeping track of your credit.

Today Williams is a Credit Repair Financial Services Specialist at First Step Financial Services. The company provides credit restoration and financial wellness by helping people understand their credit bureau reports, 8 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2022

Williams learned the importance of sound financial planning from her own challenging experience. “I allowed

my own credit to get messed up. I allowed another individual access to my credit and he was not as responsible. My credit cards were maxed out and I had two houses go into foreclosure. I considered filing bankruptcy and started the process, but changed my mind and decided to climb out of debt myself,” Williams said. “Through a lot of sacrifice, picking up an extra job and side hustle, I was able to eventually climb out of debt and rebuild my credit.” This long and grueling experience inspired her to talk to others about credit and give advice on how they can also rebuild/establish credit and the benefits of it. Good financial planning has several benefits. Williams, a Certified Financial Coach, offers the following tips for sound financial planning and financial wellness: ●

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Always start by looking at your finances and your bills. So many people ignore their bills or wait until they get final notices to pay them. By that time you are assessed late fees and additional interest, which is a huge waste of money. When your bills come in – look at them! Note the due date and line it up with your pay dates. If your mortgage/rent or car payment takes up a large portion of your check then split it between your two checks. If you are paid every two weeks then by the end of the year you will have made an extra month of payment to that loan. Use your credit cards wisely. If you have a credit card that gives you cash back like Discover or you can earn miles like Capital One, then use that card for your everyday purchases and pay the card off with the money you would have used with your debit card or cash. When you do this you are getting something back and you don't get that with your debit card.

Women and minority business owners face many challenges and Williams is not an exception. A study by the Brookings Institution reveals three distinct challenges facing these groups of entrepreneurs: limited access to capital, limited access to business networks, and limited opportunity for business skills development. “As a black woman I find that it is very easy to think I'm not good enough. Sometimes I can get in my own way. When we look around and see other people doing what we are doing and we aren't where they are, that can be discouraging for us. Not only that, it can be difficult when you still have to maintain a full-time job until your business allows you to quit and manage a household. There are lots of challenges that we face,” she said. “However, I remind myself that everyone starts somewhere and if my passion for what I do makes a difference in just one person's life then I'm winning and I

have to keep pushing. No one is like me and although the service may be offered by others, I am the difference.” With all these responsibilities, the natural question is how does this wife and mother attain work-life balance? Her answer primarily lies in having a caring and supporting husband. “I am blessed to be able to work from home so it makes it easier to maintain a household, take care of family and work at odd hours. My husband and I have a set date night so we make sure we always spend uninterrupted quality time and I also have a weekly breakfast with my daughter so we can have our time as well. We plan much needed vacations so we can appreciate the hard work we do,” she said. “Carving out time for family is just as important as putting in the hours and work necessary for business. My “Minding My Business” planner and iPhone are essential for me keeping my schedule in order.” An avid reader, Williams underscores the wide benefits of reading books. As the saying goes, the world would be a better place if people read more books, she encourages people to read books such as Dave Ramsey's “The Total Money Makeover,” “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki and “Girl Get Your Money Straight” by Glinda Bridgforth to name a few. To boost her expertise on financial management, she watches financial YouTubes by Square Biz and Powered by Kmarie and TikToks by the likes of Shonda Martin and The Credit Dude and ThatGuy.Ricardo. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Williams enjoys and devotes a considerable part of her time on causes that benefit children. While the impact of COVID has affected her contribution to such activities, she is confident that current improvements in opening up will allow her to continue giving back to the community. Of her upcoming plans, she said, “I am creating a workshop to educate teenagers on financial wellness focusing on checking/savings accounts, budgeting, saving for big items and not eating their checks or spending all their money on liabilities, and starting to build credit now.” Williams and First Step Financial Services are looking forward to a long future providing services including, credit restoration, financial wellness, and business start up services in addition to offering life insurance and tax preparation. “Our goal is to be a one stop shop for your financial needs and opening multiple offices for more employment opportunities and training for others to start their own businesses.” Williams said. “We will focus on teens and getting them off on the right foot when establishing credit and good financial habits throughout Ohio and offering online workshops for anyone in the country to attend.” Her message to young girls would be “find your passion and build your business / career around that. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and explore all possibilities. We can do anything!” < www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 9

WOMEN ARE CHANGING THE FACE OF CONSTRUCTION

n celebration of Women in Construction Week, the Construction Employers Association (CEA) and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) hosted a luncheon and panel discussion highlighting the challenges and opportunities for women in the construction industry. At the end of 2018, there were 10,692,000 total workers in the construction field, and of that number, only 9.9% were women. These statistics demonstrate the lack of diversity and inclusion, yet women are making strides despite the numbers.

change to effect change. Still, a key theme resonating through this discussion found that women must be their biggest champions to help knock down barriers. That is not to say they can do this without support, but with confidence, advocates, and fierce determination, women can become the change agents needed to infiltrate the industry. As an example, in response to the question, "How do you advance gender and equity in Cleveland," Heather Baines noted that the women gathered were in a good spot and that many of them knew one another from various events. The key, however, she said, is, "we are stronger in number. We have to be intentional about keeping up with each other, talking to each other, and letting Cleveland know we exist."

The diverse makeup of the speakers demonstrated the changing face and gender of construction and illustrated a field that is about more than hardhats and mud. Members of the panel included Heather Baines, owner of HR Construction Services and North Coast Concrete; Sonja Rice, Partner, Hahn Loeser Construction Law Firm Construction Group; Cynthia Leitson, Vice President of Capital, Construction and Facilities at Cuyahoga Community College; and Rena Suhwail, Human Resource Manager with Turner Construction. Susie Chaplin, chairwoman of Women in Construction Week, served as moderator.

Cynthia Leitson's comments also focused on women taking ownership of their place in the space. She said, "We have to push ourselves outside our comfort zone. When we look at the roles and responsibilities, we think we have to have all of it, and you don't. You can have most of it (credentials), and you can grow into it."

When diversity and inclusion lead a conversation, the general belief is that the mindset of the majority has to

Throughout the question and answer period, it was clear that allies exist in the industry. In response to a question

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on biases against women, Sonya Rice said, "A lot of times when I'm negotiating with an attorney who's representing the other side of the contract, that construction lawyer is a woman. I don't think this was the case 15 years ago."

During her remarks, Councilwoman Conwell said, "Why do we need more women in construction? Because it reflects the society that we live in, we use the spaces, so we should be building them too."

The panel agreed that women must know their area of expertise and own it, whether sitting at the table as the owner or sitting across the table negotiating a raise or contract. They can't make themselves small but must stand firm in their conviction that they belong in the room.

Turner said, "I acknowledge the importance of women in this space. As the newest member of the County Council, I'm very interested in learning how I can be more supportive."

Before delving into the program, Glen Shumate, Executive Vice President of the Construction Employers Association (CEA), welcomed the attendees. He provided an overview of CEA, noting the core areas of focus are collective bargaining, labor relations, education and training, and public affairs. In the area of collective bargaining, Shumate explained what that looks like, "We bargain contracts for 14 unions; resolve differences between labor and management; offer 125 training classes resulting in the training of 2500 individuals; and communicate with public officials and promote diversity and inclusion in the workforce." In celebration of Women's History Month and Women in Construction Week, Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Yvonne Conwell and Councilwoman Meredith Turner presented a proclamation, as did Cleveland City Councilwoman Stephanie Howse.

Councilwoman Stephanie Howse said, "On behalf of Cleveland City Council, I want to thank you for saying yes to the industry. I'm an engineer by trade, so you have a sister in the opportunity of advancement. I want to say congratulations and thank you all for convening space where women can come together, learn together, network and build." The luncheon marked the fourth year NAWIC hosted the panel discussion to develop those who are advancing in their careers and those who have already advanced. For more information and future events, contact:

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Josefita Fehn INDEPENDENT REPRESENTATIVE, BEAUTYCOUNTER Josefita Fehn was born in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Costa Rica and comes from a large family of seven children. Well known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity, Costa Rica attracts millions of visitors every year enabling them to enjoy the country's abundant gifts of nature.

Young Josefita moved to the US when she was twentythree- years old, put in hard work and graduated from Kent State University. Today, Fehn works as an independent representative with Beautycounter, a directto-consumer company that sells skin care and cosmetic products.

Growing up, Josefita enjoyed a wonderful childhood, always surrounded by extended family and friends. Her Dad, she said, was an incredibly loving, caring and hard working man who instilled good values in her but sadly passed away almost seven years ago. Her mom, a real character and full of life will soon turn eighty-five years old, and still resides in Costa Rica with her other family members.

Earlier, Fehn served as a teacher and also worked in sales for a steel company. “I love sales but I have to believe in the product and mission,” she said. While she enjoyed her work, she put her career on hold after she had her third child, saying, “I felt I needed to stay home and raise my children. In a way I wanted to do what my mom did, be a full time mom.” Married for 34 years, she is blessed with seven children. Three of her children are out of college, one in college, one about to go to college and two are still at home.

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A born entrepreneur, Fehn is thrilled to work with Beautycounter products as she believes in the mission of the company, to “get safer products into the hands of everyone.” Beautycounter strives to promote nontoxic ingredients in beauty products making it a standout among peers. In its' website, the company states, “We take safety seriously. Over 1,800 ingredients are never used in our formulations—we call this The Never List™—and we go above and beyond to screen every ingredient against our high standards in pursuit of clean beauty.” Fehn is pleased to live and work in this land of opportunity, and said, “Women in Costa Rica do not have ample opportunities to start a business at my age (57 years old), but here in the US I am blessed with the opportunity. I really felt a calling to do something for myself, and Beautycounter is it.” According to Fehn, we should all be conscious of the skin products we use in our daily lives. The utilization of unhealthy skincare products has been a concern to her and she recommends a shift from using such products. She said, “we use an average of 12 beauty products daily (ex: Haircare, body lotions, nail care, skincare, etc) and the products we have been using in general are not safe. The more I have learned, the more fired up I have become about it.” And when the opportunity to become a consultant with Beautycounter knocked at her door, it opened her up to a whole new world. Fehn said, “Beautycounter was started with a purpose to counter the beauty industry, and be a movement for change to help everyone, especially women.”

As a woman entrepreneur, running a business has many challenges. “I am still taking care of my family even if some of the kids are away. The responsibilities never end.” Fehn stated. “Women need to understand the importance of change. We are creatures of comfort and once we find what we like we stick to it even if it is not safe.” The biggest problem she faces is convincing people to shift their habits from using unhealthy beauty products to using safer products. “I like to describe myself as a mother of seven, an educator, and an advocate for change. It takes time to have people trust you, but once people understand the impacts on their health it is easier to make the transition.” Fehn said. “I always guide people to the EWG webpage and App. They are doing terrific work testing products and letting people know what products are safe and which are not. A resource like this is crucial because it gives valuable free information to the public.” Continued on next page ...

In tandem with the company's vision, Fehn stated, “working with the company, I learned more about ingredients in a range of products from other brands. I learned about what Beautycounter used, what they banned, and why. Further, I learned all about federal regulation's impact on the skincare and household product industry.” She continued, “I was shocked to learn there had not been any regulation passed in the United States since 1938. How is this possible after so many years and so much advancement in science and technology? I had been raising my kids in a toxic environment, unaware of the chemicals we routinely used and their effects. Now, I have the opportunity to do something about it! Not only does this affect me and my family, but actually the entire population.” Fehn decided to switch her own and her family's products to clean ingredients for their health, but also to spread awareness about the power of using collective voices for change. A firm believer in quality skin-care ingredients and their positive effects on our skin, she said, “It's important to 'walk the walk' if I'm going to 'talk the talk.' I totally believe in the mission of Beautycounter. Beauty should be good for all. Through education, advocacy, and reform this can be accomplished. The more we know, the more changes we can make.” www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 13

According to Fehn, the industry still has a long way to go. Some clean products don't always work the best, and can turn people off to the idea. “Beautycounter stands out in this regard, the products do not compromise on health or quality of the outcome. Our products are safe and they perform. People can try our products for 60 days and if for any reason the person is not satisfied, they can return any leftover product for a full refund. That is how confident we are in what we make.” She said, “Another aspect that makes Beautycounter stand out is that we are a B-Corp. We not only care about clean-safe products and making them accessible to everyone but we truly care about the environment.” Beautycounter actively supports and uplifts communities to enable them to utilize their full potential. Fehn appreciates her company's efforts and said, “We offer twenty five scholarships for women of color every month so they can start their own business if they have a desire to work and grow their opportunity. To me, this speaks volumes. Many need opportunities to grow and make a future for themselves but do not have the means. Beautycounter gives the new consultants everything they need to make it happen.” Fehn is grateful for the support she gets from family and friends. In particular, she mentioned her friend of over twenty years who introduced her to Beautycounter and has been a tremendous force in inspiring her to spread her 14 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2022

mission. “I've always felt entrepreneurial at heart, and have always had it in me to do good for others, to help. Sharing the mission, the products, and the opportunity with others is the right thing to do.” In addition to her work with Beautycounter, Fehn actively participates in supporting her community. Earlier, she served on the board of Future Heights, a non-profit organization in Cleveland Heights working to help improve the city. “I am still an active participant on different committees, working with so many incredible and hard working people. I have always been an active participant at church and a volunteer to help the most vulnerable people feeding children and the elderly. I have also been a volunteer at Judson working with the elderly suffering from dementia.” Fehn said. “I am so empowered at this moment spreading the knowledge that I have learned about using better and safer products. I am currently working with Athleta and putting events together to teach and empower women physically and mentally. I am also organizing events to educate and empower women wherever they are in their lives. Right now, the sky's the limit.” Fehn is pleased with her contributions so far and concluded by saying “I never thought that at my age I could do this much and so much more, and I cannot wait for what is to come.” <

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 15

Photos: Malinda Hartong – TheHartongs.com 16 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2022

With A Passion For Service,

RACHAEL SAMPSON Leads Key4Women

By Shelley Shockley PWM MANAGING EDITOR

community is something she witnessed firsthand from her parents, who are her role models and inspiration.

Today Rachael Sampson, Senior Vice President, Director of Key4Women at KeyBank, has an office overlooking the Ohio River, but her roots are in northeast Ohio. Sampson spent her formative years in Orange Village before her family moved to Bedford Heights, where she thrived both in and out of the classroom.

Growing up, Sampson observed the selfless work of her father, a man who worked two full-time jobs to provide for his family yet always found time to lend a hand to others. She said her Dad was not a pastor during her primary years, but he's always actively given to others. She explained, “There are no words to describe just how much love, compassion, and empathy he continues to show. He worked two jobs, one full-time to ensure a consistent income and benefits, while also starting and growing his own business simultaneously. Prior to his pastorship he always gave his time as a Deacon in the church for as long as I can remember. If someone called in the middle of the night, he could have worked 16 hours, and he would still go to help no matter the hour. What resonates most with me is that I have never heard him complain a day in his life. I love and admire how he leans on the Lord at all times and blesses other people as God continues to bless him.”

Family, service to God and community, and singing are the key ingredients of her life. That importance radiates through her voice and smile as she recalls her childhood. The youngest of five children, her childhood is ripe with memories of spending time with her siblings, camping, fishing, enjoying movies with each other, and sports. During a recent virtual interview, the love of all of the above radiated through her smile as she spoke. Still, the gleam in her eye was apparent as she talked about singing. She says that as a child, "I spent much of my childhood singing and listening to a variety of music, really any record or cassette tape I could get my hands on." In addition to listening to music, she is a gifted musician. She honed her skills in the Bedford High School Acapella Choir, serving as president. In her senior year, she led the Madrigal Singers. Recognition of her talent came in the form of the top award for outstanding musicianship in her senior year. Her high school experience aided her in leading the choir at Leviticus Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, where her father serves as pastor. Music was important, but it was far from the only activity this academic scholar participated in during school. She was also an athlete playing basketball throughout her middle and high school years. That would be more than enough for many, but not for Sampson; service and community are essential at her core, so she spent a great deal of time giving back. She recalled in high school being so overwhelmingly busy that, “My mom threatened to put me on punishment if I joined another organization.” The loving threat didn’t deter her, as she knew her mom wanted to ensure she didn’t spread herself too thin and stayed laser-focused on effectively managing time and succeeding in the classroom. As she explained, “Spending my time helping others has always been a passion, and I continue to find ways to manage my time so that I can do the important work of serving others.” Today she continues to be active in the community and volunteers with her husband and children in tow. Although her mom sought to slow down the giving heart of her daughter, it was home where she learned and observed the importance of giving. Service to the

“

My strategy was always figuring out where I could be of value and where I could share and leverage my expertise.

“

Sampson said her mom "was just as much an influence as my dad," but differently. Her mom worked as an accountant and in the family business. She later transitioned into the Human Resources arena, working her way up the ladder to HR Director, employed by some of the largest companies in the country. From her mom, Sampson was able to “experience and hear some of the challenges executives experience, and learn about leadership, drive, and tenacity. It was incredible to witness first hand a woman of color work through challenges of climbing the corporate ladder, which at that time was difficult for all women, let alone a black woman.” Ultimately she said, "I am thankful I could get the best of both worlds from my parents." Between the two of them, she says she grew up knowing about business - the ins and outs and learned how to lead people to get things done. Continued on next page... www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 17

Rachael Sampson with collegues

The example set by her parents and others in her church and family laid the foundation for Sampson's transition from the comforting care of home to college. She began her collegiate career at the University of Cincinnati on a full academic scholarship, including serving as the women's basketball team manager. Heading off to Cincinnati, she was excited and ready to begin her journey to becoming a high school math teacher. Challenges and struggles would sidetrack that dream. She recalled her first year of college as more difficult than she thought it would be. It also gave her insight into collegiate athletics, which she said, "is really hard, even for managers." The job of the manager was to prepare for practices, games, and traveling with the team. You're still finishing up the work and monitoring players when that's over, which she described as time-consuming and a competing priority with classroom work. With this challenge and other new experiences as a teenager away from the shelter of home, Sampson fell short of her goals for the first time. Putting that time into context, she said, "I think part of me was not where I wanted to be, and that was hard because that was the first time I didn't succeed on my first try." As a self-proclaimed, 'Mommy and Daddy's girl, Sampson wanted to run home, but her parents would not hear of it, instead assuring her they were there to support her, but "we don't quit what we start." With those marching orders, she began to readjust and develop a plan to work through the challenges. Readjusting was no easy feat as she experienced several emotionally challenging setbacks. One of the biggest was a life-changing medical diagnosis that altered the course of her life. In her early twenties, she learned that her window of opportunity was closing fast if she planned to have children. She would have to begin motherhood immediately to be a viable option. 18 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2022

Couple that with the passing of her beloved grandmother and family matriarch, life was throwing fastballs at Sampson from every angle. She said of this time, "All of this was like a perfect storm. It's interesting to reflect back now because I feel like those setbacks helped define who I am and change my life for the better. Those hardships made me so hungry to succeed that it gave me an incredible drive to prove to myself and others I still could be successful in spite of." Sampson is thankful for the support of her then-boyfriend, now-husband Thomas, during this time. The couple had been together a few years. The love and bond that had developed were evident when he agreed to begin a family so that she would not miss out on that motherhood. And he was there to provide support and comfort her and her family during her grandmother's illness and as she transitioned. Life was not getting any easier for Sampson; the tide took a traumatic turn. She and her husband were excited as they were expecting their first child, but in the middle of the second trimester, Sampson had a miscarriage. She remembered that time saying, "Talk about devastating. That was harder than anything else I have ever experienced in life. I was paralyzed at that point. I remember praying to get through and saying, 'I don't know Lord what you want me to do, or where you want me to go; just use me.'” In answer to that prayer, a friend told her Fifth Third was hiring and suggested she apply. She said yes, and changed her life for the better forever. "When I came into banking, you didn't hear much about women in banking, entrepreneurship, and other male dominated industries. That's yet another reason I'm so passionate about our work for our Key4Women members. From a recruiting perspective, there are many opportunities for women in the financial services industry. It's absolutely a great

career opportunity for those interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Energy, and Math). I didn't know that when I began my career.” Entering the banking industry was not her first choice, but Sampson quickly learned it was her destiny. "As soon as I came into banking, within two weeks, I knew this was the profession for me. I got bit by the bank bug. I loved every minute of it. I learned quickly, and I worked hard.” As she delved into the working world, Sampson paused her education, focusing instead on her new profession. She attempted to go back to school online but found it was not a good fit for her. A few years ago, she decided that it was time to check off that goal of receiving her degree and enrolled in Thomas More University. She found an evening degree program that fit her schedule and pleased to report she is currently working on her MBA at the University of Cincinnati. Today Sampson says, “I'm a big manifester. I believe that although I have my goals and what I envision, what I want to do, in every decision, in every job and situation, I ask for God's will to be done, not mine, and for him to use me for the advancement of His Kingdom." She started her banking career in the servicing area, where changes to loans occur for various reasons. This area was attractive because the self-described news and politics junkie could see "what impacts those changes had." Using the changes happening today with interest rate changes as an example, she said, "It's so interesting to see what happens to amortization schedules, how payments change over time, , and for me to think about the ripple and how that impacts the business and their stakeholders?" Working in the banking environment, she now saw the connection to the realities she and her Dad watched on the evening news. She saw the impact on the economy and entrepreneurs like her father. As she continued working and growing at Fifth Third, Sampson and her husband were expecting their first child. She recalls, "After going through the tough miscarriage, we were blessed with my son, while still living in Cincinnati. And I'm a homebody and so close with my family, and thought to myself what am I going to do with this new baby without my mom. And of course she said, "why don't you come back home?" She seriously thought about being at home, with assistance with the new baby, but she didn't have a job. This was a difficult decision as there were some excellent prospects at Fifth Third. She then learned there was an opening at Key managing the Commercial Specialty Client Servicing Team, a position similar to when she started at Fifth Third, so she and her family relocated back to Cleveland. Beginning as the Commercial Specialty Client Services Manager, where they handle all of the complex commercial loans across Key's footprint, Sampson started her journey with KeyBank. She said, "It was a great learning experience to delve even deeper into our culture and how we support our clients and communities here at Key." Next, she led the Commercial and Private Bank Loan Origination Team. This team completed all of the due diligence, the booking, and funding for commercial and private bank loans and created all of the internal legal documents across the Key footprint. Continuing to make progress and learn different bank areas, the next move for Sampson would come via a

phone call. She recalled, "I've always been interested in banking, and until that point in my career, I had always been in what we call the "back office" in our operations area, not directly working with clients. So, I got a call from one of our leaders who knew I used to live in Cincinnati, where we had an opening in a client-facing position supporting our commercial relationship managers." While this was not a promotion, it was a lateral move, and she accepted it. Adding to the excitement of a new opportunity, she said, "this time, instead of a baby in tow, I had a baby in the belly moving back to Cincinnati.” Banking has historically been an industry of middle-aged white males, so questions of diversity and advancement possibilities come up often. Sampson said this is true; however, she has received support from many white males during her career. She said, "There have been several that have invested in me so much, I would not be where I am today if it was not for these white male allies that gave me a chance, promoted me, put me on stretch projects every single time; throughout my career." When asked about strategic planning for her career, Sampson said, "My strategy was always figuring out where I could be of value and where I could share and leverage my expertise." Moving back to Cincinnati, she said, "was a great complement to our team, and we were able to generate new ideas to further advance the business. It became natural over time to progress end-to-end in our commercial bank business, from being a senior service officer to a commercial analyst, and then a commercial relationship manager acquiring and deepening business relationship with companies with revenues in excess of $20MM.” Continued on next page... www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 19

understand the unique challenges facing women and the tools they can use to help address them. Over 8,000 members participate in the programming. Key4Women is open to everyone, and you do not need to be a KeyBank client. Sampson said, "At Key, our mission is to help clients and communities thrive, and we believe financial inclusion is a cornerstone of that mission. As we know, knowledge is power, and we should have equal access to information to support our personal and business financial goals." She continued advancing her career by taking a deeper interest in her job and not limiting herself to a single box. She found that despite her drive and initiative, she still lacked confidence and was "plagued by that fear of can I be successful in a client-facing role predominantly led by our majority allies?" Because failure was not an option, Sampson used her institutional knowledge and expertise she gained as she moved through various roles throughout her career. Now, as the National Director of Key4Women, a complimentary program focused on helping women entrepreneurs and leaders achieve their business and personal financial goals, Sampson is definitely in a clientfacing role. Launched in 2005 as a campaign to lend $1 billion in capital to women-owned businesses, it surpassed that benchmark in two years and continues to grow. Sampson said of the program, "Today, I'm happy to say, we have lent over $13 billion to women-owned businesses." The program does not end with offering capital. They provide many wrap-around services to help make the businesses whole. She explained, “Our complimentary program delivers more than just financial advice and guidance to women. Our members gain access to a local network of peers and Key4Women certified advisors along with exclusive access to the latest insights, advice, and events to help them grow. Helping, women-owned businesses succeed isn't new for KeyBank, we've been at it for over a decade.” She continued, “Key4Women provides an array of services and support for women's business and personal development needs while delivering the advice and guidance they expect from their financial partner. Key4Women also actively partners with nonprofits and organizations in our communities who are also focused on addressing the needs of women. And through these efforts, Key4Women helps provide programming, event sponsorship, philanthropy, and certified advisor resources to support these valuable community organizations.” Assisting Sampson with this national program is a team of co-chairs and operating committees to execute the program in local markets from Maine to Alaska. In addition, over 4,000 Key4Women certified advisors across Key Bank's footprint voluntarily take special training to 20 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2022

At its core, the program teaches women business owners how to understand and feel less intimidated by financial transactions and tools associated with businesses. She offered examples: “We teach you about cash flow and many accounting terms you may hear about but not understand. We want to demystify the credit process.” In addition, they offer partners that can assist with all aspects of the business. "When you think about partners, we always talk about the big three - your banker, accountant, and attorney. We often go to them when we have an issue or may be in crisis. However, it's better to build those relationships before you get to the point so that you have their counsel and advice to help you avoid potential missteps and guide you along the way based on their subject matter expertise. It's critical for you to know your banker, and your banker should know you. This became abundantly clear during the onset of the pandemic and access to the Paycheck Protection Program funding. Unfortunately, so many of our women and minority-owned businesses did not have access to funding early on because they lacked a traditional banking relationship. That’s where Key4Women steps in to create a safe space to ask questions and seek counsel, be a critical business advisor and let you know you have a partner that advocates, connects, and empowers women in business to boost their financial confidence and success." said Sampson. Sampson's days are never the same, but they are always busy — overseeing the strategy and execution of the program across the bank's footprint and leading the implementation of all of the program's programming, marketing, data and analytics, and engagement. She said her biggest challenge is "amplifying our message by ensuring folks hear our message and understand they have partners, options, and opportunities out in the community, and specifically here at Key." The best Key4Women success to date, Sampson said, is "Our inaugural pitch contest last year. It was an absolute home run to partner with SCORE Cleveland on this incredible venture. In being able to provide mentorship and capital, two of the most critical supports that women often lack when being in business, was great.

And SCORE Cleveland was ultimately named chapter of the year in part due to their efforts in the contest." The contest was such a huge success this year it will expand to the Seattle and Tacoma regions in Washington. A huge proponent of mentors, Sampson has several, stating, "I like to have mentors who think differently than me or are in different areas or fields. It gives you the diversity of thought and experience that you may otherwise not have insight to, and provides foresight into other opportunities and recognition of weak signals."

PHENOMENAL FACTS

As a mentor, Sampson has several. It is a way to give back. "I think about the opportunities created for me. Folks mentored and believed in me even when I didn't always think I was ready." She said, "It's that 'carry as you climb,' mentality we have to have to ensure we have trailblazers to blaze that trail as we grow in our careers. To burn it down and make sure we're clearing the path for the folks behind us." Sampson also noted the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, "I think mentorship is more about providing guidance, planning, and challenging you. Sponsorship is about having folks in your corner that raise their hand and vouch for you and talk up your accomplishments, and what you have to offer; which is huge. Conversations happen when you’re not in the room; therefore, it’s critical that you have a sponsor in a more senior role that is familiar with your strengths and capabilities and can advocate on your behalf. That's why building relationships and talking about your career aspirations are so important because people are definitely having career conversation when you are not in the room." When offering advice to an 18-year-old heading to college, she said, "I would say go for it, and not just a little bit - all the way. I do believe with enough hard work, grit, tenacity, and feistiness, you can get anywhere you want to go, but even as we think about all that hard work, I love that Zig Ziglar quote, 'You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.' You need to enjoy the journey. Make time to smell the roses because life is a marathon and not a sprint. And last but not least, don't be afraid to fall forward and learn from those missteps you may have along life's journey. They help build character and you into the person that you will ultimately become." Sampson left us with the quote, "Life pays you in two coins: cash and experience. Get the experience, and the cash will come." She has used it to guide her career because "I haven't always looked at success as ladder-climbing. It's been about the zig-zag and the learning and opportunities that I've been able to create that have helped to culminate my work experience to lead me to where I am today." <

Bachelor of Business Administration Thomas More University

Candidate, Master of Business Administration University of Cincinnati

Board of Directors Women in Manufacturing

Board of Directors Women of Color Foundation

Co-Chair, Board of Directors The Superior Initiative, Inc. (TSI)

Member Advocates for Youth Education, Inc. (AYE)

KeyBank National Leadership Team African Heritage Key Business Impact and Networking Group

KeyBank National Leadership Team Key Women's Networking Group

Graduate of ArtsWave's BoardWay Bound program

Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce WE Lead, Class 15

Active in the community and church

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 21

Painesville native Petty Officer 2nd Class Adriana Soto, serves the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station Sigonella logistical and advanced logistical support to U.S. and other NATO forces. Naval Air Station Sigonella supports a rotation of various squadrons and multi-service, multinational transient aircraft. With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world's international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy. Soto and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service. “The accomplishment I am most proud of is being featured by “Navy Times” for achieving master helmsman,” said Soto. “This was a really big accomplishment for my career.” As Soto and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy. Story and photo by Lt. Sandra Niedzwiecki, Navy Office of Community Outreach

“Serving in the Navy means that I am part of something big,” added Soto. “It is an honor to serve my country.”

Petty Officer 2nd Class Adriana Soto, a native of Painesville, Ohio, serves the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station Sigonella operating out of Sigonella, Italy. Soto joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Soto serves as a yeoman. “I joined the Navy to travel, and my grandfather served in the Marine Corps which inspired me to join the military,” said Soto. “I am the first person in my family to join the Navy, and I wanted to set an example for my siblings.” Growing up in Painesville, Soto attended Harvey High School and graduated in 2017. Today, Soto uses the same skills and values learned in Painesville to succeed in the military. “I learned to treat others with respect, and my leadership skills have carried over well to my naval career,” said Soto. These lessons have helped Soto while serving in the Navy. Naval Air Station Sigonella is located in eastern Sicily. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and covers 10,000 square miles. According to Navy officials, the primary mission of Naval Air Station Sigonella is to provide consolidated operational, command and control, administrative, 22 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2022

phenomenal

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W WOMAN M

TO ADVERTISE, CALL 216.702.0845 ADS@PHENOMENALWOMAN.ME

Tri-C Places Second in Nation at NCLC Assistant Professor Jim Funai named 2022 Educator of the Year Always a powerful presence at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC), Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) had its best showing ever in 2022. Tri-C's Plant Science and Landscape Technology program brought home second place in the team competition — its highest finish ever — and Peyton Musgrave earned top individual honors among the competition's 510 students. She is the third Tri-C student to take top honors since 2014. Musgrave, a sophomore from Lakewood, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship earlier this month from the Ohio Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. After graduating from Tri-C in May, she plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in environmental conservation at Kent State University. Tri-C won three event championships during the competition, held March 16-19 at North Carolina State University in Raleigh: irrigation assembly, irrigation troubleshooting, and turf and weed identification. The College placed in the Top 5 in 12 others. Keith Rush, a sophomore from University Heights, was another outstanding individual performer for Tri-C, placing in the Top 3 in four events.

In addition to a great showing in the competition events, Jim Funai, assistant professor in Tri-C's program since 2009, was named the National Association of Landscape Professionals Foundation Outstanding Educator of the Year. Under Funai's guidance, the College's Plant Science and Landscape Technology program has become the best twoyear program in the nation, routinely placing alongside or above programs from large four-year universities in national competitions such as the NCLC. “The Educator of the Year award is quite the honor, as it is voted on by the top professors across the country,” Funai said after the competition. “There are professors whose textbooks I learned from now recognizing me as excelling in that very career path. It is pretty humbling. “As for our students, this year we had all NCLC first-timers in the competition. They far exceeded our goals and ended up as the highest scoring team we ever had. Our goal is to build professionals ready to launch into successful careers, and we just had another very successful year of doing so.” Learn more about NCLC and review final results at landscapeprofessionals.org. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 23

5 REASONS TO EAT MORE TART CHERRIES

If you want to add superfoods to your diet in the new year, Montmorency tart cherries may be perfect for you. Montmorency is the variety of tart cherries grown in America, primarily on small family farms. Compared to sweet cherries that are typically eaten fresh during the summer season, tart cherries are available year-round as dried, frozen, canned, juice and juice concentrate. Decades of scientific research has shown Montmorency tart cherries are deserving of their superfood reputation. Here are five reasons to enjoy them more often: · · · · ·

Sleep: Tart cherries are one of the few food sources of melatonin and have been the focus of multiple sleep studies. Exercise recovery: Tart cherry juice has become a popular exercise recovery drink for athletes. Arthritis and gout: Studies have explored the impact of Montmorency tart cherry juice consumption on gout attacks and arthritis symptoms. Heart health: Montmorency tart cherry research has examined blood pressure and blood lipids. Versatility: Although they remain perfect for pie, tart cherries can easily transition from sweet to savory, adding complex flavors to oatmeal, smoothies, salads, granola bars, trail mix and grain bowls.

Look for dried U.S.-grown tart cherries at the store and online for enjoyment at the start of your day and at night in recipes like Tart Cherry Overnight Oats and Tart Cherry Bedtime Bites. Find more recipes and scientific research at ChooseCherries.com.

Tart Cherry Bedtime Bites

In food processor, process dates until broken into pea-sized bits. Add dried tart cherries, coconut flakes, cashews, almond extract and sea salt; process until combined. Form into 12 balls and chill 2 hours.

Tart Cherry Overnight Oats Recipe courtesy of the Cherry Industry Administrative Board Servings: 2 1 1 1 1/2 2 2 1/2

cup dried tart cherries, plus additional for topping (optional) cup old-fashioned oats cup almond milk cup slivered almonds, plus additional for topping (optional) tablespoons tart cherry concentrate tablespoons chia seeds teaspoon cinnamon honey, for topping (optional)

In large jar or container, mix cherries, oats, milk, almonds, cherry concentrate, chia seeds and cinnamon. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Spoon into bowls and enjoy cold or warmed up. Drizzle with honey or sprinkle with extra dried tart cherries and almonds, if desired.

Recipe courtesy of the Cherry Industry Administrative Board Yield: 12 bites 6 1/2 1/2 3/4 1 1

medjool dates, pitted cup dried tart cherries cup finely shredded coconut flakes cup unsalted cashews teaspoon almond extract pinch fine sea salt

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A Dark, Colorful Clue The deep red color is your clue to the science-based benefits of Montmorency tart cherries. The vibrant hue is due to the concentration of anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol in the flavonoids family that has been widely studied.

A MEMORY-MAKING MOUSSE It works as a dessert after a meal or just a special treat. It can be served at a big event or simply a Sunday afternoon at home. To start, add chocolate, marshmallows and heavy cream to a mixing bowl. Microwave until melted, about 2 minutes. Let cool for 1 hour. Pour additional heavy cream into a mixer and whip until soft peaks form. Take 1/2 cup of whipped cream and refrigerate for later. Fold half of the soft whipped cream mixture into the cooled chocolate. Once combined, add the rest of the whipped cream. Spoon the mousse into serving bowls or ramekins and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Once chilled, add toppings or reserved whipped cream and shaved chocolate, if desired. It's easy and requires minimal ingredients, and the results are something smooth, rich and luscious. Your sense of taste will take you right back to that happy place once you take a small bite. Memories are some of the greatest gifts you get to keep forever. Find more sweet treat recipes at Culinary.net.

Dreamy Chocolate Mousse Serves: 4-8 8 40 2 1/4

ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped, plus chocolate shavings (optional) large marshmallows cups heavy cream, divided

In large bowl, combine chopped chocolate, marshmallows and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Microwave 2 minutes on high, or until marshmallows are melted. Let mixture cool 1 hour. Using mixer, whip 1 3/4 cups heavy cream until soft peaks form. Reserve and refrigerate 1/2 cup whipped cream for topping. In cooled chocolate mixture, fold in 2 cups whipped cream until combined. Add remaining whipped cream and mix until combined. Spoon mousse into ramekins. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.

SAVOR A SWEET MORNING SNACK Add some sweetness to your breakfast routine with this delicious and easy-tomake Cherry Coffee Cake.

Cherry Coffee Cake 1 11/2 1/2

Nonstick cooking spray can (12.4 ounces) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing cups (21-ounce can) cherry pie filling cup slivered almonds or pecans (optional)

Heat oven to 375 F. Spray 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. Separate cinnamon roll dough into eight rolls; cut each roll into quarters. Place dough rounded-side down in pan. Spoon pie filling over rolls. Sprinkle almond slivers or pecans over cherry filling, if desired. Bake 25-35 minutes, or until golden brown. Invert onto plate or cutting board. Invert again onto serving plate. Remove lid from icing. Microwave 3-10 seconds. Stir icing and drizzle over warm coffee cake. Serve warm. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 25

A Fiesta Fusion of Worldwide Flavors

f you're seeking inspiration to take mealtime from bland and boring to new and vibrant, look no further than these at-home fiesta recipes. With options ranging from tongue-tingling spice to smooth, creamy and simply delicious, you can call on global flavors to bring life to your kitchen. This menu from “The New York Times” bestselling cookbook author and recipe developer Stephanie Banyas offers delightful flavor fusions from around the world. The lively tastes of the Spicy Shrimp Remoulade in Lettuce Leaves and Mexican Style Paella with Chicken and Sausage pop with the high-quality ingredients of Fresh Cravings Salsas.

These boldly flavored salsas are made with vineripened tomatoes, crisp onions, zesty peppers and spices. Plus, they're never cooked or pasteurized, meaning you're enjoying a vibrant dip that's never soggy or dull. Available in a range of heat levels among restaurant style, chunky and pico de gallo, they complement any at-home fiesta. For a fiery, zesty twist, this Red Pepper Chickpea Soup with Gazpacho Relish and Tortilla Croutons calls for Fresh Cravings Hummus, as its ideal creamy texture and savory taste balances out the spice. Made with a short list of high-quality ingredients like chickpeas, tahini and Chilean extra-virgin olive oil, this hummus has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. “The hummus adds loads of flavor and makes this thick, rich soup totally dairy and gluten free, so there is no need for heavy cream, cornstarch or flour,” Banyas said. “It's as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat.” To find more fiesta-worthy freshcravings.com.

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Red Pepper Chickpea Soup with Gazpacho Relish and Tortilla Croutons Recipe courtesy of Stephanie Banyas Servings: 2 1/4 1/4 2 2 1 2 1/2 1

cup finely diced seeded English cucumbers cup finely diced seeded Roma tomato tablespoons finely diced red onion tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves lime, juice only, divided salt, to taste, pepper, to taste cups canned low-sodium vegetable stock, divided cup Fresh Cravings Restaurant Style Salsa (mild or medium) container (10 ounces) Fresh Cravings Roasted Red Pepper Hummus tri-color fried tortilla strips

In small bowl, combine cucumber, tomato, onion and cilantro. Add half the lime juice and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Let sit at room temperature. In blender or food processor, process 1 cup stock and salsa until smooth. Pour mixture into medium saucepan. Add remaining stock and hummus, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in remaining lime juice. Divide soup between two bowls and top with relish and tortilla strips.

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Spicy Shrimp Remoulade in Lettuce Leaves Recipe courtesy of Stephanie Banyas Yield: 8 leaves Shrimp: 1/2 cup Fresh Cravings Chunky Salsa (mild or medium) 9 cups water, divided, ice water 1 lime, sliced 12 sprigs cilantro 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 pound fresh shrimp (31–35), peeled & deveined Remoulade Sauce: 3/4 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice 1/2 teaspoon chile powder or smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 cup Fresh Cravings Chunky Salsa (mild or medium), drained well 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves 1/4 cup green onion, thinly sliced, additional for garnish 8 butter or Boston lettuce leaves cilantro leaves, for garnish lime wedges, for garnish chopped black olives, for garnish (optional) chopped hard-cooked eggs, for garnish (optional) To make shrimp: In food processor or blender, blend salsa with 1 cup water until smooth.

Fill large bowl with ice water; set aside. Transfer salsa mixture to large saucepan and add remaining water, lime slices, cilantro sprigs and salt. Bring to boil over high heat; stir in shrimp, cover, turn off heat and let shrimp poach off heat in liquid 10 minutes. Drain in colander. Transfer shrimp to ice bath and let sit 5 minutes. Drain again. To make remoulade sauce: In large bowl, whisk mayonnaise, mustard, lime juice, chile powder, sugar, salt and pepper until combined; fold in salsa. Put half of remoulade sauce in large bowl. Fold in shrimp and cilantro, adding remoulade as needed to make mixture creamier; taste for seasoning. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or up to 6 hours. Arrange lettuce cups on platter. Spoon equal portions shrimp mixture into lettuce cups. Garnish with cilantro leaves; lime wedges; black olives, if desired; and eggs, if desired.

Fresh CravingsMexican Style Paella with Chicken and Sausage Recipe courtesy of Stephanie Banyas Servings: 4-6 1 container (16 ounces) Fresh Cravings Chunky Salsa (mild or medium) 12 ounces chicken tenders, patted dry 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided freshly ground black pepper, to taste 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 12 ounces fully cooked chicken or pork sausage links 3 cups low-sodium canned chicken stock, water or combination 2 cups long-grain rice 1 cup frozen peas 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley lime wedges Remove 1/2 cup salsa and set aside. In blender or food processor, process remaining salsa until smooth. Put chicken in bowl, add 1/2 cup pureed salsa and toss to coat. Cover and marinate at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in refrigerator. In large, high-sided saute pan over high heat, heat 2 tablespoons oil until it begins to shimmer. Season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook until both sides are golden brown and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to plate, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes then slice into 2-inch pieces. Add remaining oil to pan and heat until shimmering; cook sausage until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to plate, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes. Slice on bias into 2-inch pieces. Wipe out pan with paper towels. Add remaining pureed salsa and stock; bring to boil. Add rice and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring mixture to boil, cover and reduce heat to medium-low; cook until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 18 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle peas on top. Let sit, covered with lid, 5 minutes. Fluff with fork then stir in chicken, sausage, peas and cilantro. Spoon remaining salsa on top. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 27

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