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Every year, Biz New Orleans dedicates its May issue to the women who are propelling businesses, industries, communities — and the workforce as a whole — to new heights. The number of women-owned businesses is on the rise, and female professionals are leading initiatives and innovations that bring continued prosperity to our region. As the achievements of these women grow in impact and magnitude, so does our focus on celebrating their wisdom, tenacity and dedication. Our inaugural class of Women to Watch is comprised of the movers and shakers who are paving the way and raising the bar for professionals everywhere. Although their talents and careers take many forms and span several industries, they all hold one thing in common: They are just getting started.
BIZ NEW ORLEANS 2020 WOMEN TO WATCH JANET COLLEY MORSE Dupuy Storage & Forwarding, LLC KIM NGUYEN Magasin Kitchen, Magasin Vietnamese Café and Magasin Table KATHERINE TORRES Postlethwaite & Netterville JENNIE M. CAMPBELL “The Stewart Lodges” VICTORIA ADAMS PHIPPS New Orleans Business Alliance TRACY DUHON Giving Hope/Women of Hope Unite
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JANET COLLEY MORSE VICE PRESIDENT, DUPUY STORAGE As a fourth-generation representative of the family business, Janet Colley Morse grew up looking, listening and learning how to be a successful business leader. Since her early days in customer service, she’s worked through nearly every facet of operations at Dupuy Storage, developing an intimate understanding and appreciation of her industry. She’s learned the ropes of warehousing, transportation and new business recruitment, and as Vice President, Colley has now turned her sights to innovation. In fact, she became instrumental in developing the Container Examination Station in New Orleans alongside the local office of Customs and Border Protection. The best part, she says, is that she gets to work side-by-side with the same people who knew her as a child, including her dad. Even now, they continue to challenge her as both an individual and as a professional. “The people I work with on a daily basis make coming to work fun and challenging. Even on bad days, I always laugh,” Colley says. “The relationships I’ve developed are truly priceless. Ultimately, these relationships are the central focus of business. Remaining empathetic and treating everyone I meet with respect and dignity….I take great pride in that.” Outside of work, Colley is a dedicated mother and keeps her love of the arts alive as a part-time dance teacher. It might sound like an impossible workload, but Colley wouldn’t have it any other way. “At the end of the day, I try to remain humble and grateful. Find balance and breathe, because our personal well being is critical to professional success. Empathy, grace and a few minutes of quiet time all go a very long way.” HER BUSINESS
DUPUY STORAGE & FORWARDING LLC HER MISSION Through wisdom and kindness, we can do all things. CONTAC T 4300 Jourdan Rd., New Orleans (504) 245-7600 | Dupuygroup.com
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KIM NGUYEN OWNER, MAGASIN VIETNAMESE CAFÉ, MAGASIN KITCHEN, MAGASIN TABLE One of the most important lessons Kim Nguyen has learned from her career in the restaurant industry — and the lesson she encourages others to live by — is to trust the journey, no matter where it begins. “I got started in the restaurant business in my late twenties,” she says. “I began with restroom duties and worked my way to the front of the house. I believe in starting from the bottom and working your way up. You’ll be more grounded if you remember where you started.” A New Orleans native, Nguyen’s dream was always to open a Vietnamese restaurant, following in the footsteps of both her mother and grandmother. After relocating to Houston following Hurricane Katrina, Nguyen decided it was time to take a big risk, and she moved back to New Orleans to make her dream a reality. The risk paid off: Magasin Kitchen and Magasin Cafe have enjoyed several years of success and even allowed Nguyen to open another location, Magasin Table, in Oklahoma City. “My greatest achievement is being able to build multiple locations and that I’m still in business after ten years,” says Nguyen. “My love in life is to grow a strong foundation for myself and my family. I strive every day to do the best, be the best and, most importantly, learn from my failures.” Mistakes and missteps, Nguyen believes, are as necessary to growth as victories. In the end, it’s all part of the process to becoming stronger and more resilient. “While navigating this life, we all need to learn to fall, get up and repeat. We grow as a whole and as a family.” HER BUSINESS
MAGASIN VIETNAMESE CAFÉ, MAGASIN KITCHEN & MAGASIN TABLE HER MISSION While navigating this life, we all need to learn to fall, get up and repeat. We grow as a whole and as a family. CONTACT Magasin Vietnamese Café 4201 Magazine St. New Orleans, LA 70115 504-896-7611 Magasin Kitchen 611 O’Keefe Ave. New Orleans, LA 70113 504-571-5677 Magasin Table NE 8th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73104 405-212-2751 Pictured: Kim Nguyen, River Tran 50
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VICTORIA ADAMS PHIPPS CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER NEW ORLEANS BUSINESS ALLIANCE Victoria Adams Phipps is all about positive impact: for New Orleans, its community, its economy and, most significantly, for its people. “As a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, I believe deeply in the values outlined in the university’s mission: being welcoming of diverse backgrounds, leading a meaningful life with and for others, and working towards a more just world,” she says. “These values have shown up in the way that I’ve built my career and in the way that I show up with others on a daily basis.” This philosophy is evidenced by the impact Phipps has already made. For eight years, she led and scaled New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, driving $4.3 million in funding and resources to local startups. She has guided and supported local nonprofits including Good Work Network, Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans and the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center. Her greatest accomplishment, however, is also her most recent. When the economic effects of COVID-19 threatened the livelihoods of gig workers in the city, Phipps launched the Gig Economy Relief Fund and secured over $650,000 in funding to provide more than 1,200 gig workers with relief grants. It’s a move she felt was crucial: by linking arms and ensuring the stability of our neighbors, she says we can emerge victorious and united. Ultimately, Phipps hopes that her professional journey can inspire other women to make an impact on their respective communities and industries. “To the future female leaders, particularly those forging paths in unchartered territory, don’t be afraid to answer the call. You’re so much more capable than you know, and sometimes, you really are the one you’ve been waiting for.” HER BUSINESS
NEW ORLEANS BUSINESS ALLIANCE HER MISSION To inspire, empower, and equip others to embrace the possibilities. CONTACT 1250 Poydras St., Suite 2150 New Orleans, LA 70113 NOLABA.org 504.934.4500
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KATHERINE TORRES, CIA DIRECTOR OF CONSULTING SERVICES, POSTLETHWAITE & NETTERVILLE In a profession where no two days are the same, each challenge must be met with confident leadership, creative strategizing and a strong focus on communication — all of which are second nature to Katherine Torres. As a Director of Consulting Services at P&N, Torres guides clients through a broad spectrum of advisory projects, including internal audits, business valuations, strategic planning, process improvement and disaster recovery. No matter the client’s industry or size, Torres challenges her team to design workable solutions to complex problems, and she constantly strives to achieve the highest impact possible. “I love to see both short- and long-term results of our team’s collective efforts, ranging from watching a client overcome obstacles and achieve goals to observing members of our internal team develop personally and professionally.” Torres says especially in times of disruption, such as the business impacts of COVID-19, striking a balance between short-term viability and long-term opportunity is critical. It’s a dynamic undertaking, but Torres says the key to her success — and to success in any career — is simple: “Listen and be heard.” “Most professionals naturally excel at one or the other, but having the courage and self-awareness to strike a balance between the two helps others place confidence in you as a leader, advisor and mentor,” she says. “This is especially pertinent to women in business, not only as it relates to leading teams and being a community servant, but also in openly communicating to your organization what you need to drive your professional path.” HER BUSINESS
POSTLETHWAITE & NETTERVILLE HER MISSION Uncompromising Quality. Innovative Services. Clearer Paths. CONTAC T One Galleria Blvd. Suite 2100 Metairie, LA 70001 Tel: 504.837.5990 www.pncpa.com
Pictured: Katherine Torres, CIA
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