1. real estate

AD VER T IS ING S ECTI ON
BIZ(941)’ S
WOMEN
of INFLUENCE
These Sarasota-Manatee Women
of Influence are professionals we
admire—successful leaders who
inspire others not only in their own
businesses or nonprofits, but also
throughout our community. Learn
here about these extraordinary
women—what motivates them, and
how they encourage others to make
our business community stronger.
INSPIRE. EMPOWER. APPLAUD.
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
“The Lakewood Ranch Business
Alliance is here to serve the
interests of our 1,500 business
professionals. We are proud
this year to be celebrating
10 years as the community’s
business support and
networking organization.”
8430 ENTERPRISE CIRCLE, STE 140
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL 34202
(941) 757-1664
LWRBA.ORG
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LWRBA WOME N LEADE RS
Jessica Tyre
Charter One Hotels & Resorts
6731 Professional Parkway
Suite 100
Sarasota, FL 34240
(941) 907-9017 x 255
jtyre@charteronehotels.com
Nicole Rissler
Visit Sarasota County
1777 Main St.
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 955-0991
nrissler@visitsarasota.org
Heather Kasten
Lakewood Ranch Business
Alliance
8430 Enterprise Circle
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 757-1664
heatherkasten@lwrba.org
Michelle Crabtree
Premier Sotheby’s
8141 Lakewood Main St.,
Suite 101
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 724-4663
michelle.crabtree@
sothebysrealty.com
Wendy Last
LegalShield Independent
Associate
6801 Turnbery Isle Court
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 907-6011
legalshieldwendy@gmail.com
SALLY ULLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
SALLY ULLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
LWRBA WOME N LEADE RS
Kyanne Merrill
Lakewood Ranch Community
Activities
6310 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 757-1530
kmerrill@lwrcac.com
Lori Denny
LECOM
5000 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211
(941) 756-0690
ldenny@lecom.edu
Cherri Kessler
BMO Harris Bank
11535 Palmbrush Trail
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 757-4501
cherri.kessler@bmo.com
Lori Ann Devine
Fairway Funding Group Inc.
8235 Natures Way
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 894-6565
lori@fairwayfundinggroup.com
Donna Soda
Premier Sotheby’s
8141 Main St. #101
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 961-5857
donnasoda@gmail.com
“Lakewood Ranch is becoming
the new center of Sarasota and
Manatee as population and
commerce shift eastward. Our
members build awareness and
serve as a voice to the different
county and government
organizations.”
8430 ENTERPRISE CIRCLE, STE 140
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL 34202
(941) 757-1664
LWRBA.ORG
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
“Lakewood Ranch has emerged
as one of the fastest-growing
and best-selling master-planned
communities in the nation in
just 20 years. Once a landscape
of timber and cattle, the 32,000acre, 50-square-mile community
is now home to 18,000 residents
and 1,200 businesses.”
8430 ENTERPRISE CIRCLE, STE 140
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL 34202
(941) 757-1664
LWRBA.ORG
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SALLY ULLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
SALLY ULLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
LWRBA WOME N LEADE RS
LWRBA WOME N LEADE RS
Amanda Vercheski
LWR Commercial Realty
14400 Covenant Way
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 757-1678
avercheski@lwrcommercial.com
Joni Rametta, CFP®
Nepsis Advisor Services
6230 University Parkway,
Suite 305
Sarasota, FL 34240
(941) 361-1484
jrametta@nepsisadvisors.com
Barbara A. Jones, CPA/CFP®
Kerkering Barberio & Co.
9423 Town Center Parkway
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 365-4617
bjones@kbgrp.com
Yasemin Chain
ComCenter
9040 Town Center Parkway
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 782-1200
ychain@comcenters.net
Annette Gueli
Pro-Motions Notions
4411-301 Bee Ridge Road
Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 952-1119
annette@notionsunlimited.com
Veronica Miller
Goodwill Manasota
2705 51st Ave. E.
Bradenton, FL 34203
(941) 355-2721
veronica.miller@gimi.org
Kathy Collums
Sabal Palm Bank
5101 Fruitville Road
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 361-1122
kcollums@sabalpalmbank.com
Susan Goldstein
Michael Saunders & Company
Commercial Division
8325 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 350-9747
Susan@srqgold.com
CJ Bannister
Goodwill Manasota
2705 51st Ave. E.
Bradenton, FL 34203
(941) 355-2721
cj.bannister@gimi.org
Lana Walsh
Grow Financial
11008 Arcade Place
Bradenton, FL 34211
(727) 798-8846
lana.walsh@growfinancial.org
“Founded in January 2005,
the Lakewood Ranch Business
Alliance is proud to be the
voice for our master-planned
community’s businesses.
We strive to be a driving force
behind the growth of the
business community.”
8430 ENTERPRISE CIRCLE, STE 140
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL 34202
(941) 757-1664
LWRBA.ORG
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
Business Women’s Advisory Group
WOME N HE LPING WOME N
BACK ROW: Suzy Circle, VP Sales, Alltrust Insurance;
Laura Adcock, partner, WBRC Architects; Danielle
Roca, CFO, Sarasota Interventional Radiology
MIDDLE ROW: CJ Bannister, director of veteran
services, Goodwill Manasota; Jayna Hamel, residential
lending advisor, Seaside National Bank and Trust; ,
Lesley Harb, owner, FastNFresh; Rosenda Calloway,
regional sales manager, AAA; Trish McConnell,
director of community impact, United Way Suncoast
BOTTOM ROW: Mary LeMay, director of operations,
The Law Place; Veronica Brandon Miller, vice president,
Goodwill Foundation; Jamie Aymerich, business sales
consultant, Truforte Business Group
ABSENT FROM PHOTO: Patricia Meringer, Esq.,
sole practitioner; Kim Miele, executive director, CEO
Council; Linda Nash, VP of operations, Manatee
Surgical Center; Cookie Boudreaux, consultant, Mark
Kamin & Associates; Maribeth Phillips, CEO, Meals on
Wheels Manatee County; and Keren Lefrak
Business Women’s Advisory Group (BWAG)
connects women with the time and talent of
other executive women to support the balance
of work and personal life. This aid extends to
their families, friends and colleagues and is
built upon the concept of “Women Helping
Women.”
Mary LeMay, director of operations of The
Law Place, had a vision: a group of women
working together for the sole purpose of
helping each other succeed in business.
LeMay wanted the forum to serve as a vehicle
to help women balance work and family. Four
other women shared the same vision, and
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together they built an association: Veronica
Brandon Miller, VP of Goodwill Foundation, Patricia Meringer, Esq. Sole Proprietor,
Jamie Aymerich, business sales consultant
for Truforte Business Group, and Kim Miele,
executive director of CEO Council. To kick off
this group, they each invited five executive
women who were willing to give their time and
talent to others in the group.
Three years later, the 21 members of this
invitation-only group meet monthly to build
a strategic relationship with each other.
They chose to get involved and to surround
themselves with like-minded professional
women. Their meetings have an educational
component and they always have a businessfocused discussion question each month.
This allows them insight into each other’s
backgrounds and challenges. Members
collaborate and share their expertise and
resources to offer business strategies. They
discuss and problem-solve the day-to-day
challenges someone may be facing and offer
strategies utilizing their backgrounds in
marketing, advertising, insurance, travel,
managing vendors, etc. They use their
connections to help friends who are facing
personal or business challenges and they
support many community causes.
This group of confident, competent and
charismatic women has developed a deep
understanding of each other’s roles in their
businesses and has developed a trust level
that has produced countless referrals and
other business benefits. They support each
other and have utilized their connections
and their collective wisdom to make a difference in other executive women’s lives. Their
friendships have blossomed and they have
helped women succeed as they grow their
businesses.
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
Lori Hultman, Christine Sensenig
HULTMAN SENSENIG + JOSHI
Hultman Sensenig + Joshi was formed by Lori Hultman,
Christine Sensenig and Nikhil Joshi because they
wanted to practice law differently. The three friends, who
together have over 70 years of legal experience, joined
forces to create a labor and employment law firm that
reflects their personalities and philosophy. The firm
provides human resources and employment law advice
as well as litigation defense to private and public sector
employers in all aspects of the employment relationship.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see.”
The firm practices that by being approachable, using
everyday language when advising clients and at conferences, and by treating clients and opposing counsel with
respect. Making clients comfortable is important to HS+J.
Hultman says, “The biggest compliment a client can give
us is to say, ‘You explained things like a real person, not
a lawyer.’”
The three have been friends for about 16 years; they
appreciate the value of long-term relationships. To build
those strong relationships with clients, they listen to
clients to discern their goals, understand their culture,
and HS+J provides cost-effective legal services. All this
allows HS+J to live up to its mission, “You + Us = Workplace Solutions.” The “plus” is what the firm focuses on
with clients, in that legal advice is not a one-way street.
“We work with our clients to find solutions to problems,
and assist in avoiding problems in the future with proactive advice,” says Hultman.
Most important is that with their own firm, Hultman,
Sensenig and Joshi are able to give back to the community by donating time and financial assistance to
nonprofit organizations, and encouraging others to do the
same. Said Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what
we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Lori Hultman, Christine Sensenig
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ACHIEVEMENTS
LORI HULTMAN
ACHIEVEMENTS
Graduate, University of Florida
Levin College of Law
Florida Bar Board Certified in
Labor and Employment Law,
2001-present
SuperLawyer, 2008-2010,
2014-2015
CHRISTINE SENSENIG
ACHIEVEMENTS
Graduate, University of Florida
Levin College of Law
Florida Trend Magazine Legal
Elite, 2009-2014
SuperLawyer, 2015
University of Florida Alumni
Leader of the Year, 2009
Nominee, SRQ Magazine
Women in Business
Award,2014
2055 WOOD ST., SUITE 208
SARASOTA, FL 34237
(941) 953-2828
WWW.HSJLAWFIRM.COM
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Zenith Insurance Company
WORKERS COMPENSATION SPECIALISTS
LORI E. ALLEN, Commercial Insurance Adviser
Brown & Brown, one of the largest (ranked sixth
largest in U.S. and seventh in the world by Business
Insurance Magazine) and most respected independent insurance intermediaries in the nation,
provides a variety of insurance products and
services through licensed subsidiaries. With 13
years of experience, Lori Allen tailors cost-effective,
high-quality insurance, risk-management and
surety solutions.
“I was fortunate early in my career to work with
a woman who embodied all that I wished to attain—
integrity, success, acceptance in a man’s world,
influence,” Allen says. “She set a standard that I try
to meet every day.”
CYNTHIA FITZGIBBONS, Commercial Lines
Marketing Director
Atlas Insurance, named Best Insurance Agency
in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, strives to protect
its clients, serve the community and build on a
tradition of trust, honesty and integrity. Cynthia
Fitzgibbons has 20 years of experience in commercial insurance. She enjoys the complexity of the
commercial insurance industry and the challenge
of finding the best coverage for her clients.
“My first manager’s drive and passion really
inspired me,” says Fitzgibbons. “Advertising was
much more of a challenge. Watching her go through
the ups and downs of owning a business was an
early learning experience for me.”
ANGELA SMITH, Commercial Lines Account
Manager
Al Purmort Insurance is led by a team with five
generations of insurance industry experience. They
see every relationship as an opportunity to provide
value, understanding, and customized solutions
that exceed expectations. Angela Smith has five
years of insurance experience with 20 years profes-
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sional expertise and experience in accounting
operations, sales, marketing, project management
and customer relations.
“My mother-in-law was a compassionate leader
with unbelievable strength and courage,” Smith
explains. “She passed away after a battle with
cancer. I hope to be half the woman that she was.”
TARA WILLIAMS, Business Insurance Agent
Ranked No. 1 in overall client satisfaction, BB&T
Insurance Services works with individuals and
families, small business owners, Fortune 500
companies, and nonprofits across the country.
And with each and every one, they listen first.
Tara Williams has 16 years of experience in the
insurance industry. She is an advocate and adviser
who works diligently to design a comprehensive
program that protects the businesses her clients
have worked so hard to build.
“The woman of influence in my life would be my
mom, hands down,” she says. “She taught me to
walk in my truth and by doing so everything will
always work out as it intended to.”
ROXANNE SIMA, Licensed Agent
Purmort & Martin Insurance Agency, one of the
area’s oldest and largest locally owned insurance
agencies, has consistently been named Best Insurance Agency by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. In
1993, Purmort & Martin became the first two-time
winner of the Insignia Award for superior customer
service. Roxanne Sima has 32 years of experience.
Her true passion is building long-term customer
relationships and solving problems that their businesses may face on a daily basis.
“One of the most influential women who touched
my life was our office manager,” says Sima. “She
guided and supported me through both education
and by being a role model of excellence.”
KATHLEEN GRATZ, Regional
Operations Manager
For Bouchard Insurance, founded in 1948, “client
first” is the sole purpose. Bouchard Insurance
was named Top Workplace by the Tampa Bay
Times and one of the Best Companies to Work
for by Florida Trend Magazine. With 27 years of
experience, Kathleen Gratz manages the large
commercial lines departments and operations for
the Sarasota and Fort Myers branches.
“The woman who most influenced me was
my mom,” Gratz explains. “Although she died of
leukemia when I was 25, she taught me so much.
She always considered how her actions would
affect others. She taught me to always stand on my
own two feet. She was an amazing role model.”
1390 MAIN ST., SARASOTA, FL 34236
(941) 906-2000
THEZENITH.COM
MAKING A DIFFE RE NCE
Zenith focuses on developing close
relationships with agents and clients.
Zenith’s leaders and staff are proud to know
and present these inspiring women who are
making a difference in the insurance industry
and in the community.
Combined, these women bring over 110
years of experience and expertise serving
their mutual clients. Although these women
come from diverse backgrounds and life
experiences, one of the things they have in
common is their desire to provide excellent
protection, value and risk-management
strategies. They all generously give their time
and resources to support local charities and
nonprofits. Tara Williams says, “We are happy
and committed to give back to a community
that has given us all so many opportunities,
both professionally and personally.”
Zenith Insurance Company, a regionally
focused workers’ compensation carrier, salutes
these women who are making a difference
every day.
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
Super Women of All Faiths Food Bank
Karen Mckeivier
CABINETSCAPES
Left to right: Nicole Double, Aundria Castleberry, Denise Cotler, Lupe Roberton, Fran Talley, Sandy Wick, Sandra Frank,
Elaina Mand, Molly Maggio, Erica Enmeier, Susan Michelson Brown, Laura Coyle and Jenna Jones Heonis.
The women of All Faiths Food Bank are the
driving force behind the Campaign Against
Summer Hunger. With educations ranging
from finance, psychology and graphic
design to graduate degrees in law, business
administration, dietetics, and public administration, they are united in just one goal—to
feed 21,000 hungry children this summer.
They are living examples of women
who struggled with adversity and successfully channeled those experiences into a
passion for feeding children and families.
Combining diversity, talent and a strong
work ethic, the women of All Faiths have
become leaders of change at the food bank
and in the community.
When asked what defines them, their
response is compassion, collaboration and
dedication. Combining these values with
expertise in nutrition, fund raising, and
program planning, they have inspired new
partnerships and strategies to feed even
more children. The community is encouraged to join the monumental task of raising
enough food and funds.
“When the school year ends, hunger
begins for 21,000 students.” says CEO
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Sandra Frank. “No child should go hungry in
a community so graced with the capacity and
resources to end hunger.”
The recognition of these remarkable women
and their achievements can be seen in the face
of a well-nourished child.
8171 BLAIKIE COURT
SARASOTA, FL 34240
(941) 379-6333
ALLFAITHSFOODBANK.ORG
ACHIEVE ME NTS
Partnering with 195
agencies and programs
providing food to 15,000
children last summer
Partnering with the
School District to offer
40+ summer meal sites
Expanding All Faiths’
backpack program so
kids have nutritious
food over the summer
weekends
Deploying well-stocked
Mobile Pantries into
neighborhoods with
highest need
ACHIEVEMENTS
In 1999, Karen Mckeivier
was named “Rookie
of the Year” by the
Portage County of
Ohio Homebuilders.
She then went on to
specialize in vacant
land, land development
and land acquisition
where she developed
a love and passion
for homebuilding
and building arts.
Karen is the Owner
and Senior Designer
of Cabinetscapes
and President of the
Sarasota Design
District, which both
reside in the Rosemary
Neighborhood, located
just north of downtown
Sarasota.
Karen Mckeivier is a custom cabinet and
furniture designer with over 20 years’
experience in the custom trade industry.
Specializing not only in kitchen and
bath, Karen also uses her talents to create
dream closets and other personal spaces.
Karen has a showroom available by
appointment to meet with you one-on-one,
taking you through a white-glove experience when designing with you and for you.
It’s a co-creation that she finds is the most
successful approach to designing spaces
that inspire and ultimately bring joy to the
many clients she has served from Longboat Key to Naples and beyond.
Since she moved to Sarasota 12 years
ago, Karen is only comfortable doing
custom designs that suit each individual
client’s needs. She engineers and specs
every inch of the design to make sure
that each detail complements the others
correctly and that the final product
satisfies her highest standards through
a thorough inspection. Only then does it
leave her off-site custom manufacturing
facility, located here in Sarasota.
Karen’s mission is to create joyful
memories with a carefully curated
selection of premium products. She is
transforming the industry, and people are
noticing.
425 CENTRAL AVE.
SARASOTA, FL 34236
(941) 925-2500
CABINETSCAPESFL.COM
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
CS&L CPAs
Dolly Jacobs
THE CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY
Susan Thompson, CPA; Aubrey Lynch, CPA;
Lisa Bristow, CPA; Lisa Johnson, CPA
ACHIEVEMENTS
2014 Small Business
of the Year, Sarasota
Chamber of Commerce
2014 Gulf Coast 500
Honoree, Business
Observer
2014 Spirit of Manatee
Award, Manatee
Community Foundation
2013 Best Companies
to Work for in Florida,
Florida Trend
2014 Best Places to Work
in Tampa Bay, Tampa
Bay Business Journal
2013 Insignia Award,
Sarasota Chamber of
Commerce
2014 Small Business
of the Year Finalist,
Manatee Chamber of
Commerce
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What unique strategies have brought
CS&L success in working with its
diverse clientele? CS&L’s core business
model is founded on the principle that
every client should be treated as diverse
and unique. The firm’s 50-plus professional staff members embrace that each
client has different needs and requires
a specialized approach. CS&L attributes
much of its long-term success to this
unique strategy.
CS&L has the capacity to provide
personal and corporate tax services, international tax solutions, estate planning,
auditing, consulting, outsourced CFO and
accounting solutions, pension administration, and more. This array of services,
combined with a focus to create individual
solutions, is a valuable advantage in
today’s complex environment. The CS&L
leadership group understands that one
of the most significant things that truly
set the CS&L staff apart is their connection with clients. The team appreciates
personal interactions with each and every
client—no matter how large or small.
This close relationship with each client
allows the staff to proactively respond to
potential opportunities and challenges
as they arise, keeping their clients on the
path to reaching their goals.
Watching Dolly Jacobs soar above the
ring is truly watching poetry in motion;
and seeing her smile is like viewing a
brilliant sunrise. In both instances, you
know that you’re in the presence of an
extraordinary individual.
Jacobs, acclaimed as one of the
world’s premier aerialists, was destined
to become circus legend. Her mother,
Jean, was a magazine cover girl and
circus performer. Jacobs’ father, Lou,
is recognized as one of the greatest
clowns of all time. Born in Sarasota,
Jacobs trained at Sarasota’s Sailor
Circus before following her parents’
footsteps, joining the Ringling Bros.
and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Years of
additional training led to a starring role
in The Greatest Show on Earth as well as
featured status in circuses world-wide
on the Roman Rings.
In 1997 Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis
created what is known today as The
Circus Arts Conservatory. It presents
performances to showcase many of
the world’s finest circus artists. Jacobs
continues to dazzle audiences with
her spectacular aerial artistry, while
earning praise from a grateful community for her leadership role in impactful
circus outreach programs.
ACHIEVEMENTS
1515 RINGLING BLVD., SUITE 900
SARASOTA, FL 34236
(941) 954-4040
1001 THIRD AVE. W., SUITE 700
BRADENTON, FL 34205
(941) 748-1040
CSLCPA.COM
Awarded the prestigious
Silver Clown and Le
Dame du Cirque from
the International Circus
Festival of Monte Carlo
Inducted into Sarasota’s
Circus Ring of Fame, 1997
Inducted into the Circus
Hall of Fame, 1999
Inducted into the World
Acrobat Society Gallery
of Legends, 2013
National Council of
Jewish Women “Women
in Power” Award, 2013
2015 NEA National
Heritage Fellowship
Award
2075 BAHIA VISTA ST.
SARASOTA, FL 34239
(941) 355-9335
CIRCUSARTS.ORG
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
Coral Pleas
Laura Mattia
CUTTING LOOSE SALON
FINANCIALLY EMPOWERING WOMEN
ACHIEVEMENTS
Biz941 People to Watch
Top 50 Performing
Salons of 2014, American
Salon’s Better Business
Network
Top 200 Salon in
America, Salon
Today Magazine, five
consecutive years
Best Hair Salon, Living
on the Suncoast, 2012
Founded by master stylist Coral Pleas
in 2008, Cutting Loose Salon has quickly
garnered a reputation as one of the top
salons in the Suncoast with the best-trained
team to be found anywhere. Cutting Loose
is a full-service hair salon specializing in
the French hair-cutting technique and the
French balayage highlighting technique.
With three locations in Florida and one in
Connecticut, Cutting Loose prides itself in
offering five-star treatment to guests who
leave the salon looking extraordinary and
feeling refreshed.
Education is at the forefront of the salon’s
philosophy. Each month, Cutting Loose
hosts an advanced education seminar so
hair designers continuously learn the latest
techniques and trends. Cutting Loose
also has an advanced associate training
program named Protégé the Academy that
fosters new talent. Pleas emphasizes that
Cutting Loose is a family business, with her
children, Travis and Taelor, now managing
her newest locations.
“As a team, we are committed to inspire
our guests and our community while
enhancing beauty, inside and out,” says
Pleas. “As artists, we have a passion for
this industry and for what we do, and we
want to share that with every person who
walks through our door.”
Best of Sarasota,
Sarasota Magazine,
2010-2014
Best of SRQ Local, SRQ
Magazine, 2012 and 2013
Best Young Business of
the Year: 2013, Greater
Sarasota Chamber of
Commerce
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8429 HONORE AVE.
BRADENTON, FL 34201
(941) 358-6000
1950 MAIN ST.
SARASOTA, FL 34236
(941) 365-5586
5820 RANCH LAKE BLVD., SUITE 112
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL 34202
(941) 404-7100
EVENTS
Evening Symposium
Financially Empowering Women Dialogue
What is the financial gender gap, why should you care
and what can we do about it? Be my guest to join a
thoughtful conversation over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
Sarasota Yacht Club
July 9 from 5:30-7:30pm
Free: limited to the first 30 women who sign up.
Sign up at financiallyempoweringwomen.com/events
Two-Day Workshop
Financially Empowering Workshop with Workbook:
Evolved from a program developed for Rutgers
University.
Sarasota Garden Club
Oct. 22 & 29 from 7:00-9:00pm
or Nov. 5 & 12 from 1:00-3:00pm
Sign up at financiallyempoweringwomen.com/events
Laura Mattia, CFP®, MBA, Ph.D.
candidate, CDFA™, CRPS® is a Sarasota
fee-only financial advisor who specializes
in women’s issues. Her doctoral dissertation is on the financial literacy gender gap.
Few people have the unique combination of financial work and educational
experience that Mattia has acquired. Her
experience includes advanced financial
degrees and certifications, and over 30
years of financial leadership experience
as a CFO/controller for Fortune 500
companies, Wall Street firms, individuals
preparing for retirement, and as a finance
professor at Rutgers University. Mattia is
a principal with Baron Financial Group, a
fee-only Sarasota firm.
Most importantly, Mattia is dedicated
to improving financial literacy for women
as the radio show host of Financially
Empowering Women with Laura Mattia
and the author of a monthly finance
column appearing in ABC News.com
with the same title.
Mattia received the Women’s Choice
Award for Financial Advisors, the NJBIZ
Best 50 Women in Business and the Five
Star Wealth Manager awards. She is a
Sarasota Chamber of Commerce trustee
member, Pine View Association treasurer
and volunteer at the Sarasota Safe Place
and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC).
(941) 922-1365
FINANCIALLYEMPOWERINGWOMEN.COM
BARON-FINANCIAL.COM
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
Veronica Brandon Miller
Christine L. Koval, D.M.D.
VICE PRESIDENT, GOODWILL FOUNDATION
KOVAL & KOVAL DENTAL ASSOCIATES
ACHIEVEMENTS
Biz941 People to Watch
Volunteer of the Year,
Project 180
Gulf Coast Leadership
Institute
Leadership Sarasota
Class, Chamber of
Commerce
Senior Leadership
Program, GII
Paul Harris Fellow
ABC Spirit of
Philanthropy Award
Veronica Brandon Miller has devoted
herself to worthy causes professionally
and personally. For more than 25 years,
she has helped nonprofits enhance and
advance their mission, such as leading
ShelterBox USA and helping it increase
its donations by 1,000 percent; the Boys
& Girls Club, where she founded the
Women’s Leadership Council; and the
Smithsonian Institution, where she helped
complete the campaign for the National
Museum of the American Indian. Known
as a passionate advocate, she created
the Goodwill Ambassadors Program,
comprising a cadre of volunteers who
donate their time, money and professional
expertise. This program has won “best
volunteer program” from Goodwill Industries International. In her current role she
also gets to use her talents in re-branding
the organization’s image and helping to
raise significant funds to help change
lives through the power of work.
“Devotion to worthy causes and raising
money for organizations who support
those in need is not just what I do for
a living,” she says. “It defines me as a
person.” In addition to the time devoted
to Goodwill, Brandon Miller also is vice
chair of the board for the Child Protection
Center.
Chronical of
Philanthropy Marketing
Award
Fellow, International
Academy for Dental
Facial Esthetics
Sarasota Women’s
Alliance
Sarasota Civilian Police
Academy
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Awarded “America’s Top
Dentist” annually since
2005
Recipient of 19 Gold
Medal Smile Awards
from Florida Academy of
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cause Marketing Forum
Halo Award
Business Women’s
Alliance Group
ACHIEVEMENTS
2705 51ST AVE. E.,
BRADENTON FL 34203
(941) 355-2721
EXPERIENCEGOODWILL.ORG
Graduate of the
Georgetown University
School of Dentistry
Certified in advanced
dental laser technologies
Dr. Christine Koval is living her dream:
The wife and mother of two is also a highly
credentialed and well-respected cosmetic
dentist who has helped hundreds of
community members enhance their lives
by enhancing their smiles. In Dr. Koval’s
office, comprehensive care combines technology, science and aesthetics to achieve
stunning results.
Dr. Koval knew from a young age
that she wanted to follow her father’s
footsteps into dentistry. When she was a
child, she always loved science and art.
As a teen, she took every opportunity
to work and observe at her father’s oral
surgery hospital. After her graduation
from Georgetown University School of
Dentistry, she and her father opened a
practice on Stickney Point Road, where
they practiced together until his retirement in 2009. Dr. Koval continues to hone
her cosmetic and general dentistry skills
with hundreds of hours in continuing
education.
“Often, what prompts a person to
consider improving his or her smile is a
major life change. They say, ‘Now it’s time
for me!’ I am honored to help my patients
start a new chapter with a youthful,
healthy and natural smile,” says Dr. Koval.
American Academy of
Cosmetic Dentistry
Florida Academy of
Cosmetic Dentistry
American Dental
Association
Sarasota County Dental
Association
Advanced training in
dental sleep disorders
2477 STICKNEY POINT ROAD,
SUITE 216A
SARASOTA, FL 34231
(941) 923-5406
KOVALANDKOVAL.COM
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
Mary DeArment
Tommye E. Barie, CPA
COLLECTIBLE & CUSTOM LUXURY SCARVES
MAULDIN & JENKINS, LLC
ACHIEVEMENTS
Custom Design
Working with clients and artisans to fulfill a vision
Community Involvement
Partnering with local nonprofits to promote their
missions
Scarves by Mary DeArment™ is a
Sarasota-based brand of luxury silk
scarves. Screen printing on fine silk
allows DeArment, who adores color, free
rein with her design passion. Her scarves
are part of the American trend to embrace
the versatile and elegant square scarf,
long a European standard for fashionable
women.
DeArment’s designs are all created with
words, so each scarf is a visual puzzle.
She is uniquely positioned to promote
Sarasota with several designs made with
our town’s name. The artist gives back to
her community through collaboration with
local nonprofits, designing and donating
scarves made with a key word in their
mission statements.
DeArment’s creative use of words as
design elements lends itself to custom
family or corporate gifts. Popular wedding
gifts are made with couple’s names and/
or surnames. Designs made with business
names and mission statements promote
branding.
DeArment’s passion for the arts
inspires her to make beautiful scarves
whose feel, drape and movement are as
memorable as their appearance.
“I am fascinated by language on many
levels. Words have both visual structures
and symbolic structures. Each word has a
profile whose shape is interesting. Fonts
can vary a word endlessly and yet, even
with tremendous distortion, the text
can still be discerned because the brain
completes what is incomplete,” she says.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Passion for design, appreciation of luxury and spirit
of daring fuel this venture
Chair, AICPA (20142015); fourth woman to
serve as chair
Chair, National
Accreditation
Commission (2008-2011)
Top 100 Most Influential
People for 2014,
Accounting Today
President, Florida
Institute of Certified
Public Accountants
(FICPA) (2004 - 2005)
Chair, AICPA’s finance
committee (2011-2013)
Member, AICPA board of
directors (2010-present)
(941) 400-8818
MARY@SCARVEBYMARYDEARMENT.COM
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ACHIEVEMENTS
Tommye E. Barie, CPA, is well known
among her accounting peers. A partner
with Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC, Barie was
recently inducted as the 102nd chair
of the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants (AICPA), where
she will serve a one-year term. With
400,000 members, the AICPA is the
world’s largest member organization
representing the accounting profession.
Accounting is in her family’s DNA.
Her father was an accountant and her
brother is a CPA. But her biggest influence is her mother, a small-business
owner “who got me hooked on numbers
at age 12,” Barie says.
Since starting her career in
1983, Barie has focused on serving
governmental entities and nonprofit
organizations. She is passionate about
providing quality and valuable audit
and accounting services to clients, as
well as volunteerism to the accounting
profession.
Her goal as AICPA chair is to make
a positive impact every day and be
adaptive to the ever-changing global
environment.
1301 SIXTH AVE. W., SUITE 600
BRADENTON, FL 34205
(941) 747-4483
MJCPA.COM
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
Debra L’Heureux
Cheryl Loeffler
MY TOP MATCHMAKER
PREMIER SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL
At age 49, Debra L’Heureux was hit by
Cupid’s arrow, left academia and trained
to become a professional matchmaker.
Twelve years later, she’s matched
all kinds of couples, from retirees to
mid-30s career types striking out in the
bar scene. Her clients have high expectations, which she encourages. In her office
there’s a strict “no settling” policy. She’ll
often search the entire state for the right
person.
“If you’re in love, you know you’d go
practically anywhere to meet the love of
your life,” she says.
Attraction is emotional, physical and
intellectual. It’s important to be matched
on all three levels. “We handcraft all
of our matches, which is the good, oldfashioned art of matchmaking,” she says.
“We do not use computers or software.”
L’Heureux’s clients are really
committed to finding a spouse or being
in a serious, monogamous relationship. They do not want to leave the
most important decision of their life to
chance. If you have been divorced or
widowed, you can love again. It will
be different, but it’s never too late to
pursue love.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Chair, Board of Trustees,
Ringling College of Art
and Design
Past chair, Campus
Master Planning, RCAD
Past chair, Library
Building Committee,
RCAD
ACHIEVEMENTS
3 marriages in the past year
2 engagements
15 couples going steady
60
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Finance committee,
RCAD
3131 S. TAMIAMI TRAIL, SUITE 206
SARASOTA, FL 34239
(941) 366-1939
MYTOPMATCHMAKER.COM
Member, revitalization
committee, Longboat Key
Director, Longboat Key
Foundation
Combining a personal touch with
technical savvy, Cheryl Loeffler is highly
regarded as a skilled real estate professional who helps her clients find their own
piece of paradise. As one of Sarasota’s
most successful associates, Loeffler has
sold close to $2 billion in waterfront
condos and luxury properties in the area
throughout her 30-year career.
Since providing exceptional customer
service is one of her top priorities, Loeffler
has built a very loyal clientele. With a
masters degree in business administration and a background in marketing and
finance, she offers her clients extensive business and industry knowledge
combined with unsurpassed local real
estate expertise. Among other luxury
properties and developments, Loeffler is
currently marketing the nine-story AQUA
condominium on Golden Gate Point
overlooking Sarasota Bay, priced from
$2,895,000.
Loeffler is a founding director of
Insignia Bank, a director of Longboat Key
Foundation, current chair of the board of
trustees of the Ringling College of Art and
Design and active supporter of the Asolo
Repertory Theatre. She has a rich resume
of service on numerous local nonprofit
boards and supports many civic and arts
organizations.
Board of directors,
Longboat Key Federation
of Condominiums
Founding director,
Insignia Bank
Master’s degree
in business and
administration
(941) 308-6554
CHERYLLOEFFLER.COM
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
Rita Altman, P.A., MPAS.
Margaret Barbieri, Mary Anne Servian, Janet Ginn
RITA MEDICAL ELITE
THE SARASOTA BALLET
ACHIEVEMENTS
29 years experience
Emory University School
of Medicine, P.A., MPAS.
1986
Michigan State
University Honors
College, B.A. 1982
Top U.S. Injector
National Trainer
Injectables
Dermal Fillers:
Radiesse+, Juvederm+,
Voluma, Perlane/
Restylane
Rita Altman is very proud to own and
manage her own aesthetic medical
practice. She spent many years perfecting
her expertise. Rita takes a lot of pride in
respecting and appreciating her clients.
As a result, 95 percent of her business is
referrals and repeat clients. The practice
focuses 100 percent on helping clients
achieve facial enhancements.
Altman’s reputation as a top injector in
the industry has expanded her experience
in training many other medical professionals. She has taught plastic surgeons
and dermatologists many successful techniques of injectable procedures to reverse
facial aging. The ultimate goal is to create
a natural look.
Says Altman, “I am blessed to have
amazing clients that follow me wherever
I go. To sculpt a face with injectables and
watch the transformation over the years is
the most amazing reward. When we feel
good and look good, everything in life is
better.”
Rita Medical Elite is accepting new
clients who are welcome to call and
schedule a complimentary consultation at
(941) 951-2161.
“When we are no longer able to change
a situation, we are challenged to change
ourselves.” —Viktor Frankl
MARGARET BARBIERI
JANET GINN
ARAD, PDTC (Dip) PG
Certified
Certified fund-raising
executive, 2003, 2006,
2009, 2012, 2015
Principal ballerina, The
Royal Ballet, 1965-1990
Awarded Distinction by
the University of London,
post-graduate certificate in
teaching and learning
Director, classical
graduate program, London
Studio Center, London
Instrumental in devising
the classical ballet course
for BA Honours Degree
MARY ANNE SERVIAN
Bachelor of Arts,
Westchester University
Mid-career masters,
Harvard John F. Kennedy
School of Government
Neuromodulators: Botox,
Dysport, Xeomin
City commissioner and
mayor of Sarasota,
2001-2007
2161 SIESTA DRIVE
SARASOTA, FL 34239
(941) 951-2161
RITAMEDICALELITE.COM
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ACHIEVEMENTS
20 years of senior financial
management in banking
Managing director,
The Sarasota Ballet,
2011-present
Harvard Business School,
Strategic Perspectives of
Nonprofit Management,
2000
Leadership Management
Institute, Effective
Personal Productivity,
2005
Leadership Management
Institute, Effective
Supervisory Management,
2007
Leadership Orlando,
Organizational
Leadership, 2012
The first impression —whether at a
networking event or in the studio—sets
the stage for a lasting identity. When
successful, that first impression can
transform an organization. And that’s
just the impression the women leading
The Sarasota Ballet have presented to the
arts community.
The artistic excellence is best described
by Carrie Seidman as ballet “performed
with artistry and polish, which I would
willingly match against any other
[company] in history.” Made possible by
assistant director Margaret Barbieri, her
precision in staging ballets has placed
The Sarasota Ballet on the map nationally
and internationally.
With Mary Anne Servian at the helm
administratively, the company has seen
years of financial growth and stability.
Endowments have tripled, and the organization runs fiscally sounder than it ever has in
its 25 years.
Finally, with Janet Ginn managing
donor relations, the company is set to
take center stage in the arts community
of Sarasota. As a certified fund-raising
executive with over 30 years inspiring
individuals to create a legacy of hope,
Ginn adds a new level of excellence to the
organization.
Welcome to The Sarasota Ballet. You’re
in good hands.
Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary
International, 2013
Association of
Fundraising Professionals’
international conference
speaker, 2008
Article in The Journal of
Gift Planning, 2006
Awarded Arkansas
Traveler (International
Ambassador for the State
of Arkansas)
5555 N. TAMIAMI TRAIL
SARASOTA, FL 34243
(941) 359-0099
SARASOTABALLET.ORG
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
Gail Bowden
Jackie Barron, Jeanie Kirkpatrick, Brynne Anne Besio
SPERRY VAN NESS, SENIOR INVESTMENT ADVISOR
SOUTH FLORIDA MUSEUM
ACHIEVEMENTS
Top Commercial Real
Estate Advisor of the
Year, 2014, 2013, 2011
Top producer over $25
Million, 2014
Top Producer over $20
million, 2013
“Success is defined by your ability to
reach the goals you have set for yourself,”
says Gail Bowden, and success is exactly
what she’s achieved as a senior investment advisor with Sperry Van Ness,
CAG. Evidenced by her record-breaking
numbers, Bowden continues to produce
remarkable results. Her determination
to get the job done is matched by her
ability to remain focused regardless of the
circumstances. Bowden’s talent for orchestrating the many components of even the
most complex deals while maintaining
a demeanor of utmost poise keeps her in
high demand among real estate investors
and property owners alike.
No stranger to success in a maledominated industry, Bowden, prior to
relocating to Sarasota, made her mark
as a leading executive in the oil and gas
industry. Bowden was the first woman
in the country to be hired as a facilities
manager for one of the nation’s largest oil
and gas companies.
Bowden insists that balance is an
important element of her success. She
regularly visits family in Utah and
supports numerous local charities
including SPARCC and Brides Against
Breast Cancer.
27th producer, SVN,
nationally
Top 5 producer, SVN,
Florida, 2014, 2013
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Attendance is up 38
percent since 2012
A Smithsonian Affiliate
since 2003
The Connect Campaign
reached 80 percent of the
$12 million goal before its
public launch, including a
$1.3 million lead gift from
The Mosaic Company
Foundation
In its 68th year of
operation
Tampa Bay Business
Journal’s 2014 Nonprofit
of the Year for Culture
Top sales transaction,
2014, 2013
Top 2 percent of SVN’s
commercial real estate
advisors nationally
ACHIEVEMENTS
1626 RINGLING BLVD., SUITE 500
SARASOTA, FL 34236
(941) 223-1525
GAILBOWDEN.COM
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Home to Snooty, Manatee
County’s official mascot
“Dynamic” is a word often used to
describe the South Florida Museum.
Perfect, then, that it’s also a common
description of Jeanie Kirkpatrick, who
was recently elected president of the
museum’s board—the first woman to
hold the position. In her new role, she
will expand her involvement in the
Connect Campaign for an innovative
expansion of the Museum’s facilities
and programs. The campaign will
fund the first elements of a new Master
campus and programming plan that will
enhance the organization’s service to
the community.
Kirkpatrick’s passion for the educational and entertainment value of the
Museum is visible in her enthusiasm,
and she believes in creating genuine
connections with people—which is at
the core of the Museum’s mission. She is
tremendously pleased to work with other
women of influence, including board
member Jackie Barron, public affairs
manager for The Mosaic Company and
a former journalist with NBC’s Tampa
affiliate, and Brynne Anne Besio, the
Museum’s first-ever female CEO. Kirkpatrick’s leadership style is uniquely
collaborative and both Barron and
Besio are key parts of the South Florida
Museum team.
A member of the
Manatee Rehabilitation
Partnership since 1998
All Manatee County
fourth graders visited
in 2014 for a school
field trip
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201 10TH ST. W.
BRADENTON, FL 34205
(941) 746-4131
SOUTHFLORIDAMUSEUM.ORG
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BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
Dr. Kelly-Anne Shedd-Hartman
Susanne S. Wise, Courtney Wise Snyder, Erika Wise Borland
SWOR WOMEN’S CARE
TAKE CARE HOME HEALTH
ACHIEVEMENTS
Resident of the year,
St. Vincent Mercy Medical
Center/Ohio University
Residency Ohio University
at St. Vincent Mercy
Medical Center, OB/GYN
Graduate Colorado State
University, BS in Biology
Member, American
Osteopathic Association,
Florida Osteopathic
Medical Association,
ACOG, Jr. Fellow
Graduate Lake Erie
College of Medicine,
Bradenton, FL, DO
Guest Appearances:
Maternally Yours radio
program
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Originally from Boulder, Colo., Dr. KellyAnne Shedd-Hartman (Dr. KASH) grew
up on an organic produce farm, along with
her four sisters. She attended Colorado
State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in biology, and a minor in
human anatomy and neuroscience.
Dr. KASH completed medical school
locally, at LECOM in Bradenton, where
she earned her D.O. degree in 2009.
After finishing medical school, she
completed four years of OB/GYN residency and surgical training at St. Vincent
Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio.
Dr. KASH provides comprehensive
OB/GYN care and has advanced surgical
training in laparoscopy, Da Vinci robotic
and single site technology. She is also
certified in contraceptive management and
ultrasound, which is performed in-office.
Dr. KASH’s philosophy is centered on
a holistic approach to women’s health,
which is consistent with her choice of
becoming an Osteopathic physician. She
is a strong proponent of nutritional education, exercise and natural health care.
Dr. KASH holds a special interest
in prenatal health and education on
improving neonatal/infant safety.
She has published research on SIDS—
“Improving infant sleep safety: Now I
Lay Me (Safely) Down to Sleep” (2013).
Dr. KASH lives in Sarasota with her
husband, Jeff. She and her husband are
avid gardeners, and outdoors enthusiasts.
They also have a big heart for rescue
animals.
1617 S. TUTTLE AVE., SUITE 1A
SARASOTA, FL 34239
(941) 330-8885
SWORCARE.COM
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Susanne S. Wise, R.N., M.B.A. is
known throughout the Southwest
Florida community and highly
respected for her caring and generous
nature toward clients and employees.
As a nurse with keen business acumen,
she witnessed first-hand the need for a
private duty home health care agency
that would uphold higher standards and
set precedence for our local community.
Twenty years ago, Wise fulfilled
her passion and dream and opened
Take Care Private Duty Home Health
Care. With the influence of her father,
a farmer in Michigan, and her mother,
a registered nurse, Wise has shaped
Take Care to be the premier provider
in the Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice
communities. She enlisted the support
of her daughters, Courtney and Erika,
to ensure a continuity of character
and consistency of values, which is
the stabilizing force that propels the
creativity and innovation needed to
move Take Care forward.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Sarasota Magazine,
Best of Sarasota, first
place, 2015
Sarasota Herald-Tribune,
Readers’ Choice first
place, 2015
Girls Inc., “She Knows
Where She’s Going”
award, 2014
Courtney Wise Snyder, M.S.G.,
executive director of client services
Biz941, People to Watch,
Courtney Snyder, 2010
Susanne S. Wise, R.N., M.B.A.,
owner & CEO
Business Observer, “40
Under 40,” Courtney
Snyder, 2010
Erika Wise Borland, M.A.,
director of business development
Tampa Bay Business
Journal, Health Care
Heroes Award finalist,
Susanne Wise
Bradenton Herald,
Peoples’ Choice, first
place, 2015
Venice Gondolier Sun,
Best of Venice, first
place, 2014
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TAKE CARE HOME HEALTH
(941) 927-2292
TAKECAREHOMEHEALTH.COM
HHA LIC #21657096 & 21657096
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BIZ(941) WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
BIZ(941) W O M E N O F I N F L U E N C E
Allison Ward Moore
Liz Alpert
WARD GROUP PR
SAR ASOTA FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY
TESTIMONIA L
“We hired Allison to
generate PR for our April
Adult Learn-to-Swim
campaign. The result
was a 10-to-1 return
on our investment.
Allison has two decades
of experience as a
PR professional. She
intimately knows how
the media industry works
and how to shape the
message to generate
published stories. Her
media relationships are
currency we leveraged
to deliver significant
national exposure.
Naturally, Allison will
continue to help us with
other messaging and PR.”
—Rob Butcher,
Executive Director, U.S.
Masters Swimming
66 BIZ(941) JUNE | JULY 2015
Allison Ward Moore knows how to
shine the spotlight on her clients.
A skilled public relations strategist,
Moore develops highly effective broadcast, print and digital campaigns, as well
as engaging special events to advance her
clients’ objectives. She brings her unique
brand of fun and enthusiasm to every
project, helping her clients—including
major corporations, growth-oriented
Florida businesses and nonprofits—
achieve an excellent ROI on their
marketing dollars.
Moore enjoys positioning her clients
as thought leaders, influencers and
newsmakers in industries as diverse as
science, finance, technology, real estate,
health care, nonprofits and the arts. She is
a former news writer with NBC Television
in New York, before moving into public
relations and developing successful
programs for clients like General Foods
and The Marlboro Country Music Tour.
Since forming The Ward Group in
1994, Moore showcased Volkswagen’s
launch of the new “Beetle,” and managed
a Disney movie tie-in with Burger King.
A longtime resident of Sarasota, Moore’s
regional clients include U.S. Masters
Swimming and the Ringling College
Library Association’s acclaimed Town
Hall lecture series.
As she says, “I deliver results for
my clients.”
PRACTICE AREAS
Collaborative divorce
Spousal maintenance
Child custody and support
Contested and
uncontested divorce
Family law appeals
Paternity issues
Prenuptial agreements
Wills and estate planning
BIZ(941) WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
1800 SECOND ST., SUITE 705
SARASOTA, FL 34236
(941) 954-1700
LIZALPERTLAW.COM
Laurie Walmsley
ASHTON ANIMAL CLINIC & THE PET RESORT
ACHIEVEMENTS
(941) 961-3708
GETMOOREPR.COM
Attorney Liz Alpert is a family law attorney
who will listen, share insight and help you
develop a solid strategy for your case.
Alpert is a longtime resident of Florida’s
West Coast. “I understand the local court
systems and I deeply care about the issues my
clients face,” she says.
Alpert has a wide range of experience,
including banking, real estate, retail management, accounting and television news. These
varied backgrounds serve her well as a problem
solver, negotiator and litigator. Additionally,
her experiences running for public office honed
her public speaking skills and ability to argue
her clients’ positions in court. Call her today.
FVMA Distinguished
Service Award, 2013
Medical director, Buddy’s
Feral Cat Program
Director, Kids & Kittens
Program w/SCTI
Veterinarian, Sarasota K9
Search & Rescue
Partner, Southeastern
Guide Dogs
Dr. Laurie Walmsley graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed
her ECFVG Internship at Oklahoma State University. Practicing in Sarasota since 1993, she founded
Ashton Animal Clinic & The Pet Resort, a full-service
small animal veterinary hospital and pet boarding
facility. In 2013, she was the first female recipient of
the Florida Veterinary Medical Association Distinguished Service Award for exceptional achievements
and contributions to the advancement of veterinary
medicine. Since 2002, Dr. Walmsley has mentored
Buddy’s Feral Cat Program, which has spayed/
neutered more than 15,000 feral/free roaming
cats, drastically reducing the number of homeless,
unwanted kittens. She believes that saving the life of
one animal may not change the world, but it changes
the world for that animal.
5660 ASHTON ROAD, SARASOTA, FL 34233
(941) 927-2700
ASHTONANIMALCLINIC.COM
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BIZ(941) WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
BIZ(941) WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
Melissa Link
Caroline King
BR AND ELEVEN ELEVEN
EVERGLADES UNIVERSITY
Melissa Link founded Brand Eleven Eleven five
years ago on the principles of helping clients to
create a great brand, convey the right message
and connect with the right resources and target
markets to make their business successful.
The full-service digital marketing agency has
delivered results for startup businesses, product
companies, professional service organizations
and nonprofits, implementing all aspects of
research, planning, design and creation. Nimble
and personalized in its approach, Brand Eleven
Eleven works in partnership with companies to
deliver what a client needs, when they need it.
ACHIEVEMENTS
“40 Under 40,” Business
Chapter president,
Florida Public Relations Observer
Association
Gold Addy Award, AdFed
ACHIEVEMENTS
3516 N. LOCKWOOD RIDGE ROAD, SARASOTA, FL 34234
(941) 799-9079
BRAND1111.COM
BIZ(941) WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
Outstanding Business,
U.S. Green Building
Council Florida Gulf
Coast Chapter
212° Award, 2009, 2011
BIZ(941) WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
Dr. Myrdalis Diaz-Ramirez
Lubo Jenkins
COMPREHENSIVE PAIN CENTER OF SAR ASOTA
LUNCHBOX
ACHIEVEMENTS
Castle Connolly
Top Doctor in Pain
Management, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015
Clinical Centers of Excellence
Award, American Pain
Society, 2011
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Dr. Myrdalis Diaz-Ramirez is a pain medicine
physician and anesthesiologist with nearly 15
years of experience. She is medical director for
the Comprehensive Pain Center of Sarasota
and for Regenerative Medicine Consultants.
As clinical professor for the College of Medicine at Florida State University, she educates
local medical students. She’s also co-authored
and edited books related to pain management.
And for the last five years, she has been very
active in educating our community through her
September Pain Awareness Month Conference
series. With an entrepreneurial spirit, she is also
partner in the music/entertainment business
Lemay Entertainment.
1921 WALDEMERE ST.,
SUITE 607
SARASOTA, FL 34239
(941) 363-9400
Caroline King serves as Campus Vice President
for Everglades University Sarasota. Under her leadership, EU Sarasota has earned a reputation for
excellence and has been awarded several national
awards, including Most Innovative Program
Award and two GREAT Awards for outstanding
graduates. EU Sarasota was also awarded the
Outstanding Business by the U.S. Green Building
Council Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.
King supports many great causes: Operation
Homefront, Habitat for Humanity, JDRF and the
Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program. An advocate
for the power of education, her passion is to help
students realize their dreams by earning their
degree.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Hispanic Who’s Who
Lakewood Ranch
Business Alliance
Tampa Bay Hispanic Chamber
Of Commerce
Sarasota Chamber of
Commerce
6001 LAKE OSPREY DRIVE,
SUITE 110
SARASOTA, FL 34240
(941) 907-2262
Lubo Jenkins, franchisee and president of the
Northeast Florida and Puerto Rico market for
LunchBOX (A WAXING SALON), already has
two locations open in Sarasota and Jacksonville.
Impressed with the salons’ upscale, fast-growing
concept, Lubo plans to bring even more locations to affluent and progressive communities
throughout Southwest Florida and beyond.
Before this venture, Lubo opened a successful
insurance agency focused on Hispanic agents.
Lubo and the LunchBOX salons are very active
in charitable organizations, including Brides
Against Breast Cancer, LWRMC Auxiliary and
Girls Inc. of Sarasota.
5215 UNIVERSITY PARKWAY,
SUITE 101
UNIVERSITY PARK, FL 34201
(941) 893-5826
LUNCHBOXWAX.COM
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BIZ(941) WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
BIZ(941) WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
Michele Schlossberg
Nikki Taylor
PAINT NAIL BAR
SAR ASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION, INC.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Michigan State
University, BA
Institute for Integrative
Nutrition, NYC, CHNC
Columbia University
Teacher’s College, CHC
Former Ms. Fitness
Colorado
“I believe if you can’t find what you’re looking
for—create it,” says Michele Schlossberg, owner
of PAINT Nail Bar.
PAINT Nail Bar opened in March 2015 and
revolutionizes nail care, rejecting traditional nail
salon practices and the unpleasant atmosphere
associated with that environment—the heavy
fumes, dangerous drills, unsanitary whirlpool
tubs and contaminated implements.
Her goal was to bring to fruition a beautiful,
hygienic nail salon that felt like a chic home
where guests are welcomed with affordable
luxury services, exceptional sanitation standards,
and impeccable customer service. With that goal
in mind, Michele opened PAINT Nail Bar.
BIZ(941) WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
1417 FIRST ST.
SARASOTA, FL 34236
(941) 366-8989
PAINTNAILBAR.COM
ACHIEVEMENTS
Chaired 24-plus charity
events
Founding President, Designing
Daughters of Sarasota
Raised $5 million for
FPRA Board, AFP member,
“To be irreplaceable, you must be different,”
said Coco Chanel. Women of Influence are
all writers of their own unique stories, and
for the past decade, Nikki Taylor has worked
to help other young leaders find their own
distinct voices while writing her own story in
the community at large. “My passion is better
health care,” she says. “To improve health care
for Sarasota through engagement and philanthropy changes so many things for individuals
and communities. Having world-renowned
physicians, facilities and clinicians in our back
yard requires a dedicated, ongoing effort, and
produces outstanding results.”
charity since 2000 WOMEN
Southside PTO
BIZ(941)
OFBoard
INFLUENCE
1515 S. OSPREY AVE., SUITE B-4
SARASOTA, FL 34239
(941) 917-1286
SMHF.ORG
Carrie L. Riley ASID, IIDA, NCIDQ
Linda Thomas & Sheila Brannan Longo
RILEY INTERIOR DESIGN, INC.
THOMAS & BR ANNAN COMMUNICATIONS
Riley Interior Design, Inc. was founded in
2004 by Carrie L. Riley, who has over 20 years of
experience with high-end design concentrated in
residential, yacht design, small boutique design,
commercial and sports venue design. Riley Interior Design, Inc. serves its clients with regard
to aesthetics and function, creating dramatic
and elaborate interiors while also achieving
a timeless quality. The well-known firm has
accomplished a broad range of design styles and
is pleased to provide a complete range of interior
design services tailored specifically for each
individual client.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Professionally licensed
interior designer
Member of ASID for nearly
20 years
NCIDQ Certified
Philanthropist
70 BIZ(941) JUNE | JULY 2015
1929 S. OSPREY AVE.
SARASOTA, FL 34239
(941) 955-5522
RILEY-ID.COM
ACHIEVEMENTS
Linda Thomas and Sheila Brannan Longo have received
numerous creative awards throughout their careers, but
their greatest reward is helping clients achieve their
public relations goals. Visit ThomasBrannan.com for a
portfolio of their proven results.
Years of experience, stellar credentials and
sheer talent have made Thomas & Brannan
Communications among the most accomplished
and respected public relations firms on the
Florida Suncoast.
Established in 1990 by Linda Thomas and
Sheila Brannan Longo, the firm is proud to
represent some the area’s finest clients.
Linda was the founder and publisher of the
Florida Business Journal, the area’s first business
publication. Sheila is a former journalist and
editor of two business publications, a solid
foundation for a segue into copywriting and
public relations. She has a B.S. in communications
and an M.B.A in international trade.
(941) 355-3006
THOMASBRANNAN.COM
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BIZ(941) WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
CONGRATULATIONS
Candice McElyea, President
to these
THREE SIX OH PR
One phrase that is ever-present in everything
done at Three Six OH Public Relations is this:
It’s all about relationships.
Good relationships help others achieve their
goals. Three Six OH does that better than most
because the experts there leverage their relationships to help clients achieve maximum results. By
bringing people together to collaborate, it helps
build bridges, build trust and build your brand.
It also helps Three Six OH tell your story. If you
don’t tell it, others will line up to tell it for you.
WOMENof INFLUENCE
Laura Adcock
Lori Ann Devine
Wendy Last
Michele Schlossberg
Lori E. Allen
Dr. Myrdalis Diaz-Ramirez
Keren Lefrak
Christine Sensenig
Liz Alpert
Nicole Double
Mary LeMay
Mary Anne Servian
Rita Altman
Erica Enmeier
Melissa Link
Jamie Aymerich
Cynthia Fitzgibbons
Cheryl Loeffler
Dr. Kelly-Anne SheddHartman
CJ Bannister
Sandra Frank
Aubrey Lynch
Margaret Barbieri
Janet Ginn
Molly Maggio
Tommye E. Barie
Susan Goldstein
Elaina Mand
Jackie Barron
Kathleen Gratz
Laura Mattia
Dr. Sandra Stone
Brynne Anne Besio
Annette Gueli
Trish McConnell
Cookie Boudreaux
Jayna Hamel
Candice McElyea
USF SAR ASOTA-MANATEE
Gail Bowden
Lesley Harb
Karen Mckeivier
Veronica Brandon Miller
Lori Hultman
Patricia Meringer
Sheila Brannan Longo
Dolly Jacobs
Kyanne Merrill
Lisa Bristow
Lubo Jenkins
Susan Michelson Brown
Aundria Castleberry
Lisa Johnson
Kim Miele
Yasemin Chain
Barbara A. Jones
Linda Nash
Suzy Circle
Jenna Jones Heonis
Maribeth Phillips
Kathy Collums
Heather Kasten
Coral Pleas
Denise Cotler
Cherri Kessler
Joni Rametta
Laura Coyle
Caroline King
Carrie L. Riley
Michelle Crabtree
Jeanie Kirkpatrick
Nicole Rissler
Mary DeArment
Christine L. Koval, D.M.D
Lupe Roberton
Lori Denny
Debra L’Heureux
Danielle Roca
ACHIEVEMENTS
AP Award-winning
journalist
Co-founder, Politically
Personal, 2012
Founder Politically
Unfiltered 2015
Greater Sarasota
Chamber Young
Professional of the Year
Finalist
Mom to two awesome
kids
BIZ(941) WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
THREESIXOH
2032 HAWTHORNE ST.
SARASOTA, FL 34239
(941) 232-9046
THREESIXOHPR.COM
PR that Counts
It didn’t take Dr. Sandra Stone long to make
an impact at USF Sarasota-Manatee. Fewer
than six months into her tenure as USFSM’s
regional chancellor, Dr. Stone has already led
the development of a new strategic plan to
guide the future for the campus. Although the
plan is awaiting final approval, Dr. Stone says
it will lay out a clear, focused strategy that will
benefit USFSM students and the SarasotaManatee community for years to come.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Developing
comprehensive
strategic plan
Instituting open forums for
campus and community
Engaging regional leaders in
impactful conversation
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8350 N. TAMIAMI TRAIL
SARASOTA, FL 34243
(941) 359-4330
USFSM.EDU
Roxanne Sima
Angela Smith
Donna Soda
Dr. Sandra Stone
Fran Talley
Nikki Taylor
Linda Thomas
Susan Thompson
Jessica Tyre
Amanda Vercheski
Laurie Walmsley
Lana Walsh
Allison Ward Moore
Sandy Wick
Tara Williams
Susanne S. Wise
Erika Wise Borland
Courtney Wise Snyder
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