P.O.W.E.R. Magazine Spring 2021

2021 SPRING ISSUE

Getting to Know Food Network Cooking Goddess,

Giada De Laurentiis

Treating Your Skin Like Royalty with Princess

Amanda Borghese Niki Childers,

Helping Find Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Fitness Expert

Holly Perkins

Shares Her Strength Training Methods The Meaning of Power and More with A World of Pink’s Christine Guarino Meet Inspiring Women

Princess

HSN Guest Host, Perlier | Entrepreneur, Author

Amanda Borghese

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he Borghese family dates back to the 1100’s in Siena, Italy. Born in America, Amanda Borghese is married to Prince Francesco Borghese, whose mother was Princess Marcella Borghese. They married in 1966, and moved to Rome, Italy where she had her first two children, Scipione, and Ilaria. While living in Rome, Amanda began her own jewelry line, called Duchess of Bomarzo. Two years later she moved to Monza and had her third child, Lorenzo. Francesco began working in Paris, France in 1974. It was there that Amanda became a representative for Barton Connett’s Chateau Country Cooking School. In 1977, they moved to the U.S., settling in Connecticut. Amanda continued representing the cooking school, but also got her real estate license with Previews Fine Real Estate. She became their first European coordinator, working with families who were moving to the U.S. Francesco changed businesses, and they moved to New Jersey in 1980. Amanda started her own business called Balloon-Age, a unique store which specialized in proprietary balloons and exclusive gifts of all sorts. She went on to develop 11 franchise stores on the East coast, and also in Bermuda. Amanda did major proprietary-designed balloon promotions for Bloomingdales, Godiva Chocolate, Bear Necessities Catalog, and Chase Manhattan Bank, as well as a convention for President Reagan. Between 1980 and 1985 she led four tour groups in four years on religious pilgrimages to Medjugorje, in what was then Yugoslavia (now Croatia).

In 1986, Amanda sold the franchise, and became the manager of the London-based perfumery, Floris of London, with store fronts in New Jersey and Manhattan. After three years, she joined Francesco’s company, Perlier which has been around for over 80 years as Italy’s premier manufacturer of beauty treatments. She began to market Perlier’s Bath & Body on QVC with her son, Scipione (now called Skip). At the time, Perlier was the first company of its kind selling high-end bath and body products which were launched in the world of electronic retailing. After five years, Amanda and Skip moved to HSN, where they have been going on the air monthly for the past 25 years.

To date, they are the only mother/son team in electronic retailing. While working with Perlier, Amanda introduced her own private-label jewelry line to HSN, called the Princess Amanda Collection, which she sold on air for four years.

In 2009, Amanda wrote a hardcover coffee table book on flowers titled “Flowers from my Heart.” It is a beautiful book describing the language of flowers, their myths, history, medicinal, astrological, and spiritual aspects. It was a total sell-out on HSN. 4 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Please share with us those things that are most important to you.

I am a person who passionately loves her family, first and foremost. Second, I am a spiritual person who loves and constantly seeks her creator. Third, I am a person who loves her friends, and her life.

I live in constant gratitude for all of the above. I enjoy learning about anything.

What do you attribute the success of Perlier beauty products to?

Our HSN viewers love the fact that Skip and I are always completely transparent. Sometimes we even argue on live TV. Perlier is made up of a team of chemists and professionals who are only focused on using the best of nature and combining it with the best of science. Our labs confirm this through science, clinical studies, and European safety studies.

Tell us about any new products that are on the horizon for Perlier?

We thrive on newness. We can’t reveal too much, but in this year, we will launch at least 20 new products. We recently launched a bath and body line based on one of the rarest honeys in the world, Italian 100% organic cherry blossom honey. The other launch will be an expansion in our #1 skin care line, where we use living royal jelly.

We are one of the few companies in the world to do this. This year we are adding super rare fermented black bee honey. It’s like adding a booster to our best skin care.

What advice would you give to young women looking to start a business?

Make sure you have learned about a business before you go into it or go in with people who have. The best assets you can bring to any business are enthusiasm and energy, a willingness to work long, hard hours, initiative, and a belief in yourself that you can make it no matter what.

How do you enjoy spending your time when you are not working?

I love discovery of any sort. I do that through travel, reading, by trying new things, and being with people from all walks of life. Most people are fascinating if you have the patience to listen to them. You can learn so much. I also enjoy reading palms, taking tap dancing lessons, and horseback riding. I have a permit to carry a handgun and enjoy regular target practice at the gun range. I love hot air balloon rides, especially

over the Masai Mara in Kenya, to watch the migration of the herds.

What do you feel are the keys to the longevity and happiness of your 55year marriage?

I think fate is a good part of it, or what you call what is ‘meant to be.’

I have always believed in that, and in trusting that inner knowledge. I am pretty spiritual, that way. I knew Francesco was the one and he felt the same. Yet, we never even discussed that we both had those particular feelings until many years into our marriage. Respecting the person you marry is also key. Allowing each other the freedom to disagree on any subject and not taking it as a personal betrayal is what we call respecting each other. We do argue over many things, like everyone else. We know that we do not have to agree with each other to love each other. Love transcends our individual opinions.

However, it is also necessary for you to know that we do agree on the basics. That includes love of family and country, loyalty, honesty, gratitude to God, and the need to help others.

I cannot imagine a marriage lasting if you did not agree on the basics.

Another important part of a good and long marriage is having a good sense of humor, especially being able to laugh at yourself. We do that a lot.

Finally, I am known in my family, and on air, for my saying: “Predictability is the kiss of death.” I try to keep life exciting, never letting it, or me, get boring. We both work at that.

What does the word power mean to you?

Francesco and I only knew each other for three weeks before we were married. I remember him saying, “You can get anything you want from me, as long as you never grow hair on your chest!” We have been married 55 years now, and that sentence has always been with me.

Power means being proud to be a woman, and never feeling I have to compete with a man. It is being positive. Also, it is about knowing that I am a woman who tries hard to be the best she can be (in the workplace and in my private life), a woman who admits when she is wrong, and lastly a woman who constantly seeks the truth and is therefore proactive in the community to help promote peace and justice in the world.

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 5

NICHOLE “Niki” N

ichole ‘Niki’ Childers is the director of partnerships for the national nonprofit organization, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). She is responsible for the design, management, and implementation of JAG’s national partnerships for the 1450 communities in its national network. Niki creates employer engagement opportunities with contributing partners with companies such as SHRM, Honeywell, McDonald’s, Regions Bank, and Adecco. Previous projects with JAG included the restructuring of their training and professional development practices and working with C-suite executives who represent JAG’s 40 state affiliates.

Niki has worked in the education and nonprofit sector for the past decade. She started on the front line as a JAG specialist (classroom teacher) and worked her way up to leadership team positions, first with JAG Kansas and now in the national office. Her experience with JAG offered her the opportunity to have many roles including educator, regional director, and state director of training and professional development, before moving into her current role. Niki earned a B.S. in Organizational Management and Leadership and a Masters of Organizational Development, both from Friends University. Her more notable successes include building a training department and designing an infrastructure that improved employee retention and initiated organizational growth.

Additionally, Niki also develops curriculum for Wichita State University. Her course, Cultivating Culture and Inspiring change, debuted in the fall of 2020, when she taught students about today’s work trends and how to create a foundation for organizational culture from a leadership perspective. Among the many projects she has worked on, she is especially proud of the L.O.V.E. Project (Lifting Our Voice for Equality) in conjunction with IHG Hotels and Resorts, which seeks to encourage youth to identify challenges in their community and work collectively to make change.

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Director of Partnerships Jobs for America's Graduates

What attracted you to work in the education and nonprofit sector?

My father works in education and I continually see the impact he is making on the youth in our community. Combining education with the nonprofit sector allowed for me to be a change-agent for those most in need.

Tell us about the JAG Model designed to keep young people in school through graduation.

The JAG Model is student-centric, designed to create a “JAG Advantage” for those we serve.

Our specialists (educators) incorporate project-based and innovative learning, employer engagement, real world experience, and trauma informed care to provide social and emotional support.

What criteria do you use to select students to include in the program?

JAG students are identified by the obstacles they face towards high school graduation and beyond. They could be academic, environmental, psychological, social, or workforce related. Once

JAG identified, students are entered into a JAG program and they begin their pathway to success.

How do you choose companies to become contributing partners?

They often choose us. Our partners believe in our mission and our successes speak for

themselves. JAG currently serves over 76,000 students across 1450 communities. Our partners see the results and they want to be a part of that success.

Have you had any feedback about your course, “Cultivating Culture and Inspiring Change in Organizations” that debuted at Wichita State University in fall 2020?

It may sometimes be hard to tell if students digest the most important concepts. I tried to combat that by using real world scenarios for certain change management and organizational culture lessons. I received great feedback, especially from students currently in leadership roles.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means unusual impact. It’s the humility to learn, combined with the confidence to lead and affect positive change. It takes tenacity, commitment, and outside of the box thinking, but when you become empowered, you always want to do more. jag.org P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 7

Table

OF CONTENTS

Cover Story Giada De Laurentiis: Emmy Award winning TV personality of Food Network, successful restaurateur, author and a lot more.

GIADA 40

Giada’s Favorite Dishes: Paccheri with Mushrooms and Pistachio & Amalfi Lemon Chicken

Cooking with Giada

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Life Hacks to Make Life

68

Easier Dryer sheets, ice cube trays, nail polish, lemon and more!

Meet a Man of Power: LaVar Arrington

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Through Up on Game, LaVar Arrington, NFL linebacker, businessman, entrepreneur and founder of Up on Game prioritizes the empowerment of young athletes.

Women of P.O.W.E.R. Nichole Childers

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Cheryl Lee

Amanda Borghese

34 Holly Perkins

Christine Guarino

Women of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Awards Woman and Mentor of the Year Women of the Month Rising Star & Woman of the Month Women Must Advocate for Themselves

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by Viki Zarkin

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12 14 17 26 32

18 Spring

into Your Most Beautiful Self

by Luciene Salomone

Tonia’s Talk

10

Passion is a strong word . . .

It is a calling that draws us toward it every day and brings us joy.

Regular Features P.O.W.E.R. 23 Publicity Book Corner

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P.O.W.E.R. VIP List

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Empowered Women’s List

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P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 9

TJA PUBLISHING, LLC

PRESIDENT AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tonia DeCosimo VICE PRESIDENT Nicole Crumb DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Syndi Reibman SENIOR EDITOR Susan Koop EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Ellen Gold PUBLIC RELATIONS Alison Swerdloff MEDIA DIRECTOR Jeremy Felber WEB DESIGNER & IT Chris Ziminski CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cris Bell CONTROLLER Maureen Meagher ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Shari Brozinsky Anna Rose Cameron Helene Kaye Sari Meyer Erica Nelson Renee Rosenfeld Susan Russo Jacalyn Winters Professional Organization of Women of Excellence Recognized/P.O.W.E.R. magazine is published quarterly by TJA Publishing, LLC. All biographical information and photographs submitted by members, as well as questions and answers may be altered as necessary to fit our format. While every effort has been made to ensure that information is correct, errors may occur.

There is no guarantee of accuracy, timeliness, and completeness. We are not responsible for other’s opinions or views as expressed herein. P.O.W.E.R. Magazine does not discriminate based upon race, religion, and political views. P.O.W.E.R. magazine does not assume any responsibility for unsolicited materials. Advertisements do not constitute an endorsement of the product or services by P.O.W.E.R. Magazine. Copyright 2021 by P.O.W.E.R. magazine. All rights reserved.

Content may not be reprinted or reproduced without permission from P.O.W.E.R. magazine.

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P

assion is a strong word. It describes an extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for something. It is a calling that draws us toward it every day and brings us joy. The spring issue of P.O.W.E.R. magazine is full of fascinating women who have taken their passions and talents and used them to create their successful careers.

Giada De Laurentiis, our cover girl, has taken her passion for food and cooking and created a multi-faceted empire. To follow her passion, she studied at Le Cordon Bleu. Today, Giada is a chef, caterer, an Emmy-award winning television personality on Food Network, a restauranteur, and cookbook author. She is also the founder of the lifestyle and e-commerce platform, Giadzy.com, which features Italian lifestyle content spanning recipes, travel, entertaining, and Italian pantry products.

Born in America, Amanda Borghese is married to Prince Francesco Borghese of Italy, whose mother was Princess Marcella Borghese. Amanda worked in several careers, including real estate, a successful balloon and exclusive gift store that later franchised, and a Londonbased perfumery. She then joined Francesco’s company, Perlier which has been around for over 80 years as Italy’s premier manufacturer of beauty treatments. It is here where she found her passion for beauty and skincare made from pesticide and insecticide-free land with no animal testing. For over two decades, Amanda has been marketing Perlier’s Bath & Body on QVC with her son, Scipione (now called Skip).

Christine Guarino founded A World of Pink in 2015 with the dream of changing breast aftercare forever. She made it her mission in life to help women everywhere feel beautiful, balanced, and confident again, following all types of breast surgeries. Christine’s passion empowered her to revolutionize prosthetics- so women can feel confident in their clothing and have symmetry for overall health.

Talk

TONIA’S

Dr. Debi Silber’s own traumatic betrayals inspired her to enroll in a Ph.D. program to study the mind, study betrayal, find a way to move forward, and help others do the same. This passion fueled her endeavors to establish the Post Betrayal Transformation Institute. Dr. Silber is a holistic psychologist, a health, mindset, and personal development expert, award-winning speaker, and coach. She is the author of two bestselling books written to help women rebuild their bodies and minds after a life crisis and to learn to trust again after betrayal.

Having a father who works in education and continually seeing the impact he is making on the youth in her community fueled Nichole ‘Niki’ Childers’ passion to combine education with the nonprofit sector to be a change-agent for those most in need. Niki is the director of partnerships for the national nonprofit organization, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). She creates employer engagement opportunities with contributing partners. Her more notable successes include building a training department and designing an infrastructure that improved employee retention and initiated organizational growth.

With 25 years of experience in health, fitness, and nutrition coaching, Holly Perkins was named one of the “Top Trainers to Follow” by Shape magazine.

Holly’s passion is to help women improve their lives through strength training and nutrition. She coined the term ‘trifecta of body transformation,’ which includes progressive resistance strength training, age prescribed cardiovascular training, and a nutritional approach that supports the above. Holly also incorporates principles of mindset and psychology in her work to ensure holistic transformation.

My passion is P.O.W.E.R. magazine and the Professional Organization of Women of Excellence Recognized. Featuring these amazing women and helping them gain the exposure they deserve is what brings me great joy. Learning from them inspires me to continue my efforts to see all women become the best they can be.

Spring is the time for new beginnings. This is the time to define your passion by examining what fuels your soul and determine where your talents lie. Create a plan to pursue your dreams toward the career that will make your heart sing. Reach out to others for guidance and mentoring to help you along the way. P.O.W.E.R. is a wonderful resource and offers many ways to help you reach your goals.

Remember, we are all women of P.O.W.E.R.

Tonia DeCosimo

PRESIDENT AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @Toniadecosimo @power_woe P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 11

Woman

OF DISTINCTION

D

r. Pam Gumbs is the owner and CEO of United Pharmacy, which is a pharmacy providing personalized pharmaceutical services in conjunction with patients’ full medical history for over 20 years in Berkeley, California. Dr. Pam has been in the industry for 40 years, and is currently responsible for operations including hiring, inventory, and customer relations. She provides consultation services on all medications, specializing in asthma and respiratory disorders. She also conducts medication therapy management services for all patients.

In addition to running the pharmacy, Dr. Pam is the consultant pharmacist for the City of Berkeley, president of the Alameda County Pharmacists Association, past president of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists- California Chapter, member of Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International and the Federation of International Pharmacists.

Dr. Pam provides community service for Alameda County regarding substance abuse and youth education.

Dr. Pam obtained a Pharm.D. from the University of California at San Francisco School of Pharmacy in 1975 and completed a Geriatrics Residency at the University of California at San Francisco Geriatric Institute. In her spare time she enjoys golf, reading, writing, sewing, museums, and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

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Dr. Pam Gumbs Owner and CEO United Pharmacy

How did you get started in your field/ industry?

As a child I wanted to be of service to my community. My fields of interest included legal and healthcare. I chose pharmacy because I did not know of any women lawyers. I am grateful for that decision.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

The world tends to pick upon the intellectual human beings. As a Black woman of color, the world appears to pick upon me twice as much for that reason alone.

How do you achieve work/life balance?

Life is 90% attitude. I believe that my work is pretty much a part of my life. I enjoy my work as much as I enjoy my family and friends. I sincerely believe that finding a career that is rewarding to oneself gives one an optimistic view of life.

What do you do to escape and recharge, even for a few hours?

My escape and/or recharge button began as a child when my mother asked me to just sit down and read a good book.

Even today, picking up a journal, book, or even a good continuing education article tends to put that smile back on my face. I am once again ready for the challenge now before me.

What advice has helped you get to the next level?

The golden rule has been my template for life and living: Do unto others as you wish others to do unto you.

What book is on your bedside table right now and why?

My younger brother gave me “The Expositor’s New Testament” to read as a guide upon reading and interpreting Bible verses. During challenging times, one often misinterprets events based upon attitude. An overview of the situation might show two opposing viewpoints. When the positive is challenged, one can seek another unbiased viewpoint from this book.

What does empowerment mean to you?

I often liken the world of pharmacy to the term “cutless surgery.” Whom does the community patient come to regarding the correction of a physical or psychological occurrence but the pharmacist, who through their knowledge of clinical pharmacy can offer the proper referral or medication to correct these things without actually entering the amazing human body?

I sincerely believe that knowledge is empowerment. The knowledge of dispensing the proper medication to the right patient for the right disease state and the patient’s compliance with a medication regimen is empowering.

Teamwork among the provider, the pharmacist, the nurse, the dentist, and the patient is essential. www.consultingwithdrpam.com

President, Co-Owner Knapp Sisters Rental, Ltd. Knapp Sisters Cattle Company D&S Investments

Darcy Knapp-Fricks

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arcy Knapp-Fricks serves in a variety of industries including real estate, investments, cattle production, ranching and self-storage. She is the President and Co-Owner of Knapp Sisters Rental, Ltd., started with her sister, Shelly Knapp, in 1999, which specializes in land rentals. They also own Knapp Sisters Cattle Company which focuses on cattle production and ranching and D&S Investments. Darcy is responsible for land rentals, agricultural and ranch management.

She provides, maintains and manages rental properties and real estate.

In addition, Darcy and Shelly own The Knapp Sisters Self Storage which consists of five self-storage building facilities. The self-storage facility is a AAA business which consists of five self-storage buildings, with the largest of the five being climate controlled.

They are open 7 days a week. Their business was rated the #1 U-Haul dealer in the State of Texas and #3 U-Haul dealer in the U.S. Darcy and her sister are members of the Texas Self Storage Association, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the Arlington Historical Society, the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau. Darcy attended the University of Texas at Arlington and Texas Wesleyan University. She was featured in an article regarding her family donating land to make a

Distinction

WOMAN OF

historical park. In her spare time, she enjoys time spent on her ranch in South Texas and travel.

Darcy’s advice to others is to always go with your gut feeling; it will not steer you wrong. There is nothing too big or too small for you to accomplish. If you believe in yourself and whatever your plans are, you can be successful. She feels strongly that you should never let anyone take your dreams away from you. When she got the idea to build the self-storage facility, she had made up her mind that it was going to be different from others. Even though she knew nothing about the storage business until then, Darcy listened to her gut that told her to go with it, and it has been a success. www.knappsistersselfstorage.com P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 13

Lifetime

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Rumpa Amornmarn, M.D. Radiation Oncologist | Vice President, Osceola Cancer Center President, Artesan, LLC apy using high energy linear accelerator

R

umpa Amornmarn, M.D., is a radiation oncologist (using ionized radiation to treat cancer). She is the vice president of the Osceola Cancer Center and president of Artesan, LLC. Dr. Amornmarn is also an associate professor of radiation oncology at the University of Central Florida. Her medical journey began with a scholarship for the top 10% in premedical at the Faculty of Science of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

She graduated in the top three in her class from Siriraj Medical School, Mahidol University in 1971, and received awards in pediatrics and pathology.

From July of 1977 through January of 1981, Dr. Amornmarn was on the staff of the VA East Orange, New Jersey and served as an assistant professor of radiology at New Jersey Medical School.

She moved to Maryland in 1981 after marriage and served as an assistant professor of radiation oncology at the University of Maryland, specializing in head-neck cancer and brachytherapy. In 1983, she joined the University Medical

Center in Jacksonville, Florida, treating all tumors above the umbilicus including breast, lung, head and neck cancer, and brain tumors. Dr. Amornmarn served as a tenured associate professor of radiation oncology at the University of Florida.

For over 15 years, she oversaw several basic research studies (growing tumor cell and studying molecular structure of tumor) in glioblastoma multiforme and ovarian cancer, and published many scientific articles related to these subjects, while presenting at national meetings.

In 1999, Dr. Amornmarn joined a group of medical oncologists to form a new free-standing cancer center in Kissimmee, Florida. This group gave her the opportunity to set up a new center from the ground up with modern equipment and advanced new technologies to treat cancer patients. Osceola Cancer Center (OCC) offers external beam ther-

to treat all types of cancer with conventional treatments, IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy), IGRT (Image Guided Radiation therapy) using 6D BrainLAB system, SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery) for single or multiple brain metastasis, SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy) for small primary tumor or metastasis in lung, liver, bone or adrenal glands, APBR (accelerated partial breast irradiation) for lumpectomy and finding early breast cancer. CT and PET scans are available for diagnostic and treatment planning for patients. Patients who needs chemotherapy are able to get both treatments at the center.

Dr. Amornmarn is board certified by the American Board of Radiology and is a member of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the American College of Radiology, the Florida Radiological Society, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, The Johns Hopkins Medical and Surgical Society, The Johns Hopkins Medical Alumni Association, and the Radio-surgery Society.

She is on the medical staff at Osceola Medical Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

Among many awards, Dr. Amornmarn was listed in The Best Doctors in America (first edition), Who’s Who in America, and The Dictionary of International Biography XVII. She was recently named the Patient Preferred Physician representing Radiation Oncology in Florida for 2020.

How did you get started in your field/industry?

After completing medical school in Thailand to fulfill my dad’s wishes, I moved to the U.S. to avoid entanglement with the Vietnam War. After my internship, the internal medicine program was suspended a month before it started. Fortunately, I learned about an opening for a resident in radiation oncology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. I interviewed, got the position, and began my career there.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

It’s a misconception that women aren’t serious about their careers and can’t perform as well as men, especially if they are good looking. www.osceolacancercenter.com

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Women Must Adocate for Themselves

Award

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

By Viki Zarkin

H

appy new year everyone. I hope 2021 is a better year for us all. In the spirit of the new year, I have a proposition for everyone. My new program for this year is twofold. First, I encourage women to ask questions and follow their own instincts when it comes to their health. Too many women follow whatever a doctor says (even though they know their symptoms may differ or follow the path of another) just because they were raised to do so. We need to stand up and listen to our own bodies, because if we don’t, we are in danger of losing ourselves to all sorts of illnesses.

I believe if we can communicate our true concerns, we can find less invasive answers. By simply communicating, we can get to the root of the problem before it becomes a much larger problem. Speaking out about our bodies and how we are feeling will empower us to be advocates of our own medical treatment and therefore our outcomes. I am in no way ruling out the importance of your medical professionals’ opinions. I wouldn’t be here today without them. All I am saying is I also wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t fought for myself.

Doctors should teach their patients to listen to their bodies. A patient may never have been encouraged to do so before, and it is the doctor’s responsibility to teach that patient to do so. However, that may just be my opinion. I believe it is essential to women’s personal care. Not all women get to have an equal education, and obviously, all women don’t have the same upbringing, so the importance of

having confidence in their bodies was not always taught. This is because most mothers weren’t taught that in earlier generations. Women from all different races and classes are treated differently. It is up to our generation to break that cycle and raise our daughters with strength of self. We must set the example by standing up for our own health and being our own advocates. Lastly, our doctors themselves need to listen to patients more. If doctors took five minutes at the beginning of the examination and listened before diagnosing their patients, insurance companies could save millions. Lots of pill popping could be avoided. Less women would die.

So, to sum this all up, I suggest we follow our instincts, listen to our bodies, and be our best advocates. Teach our doctors to help women be their own best advocates. Encourage doctors to be better listeners to their patients so we can be proactive and treat first with preventive medicine instead of the reactive and expensive medicine that is being used today. If this practice were followed, many women wouldn’t die of cancers and other diseases that could have been treated earlier and more easily.

As we recover from a year of a disease-ridden pandemic and a lot of negativity, I hope we can remain positive and be stronger. We are strong when we band together. We can do this one woman at a time. Tell your doctors, your friends, your neighbors- just tell everyone. Be strong. Be confident.

Advocate for yourself and other women. Believe and trust your instincts and body. iamtheone.com P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 15

Lifetime

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dianne L. Bird

Administrative Assistant, Retired McMaster University - Hamilton

D

ianne L. Bird is a retired administrative assistant. She spent over 30 years with McMaster University of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. While with the university, she provided administration and general support to the University Advancement Office, the president and to the six faculties. She also arranged dinners and meetings internationally to promote the University. Currently, Dianne is active with a local senior center. She is a member of the McMaster University Retirees Association. Through this association, she actively liaises with other retirees. In her retirement, Dianne enjoys reading, is a member of several book clubs, enjoys yoga, volunteering for animal rescue, helping children with special needs, and senior wellness.

How did you get started in your field/industry?

When I was going back to work, I decided to start with Kelly Services.

This gave me a good variety of jobs and an idea of what was out there. I had about six different jobs. Each was different and gave me more experience in my field. Then I applied for and got the job at McMaster.

The university was perfect for me.

My areas of expertise were teaching hospital and university advancement.

University advancement covered the whole of the university regarding raising funds for areas that were desperately in need. Before I retired, I had raised $4,500,000.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

It was challenging telling your boss that you were willing to do new challenges and learn new things. The obstacles were that if you didn’t have a degree, it was thought that you didn’t have the ability to take over the more challenging portfolios. Experience at the university wasn’t a plus; you really had to push your way up front to get the opportunity.

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What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

It’s challenging trying to show that we are quite capable of making decisions and making new ideas come to fruition. It is harder to get the jobs that women can do and do well.

They really have to put themselves out there.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

It means acknowledging all the struggles that women have to go through in order to prove themselves worthy of their jobs and the fact that they are very talented and knowledgeable. They must prove themselves to the powers that be and be recognized by their peers. Empowerment is when you have reached the goals that you have set out to accomplish.

What do you do to escape and recharge, even for a few hours?

When I was working, I would grab some tea and sit in the rose garden in the summer, take in the birds, the fragrance of the roses, and the peacefulness. In the winter, there is a little nook on the second floor that is very quiet and relaxing. In the summer, I now retreat to my gazebo; in the winter I relax in our living room. Both areas are quiet and are good places to read and relax.

What book is on your bedside table right now and why?

Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. Since I have joined book clubs, there are different books every month. The challenge is to figure out what the author is telling you, whether you like the book or not, and the reason why. I am now reading “The Litigators” by John Grisham, which is a murder mystery, and as the title suggests, lawyers are involved. This book is being very challenging for me. Usually I have figured out who the murderer is before I have finished the book. This one will be different. www.mcmaster.ca

Woman

MENTOR OF THE

Chimene M. Van Gundy Real Estate Investor and Entrepreneur Outstanding Real Estate Solutions, Inc. and Mobile Home Millions, LLC

Year

OF THE YEAR

C

himene Van Gundy is a real estate investor and entrepreneur with Outstanding Real Estate Solutions, Inc. and Mobile Home Millions, LLC, who invests in mobile homes and mobile home parks which provide affordable housing to people across the U.S. After completing her B.A. magna cum laude in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2006, she worked multiple jobs in the corporate world and served as the lead paralegal for several different law firms. After being laid off in 2015, Chimene decided that rather than working for another corporation she would be her own boss. She read the novel “Rich Dad Poor Dad” which became a wakeup call for her and changed her life. Having spent time in and out of the foster care system, no one taught her about money, credit, or budgets. So, after hearing her husband say, “I believe in you,” she took some real estate education classes, found a mentor and the rest is history.

A true entrepreneur, Chimene ness what others’ opinions are of me. runs and manages five different I will continue to always pursue my companies. She is known as the dreams.

“The Mobile Home Millionaire” and How did you get started in selling “Queen of Mobile Homes” because mobile homes? she has fixed, flipped, and wholesaled When I entered the real estate more than 500 units to date, all in game in 2015, I realized there was four years. She does business in 11 a ton of competition. I also discovstates and has taken her business ered it was very much a man’s world. international as well, rehabbing Then, I bought my first mobile home mobile homes in Ireland where they after attending a tax sale and bidding are called “holiday homes.” She is on a mobile home that all the other a member of W.R.E.N. Chimene investors thumbed their nose at. serves as a featured writer for Think They literally called mobile homes Realty magazine, where she educates “trailer trash.” Mobile home deals others on the mobile home asset kept falling into my lap and I realized class. In her spare time, she enjoys that no one was in that space. I spending time with her five children, seized the opportunity to stake my horseback riding, dancing, musicals, flag in this space as a leader. I have ballet, theater, and animals. never looked back.

What advice would you give your What gave you the idea to branch younger self? out to Ireland to sell mobile homes?

To not worry about what other I was on my dream vacation with people think. It is none of my busimy husband in Ireland when I made

him stop so I could see this mobile home lot. I couldn’t believe they had them there. I crawled underneath one so I could see if there was any difference between theirs and ours in the U.S. In Ireland they call them “holiday homes.” I met with the manager and he was very impressed with my knowledge level. That led to a joint venture with the company there. I have been working in Europe ever since. Even while vacationing I was open to opportunity.

What does the word power mean to you?

It means I am in control of my own destiny and make the life I create. My life has become amazing and I am so grateful this point in my life.

I can do what I want when I want to.

Life is precious, so you should always show up and create the life of your dreams because no one else will. www.mobilehomemillions.com P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 17

Spring into Your Most Beautiful Self A

s the warmer weather approaches, we want to begin to prep ourselves to feel our most beautiful. Working out to shed a few winter pounds or buying some updated wardrobe pieces are usually at the top of the list, but don’t forget about upgrading your beauty routine to look and feel your springtime best.

The first thing I recommend is spring cleaning your beauty arsenal.

Go through your medicine cabinet and makeup drawer to rid yourself of old, outdated products, or products you no long use. Just like a clothing wardrobe, our beauty wardrobe begins to accumulate, and we often have more than we need or keep things we just don’t use. Make a wish list of the products that will be right for your springtime skin. Remember you don’t need a lot, just the most efficacious products that will help you look and feel your best.

Skin: It’s not just about your face but your whole body. As we age, we begin to lose hydration and moisture. That trusted one-step moisturizer isn’t enough. Your skincare ritual for both your body and face should include exfoliating dead skin and using both an anti-aging serum and moisturizers rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids. My facial ritual is all Josie Maran, starting with the Exfoliating Powder Cleanser,

by Luciene Salomone

Senior Education Advisor, QVC On-Air Guest Josie Maran Cosmetics Milk Serum, Argan Oil Face Butter, and Argan Oil Light. My body gets the classic Sugar Scrub, Milk Body Serum and Body Butter.

Hair: Nothing feels better than a fresh cut and color. Have fun and ask your stylist what they think might be a nice change. Go shorter, get bangs, or reshape your current style. For color, try going lighter with highlights that compliment your skin tone. Don’t forget to care for your hair at home with sulfate free shampoos and conditioners, and a weekly hair mask or oil treatments.

I treat my dull split ends with a hair mask of Josie Maran Body Butter. It leaves my hair as silky as my body.

Make Up: This season is all about dewy skin and minimal makeup. The easiest way to freshen up your look is to change your lipstick.

Lighter, brighter, or glossier all work.

Even though we are still wearing our masks and our eyes are the focus, use less of the darker smokey shades and more goddess glow of gold and shimmer. I use all Josie Maran starting with Protect and Perfect Radiance SPF 47 to not only protect my skin, but to also give overall light even coverage. I follow with light color for my cheeks and eyelids using color sticks and finish it off with couple of swipes of Black Oil Mascara for long lashes.

Nails: My first move at the change of season is to change nail lacquer. Spring means the dark reds and deep burgundies are done. Bring in the soft pastels and pops of bright candy apple reds and poppy orange.

It also means giving extra care to feet and hands. Even if you get regular manicures and pedicures, don’t forget to regularly exfoliate and moisturize your feet and hands. I love our new Josie Maran Milk for Hands which is specially formulated to leave even the roughest skin soft and smooth. It’s great for cuticles too.

Luciene is the senior education advisor and QVC on-air guest for Josie Maran Cosmetics. She is a wellknown beauty and lifestyle expert, and has been seen on FOX, WeTV, as well as in print outlets from The New York Times, Daily News, Glam¬our, and many more. In addition to being an expert in the beauty industry, her taste encapsulates the true essence of any celebrated life event with her impeccably detailed eye for style.

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LOIS ROBBINS Actress, Playwright

A

ctress and Playwright Lois Robbins recently launched her own Instagram live show titled The Lo Down. With a collective reach of over 100K viewers per episode, The Lo Down is attracting the most incredible and influential talent including Kristin Chenoweth, Penelope Ann Miller, Kelly Rutherford, Elisabeth Rohm, Medium John Edward, and more. Lois has an amazing list of credits in TV and film. In 2019, she completed her one-woman off-Broadway play L.O.V.E.R, at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre in New York City.

Lois Robbins is a native New Yorker and an accomplished actress. She was in the independent film “The Aspern Papers,” alongside Vanessa Redgrave, Jolie Richardson, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Best known for her roles on daytime television including “One Life to Live,” “Loving,” “Ryan’s Hope,” and “All My Children,” she recently played the recurring role of art collector Penelope in the fifth season of the hit TV Land series “Younger.”

Notable television credits include guest roles in “Sex and the City,” “Law & Order,” “Kingpin,” “Once and Again,” “Law & Order SVU” and “Blue Bloods.” Lois places a high importance on philanthropic work. She is actively involved with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) founded by the late Evelyn Lauder, the Plastic Pollution Coalition, Alzheimer’s Drug Foundation, and the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.

Photo: Anna Gunselmam

What inspired you to go into acting?

I was inspired by a school play at the age of five. As the youngest of four girls, I learned quickly that the best way to get any attention was to be on stage. I heard the applause, and I was hooked.

What promoted you to write and star in your one-woman off-Broadway play L.O.V.E.R? I was inspired by a psychic who told me a book I had started writing wasn’t a book, it was a play. And, if I wrote it as such, it was a game changer. After that reading, the play poured out of me. Crazy but true!

Being involved in multiple charitable organizations, why is philanthropy important to you?

Philanthropy is in my DNA. My

parents were very charitable people who emphasized all through my childhood the importance of giving back.

Is there something you haven’t accomplished yet that you still want to do?

I’d like to have a regular role on a series.

What is the best $100 you recently spent and why?

Due to COVID-19 and being unable to go to the dentist for regular cleanings, my Oral B electric toothbrush has been a life saver.

What does the word power mean to you?

Power means knowing yourself, having the courage of your convictions and not apologizing for either of those things.

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 19

CherylC Lee

CEO and Founder RocaBella Brands

heryl Lee is the CEO and founder of RocaBella Brands, which is dedicated to fallen first responders’ widows and children.

She is the widow of Jersey City Fire Department 911 first responder, Captain Mark V. Lee Sr., who passed away on May 9th, 2014, as a result of a 9/11 related illness. Cheryl founded the company in honor of his 30-year legacy, dedication to helping his community, and giving back to those less fortunate. She made it her mission to create a brand that symbolizes the love of family, and the value and importance of selflessness. RocaBella Brands represents both the emotional and physical strength of first responders and the limitless hours of time volunteered on a daily basis.

Raised in Jersey City, Cheryl is a devoted mother of three and a proud grandmother. She has dedicated her entire life to volunteering, especially when children were involved. After the death of her husband, she and her son Mark Lee Jr. took over the Jersey City Fire Department’s Children’s Christmas Drive that Mark Sr. ran for 29 years. To date, they are proud to say that the drive has supported over 8,000 children.

Cheryl has made it a point to raise her family with compassion in their hearts and selflessness with their time.

RocaBella Vodka represents what Cheryl has instilled in her family.

Portions of the proceeds go to her foundation, RocaBella Gives. This charitable organization is dedicated to building a better tomorrow for women and children.

Cheryl is currently in the process of scheduling a charity events campaign. She is working with her team to develop projects for special needs and terminally ill children as well. She is generous in her donations and makes sure they reach the proper donor.

RocaBella Vodka is the brand’s signature and original vodka that is made in the USA. The vodka is made with three natural flavors in one bottle: coconut, mango, and pineapple. Served simply chilled or in your favorite drink, it will entice your palate and transport you to a tropical paradise. Their vodka is six times distilled and gluten free. RocaBella Vodka is one of a kind.

20 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

What made you choose vodka as the product to represent the legacy of your husband?

Prior to Mark’s death, when we would socialize and entertain company, I would make my own vodka concoctions. Mark and I were known for having the most happening summer BBQ parties in Jersey City. It became our family tradition to bring the flavored party drinks everywhere we went. When looking for a product to share in honor of Mark’s selflessness as a first responder as well as his legacy of giving to children, and likewise to generate funds to support widows and families of first responders, it just seemed natural to build upon the vodka we already created and shared for decades.

How is Rocabella different form other vodkas on the market?

It is smooth tasking vodka, and the only triple flavored vodka on the market in the world today. It is a vodka with all-natural flavors, gluten free, made with 100% corn and distilled six times, which can be described as pure taste of elegance.

It is produced at Citrus Distillers in Jacksonville, Florida. The bottle itself is a dedication to the lives of both my husband, Captain Mark V Lee, and Captain James Woods, who both gave their lives in the line of duty for the Jersey City Fire Department.

The bottle won two Communicator Awards for Design Features and for bottle design, and product launch with a Latin-to-Latin marketing company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The vodka is currently up for several tasting awards for 2020-2021.

What is Rocabella’s mission?

RocaBella Brand’s mission is to create a unique brand that is dedicated to providing funds to support women and children of fallen first responders and to expand the product line offerings that will help fund the RocaBella Gives Foundation.

This foundation is a national non-

profit dedicated to building a better foundation for children via activities that support those with special needs, children with cancer, and educational institutions to inspire confidence building, and positive growth. The volunteer work and financial support will also assist communities’ activities such as toy drives, after-school educational programs, and more.

What other products are on the horizon for RocaBella Brands?

Currently, our pipeline of alcohol products includes a non-flavored vodka, a flavored bourbon, and flavored seltzer drinks. Other products sold on our online store will include organic teas, a clothing line, and accessories.

As a lifelong volunteer, why have you focused on charities involving young children?

Growing up in an inner city, I saw firsthand that not all children had a loving, caring, and financially supportive family like me. Both of my parents set an example for me, as they would donate to families in need, especially around the holidays.

When Mark and I met, we shared the same sense of duty to help those less fortunate than us. For example,

in our neighborhood, Mark would buy all the children ice cream on payday. Growing up less fortunate gave him a sense of charity. When he became a firefighter in 1985, he took over the fire department’s toy drive after the retirement of Chief Burns.

Donations were accepted from each fire house and distributed throughout the city. Over the years, the toy drive grew bigger and bigger. Mark’s motto was “no child should wake up on Christmas morning without a present under their tree.” When Mark passed in 2014, over 1,200 children in Jersey City received toys, food, and/or gift cards.

Each year, more and more firefighters, corporate organizations, community leaders, and others increased donations to the toy drive, which my son and I have continued in honor of Mark Sr.’s legacy. The event took on a new form. Firefighters and their families come together each year for a wrapping event where pure love and support for the children of Jersey City is provided. I am proud to say that in December of 2019, the newly named Captain Mark V. Lee Fund provided toys to over 8,000 children in Jersey City, and in hospitals and organizations in New Jersey. In order to further Mark’s legacy as a 911 first responder, I am honored to expand upon his legacy, and did so in creating the RocaBella Gives Foundation. This will empower me to support more children worldwide.

What does the word power mean to you?

The word power means a force turned on with the ability of strength and ambition. Power is productive; it helps one to be confident, optimistic, and mentally strong. The successful, positive, fearless women that make a difference are powerful!

Rocabellabrands.com RocaBellagives.org

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 21

P.O.W.E.R.

PUBLICITY

I

f you are interested in being interviewed to get your story on social media, consider an in-person interview, podcast, press release, video, or possibly a Times Square Reuters billboard display through P.O.W.E.R. We can help get you the additional exposure you deserve to take your career to the next level.

P.O.W.E.R. TALK TV Set up your in-person interview through P.O.W.E.R. Talk TV. Allow others the opportunity to visually get to know you and your business.

P.O.W.E.R. TALK RADIO Our podcasts are pre-recorded audio interviews which give our members the opportunity to convey a message or story. This is a great way to increase your exposure and market reach.

TIMES SQUARE PHOTO RECOGNITION Your photo, name, and company name are displayed on the famous Reuters billboard in Times Square, NYC. Times Square is considered the busiest area in Manhattan with approximately 330,000 people passing through daily, many of them tourists. Over 460,000 pedestrians walk through Times Square on its busiest days. It is also the hub of the Broadway Theater District and the world’s entertainment industry. It is one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million visitors annually. This is a great way to attract attention and high visibility for yourself and your company.

PRESS RELEASE A press release is a written public announcement covering your personal and business accomplishments designed to enhance your exposure and market reach. This newsworthy communication is distributed to radio, television, broadcast, journalists, and social media sites.

This release can include your photo or company logo as well as a hyperlink to your company website so readers can instantly learn about who you are and what your company offers.

For further information, call us at (516) 365-3222 Ext. 209 or (631) 393-6760 Email us at info@powerwoe.com Visit us at: www.powerwoe.com Follow us on social media FB: @POWERWOE Twitter: @powerwoe Instagram: @power_woe P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 23

VICTORIA WIECK COLLECTION

World-renowned jewelry designer Victoria Wieck brings decades of experience and a unique multicultural perspective to every piece. Handcrafted from the finest materials by expert jewelers, the entire collection is a reflection of Victoria’s passion for creating versatile yet timeless jewelry and watches for the modern woman.

WWW.VICTORIA WIECK.COM www.shophq.com/b/jewelry/victoria-wieck-collection

Dr. Mary J. Gallant Sociology Faculty Rowan University

M

ary J. Gallant is an associate professor of Sociology at Rowan University since 1992.

She teaches classical social theory in the core of the sociology major. From 20072012 she served as chair of Sociology and from 2013-2015 as chair of the combined department of Sociology and Anthropology. Dr. Gallant earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Minnesota in 1985.

Dr. Gallant’s research in the professions and social network analysis updates earlier research on medical school socialization. In 2013, she wrote her first book in this area, “Friendship Networks in Medical School: A Network Analytic Approach to the Study of Social Solidarity.” In 2018, she prepared for new research with an article under review in one of sociology’s mainstream journals.

The focus now is on the role of social support from medical student social networks. This research is expected to confirm our knowledge of the importance of informal relationships to medical student success.

In the second part of her research agenda on Holocaust and genocide, Dr. Gallant continues to focus on conflict worldwide and the role of international relations in law and world trade in the aftermath of conflagration. The Holocaust was a turning point in the lives of millions of European Jews and in the post-Holocaust years vitalizes helpful intervention to end genocide. In 2002, Dr. Gallant published her first book in this area, “Coming of Age in the Holocaust: The Last Survivors Remember” and is working on a new edition and will prepare presentations for two international conferences, the first on tikkun olam in the aftermath of the 1990s genocide in the former Yugoslavia and the other on the present human rights approach to genocide and healing.

How did you get started in your field/ industry?

My mentor, Dr. Robert W. Habenstein, famously helped some of our leading sociologists get their careers underway. My undergraduate work received high praise and I completed a Masters with a fellowship in the area of family, kinship and community in the North Atlantic. His own training at the University of Chicago connected me to his colleague Dr. Gregory Prentiss Stone, and after Dr. Stone’s untimely death, Dr. Joseph J. Galaskiewicz, --both were then at the University of Minnesota where I completed my PhD. What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

Throughout my career I have been aware that women are up against a different pattern of irrationalities of prejudice and detraction, envy and hatred than male colleagues. Gender scripts that guide our lives in many areas still need to be fine-tuned to make career paths smooth. In the worst of times, finding surprising alliances were as important as self-discipline and critical self-examination to gaining the higher ground.

What is some advice that has helped you juggle your career and family life successfully?

Stay organized. Learn to laugh and love life together. Always encourage the best in everyone with whom you work.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

Women have overcome a lack of social support in career goals and follow-through. Often, having a supportive social and fiscal infrastructure for career goals is out of their reach.

What advice would you give to women starting out in your industry?

Integrity and ethics matter. Respecting the dignity of the other is very important and as an academic, I teach this to my students. Especially when the going gets tough, keep a realistic sense of humor, an ability to think clearly and strategically, and, carry a great vocabulary!

Name one outstanding quality that you think people should know about you or remember you by.

Hope and hard work. Miracles happen; be ready when they come. academics.rowan.edu/chss/departments/sociology/facultystaff/marygallant.html

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 25

Women J

OF THE MONTH

Sami L. McDermott

Insurance Agent | The Clint McLain Agency

S

ami L. McDermott is an insurance agent with The Clint McLain Agency. She attended college. Sami is responsible for selling life insurance to businesses, supervising other agents, and training new agents. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and painting. www.globelifelibertynational.com

Jennifer Lynn Myers

ennifer Lynn Myers is a bookkeeper and accountant with Baseball USA Events, LLC DBA: Travel Sports Baseball. She has eight years’ experience and oversees the company’s finances.

She is responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, tax accounting, and bookkeeping. Jennifer earned an A.A.S. in Accounting from Everest College in 2012. In her spare time, she enjoys travel and being with her family.

How did you get started in your field/ industry?

I had three small children, and the economy had crashed. I had just graduated with a diploma in insurance billing and coding, and my husband was starting Travel Sports Baseball. No one was hiring someone who was just

Bookkeeper and Accountant Baseball USA Events, LLC DBA: Travel Sports Baseball challenges that women face today? a coder, so I We are expected to be all things went back to at work and home. At home, we are school to get supposed to be the perfect mom and wife my accountand keep a perfect house. At work, we ing degree. must be the perfect professional and nevWhat are er show any sign that there is anything some of stressful or emotional bothering us. If the biggest we do, it seems to be a sign of weakness. challenges/ What does the word empowerment obstacles you mean to you? faced in your To me empowerment is God. When career? you place your faith in the almighty, My biggest challenges were my age and trying to raise a family while starting all things are possible. My husband, a new career. I was in my mid 30’s when Donald Myers (NCS and TSB partner) also empowers me. He has always shown I made the career change. I hadn’t been faith in all I do. in school for nearly 20 years when I www.travelsportsbaseball.com decided to change careers.

What do you feel are some of the biggest

Donna A. Horton

D

Licensed Cemetarian | Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens

onna A. Horton is the owner of Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens of Port Republic, Maryland, and has spent her entire life in the funeral industry. A native of Washington, Donna was raised in the mortuary business. Her father was a funeral director and he and her mother built their own business, Horton’s Funeral Home, in Washington, DC. A Registered Cemetarian, Donna is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the cemetery, the maintenance and upkeep of the facility and grounds, liaising with and assisting families with preparations and burial services. She received a Certificate of Achievement in Land Management and Grounds Operation from I.C.C.F.A. and is on the advisory board of the University of the District of Columbia Mortuary Science program. Donna is a member of the board of directors for Horton’s Funeral Home. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family.

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How did you get started in your field/industry?

My parents, R.N. Horton, and Julia Horton started R.N. Horton Company Morticians Inc. (Horton’s Funeral Home) located in Washington, D.C. in 1936. At the age of 16, I started driving the hearse for funerals. At 20, I had moved on to doing office work and serving as a bookkeeper. I was not interested in embalming, so I settled on just being the records/bookkeeper for the company. In early 2019 my brother was notified about a cemetery that was up for sale, which we then purchased, and I finally found my niche. It felt like that was where I belonged, so I became a Licensed Cemetarian.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment is the ability to refine gender roles.

It’s being able to walk into a room full of people who want to know the key to your success not because you are a woman but because you own a successful business. www.chesapeakehighlands.com

Sherry Bell

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herry Bell is the owner of Just Five Drops CBD. She is responsible for overseeing the operations and marketing of the e-commerce and multi-level marketing company. She attends vendor/ craft shows and educates people regarding the use of CBD products. She sells CBD oil and related products including gummy products, creams, and coffee.

Just Five Drops CBD offers CBD oils in 500mg, 750mg, and 1500mg, with or without THC, in six flavors. They have a 450mg Broad Spectrum CBD gummy, and they sell icy relief cream, moisturizers that are infused with CBD, coffee with CBD, and chaga mushrooms. They carry hair and skincare products and offer MANTRA Essential Oils, Aroma therapy sprays and diffusers. Sherry received a

Owner | Just Five Drops CBD B.A. in Communications from the University of Denver in 2001. She and her staff consistently train on new products. In addition to educating their customers, they provide third party lab testing that provides a certificate showing exactly where the hemp plants were grown, the actual plot of land, and exactly what is in the tincture a customer has in their hands.

Sherry is a member of Success Team for Affiliates, Women in Business, Women Rocking Business, Team Synergy, and Hope in Drops. She has won many customer service awards. In her spare time, Sherry enjoys cruising with her husband.

Betty A. Ainslie

B

etty A. Ainslie has been the CEO of Essential Oil with Betty for five years. She educates her clients about the supplemental health benefits of using essential oils and sells essential oils. Betty has 48 years’ experience in nursing.

She earned an L.P.N. from SUNY Oneonta in 1974. She specializes in CPR, first aid and holistic health. In her spare time Betty enjoys being with her grandchildren and travel.

How did you get started in your field/ industry?

I have been a caregiver since I was a young child. I took care of my grandma as a preteen because there was no home

CEO | Essential Oil with Betty health available. Having the desire for people to survive and do well after surgery led me to become an ICU/CCU trauma nurse. After the birth of my two sons, I helped other moms succeed in breastfeeding, parenting, and I eventually began teaching CPR. Today I’ve added essential oils as a natural alternative to promote good health.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

To get people to understand that they have self-worth, the right to an opinion, should own what they work hard for, be proud of themselves, and to learn all that they can. People need to have pride in

Kaylon Fussell Rodriguez

K

How did you get started in your field/industry?

I researched the product and was intrigued. Surprisingly, my neighbor approached me to sell it to me. She told me that the product does not get you high. Initially I was looking to simply improve my health.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

Challenges were balancing the new business with the needs of our trucking business, fighting the stigma associated with a cannabis product, customer objections about drug testing, and dealing with law enforcement’s prejudices. justfivedrops.com

aylon Fussell Rodriguez is the president of Cattleman’s Feed & Ranch Supply Inc., a family owned business which provides feed, tack, and agricultural supplies to the local agricultural and farming community in Polk City, Florida. Kaylon earned an A.A. in Accounting from Polk Community College in 2007. She has been in the industry for over 20 years and is responsible for

their accomplishments. I encourage people to ask questions, question the actions of others, and understand that cheap is not always the best solution when your health is involved.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

To stand up for themselves, be proud of themselves, and know that they have self-worth. Never stop learning and demand respect. Women can be successful and run their own businesses.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means to enable a person who is feeling poor, defeated, and deflated that they can feel good about themselves.

President | Cattleman’s Feed & Ranch Supply Inc.

overseeing the daily operations of the store, payroll, hiring and firing, and staff training.

Additionally, Kaylon is responsible for running the family’s beef, cattle, and horse farm as well as breeding horses. She is a member of the National Federation of Independent Business Owners. In her spare time, Kaylon enjoys barrel racing, breeding horses, and being with her family.

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 27

Anna Pugh

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nna Pugh is the owner of TransFURmations Grooming Salon. A professional pet groomer, she has been in the industry for almost 25 years. Anna worked part time at a grooming salon as a receptionist while attending college. During that time, she would help bathe and dry dogs in addition to her duties. Although she was studying chemistry in college, Anna realized that she enjoyed grooming pets much more than her studies, so she learned how to groom pets and dogs from Connie Timmerman, now her mentor.

Edie S. Brown

E

die S. Brown is the owner of Evelynlene’s Closet, which sells gently used and recycled clothing. Edie earned a B.A. from Sanford-Brown College. She is responsible for the operations, management, marketing, advertising, financial aspects, and administration of the business. She ensures that all apparel is washed and steamed before putting it up for sale. She sews patches on jackets and other items as needed. Previously, Edie taught sewing classes. She is also a broker and sells residential properties. In her spare time, Edie enjoys cross country skiing and kayaking.

How did you get started in your field/industry?

My mom taught me to sew doll

Owner, Groomer | TransFURmations Grooming Salon In addition to basic grooming skills, learning how to read a dog, including their temperament, personality, what they are feeling, and what they’re thinking, took a long time. However, Anna has a great deal of patience.

Over the years, she has learned how to work with some difficult dogs and made them feel more comfortable and at ease. Regardless of how skilled you are, grooming dogs does have its highs and lows. Five years into grooming, she was bit on the

Owner | Evelynlene’s Closet clothes by hand when I was a child. I began using her sewing machine then. Sewing is my first love. I worked in different capacities in the clothing industry including sample maker, power machine operator, and also did custom sewing.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

Some obstacles are time and time management, trying to get everything done in a timely manner, and getting dependable help when you need it.

People say they will come help you set up your business, but if their heart

Elizabeth A. Groover

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lizabeth A. Groover is the owner of SageThyme Solutions, LLC. The company’s objective is to identify individual and organizational barriers to success and provide tools and methods to take individuals and organizations to the next level and be recognized as a high-performance executive and organization. Elizabeth provides executive coaching to senior executives, mid-level executives, small 28 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

hand. Overcoming her fear was a big issue, but with determination she pushed through it and continued her grooming endeavors. In her spare time, Anna enjoys playing billiards, family time, and being with friends.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means to be strong, independent, successful, determined, and confident. It means being determined to see things through and not giving up. It means finding a way to make things work regardless. I’ve been called stubborn, and I embrace that.

is not in it, or if it’s not their passion, then your business is not their priority.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

Getting people to take you seriously. People don’t get how passionate you are about what you do.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means I have all the support, tools, knowledge, and willpower I need to take my dreams and make them a reality. I am focused and able to move forward.

I will not be swayed by doubt and others opinions of me and what I am doing to achieve my goals in life.

Owner and Executive Coach | SageThyme Solutions, LLC

business owners, leadership teams, nonprofit executive directors, athletes, sports professionals, and emerging leaders. Her purpose is to maximize her client’s and leader’s impact and increase employee engagement and performance by creating a space where wisdom and courage meet. Elizabeth specializes in executive coaching, organizational well-being, marketing, and consulting. She earned a M.A.

in Human Services and Executive Leadership from Liberty University in 2013. She belongs to the Military Child Educational Coalition and The SUCCESS Project. Elizabeth believes that coaching is not about fixing but taking performance to the next level.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, and being with her family. www.sagethymesolutions.com

WOMEN OF THE

Author | Jibari’s World LLC

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aleana C. Stevenson is an author, flight attendant for American Airlines, and world traveler who was inspired to write a children’s book in response to the pandemic and social culture in America. She wrote “Jibari’s World: The Profound Question,” to help children understand what is happening in the world, and to give them a broader knowledge of social issues. It is intended to help people have a conversation with children regarding racial injustice and systemic racism as well. Her book is available for purchase on amazon. com and through her website, along with T-shirts and face masks. Jaleana attended Xavier University. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family, fashion, travel, dining out, and music. www.jibarisworld.com

Debra L. Kingery

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ebra L. Kingery is an experienced nurse with over 35 years’ experience.

Currently, she is a critical care nurse and home health nurse with OhioHealth at Home, which provides skilled nursing.

Debra collaborates with others who provide physical, occupational and speech therapy, dietitian services, and social services to patients at home. She also provides critical care nursing for patients in a home healthcare setting.

Previously, Debra served as an ACLS/ PALS/BLS instructor. She earned an A.D.N. in 1990, and a B.S.N. in 2012, both from Purdue University. In her spare time, Debra enjoys crafts, camping, the outdoors, nature, gardening, spending time with her family, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She is also an avid

Critical Care Nurse and Home Health Nurse | OhioHealth at Home

animal lover and has two Maine coon cats and three dogs that help her to destress after a strenuous day of work, also known as pet therapy.

How did you get started in your field/ industry?

I’ve been told I have natural instincts as a nurse. The nursing profession was a calling for me. I started out as a CNA and worked my way up to a BSN/RN. What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

There is a lack of respect for nurses that are truly devoted to the profession. We need the support and respect from upper management that lack the knowledge and the experience of what a nurse does on a daily basis. Nurses are on the front line.

Katherine C. Baker

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Jaleana C. Stevenson

Retired Nurse

atherine C. Baker is retired after having spent over 50 years in the nursing profession. She specialized in med/surg nursing and post-operative care. She is experienced in orthopedics, ICU, and CCU. Katherine earned an A.S.N., R.N., and C.M.S. She is certified as a Medical Surgical Nurse. She trained other nurses throughout her career.

She enjoys the computer, being with her family, and spending time with friends.

They intervene quickly to prevent a crisis and treat patients before a physician.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means everyone working collaboratively as a team to respect each other and strive for successful outcomes. Patients need a team of supportive and respectful individuals in a professional working environment who strive for excellence.

www.ohiohealth.com

Heide L. Villon Owner | Xplicithawaii

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eide L. Villon is the owner of Xplicithawaii, which provides private adult entertainment services for bachelor parties, bachelorette parties, divorce parties, and other venues in Hawaii. Heide oversees the operations, management, administration, and marketing for the company. She earned an A.S. from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas in 2002.

In her spare time, Heide enjoys cooking and travel.

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 29

LaVar Meet a Man of Power Founder, Entrepreneur | Up on Game

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aVar Arrington is a celebrated NFL linebacker, businessman, entrepreneur, and founder of Up on Game, a transformational sports podcast, which he hosts with fellow NFL greats, TJ Houshmandzadeh and Plaxico Burress. Through Up on Game, LaVar prioritizes the empowerment of young athletes, helping to develop a strong identity and mindset through mentorship and experience-based engagement. Together, LaVar, TJ and Plaxico are leading important conversation which are impacting lives on and off the field.

What led to the creation of Up on Game?

I founded Up on Game to explore issues and topics relevant in sports today, taking an honest approach to these issues. By touching the topics that others tend to avoid, we can bring awareness to relevant sports and life challenges, as well as disruptions, helping to drive conversation and be a part of the solutions. Further, we use our voice and platform to impact and shape the lives of young athletes who are trying to find their footing in our very unpredictable world, while helping them to become better athletes and citizens.

Tell us one thing you learned about yourself through your years of playing professional football.

My years playing football have taught me to always keep challenging myself and keep learning 30 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Arrington

Who is Making a Difference for Young Athletes who I am, which allowed me to be more appreciative of the lessons learned in my life. I appreciate the challenges that I went through, because they have allowed me to be more aware of my direction. The reason I created Up on Game was to empower people- particularly youth, using my own self-development experiences. If you make youth aware of how important it is to learn who they are, they will be on a course for a more enhanced and enriched life.

Explain how behavior conditioning helps build identity to unlock ultimate potential on and off the field for young people.

For an athlete to achieve their ultimate potential, they must refine their personal attributes, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. When we help youth to understand the importance of complete self-care, as athletes – and ultimately as businesspeople, they are better able to make decisions, assume leadership roles, and manage the challenges they will face in sports and in life.

As an entrepreneur, what is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

To be successful as an entrepreneur, it is important to be willing to take risks and accept that there will be many failures and speed bumps along the way. Just as in sports, there will be good days and bad days, but it is essential to not give up. As an entrepreneur, you aren’t afraid of the occasional setbacks that you will undoubtedly experience. You can achieve unparalleled levels of achievement.

What advice would you give young women?

The attributes of success are universal across gender. Whether you are playing sports or navigating your professional life, don’t be afraid to be yourself. When you work on developing yourself and building your character traits along with your physical ‘self,’ you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

What does the word power mean to you?

Power means developing the personal skills necessary to conquer the challenges of life. If we don’t embrace these opportunities to improve ourselves, then we go backwards and we regress. There is no middle ground. To be a better, more powerful ‘you,’ you have to challenge yourself to get to a place where your daily approach is controlled by a strong and developed mindset, allowing your outcomes to be controlled by conscious decision-making. Power is committing to elevate yourself above mediocrity. The greatest people – athletes, leaders, and inventors- did not settle for a life of mediocrity, and neither should you.

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Rising

WOMAN OF THE

Nancy Grabusnik

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ancy Grabusnik is the owner and manager of G&S Hardware & Supply, True Value/Benjamin Moore Paint store. She has 25 years of experience in the retail industry. She is responsible for the sales of hardware, plumbing, electrical, cleaning, automotive, and other supplies. Nancy oversees the daily management and operations of the store, hiring and training the staff, ensuring staff safety, and ordering specialty items as necessary. As a locally owned hardware store, she enjoys liaising with customers and ensuring they have the supplies they need for their community. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, crafting, travel, and spending time with family and friends.

How did you get started in your field/ industry?

I got started in the hardware business when my husband, myself, my sister-inlaw, and my brother-in-law purchased the business. I have always worked in the customer service field and excel at helping and assisting people with issues.

What are some of the biggest challenges/ obstacles you faced in your career?

The biggest challenge I was faced with

Owner and Manager G&S Hardware & Supply

was when my husband passed away. I had to step into his role and run the business with very little knowledge of how to be an owner/boss. Also, it is challenging understanding the customer’s needs.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

For the field that I’m in, the biggest challenge I face is with the older gener-

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ation that feel a woman doesn’t know anything about hardware, electrical, plumbing supplies, etc. They think I’m the phone/counter girl.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means having the authority to make decisions, give approval to improve things, and make changes.

stores.truevalue.com/nj/hackensack/18955

You’re not working unless you’re networking…

Feature Your Business Card

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Dr. Janet L. Walsh

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r. Janet L. Walsh is the CEO and president of Birchtree Global, LLC. She provides overarching management for the firm. Dr. Walsh has established business operations in 81 countries, directing teams of lawyers, CPAs, and HR leaders. She is noted for delivering significant increases in financial productivity by leveraging effective tax and HR strategies. She specializes in global startups, finance, infrastructure, and human capital performance. She has headed private/public partnership initiatives in Asia, Latin America, and Egypt.

Dr. Walsh was a leading member of the Women in Packaging US delegation’s historic state visit to China. She earned a B.A. in Economics from Bucknell University, an M.B.A. from Loyola University, and a D.B.A. from the University of Phoenix.

In 2019, Dr. Walsh and her team won the Global Leadership Award, Outstanding Research Award, and Best in Session Award, at the Global Conference on Business and Finance. Her board service has included Rotary Means Business, DeVry University, The World Trade Center Association, The French-American Chamber of Commerce, the Explorers

Club, the Bedford Film Board, and Dumbarton Concerts. She is an adjunct professor of global business in the graduate MBA and MA programs at the New York Institute of Technology and Manhattanville College.

Dr. Walsh has been elected a member of the Explorers Club for her archaeological discovery and excavation of a mid-Archaic period settlement on Pumpkinvine creek in Georgia. She is also a champion equestrian in cross-country, and pleasure division competitions. An avid artist, her western horse pictures are exhibited in the Booth Museum of Western Art in Cartersville, Georgia.

CEO, President Birchtree Global, LLC

How did you get started in your field/ industry?

In high school, I studied abroad in El Salvador and really enjoyed the experience, so when I graduated from college, I looked for a job with global opportunities.

What are some of the biggest challenges/ obstacles you faced in your career?

Time management is always a challenge when you have a lot of interesting activities. I try and include art, music, literature, outdoor activities, and hobbies in each week’s activities.

What do you do to escape and recharge, even for a few hours?

I like to ride my horse, play the piano, and ski.

What book is on your bedside table right now and why?

I am currently reading “Periodic Tales: A Cultural History of the Elements, from Arsenic to Zinc.”

It is a fascinating study of the history of how the elements were discovered and used.

What does empowerment mean to you?

It means being in control of your own destiny. www.birchtreeglobal.com

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 33

Fitness Expert Wellness Activist

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olly Perkins earned a B.S. in Exercise Physiology from Pennsylvania State University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. With 25 years of experience in health, fitness, and nutrition coaching, Holly was named one of the “Top Trainers to Follow” by Shape magazine.

Holly is the expert source on women’s strength for numerous national publications and websites including Women’s Health, SELF, Shape, Prevention, Redbook, Men’s Fitness, LIVESTRONG, Buzzfeed, Oxygen, Fitness, and The Wall Street Journal.

In 2015, Women’s Health tapped Holly to author “Lift To Get Lean,” a modern strength training bible for women. Her proven methods help women develop physical strength that translates into enhanced personal and spiritual strength. Holly’s clients include Karlie Kloss, Adrian Grenier, Howard Stern, Billy Crystal, Petra Ecclestone, Carole Radziwill, many professional athletes from the NHL and NFL, and even a presidential candidate.

With a heavy education in biology, physiology, biomechanics, and kinesiology, Holly’s approach to body transformation is built upon a foundation of science. To age gracefully and avoid the health challenges and diseases that are so common, it’s imperative to engage in a consistent and comprehensive fitness and wellness program. Holly calls it a trifecta of body transformation, and it includes progressive resistance strength training, age prescribed cardiovascular training, and a nutritional approach that supports the above. She also incorporates principles of mindset and psychology in her work to ensure holistic transformation.

Why did you decide to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?

I wanted to help women improve their lives through strength training and nutrition, and I wanted to be best the coach possible, with excellent credentials.

How does your virtual community, Women’s Strength Nation, help women to develop personal inner strength?

My community helps women learn how to strength train correctly, so they can feel empowered physically. I believe that physical strength transfers over to personal strength.

We provide well-designed programming to help women achieve that.

Does strength training change as you reach age 45 and older?

As women age, strength training becomes an even more powerful tool to prevent many of the frustrating symptoms we face. In my experience, many women see dwindling results from cardio-only activities, and better results from progressive resistance.

Tell us about your book, “Lift to Get Lean.”

It is a strength training bible for women. I share my Three Steps to Strength that will help make any strength training program more effective for every woman. It shares four incredible programs for transforming any body.

What is one thing about you that nobody knows?

I think many people would be surprised to learn that I struggle to eat right and exercise just like everyone else. Even though I’m passionate about teaching principles of healthy living, I too have to stay committed and on track sometimes.

What does the word power mean to you?

Power is the ability to influence others – that power can be used in many ways. I take my influence very seriously and feel a great responsibility to influence the world in positive ways. hollyperkins.com | Instagram @hollyperkins

WORKOUT TIPS:

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Think of your body like a high-performance vehicle that runs best on high quality fuel.

Fuel your workouts and avoid exercising on empty.

The goal of any workout is to challenge yourself and stimulate your body to change. The goal is not to burn calories. Focus your efforts on working smarter, not harder.

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3

By incorporating strength training 2-3 times every week you’ll boost your metabolism, even while at rest.

4

Aim to strength train all of the major muscles of your body 1-2 times every week for 30-40 minutes per session.

5

Rather than trying to figure it out on your own, find a credible fitness expert to help design a program that addresses your specific goals.

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r. Heidi L. Huhn is a technical intelligence officer and cyber security manager with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Dr. Huhn works with congressional and national-level intelligence organizations, the Department of Defense, and commercial sectors. She is responsible for cyber security, the information security program, global intelligence, and protecting the agency’s systems. With over 25 years’ experience, her specialization includes Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM) and Information Assurance Manager (IAM) roles while leading government and contracting personnel in protecting classified and unclassified data. Dr. Huhn’s responsibilities include defining the scope and implementation of security policies for national and agency-level security programs and leading the implementation of security programs designed to anticipate, assess, and minimize information system vulnerabilities. She is experienced in the hiring process, mentoring, writing evaluations/awards, and participating in promotion and hiring panels.

For the past six years, Dr. Huhn has served as an adjunct professor with American Public University where she teaches cybersecurity and information security courses. She earned her M.S. in Information Assurance from Norwich University in 2006, and her D.I.T. from Capella University in 2020. Dr. Huhn belongs to the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Vigilant Torch Foundation, and is an ambassador with both American Public University (military) and Capella University. She published “Cybersecurity Professionals in the Federal Government: A Case Study.” While working with the United States Army Office of Military Support in the 1990’s, she received a Meritorious Service Medal. In her spare time, Dr. Huhn enjoys cooking, reading, and home improvements.

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WOMAN OF THE

Dr. Heidi L. Huhn Technical Intelligence Officer | Central Intelligence Agency

What made you want to join the CIA? The opportunity to work with some of the brightest in the industry, while serving my country, drew me to the CIA. I believe we strive for greater achievement when we surround ourselves with the same caliber of motivation.

The field of information technology is very male-oriented. Do you feel women are given the same respect as their male counterparts?

I‘ve worked in male-dominated spaces throughout my career, from cybersecurity to the military, and I’ve learned from each experience. Women have come a long way since the early 1990’s. I think a respectful and inclusive environment is critical to the success of any workplace.

What are some security measures you would suggest regarding cyber security on home computers that might help our members?

Stick with the “Keep It Simple” principle. I recommend using strong passwords, updating them every 3-6 months, and avoid default passwords. Physically protect your devices. Cyber is a broad and complex field and requires continuous knowledge.

What do you do to escape and recharge, even for a few hours?

Self-care is so important. Reward your daily achievements. While working on my doctorate I set daily goals and rewarded myself for my accomplishments. I love spa treatments, walks in nature, going out for dinner, and visiting the beach and mountains.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

During my career, each challenge has led to growth and new opportunities. For example, I was once fired, which led to a job with a $15K pay raise better suited to my talents, and then to the CIA. Keep moving forward.

What advice would you give women starting out in your field?

Use your resources and network. Continually educate and improve yourself. The world is full of opportunities; identify your career goals and ensure your near-term plan supports your long-term vision.

What does empowerment mean to you?

The dictionary defines empowerment as giving power or authority. To me this means managing and empowering others to be successful. I think mentoring and investing in people are critical to the success of any organization. linkedin.com/in/dr-heidi-huhn-b336843

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Leigh Brecheen Partner | Brecheen, Feldman, Breimer, Silver & Thompson, LLP

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eigh Brecheen represents top writers, directors, and actors as well as leading television production companies, talent management organizations, and multimedia companies. Her powerful clients include talent such as Conan O’Brien, John Oliver, Aidan Gallagher, Iliza Shlesinger, Rob Delaney, Jenny McCarthy, Mel Gibson, award-winning writers and directors, production companies, and producers.

Leigh began her California legal career serving five years at O’Melveny & Meyers. After a short stint as vice president of business affairs for NBC Entertainment, she joined Bloom, Dekom, Hergott as head of the television department. At the beginning of 2020 after the retirement of Jake Bloom and Alan Hergott, she started a new firm with some of her partners called Brecheen, Feldman, Breimer, Silver & Thompson.

Born and raised in Arizona, Leigh received her J.D. cum laude from The Sandra O’Conner College of Law (ASU), where she served on the Law Review as a writer and topics editor. She is a member of the Arizona, New York and California State Bars and was recently profiled in The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers 2019 and 2020 issues, as well as in Variety’s 2017 and 2020 Dealmakers Impact Report. She has also been featured in the Los Angeles Business Journal in their “Who’s Who in L.A. Law” Special Report, in Elle Magazine’s “The Power List: The Mad Women, the Twilighters, and Team Conan,” and has repeatedly been elected as one of Southern California’s Super Lawyers by Los Angeles Magazine. Leigh has also been chosen as a Who’s Who of American Women and a Who’s Who of American Lawyers. She is currently on the board of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society. She served a four-year term as the chair of the Motion Picture, Television, Cable and Radio Division of the American Bar Association Forum on Entertainment and Sports and is an emeritus board member of the UCLA Entertainment Symposium which she also chaired for two years. A member of the Women in Film and Television, and the Hollywood Radio and Television Society, she is a frequent lecturer and has authored articles on film and related businesses. Leigh is also active in civic and charitable causes. Married with two children, she is an avid polo player.

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Why did you choose entertainment law as your area of practice?

I grew up with and adore creative people and have seen them be victimized. Working in entertainment law allows me the pleasure of appreciating creative people while at the same time protecting them from exploitation.

Tell us about your new Hollywood law firm.

When the founding partners of my law firm retired, I wanted to create a group of brilliant lawyers in a convivial, female-friendly group that emphasized teamwork. Brecheen, Feldman, Breimer, Silver & Thompson is all that and more.

Is it more challenging representing celebrities in legal matters?

Entertainment clients are often motivated by considerations other than money. It is essential to ascertain what is important to them as well as to make the best deal possible. These competing considerations are sometime difficult to reconcile.

What was it like representing Conan O’Brien against NBC? Exhilarating, terrifying and ultimately great fun.

We had a great team, with the law and the moral high ground on our side.

How do you find balance between your personal and professional life?

It’s more of a juggling than a balancing act. You cannot do everything well simultaneously. I’ve learned to be realistic, and to forgive myself for occasionally falling short. I try never to sweat the tasks I can delegate to someone else.

What book would we find on your night table?

Right now I am reading “Hamnet,” by Maggie O’Farrell.

What does the word power mean to you?

For a lawyer, power springs from knowledge, intelligence, and self-confidence.

Dr. Debi Silber Founder | Post Betrayal Transformation Institute

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r. Debi Silber is the founder of the Post Betrayal Transformation Institute and is a holistic psychologist, a health, mindset and personal development expert, the author of the #1 bestselling book, “The Unshakable Woman: 4 Steps to Rebuilding Your Body, Mind and Life After a Life Crisis,” and her newest book, “Trust Again: Overcoming Betrayal and Regaining Health, Confidence and Happiness.” Her recent Ph.D. study on how we experience betrayal made three groundbreaking discoveries that change how long it takes to heal. In addition to being on FOX, CBS, The Dr. Oz Show, TEDx (twice) and more, Dr. Silber is an award winning speaker, coach, and author dedicated to helping people move past their betrayals as well as any other blocks preventing them from the health, work, relationships, confidence and the happiness they want most.

Who or what inspired you to become a mental health professional?

I’d been in health, mindset, and personal development since 1991, working with thousands of clients online and in person. It was my own traumatic betrayals that inspired me to enroll in a Ph.D. program to study the mind, study betrayal, find a way to move forward, and help others do the same.

Define the term Post Betrayal Syndrome.

There’s a collection of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms so common to betrayal it’s now known as Post Betrayal Syndrome. We’ve had over 10,000 people take our Post Betrayal Syndrome quiz to see to what extent they’re struggling. The saying “Time heals all wounds” isn’t true. People share that although their betrayal happened 10, 20, 30, and even over 40 years ago, many aren’t able to trust, move forward, and still struggle with symptoms which only heal when we proactively “face it, feel it, heal it.”

How can women use your book and companion workbook, “The Unshakable Woman: 4 Steps to Rebuilding Your Body, Mind and Life After a Life Crisis” to rebuild their body, mind, and life?

I wrote “The Unshakable Woman” to help women heal from any type of crisis such as the death of a loved one, disease, devastation (like abuse), financial crisis, etc.

It’s designed to be a quick yet powerful read.

Tell us about your latest book, “Trust Again: Overcoming Betrayal and Regaining Health, Confidence, and Happiness.”

“Trust Again” specifically walks the reader through the five now proven and predictable stages we’ll go through if we are to fully heal from the betrayal of a

family member/partner/friend, etc. I teach my four-step trust rebuilding process, how to know when it’s in our best interest to heal and reconcile or heal and move on, narcissists and why we’re particularly vulnerable to their ways, forgiveness, and so much more.

Is there one piece of advice you would give to women trying to balance it all?

As a working mom who’s always done my best to maintain a business, four kids, pets and more, I’ve realized that if we don’t prioritize self-care, it’s likely not going to happen. It’s crucial to prioritize our own needs.

It’s not selfish; it’s self-preservation.

Do you have a favorite quote?

Yes: “Easy now, hard later. Hard now, easy later.” It’s your pick because it’s going to be one of those two. For example: easy now (I want cookies), hard later (weight gain). Versus hard now (I’d love cookies but will have an apple instead), easy later (I look great).

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment is knowing your worth, prioritizing your needs, and being unapologetically bold and beautiful in your own way. It’s being comfortable in your own skin, able to see yourself and others without judgment, and using your unique gifts and talents to serve in the way that best showcases your strengths. thepbtinstitute.com P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 37

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G

De Laurentiis

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iada De Laurentiis is the Emmy award winning television personality of Food Network’s “Everyday Italian,” “Giada at Home,” “Giada In Italy,” “Giada’s Holiday Handbook,” “Giada Entertains,” “Giada On the Beach,” a judge on “Food Network Star,” an NBC Today Show contributor, a successful restaurateur with restaurants GIADA and Pronto by Giada in Las Vegas, as well as GDL Italian in Baltimore. She is the author of ten New York Times bestselling cookbooks, including her most recent, “Eat Better, Feel Better,” in addition to her children’s book series, “Recipe for Adventure.” Giada is also the founder of the lifestyle and e-commerce platform, Giadzy.com, which features Italian lifestyle content spanning recipes, travel, entertaining and Italian pantry products.

amazing and ironic that I won it in 2020, when the awards were hosted virtually. I had to pre-record my speech and Italians are very superstitious, so I almost didn’t do it. Luckily, I ended up doing it and well, it definitely worked out.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone starting out in the culinary field?

Find your voice and what differentiates you from others. Also find a mentor. I think mentors are so very helpful at the beginning.

With your expanding presence in so many areas, is there something you still wish to accomplish?

I just launched an Italian pantry on my lifestyle website, Giadzy.com, where you can buy the best hard-to-find Italian ingredients— pasta, olive oil, tomatoes, all of it. When my grandfather was young, he sold pasta door to door in Naples. I always hoped to carry on the tradition and bring a taste of my childhood to the states- so that’s my passion project right now and something I hope continues to grow.

How do you create balance between being a mother, chef, author, and restaurateur?

I ask for a lot of help and have an

Chef, Television Personality, Restaurateur, Author

What influenced you to become a chef?

As a kid, my grandfather’s family had a pasta factory in Naples, and I grew up cooking with him. Not only did I love the food, but I also loved the story telling. Each recipe always had a history behind it. I was also good at cooking at a young age and I got a lot of attention from my family for doing it, so I think it was a natural career progression.

What is one of your favorite dishes?

One of my favorite recipes is for ‘Amalfi Lemon Chicken.’ I make it almost once a week and it’s always a crowd pleaser! Lemon, crispy chicken skin, the delicious smell of fresh herbs, and it is easy enough to make on a weeknight. It doesn’t get much better than that.

I also love ‘Paccheri with Mushrooms and Pistachios.’ Mushrooms with marsala and pistachios is a fantastic combination of flavors. I love the look of this dish with paccheri, a large tubular pasta that resembles sliced calamari. I also love to add lots of different mushrooms for different textures and flavors. I use royal trumpet, morels, cremini, shiitakes, and oyster mushrooms. It’s always delicious.

Explain how it felt to win the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Culinary Host.

I hadn’t won an Emmy in ten years, so it’s

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amazing team by my side. I couldn’t do it alone.

I also do a lot of yoga, meditation, acupuncture, IV vitamin pushes, take a ton of supplements, and eat clean and healthy as much as I can so my body has the energy it needs for a busy life. It takes work, but it’s worth it.

Tell us about your work with the Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand is led by my dear friend and chef, Suzanne Goin. It’s wonderful because first and foremost, it helps kids with cancer, but it also excites kids about food and therefore engages them in the bigger movement. It’s lovely to work among fellow chef friends towards a greater cause and raise money for cancer research, which is near and dear to my heart.

How does your newest book differ from your previous ones?

This is a completely different book. It’s all about getting healthy—Italian style! As I approached 50, I was inspired to share my personal journey, and how I figured out what I could do to help myself feel better. In the book, “Eat Better, Feel Better,” I tell people to eat the foods that love you back. To figure this out, I include a three-day reboot, which helps the body heal itself, and then I suggest slowly incorporating more ingredients back into your diet, but in a mindful way. It’s all about the small adjustments. For example, if you discover that you can’t eat parmesan which is made from cows’ milk, try pecorino from sheep or goat cheese. We’re all so strapped for time but eating to feel better shouldn’t be stressful. I share my secrets on how to turn leftovers into delicious meals for later in the week. I explain how to prepare healthy ingredients, like sweet potatoes or wild brown rice, so you have them ready to go when you are hungry, instead of having to grab for something unhealthy. The key to eating better to feel better is to listen to your body and adjust accordingly. This book shows you how to do that easily and deliciously.

What does the word power mean to you?

Power is the strength to stand up for yourself and stand up to others when you see injustice.

When you feel the strength to do those things is when you have power.

Giadzy.com 40 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Cooking with Giada Paccheri with Mushrooms Serves 6 and Pistachios

Mushrooms with Marsala and pistachios is a fantastic combination of flavors, which is why this pasta is currently one of my faves. I think it looks especially dramatic with paccheri, a large tubular pasta that resembles sliced calamari, but any short cut shape would work here too. Try using royal trumpet mushrooms, morels, cremini, shiitakes, or oyster mushrooms. They all have different flavors and textures.

Experimenting with new varieties is part of the fun!

Ingredients

3 Tbsp. olive oil 2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled 1 lb. assorted mushrooms, sliced ¼ inch thick ¾ tspn. kosher salt 1 shallot, chopped ¼ cup sweet Marsala ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 lb. paccheri pasta or gluten-free penne 1½ cups freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano 2 cups baby arugula ½ cup salted roasted pistachios, chopped

Directions

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add two tablespoons of the oil and heat for 30 seconds.

• Add the garlic and mushrooms to the pan. Season with the salt and stir. Cook the mushrooms without stirring again for about four minutes, or until the mushrooms on the bottom are golden brown. Stir, then repeat this sequence until the mushrooms are browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes longer.

• Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and the shallot and cook for two minutes, stirring often. Add the wine and, using a wooden spoon, loosen any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Simmer for one minute, or until almost entirely cooked down.

Add the chicken broth and butter and simmer for three minutes to emulsify and thicken slightly.

• When the water boils, season it generously with kosher salt. Add the pasta and cook for two minutes less than directed on the package, about 10 minutes, until not quite al dente. Using a mesh skimmer or tongs, transfer the pasta directly from the pot into the sauce. Add 1/3 cup of the pasta cooking water to the pan.

Sprinkle the bare pasta with one cup of the cheese. Toss well to combine and coat in the sauce.

• Simmer over medium heat for two minutes, tossing often, to finish the pasta, adding more cooking water as needed to make a light sauce. Stir in the arugula and heat until just wilted; add the remaining cheese. Sprinkle with the pistachios and serve.

Recipes courtesy of “Eat Better, Feel Better” by Giada De Laurentiis; Copyright © 2021 by GDL Foods Inc. Published by Rodale Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

Photo: Kristin Teig

Amalfi Lemon Chicken

Serves 2 to 4

Lemon? Check. Crispy skin? The delicious smell of fresh herbs as the bird roasts? Easy enough to make on a weeknight? Check, check, and check again. This recipe ticks all the boxes for me, and I’m sure it will for you as well. Many markets now sell spatchcocked chickens that have had their backbones (and sometimes breastbones) removed, which allows the chicken to open up flat. My friends tell me they’ve made this using just breast and thigh pieces and it works fine that way too. I make this at least once a week.

Ingredients

Directions

4 Tbsp. olive oil 3 large lemons, zested and sliced 2 tspn. chopped fresh thyme leaves 1 tspn. chopped fresh rosemary leaves 2½ tspn. kosher salt 1 chicken (about 3½ pounds), backbone and breastbone removed

• Preheat the oven to 450°F. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over a rimmed baking sheet.

Arrange the lemon slices on the sheet to form a “rack” for the chicken.

• In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, thyme, rosemary,

and salt. Sprinkle one-third of the salt rub on the flesh side of the chicken. Flip the chicken and rub the remaining salt mixture over and under the skin of the whole chicken.

Lay the chicken skin side up on the bed of lemons and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.

• Roast for 40 to 45 minutes, basting every 15 minutes with the pan drippings, until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh reads 160°F. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board to rest for ten minutes before carving.

• Meanwhile, use a fork to mash the lemon pulp into the pan juices, discarding the rinds. Spoon the sauce over the chicken just before serving.

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 41

Michelle Elise Abraham Founder, Amplifyou Co-Founder, MyPodcastCoach.com

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ichelle Elise Abraham is an international speaker, podcast host/producer, and author of the upcoming book, “The Profitable Podcast.” In 2020, Michelle was voted #16 of the top 50 Moms in Podcasting by Podcast Magazine. Business From The Heart awarded her “Entrepreneur of the Year.” She is the founder of Amplifyou and co-founder of mypodcastcoach. com. Kevin Harrington (the original shark on the TV show “Shark Tank”), said that Amplifyou is North America’s top podcast management company.

At Amplifyou, Michelle’s team specializes in ‘done for you’ podcast services for entrepreneurs with a big vision who want to make a big impact in the world. They make, market, manage, and monetize podcasts. Michelle and her team have launched and managed over 175 podcasts in the last 18 months. They manage and publish over 3000 episodes a year.

Michelle is also the co-founder of The Canadian Podcast Network. She has been mentoring and sharing her passion for podcasts since 2012. A rather unique fact about Michelle is that she doesn’t just speak about a freedom lifestyle. She lives off the grid by a lake and drives her kids to the school bus by boat, all while running a 100% online business.

42 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

What created your interest in the field of podcasts?

I became an avid listener when my business brain went to mush as a new mom. I saw how I could take the podcast with me to the gym, the park, and while cleaning or driving. I knew this medium had massive potential for influence and impact and it was fairly unknown in 2012.

How can your company, Amplifyou, help entrepreneurs launch and manage their own podcasts?

Basically, our experts are needed for content creation. Their time is best spent there, not learning to edit a podcast. We help entrepreneurs produce an impactful show, while getting their message and voice heard in a massive way.

They record it, then we do the rest.

Why do you think podcasts are becoming more prominent?

Podcasts are very much still in the infancy stage of growth potential. As the world shut down in 2020, millions of people began to listen and produce podcasts.

It was one of the only way influencers could communicate with their listeners during the pandemic. Podcasts are non-disruptive, attraction marketing tools, and people choose to listen. Those listeners are loyal, affluent, and educated.

Tell us about your upcoming book, “The Profitable Podcast.”

In a world where time and attention are a businesses’ most

valuable asset, there is no other platform that even compares to podcasting. On average, podcasts get 20 minutes of a listener’s time and attention. “The Profitable Podcast” is our signature formula of helping entrepreneurs get a positive ROI in their business from their podcast and leave their listeners with a transformational experience instead of a transactional feeling.

What do you love most about living off the grid with your family?

We are now living our dream, not the ‘American dream.’ We’ve slowed down to move ahead in life. We have more family time, more savings, and a healthy lifestyle with less stress. We take

a boat to our car and then drive about 20 minutes to town for school and groceries.

Explain one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I use my podcast as a networking tool. I can reach those who may have been out of my reach before. I can offer a platform and stage time, and that opens many doors.

What does the word power mean to you?

It’s the feeling that I have everything I need to succeed inside of me and the power to extend that radiant energy out to make a massive impact on the world. www.mypodcastcoach.com www.amplifyou.ca

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 43

Women

OF THE MONTH

Sharon J. Burch

CEO, Occupational Therapist Play Learn Live Therapy, Inc. haron J. Burch is the CEO and an encountered is a high percentage occupational therapist with Play Learn of students with literacy issues.

Live Therapy, Inc. With almost 15 These students may or may not years’ experience, she specializes in pediatric know letters in the alphabet, occupational therapy. Sharon works with how to write and identify letters, children who have academic challenges and spell their name, etc. I have to work harder to incorpodevelopmental disabilities. She earned an rate activities that also focus on functional literacy.

M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Tuskee- What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges gee University in 2007. Sharon belongs to that women face today? the A.O.T.A. In her spare time, she enjoys Women face an innumerous amount of challenges being with her family, cooking, photograwithin the world today. First, most women have to phy, and travel. balance a career and take care of their family. Second, women are not represented in large scale for leadership How did you get started in your field/industry?

I have a natural disposition to help others. My younger positions. Third, women are not provided with the same equal opportunities as their counterparts. brother, Elliot, had a fall that injured his right wrist. I What does the word empowerment mean to you? assisted him with caring for his injury by doing exercises Mentoring others, especially young women, is a with him every day. passion of mine. It is also an honor to be able to give What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you advice, share my wealth of knowledge, and to empower faced in your career?

As a pediatric occupational therapist, it is a pleasure to others to either set goals or accomplish goals within their work with my students. The biggest challenge that I have lives.

S

Kristy Lynn Hansen

Owner, Contractor R.K. Hansen Construction Company Treasure Coast Builders risty Lynn Hansen is a general contracting company and Association, and the a Realtor, contractor, get my real estate license to pursue Florida Home Builders and the owner of R.K. building and development.

Association. In her spare What are some of the biggest chalHansen Construction Comtime, she enjoys reading, lenges/obstacles you faced in your pany, which she runs with the beach, community her husband. With over career? activities, and being with ten years’ experience, she is There aren’t many women-owned her family. responsible for operations construction companies. Earning How did you get started the respect of successful builders and and management. She is in your field/industry? also a hands-on general concontractors was challenging.

I’ve had a passion for real estate tractor, specializing in residential and What do you feel are some of the and land development since I was commercial construction as well as biggest challenges that women face new home construction. The compa- a child. My father owned a land today? development business in Royal Palm ny is known for custom built homes, The biggest challenge I see is Beach, Florida. I watched areas of home additions, remodels, renovawomen trying to learn to balance woods and cows get developed into tions, and commercial construction. a successful career, motherhood, store fronts, plazas, and grocery Kristy is a member of the Stuart/ and being a Godly wife, all while stores. After being in the medical Martin County Chamber of Commaintaining a happy home. Society field for ten years, I decided to start merce, Women’s Council of Realtors, makes women feel guilty for being successful.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Director of Operations | Rosetta Food Service, LLC Empowerment means providing iana M. Pietrantonio is the director of operations with Rosetta support to our younger generation, Food Service, LLC, a specialty grocery store selling high quality giving them the power to be amazproduce, based in Jupiter, Florida. She earned her CPA from Mcing, and believing they can achieve and do anything they want.

Gill University in 2003. Diana has been in the industry for 30 years. She www.rkhansenconstruction.com specializes in finance. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, reading, and www.kristyhansen.keyes.com cooking. rosettasproduce.com

K

Diana M. Pietrantonio

D

44 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Cynthia N. Brysch

C

ynthia N. Brysch is an award-winning life science executive, renowned regulatory expert, and published scientist in biotechnology, materials science, and clinical pharmacology. Her journey to revolutionizing the life science industry began in 2004, when she lost her father due to pharmaceutical companies’ non-compliance with FDA testing regulations, proving that adherence is the difference between successful treatment and deadly drug dosages. Cynthia channeled her loss into change, establishing a career in pharmaceutical quality assurance and revolutionizing the industry by bridging science with compliance.

For nearly 20 years, Cynthia has advanced standards of medical care and expanded patient access to life-saving medications in more than 200 countries. She has directly

Cara E. Rich

C

ara E. Rich is an agency manager with Americare Plus, a home healthcare agency. She has over 25 years’ experience in senior care and provides care to senior clients with dementia or Alzheimer’s who need help with daily activities. This includes assisting with shopping, dressing, basic life skills, and medication reminders. She is responsible for education, public speaking, training caregivers, and networking. Cara oversees a staff of 75. She is the past president of the Peninsula Women’s Network and the past treasurer and secretary of the Peninsula Task Force on Aging. In her spare time, Cara enjoys her family, camping, and crafting.

How did you get started in your field/industry?

In 1994 I made the decision to try my hand at healthcare. I was unsure where this path would lead me at the time. I became a Certified Nurse Assistant. I had zero experience, but knew I loved to help other people.

What are some of the biggest challenges/ obstacles you faced in your career?

contributed to nearly 500 novel product programs—from bench to bedside—and protects the public interest as an FDA lead assessor.

Her proven models sparked the global mechanisms necessary to advance life science research and products, in technology and regulatory affairs. As a result, Cynthia has developed a reputation as a leader in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biopharma industries, sharing her insights as a consultant, keynote speaker, and panelist at numerous conferences worldwide.

In 2021, Cynthia’s crusade into furthering the understanding of mental health came full circle. She co-founded Normvia Life Sciences, Inc., which develops world-class

Chief Operating Officer, Co-Founder Normvia Life Sciences, Inc. solutions that advance the science linking mental health with external influences such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

As chief operating officer, Cynthia has built a roadmap to develop and manufacture novel therapies for the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health diseases, while also supporting novel clinical research into cell and gene therapies in the fields of oncology and rare diseases.

Narrowing the gender gap within the life science industry, Cynthia is dedicated to directing global forums that ensure the safety and efficacy of the world’s medicine supply. She is proud to add another world-changing chapter to the story of women of empowerment. www.Normvia.com

Agency Manager | Americare Plus For me, it was the uncertainty of what direction I wanted to move in. I didn’t want to become an LPN or RN, so I had to figure things out. Without those credentials, a lot of folks did not have a job to suit a CNA. My obstacles were moving forward in healthcare and what each season would look like for me.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

Not finding their tribe- women

have come so far in today’s time. We have strength, dedication, and determination. We no longer must do things alone or behind closed doors.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means unconditionally supporting others. It is spotting that sparkle in someone’s eye, connecting with them to find out their fire and passion, and helping them with resources so that they can shine. www.americarepluspc.com

Lori M. Sudeta-Moss Caregiver | In Home Support Service

L

ori M. Sudeta-Moss is a caregiver with In Home Support Service. She has over 30 years’ experience and is responsible for providing care for clients at home. Lori provides personal care, meal preparation, medical appointment transportation, and ensures that all of her clients’ basic needs are met and they are safe at home.

She earned her C.N.A. In her spare time Lori enjoys being with her family and shopping.

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 45

Melvina J. Newman

M

elvina J. Newman is a property manager in the real estate industry, serving Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In this position, she oversees the management of a homeowner’s association. She is responsible for bookkeeping, overseeing the daily operations, and ensuring that all restrictions are adhered to by members. Melvina previously served in the legal and retail fields and has an A.A. in Business. She is a member of the Cosmopolitan International Diabetes Association, currently serving as a Cosmopolitan North Central Federation officer, and Cosmopolitan Fund for Children Foundation Board member.

How did you get started in your field/ industry?

After starting my career in the legal field and then owning my own retail

Property Manager

business, it was time for a change. A customer suggested I look into the management of a homeowner’s association. He felt my background would be a benefit.

What were some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

People were the biggest challenge in my retail career. We had to market ourselves to our customers. This is still true in the homeowner’s group as there are many different opinions and marketing is still key.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

Discrimination and equality in the work force. We are still paid less for the same work, have limited opportunities

Carolyn J. Wright

C

arolyn J. Wright is a fashion designer and the owner of Blingbowties.com, based in Detroit, Michigan. Her goal is to create unique bow ties for celebrities on a national scale. With over 15 years’ experience, she specializes in creating unique bow tie designs, which she sketches, sews, and sells. She also designs and sells coordinating hankies, suspenders, and cufflinks for men for special occasions. In her spare time, Carolyn enjoys being with her family, writing Christian poetry, sewing, DIY projects, fashion, and cooking.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

My biggest challenge was deciding to only make pre-tied bow ties. Pre-tied

L

atosha L. Veney is a woman of many hats and talents. Her life’s journey consists of running the daily operations of two home care businesses, CNA Business Solutions, life coaching, consulting, and inspiring others through her words as an author and speaker. Due to her ability to serve the elderly and home care communities effectively and compassionately, one of her home care businesses received the “Best in Newport News” in 2019. As a consultant, Latosha is passionate about teaching new home care business owners the knowledge that she has acquired over the years. She also believes in the importance of individuals reaching their full potential. Through

46 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Owner | Blingbowties.com

bow ties allow for more variety in designs and color choices. I was unable to get creative with the traditional bow tie, due to constraints with the knot. However, I kept trying until I found my niche. We have hundreds of hand-made bow ties on our website. I am still left with the challenge of drawing the traditional bow tie wearers to our pre-tied assortment of bow ties and accessories.

What do you feel are some of the biggest

Latosha L. Veney

for advancement, and face sexual harassment in the work force.

What advice would you give to women starting out in your industry?

Believe in yourself. If you do that you will succeed.

Network, be involved in the community, be courageous, do your very best, and reach for the top.

Name one outstanding quality that you think people should know about you or remember you by.

My organizational skills and the ability to balance work along with community involvement. I have received numerous awards and have served as the international president to Cosmopolitan International.

challenges that women face today?

Some challenges women face are not believing in themselves and depending upon validation from others. Women tend to focus more on their circumstances. We need to get over the guilt we feel when our real desire is to pursue our own dreams, instead of living someone else’s.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means overcoming obstacles, knowing what you want, and going for it, in order to achieve it. Empowerment is the realization that you have to focus on what you can do, rather than accepting circumstances. www.blingbowties.com

Motivational Speaker, Life Coach, Business Consultant, Author Caring Hearts and Hands LLC, CNA Business Solutions

her certified life coaching program and motivational speaking, she provides others with practical tools, strategies, and daily resources to ensure growth when applied.

Latosha is the author of “My Quiet Storm.” Her purpose for writing this book was to share an account of the storms she has overcome in her life in hopes of empowering others to quiet their own storms. She received an A.A. in Business Management and Marketing from Strayer University in 2015. When she is not changing the world, Latosha enjoys reading, travel, and creating lasting

moments with her family.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment is about taking control of your life. It is a continuous process, happening moment by moment.

Empowerment is all about choice. What you choose to do daily reveals how empowered you are. You are in control of your destiny. You are in charge of you. An empowered individual realizes this truth and daily strives to be a better version of themselves so that they are able to empower the world. www.latoshaveney.com

WOMEN OF THE

Anne Marie Wade Areeda/Zukowski

A

nne Marie Wade Areeda/Zukowski is the owner of Chips Ole Fashioned Ice Cream Shoppe in Conway, South Carolina. She is responsible for the operations and management of the store, staff oversight, marketing efforts, menu selection,

and ensuring the best possible customer service. Anne earned her B.A. in Accounting and Business from Rutgers University. An entrepreneur, she belongs to the local Chamber of Commerce. In her spare time, Anne enjoys continuing education, and her cats.

Sue Phillips

S

ue Phillips is the founder of Scenterprises Inc., a luxury house of fragrance, and creates custom fragrances for men, women, corporations, groups, as well as presenting fragrance bars for large off-site corporate events, parties, and fund-raising events. Sue earned a B.A. in Legal Theory of Finance from the University of South Africa in 1975 and a B.A. in Speech and Drama from the University of Cape Town in 1979.

With over 30 years’ experience, she is a fragrance and branding expert. She created and developed TIFFANY perfume for Tiffany & Company, Society

by Burberry, Burberry for Men, and has created signature scents for the rich and famous, including Jamie Foxx, Katie

Owner | Scenterprises Inc. Holmes, Zendaya, Susan Sarandon, and others.

After starting her career at Elizabeth Arden, Sue was then recruited by Lancôme, Paris, and after four years, was lured by Tiffany & Company to develop and launch the first Tiffany perfume. She honed her skills in fragrance, becoming a foremost fragrance expert. Her mission is to take fragrance out of the bottle and to create magical fragrance experiences for clients drop by drop. Additionally, Sue is a motivational speaker and recently wrote her first book “The Power of Perfume.” She has written articles for many publications.

Sue opened her perfume studio,

Wylaina Tucker Dugar

W

ylaina Tucker Dugar is the owner of Cincinnati Cleaning Experts, LLC which serves the Southwest Ohio region. She takes her role as a minority and female business owner very seriously. Wylaina is an expert in details and COVID-19 sanitization. Cincinnati Cleaning Experts, LLC specializes in residential, commercial, apartment, and post construction cleaning. As a nurse turned entrepreneur, Wylaina has always enjoyed serving and helping others. Her passion for cleaning started over seven years ago in 2013 as a hobby while cleaning her own home, then branching out to include family members and friends.

Month

Owner | Chips Ole Fashioned Ice Cream Shoppe

The Scentarium, in Tribeca, New York, and recently moved to a boutique on the Upper East Side. She is a member of Fashion Group International and Cosmetic Executive Women. Sue has garnered many awards, recently earning the 2020 Top Fragrance and Marketing Expert by the International Association of Top Professionals, the 2019 LuxLife Global Excellence Awards Best Custom Perfume Creation- USA, and the 2019 Enterprising Women of the Year from Enterprising Woman Magazine. She is an expert witness in legal cases for distribution disputes, copyright, and trademark infringements. Sue enjoys music, theater, acting, traveling with her daughter, culinary arts, and tennis. www.scenterprises.com www.suephillips.com

Owner | Cincinnati Cleaning Experts, LLC

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you face in your career?

One of the major challenges I face as a nurse, entrepreneur, author, wife, and mother, is that I wear many hats. Sometimes it’s hard to prioritize my time and juggle multiple things. Right now, it’s challenging to clean people’s homes in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, not all people are receptive to allow this much needed service to take place in their homes at this time due to fear of infection and contagion.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means goals achieved that can be manifested in our daily lives.

The acronym that I personally use to motivate myself and overcome my own obstacles is ‘E.M.P.O.W.E.R.M.E.N.T,’ which, in my words, stand for: ‘Evolve and mitigate powerful obstacles of women, eradicating radical mediocrity and embracing new trailblazers.’ I use this word as part of my daily affirmation. It can be used as a tool worldwide to help encourage other women in various industries. Empowerment can be as complex as one makes it, or as simple as the acronym I used to define it. Ultimately, empowerment is an individual’s adherence to activate their true destiny through unlocking the greatness within and revealing one’s true identity. www.CincinnatiCleaningExperts.org.

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 47

Women

OF THE MONTH Deborah R. Herder

D

eborah R. Herder is the owner of Admirations Hair It Iz Inc., the owner of a bar and restaurant, and a daycare provider. She has over 40 years’ experience and is responsible for the overall operations of her hair salon and other businesses. Deborah received her Cosmetology License in 1985 and holds a Teachers Certification to teach cosmetology as well.

She oversees the management and staff. She specializes in all natural, chemical-free hair care, relaxers, weaves, braids, curls, hair color, and dreadlock maintenance. In her spare time, Deborah enjoys travel and shopping.

How did you get started in your field/industry?

As a young girl, I used to sit outside braiding other young girl’s hair. People walking by would admire my work. I knew that I was making young people, and eventually adults feel better about themselves. That made me love my career and the empire that I have made for myself.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

Juliana Gonzalez

J

uliana Gonzalez is an attorney with MG Legal Group P.A. With over 12 years’ experience, Juliana has an extensive knowledge of employment law.

She practices in the areas of discrimination and harassment, whistleblower claims, labor laws, benefits, and employment contracts. She also provides in-house HR support, and often serves as a liaison between medium-sized companies and employees, helping companies reduce their overall HR expenses.

Juliana earned her J.D. cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law in 2008. She has articles published in the Interamerican Law Review and she has been named as one of the “40 under 40 Labor & Employment Lawyers” in the State of Florida by the American

Owner | Admirations Hair It Iz Inc.

It is difficult to find other young ladies to provide healthy hair care services who are as passionate about styling as I am.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

Most women in business find it difficult to find resources and funding. I feel that corporate America treats the trade business as if it is not an essential career.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment is when I feel the admirations of other women, when they come to me for advice, mentorship, and directions on what to do, and how to start a business.

It is empowering knowing that some of my old staff are now business owners and are in business over five years. I truly feel that I have empowered, uplifted, and supported many women to become their own bosses.

Attorney | MG Legal Group P.A. Strategic Coach | Metaphoras Strategic Coaching

Society of Legal Advocates.

She belongs to the Miami Chamber of Commerce, Waving Hands, and she is the secretary and treasurer of BNI Synergy.

Additionally, Juliana is a certified life coach with Metaphoras Strategic Coaching. She works with high-achieving performers and offers her clients a compassionate and personable approach to help them find solutions and manage conflict. She assists individuals in finding solutions to daily problems, being more productive, finding a work-life balance, and dealing with new stages in life (such as parenthood, marriage, divorce, relocation, changing careers, etc.). In

her spare time, Juliana enjoys reading, travel, and skiing.

How did you get started in your field/industry?

Since I was a very little girl in my home country, I wanted to become a lawyer. One person who inspired me the most was my aunt, Fanny Gonzalez Franco, who was the first woman to be appointed as a supreme court justice in Colombia.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means that I have the ability to be my own person. I also believe that empowerment means that I have the responsibility to lift others up instead of keeping them down.

Eunice Delfa Delfin

E

unice Delfa Delfin is the founder of Kamay Foundation International, an archery coach with the University of California at Berkeley since 2015, and is the owner of Euniquely Fresh, which is a business selling room/ mask sprays with different aromas. For the past 22 years, she has served as a unit service coordinator with the Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Department at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Eunice is a competitive archer and has her own

48 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Archery Coach, University of California at Berkeley Founder, Kamay Foundation International Owner, Euniquely Fresh | Unit Service Coordinator, UCSF Medical Center

archery club. She gives private lessons to adolescents and adults and has been competing and winning awards since 1996. Eunice received a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from Silliman University of the Philippines in 1990, an A.S. in Medical Assisting from Bryan College in San Francisco in 1997, and attended the Excelsior College School of Nursing.

As the CEO and founder of the KAMAY Foundation International, which is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, Eunice provides services for the less fortunate

and elderly targeting medical assistance and good nutrition. She is a member of the Kamaaina Foundation of California.

Over the years, she has won the International Athlete Award, the Lady in Red Diamond Rose Award from the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the Champion California Cup, the Champion Duel in the Desert, the Philippine Archery National Champion, and she was Ms. Elite San Francisco 2019, and Ms. Elite California 2019. In her spare time, Eunice enjoys travel, cooking, family, archery, sewing, and gardening.

DeAnna M. Jacobs

D

eAnna M. Jacobs is the owner of Every Penny Counts Bookkeeping & Tax Service. In this capacity, she is responsible for bookkeeping, tax services, payroll, and ensuring her clients taxes are correct and follow state and federal regulations. DeAnna also conducts audits for nonprofits, insurance companies, and dental offices. She is QuickBooks certified and attended Taft College. She is on the board of directors of the local Chamber of Commerce and is a member of CTEC. DeAnna specializes in small businesses. She tries to focus on helping individuals succeed. In her spare time, DeAnna enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.

Bookkeeper, Owner Every Penny Counts Bookkeeping & Tax

How did you get started in your field/industry?

I started in elementary school.

All I ever wanted as a career was to work in accounting. I loved math and took every business course in high school that was available.

What are some of the biggest challenges/ obstacles you faced in your career?

I think being a single mom was my biggest challenge. There are so many things you cannot do because you have so many other things you must do.

Danielle L. Dickerson Traylor

D

anielle L. Dickerson Traylor is the owner and a consultant with DD2 Consulting Company.

She is responsible for helping entrepreneurs start their businesses and be successful. She received her B.A. in Liberal Arts from Chicago State University in 2008 and is a member of N.S.L.S. In her spare time, Danielle enjoys church activities and reading.

How did you get started in your field/industry?

Like so many others, I was looking for job security when DD2 Consulting Company was born. I had recently become unemployed and the rent was due.

I love doing paperwork, so I agreed to complete the paperwork for a fee for individuals who wanted to become entrepreneurs.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

I would have to say that due to becoming an orphan at age of 15, I learned to see challenges and obstacles as steps to my next objective. One thing

Samantha Pucci

S

amantha Pucci is the vice president of Richard R. Pucci & Associates, Inc. She has been with the company for eight years and has served as the vice president for the past four years.

Samantha is responsible for project estimation and bidding, project planning, contracts, and change orders. She serves as the company’s safety supervisor and representative and specializes in hospitals, pharmaceuticals, and commercial building. She earned her B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from Muhlenberg College and her M.B.A. from Saint Joseph’s University in 2008. She is OSHA 30 Certified and holds other certifications as well. Samantha belongs to the National Association of Women in Construction.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

Women still face the typical stereotype - we are not always taken seriously enough, and men want to pay us less than what we are worth.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

For me, empowerment means women helping women. I am so tired of seeing women tear each other apart, hoping to get ahead themselves. I have a small group of businesswomen that I work with and I am beyond proud of how we help each other. We support each other through all aspects of our different careers. www.everypennycounts15.com

Owner, Consultant DD2 Consulting Company

that does concern me now is staying relevant. The World Wide Web has placed everything at one’s fingertips. I need to ensure that I am indispensable.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

I feel that the major challenge that women face today is balance. A woman works all day, comes home, is expected to take care of family, and is still expected to be soft and sweet. Every woman still has to deal with sexism, which is also challenging.

They may feel a need to not be too sexy or needy, and to not come off as weak or too strong. It is a constant juggling act to being a woman.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means life. When a person is empowered, they go and empower the next person, and the next person. Empowerment is encouragement and motivation.

Vice President | Richard R. Pucci & Associates, Inc. In her spare time, she enjoys tennis, golf, and cooking.

How did you get started in your field/industry?

I was inspired to enter the construction industry by my father. From a young age I watched him grow his construction company from the ground up. After gaining experience on my own, I chose to start working alongside my father- traversing the new norms of construction.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

One of the biggest challenges I have faced was navigating my way in a predominantly male industry. Breaking

through that barrier and being an equal took time. I learned that with knowledge comes respect, and with respect comes the power to create change in the workplace.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

Equal pay for equal work is a problem woman have always faced. I believe lack of self-confidence and the fear of speaking up or speaking out in the workplace is an issue woman need to address. Not doing so only allows for the continuation of stereotypical and socially accepted ‘norms’ that have plagued our ability to grow in the workplace. pucciandassociates.comc

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 49

Dr. Maureen E. Marshall-Jeffers

A

fter more than 30 years of teaching, Dr. Maureen Marshall-Jeffers retired from the New York City Department of Education in 2015. She taught elementary and middle school and had various responsibilities, including teaching, mentoring, and serving on school committees. Dr. Marshall-Jeffers is a lifelong educator and administrator. She began her educational career in Trinidad/Tobago teaching early childhood. She migrated to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, where she met and married her husband Edme, and had two sons. She studied piano music, both theory and practical, which trained her to be very focused and disciplined. She strongly believes that children should be exposed to various disciplines in the

arts including instrumental music, singing, dancing, and drama, as it helps them to be well-rounded socially.

Dr. Marshall-Jeffers received a B.S. in Education from CUNY Medgar Evers College, graduating in three years. In her senior year, she participated in a protest for daycare and equality for women students at the College which resulted in victory. She earned an Ed.D. from the College of New Rochelle in 2003.

Dr. Marshall-Jeffers belongs to the N.E.A. As an entrepreneur, and an avid philanthropist, Dr. Marshall-Jeffers has an inquisitive appetite for learning about international cultures in-

Sonia M. Montano

S

onia M. Montano is the CEO and vice president of Montano Wood Care Corp., a wood and metal restoration company based in Yonkers, New York. With over 25 years’ experience, Sonia is responsible for the daily business operations, development, and future growth of the company, as well as maintaining partnerships with various local organizations. Previously, Sonia was

Beth Bernard

B

cluding their basic lifestyle, foods, music, religion, and education. She attributes her passion for travel to her high school years studying world history. She has traveled extensively to most Caribbean countries and Europe, England, Austria, Switzerland, (where brother resides with his family), France, and the Netherlands.

In 2019 she visited Milan, Italy.

She also cruised the Bahamas island with family and friends that same year. In 2020, Dr. Marshall-Jeffers visited Grenada, her parents’ birthplace, especially to visit her Aunt, (her mother’s sister). Her birthplace, Trinidad/Tobago, was the next port of call where she reunited with her siblings and their offspring.

CEO, Vice President | Montano Wood Care Corp.

the owner and publisher of Nuestro Mundo newspaper, a monthly Spanish language newspaper that covered the New York Metropolitan area. She earned a Business Degree, magna cum laude from The College of Westchester in 2002. She is a member of the B.C.W., B.R.I., and is vice president of the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In her spare time,

Owner | Beth’s Riverstreet Garage

eth Bernard is the owner of Beth’s Riverstreet Garage, based in Portland, Maine. As a woman-owned repair shop in a male-dominated industry, Beth ensures that her customers receive the best possible service without any hassles or feeling like they got ripped off. She received an A.S. in Business Administration from Andover College and belongs to Westbrook Families Feeding Families. In addition to overseeing the operations of the shop, Beth is responsible for the business management, customer service, staff, marketing, and finances. During the past few months, in order to ensure that her customers felt safe and to accommodate social distancing during COVID-19, they offered pick-up and delivery service for clients, and enabled them to pay over the phone so there was as little contact as possible. Beth feels that the little details make a big difference.

In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family.

50 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Educator, Administrator (Retired)

Sonia enjoys being with her family and playing tennis.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

Two of the biggest challenges that women face today are a deserved higher position in a company along with salary inequality. In general, there are many similar administrative positions for men and women, however the ones given to women are lower in pay. The wage gap needs to be erased. Another big challenge is unemployment due to childcare.

This is a huge challenge for the working mother. Support needs to be provided to mothers so they can support their children.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means becoming stronger and more confident. It is having the ability to control your life and the power to do something.

Power also means letting other people discover how they can be stronger and powerful, and encouraging them to dare to do something they always wanted to do or wanted to achieve. www.montanowood.com

C

arolyn R. Baker is the owner of Carolyn’s Services, which is a tax and accounting service based in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Carolyn has over 15 years’ experience and is responsible for preparing taxes, educating her clients regarding the complexity of the tax process, and consulting. She received a B.A. in Business Administration from

Kristen L. Doerr

K

risten L. Doerr is a KYC EDD offshore supervisor and assistant vice president with Investors Bank. She has been with the company for over five years and has ten years’ experience in the banking industry. Kristen attended college.

She is skilled in regulatory compliance and customer due diligence, and is responsible for transaction monitoring, customer risk validation, coaching, and mentoring. Kristen trains two global offshore teams in India and Denver and works with high-risk customer platforms. She belongs to the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists and the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs.

Owner Carolyn’s Services

WOMEN OF THE

Averett University in 1998 and is the president of the board of directors of the Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency, a member of the N.A.N.B.P.W.C. Inc., and the N.A.A.C.P. In her spare time, Carolyn enjoys computers, volunteering in the local community, singing, dancing, and spending time with her family.

KYC EDD Offshore Supervisor, Assistant Vice President Investors Bank How did you to other cultures, management styles, get started and communication methods that I in your field/ had not previously been exposed to. industry?

What do you feel are some of the I began my biggest challenges that women face career in retail today? banking as a I believe that the biggest challenge bank teller and that women face today is that we worked my often must work both harder and way up to assistant branch manager. smarter to achieve the same results as I then leveraged my retail experience our male peers. to move into roles focusing on regWhat does the word empowerment ulatory compliance and anti-money mean to you? laundering.

To me, empowerment means What are some of the biggest chalhaving the tools, respect, confidence, lenges/obstacles you faced in your and strength to achieve my goals, career? whether they are personal or profesThe biggest challenge I have faced sional. was transitioning my onshore team’s www.investorsbank.com process into an offshore platform.

This transition required me to adapt

Jessica L. Buchanan

J

essica L. Buchanan is the owner of Norma’s Jiffy Tax Shack. With almost 15 years’ experience, she is responsible for tax preparation and filing services for Federal and State individual tax returns and small business tax returns. Jessica consults with clients regarding their financial situations. She is also a consultant for Lemongrass Spa products, which are made of all-natural products. She is currently in the process of opening up an online retail store called The Ohana Shop. Additionally, she is an independent marketing director for Team National. Jessica earned an A.S. in Business from Vincennes University in 2011. She is a member of the National Federation of Independent

Month

Carolyn R. Baker

Business, the BBB, and the Marengo Wesleyan Church.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her six children, and her church family.

How did you get started in your field/industry?

I first got started in taxation when I was in college for behavior health.

My grandparents were enrolled agents in taxation, and I was raised by them.

My grandfather was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and was going through chemo and radiation treatments. As a result, he needed me

Owner | Norma’s Jiffy Tax Shack to keep the office open, answer the phone, and make appointments. I started getting bored with that, so I just opened a taxation book and followed instructions from the Internal Revenue Service and Indiana Department of Revenue on preparing tax returns. I fully enjoyed it, and I knew that was the career I wanted.

What does empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means I have increased my self-determination to enable me to present my interests in a responsible way. It also means that by showing my family, especially my children, that by following God, having a good work ethic, and having goals in life gives one strength and confidence. It enables you to be a good influence on others.

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 51

Women

OF THE MONTH

Angela L. Day

A

ngela L. Day holds a number of positions.

She is an author, forgiveness coach, transformational speaker, and mentor. She also sells custom T-shirts, Christian bookstore products, and provides debt relief services. Angela earned a B.A. in Business Administration and a M.A. in Human Resources Development Management in

Lakeisha Marie Davis

L

akeisha Marie Davis is a Certified paraprofessional with the Newark Public School, in Newark, New Jersey.

She has over 25 years’ experience in the educational arena and is responsible for assisting teachers and helping students with special needs. In her spare time, Lakeisha enjoys reading and shopping.

How did you get started in your field?

I was a junior in high school and worked part-time in a daycare center. I loved working with young children, helping them grow and develop. I realized that a young child’s mind is like a pot of gold. They light up when they learn something new. I decided 52 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Author, Entrepreneur

2001, both from National Louis University. She is a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant. She has written a book entitled “Love the Hell Out of Folks: How to Heal Broken Relationships, If I Can You Can Too.” In this novel, Angela shares the struggles of growing up with a mother who didn’t want her and experiencing strained relationships with her family. Instead of succumbing to the pain, she looked to God, tirelessly relying on her faith to get her to the life she has now, which is one filled with understanding and love. She also co-authored, “Dare to Be Authentic.” In her spare time, Angela enjoys watching anime and travel.

Paraprofessional | North Public School

to be an educator and get the necessary tools to achieve my goal, which is to open my own day center. I want to give back to the community by providing a healthy and safe environment for these young minds to grow, develop, and have positive academic achievement. My center will have classes to teach young mothers to deal with their children’s problems and behaviors. We will provide afterschool tutoring and many recreational activities such as music, dancing, yoga, and art classes.

What are some of the biggest challenges /obstacles you faced in your career?

The challenges I face are equal opportunity, equal pay, and

sometimes there is no opportunity for advancement and career opportunity. There is also a lack of teamwork and many employers do not communicate with their employees. As a working mother, I face many challenges. I want to make sure children receive adequate daycare, provide all the necessary things children need to grow, and ensure they get the best academic education to become successful in society.

What does empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment is being a role model and living by example. It means to be able to uplift and motivate others to do better.

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Christine A. Guarino What inspired you to start A World of Pink?

I founded A World of Pink in 2015 with the dream of changing breast aftercare forever. I’ve made it my mission in life to help women everywhere feel beautiful, balanced, and confident again, following all types of breast surgeries. The scarf being worn on women’s necks to hide asymmetrical breasts was a major factor in my reasons for revolutionizing prosthetics of every skin color, shape, and design. I wanted to be an integral part of supporting the surgeons who were helping women. I was noticing the need for more skin color choices with prosthetics as well as bra styles. Women’s bodies change following any reconstruction. There seemed to be a lack of overall care when it came to restoring beauty and confidence for breast cancer survivors. That empowered me to revolutionize prosthetics- so women can feel confident in their clothing and have symmetry for overall health.

Why did you become a Certified Mastectomy Fitter and Licensed Lymphedema Fitter?

I have been a practicing dental hygienist for 30 years with an additional certification in Dental Anesthesia, and I am N.Y.S certified. My decision to expand my education came when I realized how little I really knew about breast cancer and how it affects the body. The lack of education really bothered me because I am surrounded by healthcare workers, and so many women who have suffered from this tragic disease.

Why do you think breast cancer numbers are so high on Long Island, New York?

Back in the day, people from Manhattan moved east to Queens, Brooklyn, then Nassau and Suffolk county. Many people never leave Long Island, and we find numerous generations of families in the same area. We also find many cultures marrying amidst their own. When you add the well-established risk factors of older women having children, alcohol consumption, pesticide usage, living on farmland with run off in our water, this is the perfect formula for the high incidence in our area. I hope that someday there will be a vaccine because I do not think there will be a cure, since there are so many different types of breast cancer today.

What makes A World of Pink different?

We are different because we have adjusted the healthcare services to match the needs of women, providing the proper fit and forms for pocketed bras following any surgery. This enables women to live a healthy lifestyle and avoid secondary issues such as back, neck, knee, and hip complications due to asymmetry.

What are your credentials beyond being the founder of A World of Pink?

I am certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, (A.B.C.) and the Board for Certification/ Accreditation (B.O.C.). I am also a certified Lymphedema Fitter as well as the lead mastectomy fitter at A World of Pink. I am

54 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Susan Elise Shiebler Photography©

Founder | A World of Pink

honored to be a member of the medical advisory board for the NFL Alumni N.Y./N.J. Chapter, where we work to raise money for veterans and children’s organizations.

I was honored to be voted Brookhaven Businesswoman of the Year 2015-16. Even before starting A World of Pink, I wrote a smoking cessation program that was approved by the Department of Health, which was turned into a fully accredited teaching course at Farmingdale College in 2014.

What does the word power mean to me?

Power is being happy, calm, and giving of oneself to others.

We all have the power to live our best life. This enables us to be who we want to be and then we can understand why we are actually here. There is nothing more powerful than that.

Book

CORNER Debi Silber Trust Again: Overcoming Betrayal and Regaining Health, Confidence, and Happiness Recovering from betrayal can be hard, but it can be done with grace, love, and dignity, using the tips and tools in this warm and engaging book on learning to trust again.

You couldn’t brace yourself because you never saw it coming. Your sense of safety and security is shattered in an instant, and the shock is imprinted on your body and mind. Your heart breaks, you feel like you got sucker punched, and the pain is so raw, consuming, and overwhelming you can barely breathe. Someone close to you, possibly a family member, partner, or friend, just pulled the rug out from underneath you—lies you so easily believed and actions you dismissed because it never crossed your mind that the one you trusted the most could ever hurt you. You thought this person had your back. You thought the two of you were honoring the same rules, sharing the same moral code, and respecting the same beliefs. This was a person you loved, trusted, and believed.

This is what it feels like to be blindsided by betrayal.

During times of betrayal, when we most need support, sometimes the ones we would turn to first are the betrayers. Other times, we’re saddled with shame and fear. But it’s during these times when we need to turn for help and learn to trust again.

This work offers support, comfort, and community to those struggling with feelings associated with betrayal and guides them to healing from a painful experience with betrayal.

Readers will learn about and move through the proven five stages from betrayal to breakthrough and will be lovingly guided with tools and strategies along the way. They’ll also learn how predictable healing can be as they read not only Debi’s journey through betrayal, but the stories of others who have learned to copy, heal, and move on from betrayal to a place of trust and well-being. Readers will identify with at least a few of the many people in the book who share their unique experiences.

In addition, they’ll learn about the three groups who didn’t heal and be inspired to take a different course of action so that they can have a more positive outcome.

56 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Giada De Laurentiis Eat Better, Feel Better: My Recipes for Wellness and Healing, Inside and Out

Get an inside look at Giada’s approach to healthy, balanced living. In her newest book, Giada walks you through how to select food that can actually make you feel better and curate a personalized wellness routine to support a healthy mind and body.

Find out how reconfiguring her diet to control inflammation can turn your life around and how to use complementary wellness tactics like intermittent fasting, meditation, and other self-care routines to optimize your well-being.

Giada devotes an entire chapter to her 3-day reboot (that she follows several times a year) and offers more than two dozen dairy-free, sugar-free, and gluten-free recipes to accompany the plan as well as a 21-day menu outline that makes cooking for good easy to implement at home. Eat Better, Feel Better features more than 100 new recipes like Quinoa Pancakes; Sheet Pan Parmesan Shrimp and Veggies; Roasted Cauliflower and Baby Kale Salad; Grilled Strip Steak with Scallion Salsa Verde; and Chocolate and Orange Brown Rice Treats along with plenty of Italian-influenced recipes fans will look forward to, from Fusilli with Chicken and Broccoli Rabe to Easy Chicken Piccata and Pan-Roasted Pork Chops with Cherry and Red Wine Sauce. Eat Better, Feel Better is the perfect jumpstart to wellness.

Debi Silber The Unshakable Woman: 4 Steps to Rebuilding Your Body, Mind and Life After a Life Crisis A life crisis can be a divorce, disease, the death of a loved one or a devastation of some kind that can completely unravel us. It can also be a mid-life crisis where suddenly we start questioning what we’ve been doing, and how we’ve been living as we feel the undeniable urge calling us to live more deeply and fully. It can cause us to question everything we’ve known and everything that’s been familiar as we struggle to make sense of what happened. It can also cause us to face that fork in the road as we consider next steps and a path different from the one we were on and one that can take us to find our greatest passion and purpose. How can you use this crisis as an opportunity to rebuild your body, mind, and life, and create something even better than before? The Unshakable Woman will show you how.

PHOTO: Jean Philippe Delberghe|Unsplash

Holly Perkins Lift to Get Lean

Research shows that building muscle helps the body burn more calories 24/7 and that resistance training is the most effective way to torch body fat. Yet that message is still lost on many women who fear that weightlifting will make them bulky, turn their skin green, and give them Incredible Hulk muscles like their boyfriends. Women have more options than step aerobics or running on a treadmill to shed pounds: They can weight-train in a very specific manner designed to make the most of a woman’s unique physiology.

Lift to Get Lean is the first beginner’s guide to strength training from Women’s Health that is written specifically for women by a woman. Holly Perkins is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) who has been teaching the fat-burning secrets of weight training exclusively to women for more than 20 years.

She doesn’t follow men’s rules when it comes to building muscle.

Her book delivers a three-step system: Technique, movement speed, and the last two reps rule, which make all the difference in developing the kind of strong, lean, and sexy body women want.

Holly offers four different 90-day training programs that efficiently build functional strength along with leaner legs, stronger arms, and a sexier butt.

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 57

P.O.W.E.R.

VIPs Petergay Dunkley-Mullings

Arcturus Hospice & Palliative Care Facility HEALTHCARE Administrator Lawrenceville, Georgia

Jenna M. Arnaz

Creating Changes Hypnosis HYPNOSIS Professional Certified Hypnotherapist New Port Richey, Florida

Linder B. Washington

Be Washington Maintenance CLEANING SERVICE President Bronx, New York

Sylvia D. Taylor

Sylvia Taylor Insurance Agency LLC INSURANCE Insurance Agent Rowlett, Texas

Catrina L. Cook-McDonald

Wings of Love Christian Ministry RELIGION Pastor Pontiac, Michigan

Michelle M. Magri

Mirror Inc. MENTAL HEALTH CARE Counselor

Sakimah Coleman

Lenexa, Kansas

Sakimah Coleman Freelance Writer PUBLISHING Author Concord, North Carolina

Boss Ladies on the Move LLC REAL ESTATE Founder Jacksonville, Florida

Pattie L. Lamantia

The Wedding Shoppe APPAREL/FASHION CEO Wayne, Pennsylvania

58 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Katie M. Hruska

Texas A&M University EDUCATION Assistant Director of Environmental Studies College Station, Texas

Hollie H. Jones

HJ Cleaning CLEANING SERVICE CEO

Hope Valley, Rhode Island

PHOTO: joel Holland |Unsplash

Kimberly Claridy-Walker

Tiffany L. Marler

Nomoretears12:4 NONPROFIT/VOLUNTEERING Founder/Advocate Arnold, Missouri

Leah D. Jenkins

Brynda E. Lattimore

Carmichael, California

Lincolnton, North Carolina

Salon Me Wax BEAUTY/COSMETICS Business Owner

Walkright Knee Pads E-COMMERCE Entrepreneur/Author

Molly D. Robbins

USPA Global Licensing Inc. APPAREL/FASHION Vice President Global Licensing West Palm Beach, Florida

Savannah L. Cowell

Danielle A. Hareland

Say It With Love Ceremonies RELIGION Non-Denominational Reverend

Quickbook Agency APPAREL/FASHION Model

Humble, Texas

Canandaigua, New York

Orinthia A. Gilgeours-Mars Fort Washington Health HEALTHCARE Laundry Aide Fort Washington, Maryland

Nora Leighton

Nora’s General Accounting & Payroll Service ACCOUNTING Business Owner

Okeechobee, Florida

Eneida S. Thorne Debra A. Wright

Axis Balance Paining and Vine E-COMMERCE ART Owner Owner/Artist

Wesley Chapel, Florida Cadillac, Michigan

Millicent Sawyerr

Hope and New Life Healthcare HEALTHCARE Director of Nursing Apple Valley, Minnesota

Beverly D. Jackson

Hearts in Motion Support Services, LLC NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT Business Owner Lakeland, Florida

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 59

P.O.W.E.R.

VIPs Jacquelyn L. Cobb Eyes of Angels PUBLISHING Author

Goose Creek, South Carolina

Beatrice K. Harvey

Christie Crossley

Norwalk, California

York, Pennsylvania

Total Life Changes NUTRITION/WELLNESS Wellness Coach

Crossley Voice MEDIA Voice Over Artist

Denise B. Gibson

Omnitrans GOVERNMENT Human Resources Analyst/ Recruitment San Bernardino, California

Dr. Amy-Caryn Redford

Southern New Hampshire University EDUCATION/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Online Adjunct Instructor Manchester, New Hampshire

Debra A. Wright

Painting and Vine ART Owner/Artist Cadillac, Michigan

Nelly Black

Karen M. Bixel

Always Caring HOME HEALTHCARE Home Care Aide

Nelly Black Music ENTERTAINMENT Singer/Songwriter

Vancouver, Washington

Annette Stewart

Chaundra D. Israel

Columbus, Georgia

Leaire Communications LLC COMMUNICATIONS CEO Powder Springs, Georgia

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Total Life Changes NUTRITION/WELLNESS Independent Contractor Jacksonville, Florida

E M P O W E R E D Adele Nieto

Catholic Charities East Bay MANAGER

Alicia L. Jones-Morris

Annie C. DeWitt Southern Exposer OWNER / MANAGER

April R. Rogers

Brandy N. Ali

Faith Journey Outreach International Ministry FOUNDER / PASTOR

Spaland Mobile Spa OWNER / MASSAGE

Alison Artz

Ardy Evans

ExamOne PHLEBOTOMIST

Miss Ardy’s OWNER / DIRECTOR

Aloria J. Harris

Banita L. McVey

Land R Cleaning Services, LLC BUSINESS OWNER

Just Nails Beauty Bar OWNER

Amanda Davis

B Nachon Building Solutions CEO

Dignity Memorial PERSONAL PLANNING ADVISOR

Ambaye Albertine Tshefu Ambaye Albertine Tshefu Author AUTHOR

Angela Akwugo Akujuobi Tifton Clinic PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER

Angelia M. Ford AMF Real Estate Solutions, LLC OWNER / INVESTOR

Barbara Nachon

Barbara A. Smith

Salt River Project MAJOR BUSINESS APPLICATION PROJECTS MANAGER, RETIRED

Barbara Ann Smith

Barbara Ann Smith’s Store CEO

Carma Tiffany Howell Carolyn F. Johnson

Revive It Cleaning Service OWNER

Carma’s Boutique LLC OWNER

Carolyn R. Baker Carolyn’s Services OWNER

Carrie A. Blaylock

Beth Bernard

Cathy A. Goldsmith

Anita M. Rubino

Beth’s Riverstreet Garage OWNER

Ann Marie Cushing

Betha’s Friendly Taxi OWNER T-ROC Global TALENT ACQUISITION ADVISOR

Legacy Band CEO

Christina M. Giles

Christine Sparano Unique Interiors OWNER

Claudia Lam

Claudia Lam Beauty ESTHETICIAN / PMU ARTIST

Connie Ramos-Williams

US Army Corps of Engineers CHIEF OF MOBILIZATIONS

Cecilia Molinari

Christanna M. Stowe

Brazosport Independent School District / Clute Intermediate School MATH TEACHER

Carrie Mansfield

Belinda M. Squires

Bethann Stanek

Cheryl A. Jones

Carolyn J. Cleaning Service BUSINESS OWNER

Ani Yaghmourian

Voice for HOPE VISIONARY ARCHITECT AND FUNDRAISER

Cheryl Edinbyrd

The Tree of Life Wellness Center OWNER / LPC COUNSELING

To Forsake the Truth CEO / NOVELIST / AUTHOR

Betha F. Edwards

Total Life Changes INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

Events By Carline EVENT PLANNER

Freelance Marketing Specialist OWNER

EVOS Carrollwood FRANCHISE OWNER

Chaundra D. Israel

Carline Beaubrun

Squires Belinda Pink Professionals Trade Styles OWNER / PROPERTY MANAGER

Inner Beauty Artistry MAKEUP ARTIST / ESTHETICIAN

Charly E. Jordan

United Black Entrepreneur Teen Training FOUNDER

Buffy S. Paulding

All Clear Diagnostics and Calibration CUSTOMER RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Beata-Selina Marks

Allstate SALES REPRESENTATIVE

TealRiver-Sol BRAND OWNER / MARKETER

Creative House of Learning Daycare OWNER / DIRECTOR Ambiance Salon SALON OWNER

Chantell N. Shy

Bonnie Weaver

Conric Holdings, LLC dba CONRIC pr + Marketing OWNER

Cecilia Molinari EDITOR / TRANSLATOR / WRITER

Daria Silvano Bruce D 2go AUTHOR

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 61

E M P O W E R E D DeAnna Dawson

Annadan’s Enterprise OWNER

Emily Elizabeth Brack

Debbie Bradford

Accent on Wellness Therapeutic Massage Skin Care & Colon Hydrotherapy OWNER / MASSAGE THERAPIST

Debra A. Wright

Hair by Starrstyles LLC OWNER

Debra J. Tantleff

Affordable Financial Svcs.

CEO / OWNER

Debbie Bradford AUTHOR

Estella B. Bailey

Painting and Vine OWNER / ARTIST

TANTUM Real Estate CEO AND FOUNDER

Denice Peterson

Proficient Frontline Community Services, Inc. DIRECTOR

Felicia Diane Yeager Felicia R. Allen

Garland ISD SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

Fidelia Onyebuchi Nnachetam SFS Medical Group CEO

Deshra M. Vines-Leak Precious Places LLC CEO

Fran Miskin

Funmi T. Ajala

Abby Healthcare Service PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Collier & Associates OWNER / LITERARY AGENT

Dona M. Schiff

Heidi Diamond

Gaby Rengifo

One of a Kind Landscapes & Home Remodeling LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Janet L. Walsh

Birchtree Global, LLC FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Janice R. Wright

Witness Grace n Action CEO

Janice Y. Milfort

HealthiNation CONTENT, PARTNERSHIPS, DISTRIBUTION, GROWTH

Dreadloc Done Right CEO / HAIR STYLIST

Heidi Rosebud

Bayview Mortgage MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER

Heidi L. Huhn

BusinessMinded2.0 CEO

Just For Me Spa PRESIDENT

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICER

Henna Naseem

Ieasha L. Mathews

Marabou Creative Concepts in Education EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dianna Collier-Warner

PrimaDona Cosmetics OWNER

Hearts work ARTIST

Fran Marabou Williams

Dee’s Notary & Tag Service Inc. OWNER / NOTARY / TITLE CLERK

Lenguaje Solution MEDICAL INTERPRETER

Heema Choudhury

Knit2together, LLC OWNER / DESIGNER

Diana Dee DeFranco

Dinorah B. Rios

Envy Galore OWNER

Natomas Boutique OWNER

Desiree S. Findley

Harris Health HEART FAILURE NAVIGATOR

Griselda Gomez

Silowett Ideals MASSAGE THERAPIST

Irina D. Haydon

Create Group Capital CEO / CO-FOUNDER

Jacqueline Jones

Crystal Eikcaj Skin and Haircare LLC BUSINESS OWNER

Jatana Perry

Jazzmin Dixon

Jean M. Chlebek

The Leona Group VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMICS, MIDWEST

Jeanie C. Mayne

Victoria Bach Festival ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Jenna G. Goldsmith Jenna Goldsmith, BS, LADC Consulting LADC CONSULTANT

Jennifer K. Howell JKM Enterprises NOTARY PUBLIC

Jennifer K. Mielke

Jacqueline Trass

Green Thumb Real Estate OWNER

Kiddieville Child Care Center DIRECTOR / OWNER

DFO Community Corrections PROBATION OFFICER

Gina Simas

Jacquelyn Blankenship

Keller Williams Group One Inc. REALTOR

Donnielle Maree Goff Common Cents Credit Union CEO

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Gina Kabat

Tesser Grossman ATTORNEY

Gloria W. Al-Sayegh

Time Well Spent Senior Care, LLC CEO

Personal Helper OWNER

Jaimie C. Fountain Financial Services PROGRAM MANAGER

Jennifer Sharon Dicus

Jenny S. Earls

Medical City McKinney ASSISTANT CHIEF NURSING OFFICER

E M P O W E R E D Jessica Rivera

Karen Jones

Max Tax Service OWNER

Karen’s Floral Inc. OWNER

Jessica Suwata

Karen Kleinman

Ingenics PROJECT ENGINEER

Jessica F. Ope-Oluwadare FJ’s Kitchen OWNER/CATERER

Joanie Gonella

California Electrology Academy OWNER

Julie Lindh JL Skin ESTHETICIAN

Julie Pumfrey

Innovative Business Advisors SENIOR ADVISOR

Kimberly A. Kovac

Kimberly D. Clark LLC OWNER

Karen J. McCants

Kristen L. Doerr

Katarina M. Muska

Manning & Associates SALES MANAGER

Katherine C. Baker Katherine C. Baker RETIRED NURSE

Kathleen A. Parris

Paparazzi Accessories INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT

Kathryn Ann Collier WFG LICENSED AGENT

Kristina N. Hernandez Eddy

Linda Haynes

R4 IT Solutions Inc. PRESIDENT AND CEO

Kandice M. McCullough McKay Home Solutions LLC OWNER

Cupcake Shop OWNER / PRIVATE CARE AIDE HOUSEKEEPER

LaDana Shepherd NURSE, RETIRED

Lisa L. Mitchell

Lady M. McIntosh

Laquitha L. Richards

Kakkerla Ramadevi

Linda M. Jones

LaDana E. Shepherd

Keidra S. Hammond

South Street & Co. OWNER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Mary Kay INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT

KR1STNA Media OWNER

June Webner

Kendretta L. Watkins

Leonie D. Brown

Leonie’s Black Cake CEO

St. Davis Hospital MEDICAL BILLER

Kaitlyn Study

Walker Associates PRESIDENT / CEO

Kristen R. Miller

Kathy Flanagan

Medical Harmony Billing and Coding LLC DIRECTOR

Leomia R. Wade Poole

Compass Real Estate REALTOR

Julie Wyatt

Jackson Machinery PURCHASING, SALES, CUSTOMER SERVICE

Lea Nour

S&L Companies OPERATIONS MANAGER

Investors Bank OFF SHORE SUPERVISOR, AVP / KYC / EDD

Inner Magazine AUTHOR, SPEAKER, COUNSELOR, RADIO HOST, CERTIFIED COACH

Jewels by Julie OWNER

General Hair Braiding & Stylist, LLC CEO / HAIR STYLIST

Kimberly D. Clark

KW Town Life REAL ESTATE AGENT KJM Promoting PRESIDENT

Lawrencia N. Fonjong

My Policy Quote INSURANCE BROKER

LaVette’s Events and Weddings BUSINESS OWNER/EVENT PLANNER

Lissa Marie Dennick MJ Medical COMPRESSION FITTER

Laura Christine’s Coaching OWNER / COACH

Kerri Lewis

Laura S. Doty

Keyna Darling

Keyna Darling SINGER / SONGWRITER / AUTHOR / ACTRESS

Laura C. Tuttle

Lonni Terranova Fiona Terranova MASTER STYLIST

Lorie A. McDaniels

Spatacular OWNER

Lavette Carter

Maid 2 Shine OWNER

Lisa R. Frye

Nova Grace Child Development Center OWNER

K-Lou & Grace MINDSET/LIFE MASTERY COACH

Ykkaeb Community Care Center Inc. SOCIAL WORKER

IT HCM Consultant IT CONSULTANT

Michigan Health Institute FACILITY DIRECTOR

Louise A. Harris

Last Research and Editing PRESIDENT

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 63

E M P O W E R E D Lucinda J. Busler

Marilee J. Saad

Renewed Consulting CONSULTANT

Southwest Behavioral and Health Services REGISTERED NURSE

Lucy Benedetto

Mountainside Events at Relland Farms OWNER/EVENT PLANNER

Lula M. Blake

Buying Into Better Business Everywhere DIRECTOR

Marilyn Kopasz

Essential Health & Hypnosis, LLC HYPNOTHERAPIST AND ENERGY PSYCHOLOGY COACH

Marilyn P. DouthardStanford Ideally Unique LLC OWNER

Lynne D. Kitei

Health Education Learning Programs/Phoenix Lights Network EDUCATOR/FOUNDER

Marlea M. Hunter

Marlea’s Mustard Seed FOUNDER

Mahogany A. Booker

Marti J. Laskos

TX NHC Group OWNER AND REALTOR

House Calls Primary Healthcare, LLC ADULT/GERONTOLOGY NURSE PRACTITIONER

Manola A. Tejada

Amazing Touch Rehabilitation & Wellness Center PC CHIROPRACTOR

Mila Kolosov

Mila’s Creations DESIGNER

Minnie Louise Douglas Mini’s Lifestyle INDEPENDENT MARY KAY CONSULTANT

Myra Ford

Speak Easy Presentations OWNER

Nadine Homann NH Design Studios INTERIOR DESIGNER

Navya Kargood

Jeevanthika Natural Farm OWNER

Nichole M. Roberts Door Dash DRIVER

Nicki Kalokerinos

Mathy Milling Downing

Google ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Maureen E. Marshall Jeffers

Chi Beauty Designs OWNER

Marcella Cooper Zzigns LLC OWNER / FOUNDER

Marcie Delapaz

Marcie Photography PHOTOGRAPHER / PODCASTER / CEO

Margaret House

UNC REX Healthcare DIRECTOR OF ADVANCED PRACTICE

Maria Lindh

Next Level Real Estate NY REALTOR

64 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Know More About Drugs ALLIANCE MEMBER

Nicole Morin

Nikole L. Ellis

Department of Education New York City EDUCATOR AND ADMINISTRATOR, RETIRED

KIPP New Orleans Schools MATHEMATICS/CAREER READINESS INSTRUCTOR

Megan C. Arseneau

Nona Ensley

State Farm INSURANCE AGENT

Melisia Nason

Pamela Montalvo

Denny Bar Co. & Etna Brewing Co. NATIONAL BRAND AMBASSADOR

Patricia G. Duffy

Collier County Public School District ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Patricia M. De Muyt

USG ARCHITECTURAL SALES LEADER

Phylicia Bailey

Taxentra Tax Service LLC OWNER / NOTARY

Phyllis J. Diaz

Creations of Joy JEWELRY DESIGNER

Priscilla Sanchez

City of Mansfield VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Quamica L. Keith

Flavored CLEANING CONTRACTOR

Raquel L. Lamberth The R Network, LLC OWNER / REALTOR

Rebecca Sue Overshon

Mystical Stones of the Past INVENTOR / CREATOR

Renee Jane Griffin

Tava HEALTH COACH

Lawson’s Barber Shop BARBER

Odessodora Austin

Rita C. Garcia

Elegant Beauty Spa CEO / OWNER / ESTHETICIAN

Internal Revenue Service REVENUE OFFICER

Point Isabel ISD GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

Michelle Toole

Palmira Turbetti Motto

Rita Lee Orozco

Rescue Foods 101 OWNER / CATERER

Motto Music VOICE AND PIANO INSTRUCTOR

IE Candy OWNER

E M P O W E R E D Roberta Robertson

Dallas Area Rapid Transit DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Robin K. Walker

Potomac Wave Co. RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Robin R. McLellan

Diversified Property LLC FOUNDER

Sandra Rouse-Flowers

G.R. Lighthouse Learning Center OWNER AND DIRECTOR

Sandra Williams

Miracles Miracles Inc. FOUNDER

Sara E. Beauchemin

SWS Movement Studio OWNER / YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Sarah Sherman

Sharon Roubinek

Imagine Foundation for Kids FOUNDER

Sharon L. Jayne

MTR Wellness REFERRAL AGENT / INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

Sheli Ellsworth

Ventura Breeze Press CEO

Sherri Kitchens

Life Touch Home Health FOUNDER

Sonya Cooper Gumbs

Immigration & Mediation Services Corp.

OWNER

Sonya E. Harper Whitfield

Ethereal RECORDING ARTIST / MODEL

XXtreme Freight Logistics OWNER

Shalin Ennis

Stephanie Lassiter

Jerry’s Auto Service CO-OWNER

Shamara C. Herring

Smac Snakz by Mama Sadoodles PROFESSIONAL CHEF

Shammai S. Terry

Envisage Technologies KEY ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Shante J. Young Lucrative Images ARTIST

Sharon Marsh Marsh’s Rentals VICE PRESIDENT

Into Me I See Foundation Inc FOUNDER / OWNER

Stephanie MitchkoBeale

Talia Garrett Educational Consultant BROADCAST MEDIA CONSULTANT

Creative Crochet’s, Inc. OWNER

Tricia L. Charron

Tegan Robinson

Esther’s School TEACHER

Tenneille E. Donerson

Muchin College Prep.

TEACHER

TBM Consulting LLC PRESIDENT / CEO CCC B&B LLC BUSINESS OWNER

Thomasina D. Rush

Waiting To Exhale Shisha Lounge LLC OWNER

Tiara Henderson

Starkey RESIDENTIAL SUPERVISOR

Trinica N. Wells Trish R. Doran

Cooking With Chef Trisha / Pampered Chef SENIOR CONSULTANT

Valerie A. Lockridge Valerie A. Lockridge AUTHOR

Vicki Ann

Tiauna L. Ford

BHP Group CLEANER

Tiffany Britt

Lake Dow Learning Academy OWNER / DIRECTOR

Auna’s Sweet & Spicy Shaque CHEF / OWNER

Stephanie Marie Jackson

Tiffany D. Lowery

Stephne Coney

Toni T. Cheek

The Posh Publicity Firm SENIOR PUBLICIST / CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Charter Communications EXECUTIVE V.P. / CTO

National Stop the Violence Alliance, Inc. FOUNDER / CEO

Jazzygems CEO / INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT

Tawanna L. Chamberlain

Process Strategies LLC AUDIT AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVE

Jackson Nurse Professional NURSE

Tishara J. Odum-Wilson

Talia P. Garrett

Vivian Terry

Wynter W. Riddick

B&R Supportive Living, LLC OWNER

Playwearsports. myshopify.com OWNER

Yahaira I. Olivier

Tina A. Richards

Yvonne Saenz

Tina RIchards INVENTOR

Jay’s Angels OWNER / MANAGER

Yvonne Saenz PERSONAL TRAINER

Susan Ramos

Vibrational Healing / Decipher Wellness FACILITATOR / COACH / AUTHOR

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 65

Woman

OF THE MONTH

Marjorie A. Graf Vice President and Chairman of the Board of Directors Graf & Sons Inc.

66 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

M

arjorie Graf is the president and chairman of the board of directors of Graf & Sons Inc. which is a wholesale sporting goods store based in Mexico, Missouri. They sell sporting goods, hunting products, ammunition, shooting, and reloading materials on a national scale. Graf & Sons, Inc. was founded in 1957

by Arnold Graf, his wife Velma, their two sons Bob and Howard, and their spouses. What has become known as “The Reloading Authority” first started as a gasoline service station in Mexico, Missouri that sold boats, motors, hunting, and fishing merchandise. Bob and Marjorie Graf became sole owners of the business after the passing of co-founder Arnold Graf in 1972 and the retirement of Howard Graf in 1981. In 1986, Bob and Marjorie started to advertise across the board and began to sell internationally. In the beginning they shipped just 1,000-2,000 products a year but with the creation of their website, www.grafs.com, in 2001, the product lines expanded to fit the need.

Today, Graf & Sons stocks over 20,000 products and ships both nationally and internationally by mail order, phone sales, and internet sales. The company has many extremely competent employees including Marjorie’s two sons who are also involved with the business.

Marjorie specializes in finance and the overall operations. She also oversees the exporting side of the business, customer service, and sales.

Previously, Marjorie served in sales and service at Mexico Refractories and Kaiser Refractories for over 16 years.

In 2013, Graf and Sons Inc. was recognized by the Mexico Chamber of Commerce for their leadership in business, their retail business, and their philanthropy, and was honored at the 29th annual Commerce & Industry Appreciation Dinner. In January 2019, Marjorie received the Mexico Chamber of Commerce Presidential Award. Recently, she was the 2019 inductee “as an individual” into the Missouri Trapshooting Association Hall of Fame on May 17, 2019 at Linn Creek, Missouri.

This was quite an honor as she has always enjoyed the shooting and hunting sports.

Sadly, Marjorie’s husband Bob passed away in 2018. In her spare time, she enjoys family activities with her four children, five grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. Marjorie also enjoys shooting, camping, hunting, fishing, cooking, and church activities. www.grafs.com

Graf & Sons, inc.

T H E

R E L O A D I N G

A U T H O R I T Y

MARJORIE GRAF

President & Chairman of the Board of Directors, Graf & Sons, Inc.

h t t p s : / / w w w. g r a f s . c o m 4050 S. Clark St. Mexico, MO 65265

USA Phone: 1-800-531-2666 Fax: 573-581-2875

Life Hacks to Make Life

by Syndi Reibman

Easier L

et’s face it – we’ve been through the proverbial wringer this year and anything that makes life easier is welcome. Whether you love to cook or can’t boil water; whether you actually like cleaning, or consider it a pestilence, this past year has been trying on all of us stuck home, unable to dine out, go out, entertain friends at home, etc. Here are some of my favorite life hacks I’ve found that actually work and have made my life easier this past year.

Personal Hygiene

If you have fly-away hair, keep a plastic bag with some dryer sheets in your purse. Simply rub them on your hair and they will take the static away, leaving you with a sleeker look.

We’ve all done this – you put on your deodorant, and it gets all over your shirt. Rub it with a dryer sheet and it should remove easily. You can also rub the stain with nylon stockings.

Out of shaving cream for your legs and arm pits? You can use hair conditioner instead or baby oil in a pinch.

Many of us do our own nails or have been doing our own nails due to circumstances; if you want to have a nice clean French manicure, take a wide rubber band and place it just below the tip of your nail. Paint as usual.

Home Ideas

68 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Do you have jewelry scattered everywhere? Grab a few ice cube trays and you have a perfect organizer for rings, earrings, pendants, etc. You can even stack them by two or three in your drawers if space allows. You can also thrift an old box cheese grater and use that as an earring holder. If you want to get fancy, you can spray paint it a fun color first.

Don’t want to carry a wallet? Clean out an old Chapstick tube and roll up your bills. They fit perfectly inside and no one’s the wiser.

Do you have costume jewelry that turns your skin green? Paint the inside of rings, bracelets, even large earrings with clear nail polish. Problem solved!

While there are a million hair clips, scrunchies, and

doodads out there, the bobby pin is still a great standby for many women.

In order to jazz up your hair accessories, use different colored nail polish on your bobby pins and voila – you can match them to every outfit – and there are glittery polishes for extra fun.

Too Many Keys

Your key ring looks like a janitor’s keyring. How do you tell the difference between all of those keys?

Here’s a simple hack: Take out your nail polishes and paint each key a different color. You can also buy different colored duct tape and cut small swatches to adhere to each side.

Cooking Hacks

Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes certain dishes sing – from lemon piccata to lemon meringue pie, using lemon concentrate can’t hold a candle to freshly squeezed juice. Here’s a twofold hack. First, microwave the lemon for 30 seconds. Roll it all around the countertop. Then, cut it in half. Here’s the fun part: Grab a pair of metal tongs and place half of the lemon at the top in between the two pieces. Holding the lemon over a bowl, squeeze the two prongs together at the bottom, moving the lemon once or twice, thus giving you greater leverage, and the ability to squeeze every last drop out of juice.

If you enjoy your wine chilled and forgot to put it in the refrigerator, keep a bag of frozen grapes in the freezer. They are a perfect ice cube that doesn’t water down your drink.

the fresher the eggs, the harder they are to peel. You can either ‘age’ your eggs for two weeks before use, or simply add baking soda or vinegar to the water when boiling. Both substances make it much easier to remove the shell.

On a side note – for perfectly hard boiled eggs, put your eggs in the bottom of your pot. Cover with enough water so there is about half an inch Slicing and Dicing of water on top of the eggs. Bring to When making steak fries for a a boil. As soon as you have a rolling crowd, rather than cutting each potato into wedges, I grab my round, boil, turn the heat off, cover, and set the timer for 14 minutes. When old-school apple corer/slicer. Stand the potato up on its’ end, and use the done, drain, and put the eggs in a apple slicer to make your wedges, just bowl with cold water and ice cubes for a few minutes. They come out like you would with an apple. You have to perfect every time.

Traveling smack it a few times, Rather than using a dirty iron but this saves tons of from a hotel, or packing a travel time and effort. iron, if you have a flat iron for your Dental floss is a hair, you can use that to iron your great tool for slicing. pants, skirts, sleeves, etc. Make sure You can make clean the heating panels are free from hair slices of cinnamon rolls, semi-soft cheese, spray and product, heat your iron and gently run it up and down each Stromboli, and cake side of clothing item to make a crease layers.

We’ve all been frustrated when we and get any wrinkles out. take the time to bake cookies and they get stale after two or three days.

Rather than tossing them, grab a slice of regular white bread and put it in the container. Within a few hours, your cookies will be soft. with paper towels, place in a Ziploc baggie, squeeze out the air and freeze them. You can do this with most herbs. Don’t forget to label.

You can also chop your herbs into rough pieces, place them in an ice cube tray, fill the tray with water, oil, or chicken/vegetable stock and freeze them.

Then, simply decant the cubes into a Ziploc bag, freeze and label them.

Eggs and Shells

No one likes eggshells in their eggs. To remove them, wet your fingers and grab the errant shell, or use half of the already cracked eggshell to fish out the piece. It works!

When you have a recipe that needs you to separate eggs, try this: Crack your eggs as usual into a bowl.

Empty a water bottle. Turn it upside Fresh Herbs What do you do with leftover fresh down. Squeeze some air out to create pressure. Place the opening on top herbs? Here are a few suggestions.

The easiest is to cut the leaves off the of the yolk and unsqueeze – it sucks stem, rinse them with cold water, dry the yolk right in!

When cooking with fresh ginger, it’s often frustrating to try and peel the skin off with a standard peeler.

Use the side of a teaspoon to scrape it off instead.

When making hard boiled eggs,

Those plastic shower caps that you find in most hotels are great to put on the bottoms of your shoes to ensure that no dirt gets on your luggage or clothing.

You can use clear nail polish on the outside of buttons to ensure the thread doesn’t unravel.

Are you one of those gals who always gets runs in her stockings? Try spraying them with hair spray first.

This keeps them from running.

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 69

70 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine | 71

Gail Kasper

G

Fitness Expert, Life Coach, Television Host ail Kasper is a fitness expert, motivational speaker, ring announcer, the television host of PhillyVision, and an animal rights lobbyist. She is also the creator and host of the former late-night show, “Raw Reality with Gail Kasper,” former host of the Ask Gail segment on the Comcast morning show, named one of South Jersey Magazine’s 40 South Jerseyan Power Players in 2010, and was a contributing editor for Success Magazine. As a life and fitness expert, she has been featured on Inside Edition, with multiple appearances on ABC, NBC, FOX, and CW11 network affiliates.

What is one habit that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Discipline, but you may refer to it as planning. There is no room for extraneous conversation. I am focused.

I might get up as early as 4:00 a.m. to get started on my work, then hit the gym, and go back to work.

Can you explain the concept of SAD-T(TM) (Systematic Attitude Development-Technique ™)?

My audio book, “Take Control of Your Life,” (available on Apple Books) gets into the details behind the technique. The Systematic Attitude Development Technique™ is a process that helps you get and stay productive. It draws from logic versus emotion, enabling you to take actionable steps to achieve your goals.

Tell us about your newest ventures.

Most recently, I am a ring announcer for Celebrity Boxing, a project that brings in my talents as a television host and motivational speaker. I love it. I also continue to host PhillyVision and FerryVision in the Philadelphia area, continue to develop creative writing projects in television and film, and am super excited about my Selfie Fitness 72 | P.O.W.E.R. Magazine

Challenge, available on Amazon. Strengthening my image as a fitness expert continues to be a strong focus of mine.

What led you to creating your charity, Pawtographs?

The more I learned about animal rescue, the more I realized that animals need a voice. If I can encourage others to not only jump on board with rescue, but support animal welfare efforts, together we can make a difference.

Is there something you haven’t accomplished yet that you still want to?

As an artist, writer, model, and actress, I would like to develop and be part of something that would lead me to be recognized as a great talent and creative mind.

What is your favorite quote and why?

“Peace is attained when you take the risks that would have otherwise left you with regret.” This is something I wrote and learned from my father. This is how my father lived

and led others. His only job as a father and a business manager was to challenge you to be the best you could be so that you would always live in peace.

What does the word power mean to you?

Power is one’s self-recognition that you can change your life at any moment for the better. It means that you have it within yourself to make a difference in every life you touch. www.gailkasper.com

S

tephanie Strawbridge has over 25 years’ experience in funeral services and grew up in the industry, learning the business from her parents. She is the funeral director at Strawbridge Memorial Chapel, a funeral home in Cleveland, Ohio. In this capacity, she is responsible for offering comfort and compassion to families and oversees all funeral services and the staff. Stephanie earned a B.S. in Business Management from Central State University in 1992 as an honors graduate. She has worked in and around the funeral industry since 1989 and became a Licensed Funeral Director in 2007.

In 2008, the Strawbridge family was dealt a traumatic blow that turned into a blessing in disguise when Stephanie and two family members were laid off from their place of employment. That same year, Stephanie’s vision of owning her own funeral business came to fruition when they secured the location for their own funeral home. Her dreams became a reality, and in October of 2008, the family worked tirelessly day and night to form Strawbridge Memorial Chapel, the first funeral home in the City of Cleveland to be established by an African American woman.

Stephanie is extremely active in her community. She is an elected central committee member in the ward where she resides and an elected executive committee member as well.

She currently serves as the board vice president of the Mount Pleasant NOW Development Corporation and sits on the Southeast design review committee. Stephanie is a member of the Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., El Hasa Court No. 47 (DOI-PHA), where she also serves as the imperial deputy for the Desert of Ohio, Bethel Chapter No. 58 Order of Eastern Star, and still has a lifetime bond with her Kappa sweetheart sisters from Central State University (Delta Zeta Chapter).

In recognition of her accomplishments, Stephanie had been honored as the first African American woman to open a funeral home in Cleveland, Ohio. She was selected as Business Woman of the Month by Iota Phi Lambda and recognized by Who’s Who in Black Cleveland. Stephanie is passionate about her work and feels honored to be able to serve the families in her community. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and karaoke.

Recently, Stephanie authored a workbook. After spending years wondering how to educate her generation on the ins and outs of funeral planning, she decided to put out a workbook titled, “You’re Gone; Now What?: Everything “They” Didn’t Tell You About Planning a Funeral.” In the workbook, Stephanie explains how to prepare, plan ahead, and arms the reader with all of the basic tools you need to be ready for a loved one’s or even your own funeral. Her book is available on Amazon.com, and on her website, www.funeralpreneur.com. Stephanie also has a line of #BeReady t-shirts and other merchandise available on her website as well.

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Stephanie Strawbridge Funeral Director Strawbridge Me m

orial Chapel

#BeReady

Do you have your affairs in good order?

Check out @ www.funeralpreneur.com

Stephanie E. Strawbridge Licensed Funeral Director | Owner

Strawbridge Memorial Chapel www.strawbridgeMemorialChapel.com