the mecklenburg times presents 50 most influential women, 2016

7/25/2019 The Mecklenburg Times presents 50 Most Influential Women, 2016

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OUR JUDGES

Tish AtkinsSouthern Shows,

Inc.

Blaine JacksonNewDominion

Bank

Cheryl RichardsNortheastern

University

Jessica RossiKimley-Horn

Since we last gathered to celebrate our regionsinluential women:

wo women became the irst emale soldiers to

complete the Armys notoriously diicult RangerSchool and one went on to become the irst emaleinantry oicer; a third woman was the irst to becertiied as an Army combat engineer.

hirty-eight enlisted women were selected bythe Navy to serve on a submarine or the irst time.

Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson became the irstwoman to serve as a combatant commander.

wo women were the irst to complete Nolans14, a continuous trek up and down 14 14,000-ootpeaks in Colora do.

Beyonce became the irst woman to debut 12songs on the Billboard Hot 100.

Aghanistan appointed its irst emale SupremeCourt judge.

Saudi Arabia elected its irst emale politicians,

and Nepal elected its irst emale president.And beore the next time we celebrate theaccomplishments o our regions women, BillClinton could become the irst First Gentleman inthe White House should Hillary Clinton be theirst woman elected president.

Weve come a long way, baby.From the armed services to entertainment to

athletics to the board room to politics, women havenever been so inluential on the world stage.

And we see them in our community as well, romthe mayor to the public schools superintendent tojudges and CEOs and leaders across the spec trumo public and private and or proit and nonproitinstitutions.

And while glass ceilings and patronizing pats maynot have disappeared completely, women now move

orward with the conidence and knowledge thatthey can do anything. Anything.

And so we celebrate those who l ive this spirit:hose who pick themselves up when they stumble;who in d their wa y around or throug h o bstacles ;who ig ure out how to thrive and make a dierencein their communities.

hey are entrepreneurs; they are trailblazers.heyre not araid to take the heat and take onthe establishment i it means improving the odds

o success or disadvantaged children. hey arementors, emboldening others with their wisdomand experience, and by leading by example. heyare passionate and compassionate, giving otheir time, resources and energy to help thoseless ortunate, whether in our own community,nationally, or abroad.

hey are inluential women.his is the eighth year o he Mecklenburg

imes 50 Most Inluential Women awards. Andit is with honor and humility that I share with youthis special section outlining the accomplishments,vision, and succ ess o the 201 6 honore es.

hese 50 were selected by an independentpanel o judg es rom our community who stud iedhundreds o nominations o worthy women rom

across the Charlotte metropolitan area. hosenamed possess outstanding qualities o business andnonproit leadership and civic responsibility.

Some o these women you will recognize becauseo the high proile they have achieved through workor philanthropy. Others you may not know, butwe hope in readin g this section you will soon eelthat you do. Each exempliies what most o us hopeto achieve in our careers and our lives: a legacy oinluence and support or those who ollow.

We are a lso priv ileged to have again this y earpartnered with a n onproit or ganization , one whosecore mission oers hope, support and love to theamilies o seriously ill children.

Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte is part owhat has become a glo bal charitable network withthe mission to improve the health o ch ildren and

oer support and a place to stay or the amilieswho are coping with such d iicult times.

Led by Executive Director Mona Johnson-Gibson,the Charlotte home works with our local health careinstitutions to assist in the whole care necessary whena child is struck by a devastating illness.

We ound the orga nization t o be the perec t

partner or us in this ce lebration.Women are mothers, aunts, daug hters and sisters,

and we were children. And my hope is that evenin this small way, we are helping an organizationworking to ca re or the entire a mily.

Considering the extraordinary achievements o somany nominees, naming just 50 was no easy task.

And it was even more diicult or the judges todetermine the Woman o the Year rom this class.

But that was our charge to the judges. And, asthey do each year, they came through admirably,choosing a woman whose handiwork can be seenacross the city. And her work hasnt ended; asyoull read , her uture endeavors will prove to be aschallenging as those in the past.

But its not hard to have aith in her, in our 50nominees, in the hundreds and thousands o otherwomen in o ur community that their talents andenergy will continue to improve our lie in theueen City.

We hope you enjoy and d raw inspiration rom reading their stories.

ANOTEFROMTHEEDITOR

SHARON ROBERTS

Sharon RobertsManaging Editor

6 | FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2016


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Index ofHonorees

JULIEAYERS/ Page 8LBA Haynes Strand, PLLC

CATHERINE A. BARNES/ Page 8James, Mcelroy & Diehl, PA

ARETHA V. BLAKE/ Pages 9Blake Law, PLLC

LEIGH THOMAS BROWN/ Page 9RE/MAX Executive Realty

DIANEB. BURKS/ Page 10Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

MICHELLE COFFINO/ Page 10ueen City Metal Recycling & Salvage

CATHRINE COTMAN/ Page 11Cushman & Wakefield

AMYE. DAVIS/ Page 11BRG

TAMMY DeBOER/ Page 14Family Dollar

TERRI DeBOO/ Page 14erri DeBoo Ideas@Work

MICHELE DUDLEY/ Page 15Fashion & Compassion

JULIE EISELT/ Page15Charlotte City Council

JULI EMMONS/ Page 16Carolina Film Community

LILLIAN FAHR/ Page 16Wells Fargo & Company

CAPT. DEMETRIA A. FAULKNER

-WELCH/ Page 17Charlotte-Mecklenburg

Police Department

HONORA GABRIEL/ Page 17Lash Group,A Part o AmerisourceBergen

MELISA F. GALASSO, CPA/ Page 18Galasso Learning Solutions

MARY CATHERINE (MC)GARRETT/ Page 18Co-Founder o One7 MinistriesHeadmistress o One7 AcademyFounder/rainer o

Christfit Fitness Ministry

LESLIE GILLOCK/ Page 19Wray Ward

JADA S. GRANDY/ Page 19Fifh Tird Bank

DARLENEHEATER/ Pages 20 - 21University City Partners

PENELOPE L. HEFNER/ Page 22Sodoma Law Union

JILLHUSE/ Page 22Society 54

STACIE BEASLEY JACOBS/ Page 23First American National

Commercial Services

LINDA JAMES/ Page 23Gentiva Health Services,An Affiliate o Kindred at Home

SUZY JOHNSON/ Page 24Employee Benefit Advisors

o the Carolinas, LLC

LORIR. KEETON/ Page 24Lincoln Derr

SHARON KING/ Page 25aylors ale

DR. CARLENEW. KINGSTON/ Page 25Novant Health Neurology Specialists

KIM LANPHEAR/ Page 26Apparo

KYSHIA BRASSINGTONLINEBERGER/ Page 26Concord Childrens Academyega Cay Childrens Academy

CAROL A. LOVIN/ Page 27Carolinas HealthCare System

AMY BREESE MASSEY, PE/ Page 27Kimley-Horn

DR. NICOLE P. MCKINNEY/ Page 30Cardinal Innovations Healthcare

TRACY MONTROSS/ Page 30American Airlines

DIANA R. PALECEK/ Page 31Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP

FABI PRESLAR/ Page 31Spark Publications

SHARON REED/ Page 32Global Girls Project

DIANE RYON/ Page 32Kings College

KRISTEN SHEARIN/ Page 33Passenant & Shearin Law

APRIL SIMPKINS/ Page 33HRS&S Consulting, LLC

AMYSULLIVAN/ Page 34ECS Carolinas, LLP

MARY SUMMA/ Page 34Belmont Abbey College

STACEY VANDIFORD/ Page 35Moore & Van Allen, PLLC

IRENE VOGELSONG/ Page 35Perkins+Will

DENISE WATTS/ Page 36Charlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsProject L .I.F..

FIELDING WILLIAMS/ Page 36Te Scone Shop

GAILWILLIAMS/ Page 37Business oday

JUDY WISHNEK/ Page 37Park Sterling Bank

REBECCA WOFFORD/ Page 38Te Lunch Project; Krusch & Sellers, P.A.

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2016 | 7


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JULIEAYERS

PARTNER

LBA HAYNES STRAND, PLLC

As a partner with LBA Haynes Strand, aast-growing CPA firm, Julie Ayers led her teamthrough three mergers and 10 acquisitions overthe last decade. You have heard it many times,the most challenging part o any merger isintegrating the processes, she says. However,I argue that the culture is the most importantcomponent. I the merging firms culturesand values align, amazing things can happen.Ayers, her husband and her son are soccersuper-ans. In 2014, they traveled to Brazil to

watch the FIFA World Cup, and this summer,theyll head to France or the UEFA EuropeanChampionship.

You are the only emale partner in yourfirm. Why do you consider accounting agreat proession or women?

I think accounting is a great proession orwomen because accounting is the languageo business and there are so many great

opportunities available or women. It is adetail-oriented proession and one that offerssimilar opportunities to individuals who areintelligent and hard workers.

What inspires you to get up and go towork each morning?

Working with my clients inspires me everymorning. Our firm works with entrepreneursrom all sizes o companies, and it is truly atwo-sided relationship. I may offer my clientsservices on a number o accounting issues, but Ialso learn so much rom them about how theyrun their businesses.

You list completing the ChicagoMarathon as one o your most significantaccomplishments. How did it changeyour outlook on lie and work?

It is significant because I did it. I was neveran athlete, but I got the idea that I wanted to

run the marathon since such a small p ercentageo the population has ever achieved that goal.Te experience confirmed or me that i youset your mind to something and work hard youcan achieve anything.

Where did you get your love or soccer,and describe the benefits o traveling

all over the world to watch world-class

soccer?

I watched soccer in high school and college,

but did not become a super-an until I met my

husband. He played soccer and is passionate

about the game. raveling to see the games in

other countries has brought our amily closer

together and allowed us to see the world.

When we were in Brazil we stayed in a smallbeach town and got to meet the pe ople who

lived there and learn about their culture. Our

son even got to play soccer with the local

soccer club.

CATHERINEA. BARNESMANAGING PARTNER

JAMES, MCELROY & DIEHL, PA

When Catherine Ba rnes was 21, s hestarted her law career as a paralegal, but shedidnt stop there. She went to law school andbecame an attorney. oday, she is managing

partner at James, McElroy & Dieh l. I l oved

working as a pa ralega l, she says. When thepossibili ty arose to push my care er urther,it seemed like a logical and exciting nextstep. While working as a ull-time paralegal,Barnes raised two daughters and put herselthrough college, earning a bachelors degreein history rom Salem State Universityin Salem, Massachusetts. She went on toearn her law degree rom the Universityo North Carolina at Chapel Hill Schoolo Law. She is active in national, state andlocal bar associations and she volunteeredin her two daughters schools as they grewup. Four years ago she learned the value o

perseveranc e when she participate d in a

triathlon, crossing the inish line in last place.

How has your career and yourvolunteer work made a differencein your lie and the lives o others?

My career has shaped who I am as a person.It has made me more resilient and assertive,and a better thinker. I help solve clients

problems, and help them grow their businesses.My volunteer work has allowed me to eel asthough Im connected to my community

whether thats a school or a aith community ora neighborhood.

What did your triathlon experienceteach you about yoursel?

Well, or one thing, it taught me that I willnever make it as a proessional triathlete. Ilooked like a penguin running beside cheetahs.I also learned that I truly can be proud o

mysel or doing my best. You tell yoursel andyour kids: As long as you try your best, etc.etc. But it was great to sit there and realize thatin act I was glowing with pride at finishing,regardless o place.

What do you like to do or un and

relaxation?

I like new experiences. I have worked withan improv group, played in a handbell choir,

and I took a wheel-throwing pottery class. Ialso like to be outdoors hiking or canoeing

with my amily. I like to tackle little challenges,too. For example, or two years, I took a pictureevery day o something that made me happy.Tey were big things, like trips or birthdays,and little things like when the paper that comesout o the printer is nice and warm. Tis year, Iam photographing the sky every day to remindmysel to look up.



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ARETHA V.BLAKEMANAGING PARTNER

BLAKE LAW PLLC

Trough her proessional work as an attorneyand her longtime volunteer service to theMecklenburg Bar Foundation, Aretha Blakestrives to make the legal system available to

people who need help but may not be able toafford it. Access to the justice system, especiallythe civil courts, is a significant issue in ourcommunity, Blake says. Growing up in ruralSouth Carolina, I saw firsthand the impact alack o financial resources can have on someonesability to seek legal counsel, access the courts,and advocate or their rights in a courtroom.As managing partner o Blake Law, she leveragesher experience in human resources, communityrelations and marketing, business development,

and accounting while managing a ull case load.Trough the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation,Blake created the Blake Legacy Fund to

provide grants to nonprofits and legal serviceorganizations or developing childrens programson the justice system.

Why is your work as president o theMecklenburg Bar Foundation meaningulor you?

Trough my proessional experiences,volunteerism and pro bono work, I havebecome aware that many members o ourMecklenburg County community are unableto afford legal representation and couldbenefit rom general education about legalrights. Te Mecklenburg Bar Foundation givesfinancial support to Legal Aid and legal serviceorganizations that provide pro bono or slidingee support to individuals who are acinglie-changing circumstances and need attorneyadvocates to help them maneuver the court

system. As president o the Mecklenburg BarFoundation, I have placed particular ocus onproviding strategic investment o grant dollarsin the community to help provide access to

justice or those without the financial resourcesneeded to advocate or their rights.

Why did you start the Blake LegacyFund?

My volunteer ocus is on children, themost vulnerable among us. During my firstew months as incoming president o theMecklenburg Bar Foundation in 2015, I

created the Blake Legacy Fund as a vehiclethrough which the community could cometogether to educate children about thelegal system. Te Blake Legac y Fund o theMecklenburg Bar Foundation supportsnonprofits and legal services organizationsthat advance childrens understanding o the

rule o law and the role o the legal proession,provide children access to the legal system, andpromote education or children on legal issues.

Why is it important or women toaspire to positions o leadership?

In proessional, community, and civicleadership, perspective matters. Havingwomen and other diverse representation inleadership roles is essential to the de velopmento innovative, orward-thinking solutionsthat incorporate a multitude o communityexperiences, values and priorities.

LEIGHTHOMASBROWN

REALTOR BROKER/OWNER

RE/MAX EXECUTIVE REALTY

For Leigh homas Brown, selling realestate is a amily aair. I grew up on aarm in Cabarrus County and have soldeverything rom liquor, to stocks, tochainsaws, she says. I inally ound mycalling when my daddy introduced me toreal estate. She joined her athers realtybusiness in 2000. oday, she owns RE/MAX Executive Realty in Concord and is

part o o ne o RE/ MAX Intern ational s 100top-producing teams worldwide. A graduateo the University o North Carolina atChapel Hill, she holds a bachelors degreein business administration. In 2014, sheran or the North Carolina House oRepresentatives as a Republican. Even

though she lost the election, she counts

the experience as one o her greatestaccomplishments.

You are president-elect o the34,000-member Council o ResidentialSpecialists. Are you nervous?

I am excited to lead the CRS. Tis group isthe largest not-or-profit affiliate o the NationalAssociation o Realtors. Its sole purpose is toequip agents with the tools and education toensure their success. I am a firm believer incontinuing education and eel that there arealways new ideas out there, new options toexplore, and new tactics to try. Working with theleadership team o the CRS will be a great wayor me to channel my energies into helping make

agents the best they can be.

Why did you make the leap into localpolitics and what did your experienceteach you about yoursel?

I leaped into local politics because I elt thepublic and teachers in our county needed anew voice, not just another politician. I was edup with the education legislation coming outo Raleigh and I was earul that we were losinggood teachers because o that. I thought beingan entrepreneur who was not araid to speakmy mind would help me and olks would electsomeone rom outside the political world. ButI was wrong. I l ost that race. But Im optimistic.

Maybe I will try politics again one day.

You have published a book. How long didthat journey take you, and why did you typeit on an old-ashioned manual typewriter?

I had wanted to write a book or years, butit was not until the summer o 2015 whenI actually settled on a topic and began to

put my thoughts on paper. I chose to writethe initial draf by using an old-ashionedtypewriter. Tere is something to be saidabout listening to the pings and the clacks othe keys, it is almost nostalgic. It was also lessdistracting than using my desktop computeror iPad. My book, Outrageous Authenticity,

was published last January.



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DIANE B.BURKS

ATTORNEY

KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN LLP

Attorney Diane Burks has spent more than500 hours helping individuals and groupsorm nonprofit organizations and apply ortheir 501(c)(3) tax exemptions. People cometo me with great ideas and visions, but needhelp navigating the legal ramework, she says.Teir programs have provided scholarshipsto local students, unded medical researchand given support to the ill and victims onatural disasters, all tangible, objective prooo how lives have been changed or the better.Burks earned a bachelors degree rom DukeUniversity and her law degree rom WakeForest University School o Law. She handlesestate planning and fiduciary law or Katten

Muchin Rosenman.

You worked hard or nearly a decadeto grow the estate planning and probatepractice in Kattens Charlotte office.

What was the key to your success?Building relationships. Estate planning and

fiduciary law is a relationship-driven law practiceand requires an entrepreneurial spirit to besuccessul and sel-sufficient. I took the initiativeto build a network o other tax, accounting, and

wealth management proessionals, to speak tocommunity and proessional groups, and authorarticles and advisories on relevant topics. I havealso worked hard to build strong relationships

with my clients. As a young emale attorney, Ibelieve I must appear twice as confident andcompetent as a more seasoned attorney wouldbe in order to gain trust and respect. Tere is nogreater proessional affirmation than earning the

confidence o your clients and peers.

Why are you attracted to estateplanning, probate settlement andfiduciary law?

Most people try to avoid thinking aboutdeath and taxes. For me, its a daily part o mylie and I enjoy it. Tis practice area allows meto interact with people rom all walks o l ie,solve complex problems, delve deep into thetax laws, and work with numbers. Most days, I

am part tax attorney and part counselor. I loveboth the tax-driven and the human elements owhat I do.

How do you know your lie and work as

a lawyer has made a difference in the liveso others?

I counsel my clients through the highest o highsto the lowest o lows. I have assisted clients throughthe sale o the businesses they started rom theground up and helped widows settle the estates o

spouses who took their own lives. It is never loston me that my clients may be acing the biggestdecisions or hardest times o their lives. I I canmake a complex situation more understandable ormanageable, then Ive done my job.

MICHELLECOFFINOOWNER

QUEEN CITY METAL RECYCLING & SALVAGE

As the mother o triplets, MichelleCoino learned the ine art o juggling

priorities early in her working lie. Shestarted her career as a hair stylist, during

which sh e hone d her bu siness skil ls and

built an extensive proessional network.oday, she owns the successul ueen CityMetal, a scrap metal and recycling company.he juggling comes rom working oa schedule and a time clock, she says. Iimplemented time-management skills intoevery aspect o my lie and assembled thebest possible team or our company. Coino

practice s humanitarian endeavors by usingher recycling business to help people whomay otherwise go without a job, ood , or aroo over their heads. Her Second Chancehiring program gives people who have beenincarcerated a job with ueen City Metaland helps them get back on their eet.

What inspired you to start SecondChance?

I developed the S econd Chance hiringprogram to give people with elony convictionsthe opportunity to establish long-term

employment with ueen City Metal. As themother o triplets, including one child whostruggles with mental illness, Ive witnessed thechallenges o our health care system. In 2015,I organized Recycle Metal to Recycle Lives,to create awareness about mental illness andhomelessness in our community. Te eventbenefited the Crisis Assistance Ministries,Charlotte Rescue Mission, imeout Youth,and Te Mens Shelter o Charlotte. In 2014 weinitiated a special recycling program with localschool districts; the winner was selected basedon the final amount o material recycled and

was awarded a scholarship or their summerprograms benefitting underprivileged children.

ueen City Metal is one o the

most successul recycling acilities in

Mecklenburg County, and now you

are beginning to venture into overseas

markets. What led you to this expansion?

Te current challenges acing the recyclingbusiness have orced many yards to close theirdoors. ueen City Metal has ocused onreducing the fixed costs associated with ourbusiness model. Te export market has been acornerstone o metal recycling during the lastdecade. Te current challenges acing the Asianmarkets have created a new opportunity or the

export o copper bearing electric motor scrap toHolland, initiating an additional opportunityor the growth o ueen City Metal.

How do you know your career and

your community service have made a

difference in the lives o others?

Having so many people come through thescrap yard, homeless, unemployed, mentallyill, and addicted, all sharing their lives withme. Tey thank me on a daily basis or themotivation to be the best they can be.



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CATHRINECOTMAN

SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR

CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD

Afer a 20-year career in corporate realestate working in-house or large financialinstitutions, Cathrine Cotman noticed alooming paradigm shif in her industry and sawan opportunity. I witnessed a consistent trendin the industry o more and more firms movingto outsourcing o the unction. Firms wereshifing more and more responsibilities to theiroutsourced partners, she said. So Cotmanmade a transition to the service provider sideo the business. She is senior managing directorat Cushman & Wakefield, where she leadslarge ull-service outsourcing teams and isresponsible or 60 employees. She enjoys theopportunity to take on new challenges and

expand her skill set.

You admit you could use ano ther10 hours in the day as you juggle yourcareer and amily time. How do you

balance work and amily lie?I think the term work-lie balance is

outdated because things are so intertwinedthese days. With everyone being hyper-connected, it isnt realistic to compartmentalize

work rom the rest o our lives. Tat means Iam okay with jumping on the computer in theevenings afer the kids go to bed or finishingup some things over the weekend. And I amalso okay with taking a ew hours during the

workday to attend an event at the kids schoolor take a sick child to the doctor. I I scoredmy time investment in work versus amily

priorities, I honestly would find that I am bitout o balance on any given week.

What do you enjoy most about yourwork?

I enjoy being challenged. I love tosolve difficult problems and go afer big

opportunities. I am passionate about definingpaths to success and hope to inspire others togo there with me. I specifically enjoy real estatebecause there is so much diversity in the fieldand many opportunities to exercise both rightbrain and lef brain thought processes.

You mention you have written the firstdraf o a book. What has that processbeen like so ar?

Writing the first draf actually went pretty

quickly and I was surprised by how much Ienjoyed it and how easily the words flowedrom my brain onto the page. Im still earlyin the journey and the hard part comes next figuring out what to do with it. I need tobetter define who the book is or and why

they would want to read it. And then I needto put it out there or more people to readand critique it. Te most difficult part and

potential rewards are yet to come .

AMY E.DAVISSENIOR SPACE PLANNER

BRG

Growing up, Amy Davis was a kid wholoved the arts and enjoyed her creativeoutlets, which included building things anddeining spaces. She based her creationson her own observations, using materials

she had on hand. I have a lot o memorieso various houses, buildings, places Ivevisite d, she s ays. I ha ve a lways been acreative ree-thinker. Davis wanted toblend her artistic nature with a businessendeavor so she pursued a career as aninterior architecture and interior design

proe ssiona l. S he i s a s enior spac e pl annerwith B RG o Charlo tte, where she ser vesas a team leader on projects ranging rom9,000 square eet to 250,000 square eet.

What s trateg ies do you employwhen leading diver se te ams o talented proessionals to successully

accomplish an overall project?In any team there are varying personalities,

motivations, generational actors, and otherdifferences. I strive to be an adaptable leader orthat diversity, and I always try to meet my teams

where they are. I have worked with great emalementors and those experiences help me continueevolving into the kind o leader I want to be.

Why is it important or women toaspire to positions o leadership?

I believe it is important or anyone whohas the drive to aspire to leadership. I think itis always surprising how ar good intentions,hard work, ollow-through, and tenacity willget you. For women especially, it is importantto not be so hard on ourselves and to havemore confidence, to lead rom within, ask bigquestions and take big risks, ail ast and getback up, and find our own authentic path.

What is the most rewarding aspect oyour work?

As a corporate real estate strategist anddesigner, I welcome the opportunity to work

with clients who understand the value o astrategic portolio and workplace decisionsas leveraging tools. Anyone who works incorporate real estate and workplace strategytends to be a problem solver. I find that takinga challenging situation, looking at it rom a

different perspective and offering alternatesolutions that could make a significant impactor our clients is very rewarding.

What is your definition osatisaction?

Te most satisying part o my job is when Iam able to uncover a unique aspect o a clientscompany through our project process thattruly enhances their ability to outperorm theircompetitors.



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WHEN YOU FIND PEOPLE WHO NOT ONLY TOLERATE

YOURQUIRKSBUT CELEBRATETHEM WITH GLAD

CRIES OF 'ME, TOO!'BE SURE TO CHERISH THEM.

BECAUSE THOSE WEIRDOS ARE YOUR TRIBE.-NANEA HOFFMAN

Special thanks to my tribe for all your love, support & encouragement.

I cherish each of you.Love, Lori Keeton

www.onlymetoo.com

Captain Demetria A.

Faulkner-WelchFor being named one of 2016s50 Most Influential Women

MOST INFLUENTIAL

WOMAN OF 2015

Carolinas HealthCare System Congratulates Our

Carol LovinExecutive Vice President and

Chief Strategy Officer

For her exemplary work and commitmentto healthcare excellence in the

Carolinas and beyond.


13/40

Next spring, The Mecklenburg Times will host its sixth

mecktimes.com/events/

Amanda Johnsonat 704-247-2908 or

A portion of the proceeds from

In 2017, Te Mecklenburg imes will host its ninth

annual 50 Most Influential Women awards event. 50

Most Influential Women recognizes the important

role women play in the greater Charlotte region, in

the economy, and in society. Te honorees represent

the most influential women in business, government,

education, and not-for-profit fields. Te honorees will

be selected based on their professional and community

involvement within the Charlotte area.

o nominate an influential woman go to:

mecktimes.com/events/

For event information, please contactTiara Benfield at704-247-2901 [email protected]

Nominate for 2017!



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TAMMYDeBOERSVP MERCHANDISING

FAMILY DOLLAR

When ammy DeBoer j oined FoodLion as a customer service employeein 1989, she was still in college . Eventhough her job was entry level, she wascurious about how the business operated.I would occasionally walk through themerchandising department, and it seemed tobe where all the action was, she says. It wasa high energ y, competitive environment ullo sales and product discussions. DeBoerdecided that was where she wanted to be.She inished her education at AppalachianState University with a bachelors degreein technology. oday she is senior vice

president o merchand ising or consumablesor Family Dollar Stores and manages an $8billion portolio o products in o ver 8,000stores in 46 states. In 2013 and 2014, MassMarket Retailers newspaper named herone o the most inluential women in massmarket retail.

What is the most rewarding aspect oyour job?

It is very rewarding rom many perspectives:understanding product trends, customerschanging buying habits and expectationsand working in a ast-paced, high-energyenvironment.

What are todays challenges in theretail industry given the economicclimate since the 2008 recession?

People have many more places to shop,more brick and mortar options as well asonline options. Te retail landscape is verycompetitive. Its critical to know your relevanceand really understand customers expectationsin order to be in their consideration set o

where to shop especially when customersremain extremely cautious with their spending.

What i s you r key or succe ssu llymanaging $8 billion in sales in over

8,000 stores across 46 states?

It all starts with a great team o highlymotivated associates. My role every day isto set expectations and teach, guide andmotivate my team members to meet or exceedthese expectations. We only win i the entire

team is winning.

In your career, what was the turning

point that made you a success?

When I made the transition rom customerservice to merchandising, there was some

doubt rom leadership that I would make it.I was told I was too nice to cut it. However,that doubt made me more determined thanever to be successul. I did not ollow a set pathto success in merchandising. I paved the pathor my own journey to success, which included

being nice yet firm, respectul and proessional.I ound that was effective or me.

I you could travel anywhere in the

world, where would you go, and why?

Id go to Iceland to see the northern lights.

TERRIDeBOOBUSINESS GROWTH ADVISOR

TERRI DEBOO IDEAS@WORK

Afer spending years studying vocal and jazzarts, dancing and choreography, erri DeBoo

was on her way to a show business career whenan automobile accident derailed her dreams.I wanted to be a singer and a dancer, to

perorm in musicals and o course act soI could win an Oscar, she says. I was in abad car accident which buckled my spine andended my dancing career. DeBoo turned herattention to marketing, and along the way shediscovered her talent or strategic thinkingand visioning. oday she uses her skills toteach people how to grow their businessesthrough Ideas@Work, the company she startedin 2012. She is a devoted volunteer leader

with the Charlotte Chamber, and, as a boardmember with the Jamie Kimble Foundationor Courage, is the ounder and chair o the

Women or Courage luncheon, a undraisingevent to educate people on domestic violence.

Why i s you r wo rk w ith t he Char lotteChamber rewarding?

Working with the ourth-largest Chamberin the nation is amazing. Te amount o workthat gets done is quite a eat or such a small

city, and the Chamber helps push the ag endamost o the time. I like to compare Charlotteto my hometown o Chicago because Chicagois the city that works and nothing is impossible.Te Charlotte Chamber provides the tools andthe structure to get the job done.

Define your work as a business growthadviser. What does this work entail?

Whether clients are existing businesses inCharlotte and looking to take the next stepor organizations new to the area and lookingto ast-track their businesses, I help themacclimate, assimilate, integrate and acculturateinto the business environment. I find the place

where they can get the job done and grow ata much aster pace. I also teach people how toutilize relationship-building to accelerate theirbusiness growth. People call it networkingbut I think that is an overused term and, quiterankly, not done well unless you c hange the

process to remove your needs and actuallybuild lasting relationships.

What are your personal mottoes and

how do they help you?

My avorite is, Integrity is the only thingyou can own and the only thing you will takewith you to your grave. I cannot imagineworking without integrity. My second avoritemotto is, Perception is reality. Tis keeps meon my toes because it harkens back to integrity.I love Dont get hooked on the outcome,and a personal mantra is, Happiness is not adestination, but a journey.



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MICHELEDUDLEY

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

FASHION & COMPASSION

Michele Dudley is passionate about educationand empowering individuals to overcome

poverty and injustice. I have been inspired by theresilience o men and women who have overcomehorrific situations I cant even comprehend, shesays. My desire is to encourage them as they

pursue dreams or themselves and their amilies.o help ulfill her mission, Dudley becameinvolved with our initiatives: Te DonahueCharitable Foundation, Seeds o Hope, Ignite

Justice and Fashion & Compassion. While theorganizations are separate entities, they all servesimilar missions: to help educate, empower andengage people in the fight against injustice, whilegiving them pathways or helping themselves.

How do you balance your career,charitable work and amily?

Like most working moms, balancing mywork with my amily is my greatest challenge.

Fortunately, my husband, Eric, and my childrenare supportive. Whenever possible, I take oneo my children with me on my trips to visit ourinternational projects and partners. As a result,they have insight into the world, and Arica in

particular, in a way that most teenagers do not.

Why did you help start the BlessingSchool or the Visually Impaired, andwhat are the rewards?

In 2009 I met a young man in Rwandanamed Bosco. His wie, Providence, became

pregnant with triplets shortly afer theirmarriage. Providence went into early labor andtwo o the three babies died. Te surviving

baby, named Hannah Blessing, was blind. TeDonahue Charitable Foundation sponsoredBosco and three other young Rwandan leadersto attend Business Development raining, inthe capital o Kigal i, run by Regent University

in Virginia. Bosco, who had long harboreda dream to open a school or the disabled,discovered there are only two schools or the

visually impaired in Rwanda, so he startedthe Blessing School or the Visually Impairedin January 2015. oday the school serves 15

students. It has been a delight to be a parto encouraging and supporting the schoolsbeginnings.

Why do you work so hard to empower

women?As a woman, I elt I could have the most

impact serving women. Both genders playessential roles in the amily and in communitiesaround the world, and I in no way want todownplay the critical role o men. However,

many o the women we serve at Fashion &Compassion have been victimized by the menin their lives, and e vidence shows that womenare more likely to invest their earnings in theirchildrens health and welare than men are.

JULIEEISELTCOUNCIL MEMBER AT LARGE

CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL

Fluent in French, Spanish and Portuguese,Julie Eiselt has enjoyed a successul careerin commercial and investment bankingin emerging countries. In Charlotte, shediscovered her talent and interest in cultural

assimilation. She has a bachelors degree inSpanish rom Indiana University and a mastersdegree in international management andfinance rom the American Graduate Schoolo International Management in Arizona.Born and raised in Wisconsin, she moved toCharlotte in 1998 with NationsBank/Banko America. In 2007, a man tried to abductEiselt at gunpoint, and that experience ledher to create Neighbors or a Saer Charlotte.Te grassroots organization spurred moreunding or the police department and thecourt system, and increased accountability onthe part o elected officials. My next step wasto get involved in making changes at the policy

level, she says. So she entered local politicsand won a seat on the Charlotte City Council.Because o her work with NSC, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department awarded hera Citizen Service Award, and Te Charlotte

Observer named her as one o Seven toWatch or her work in public saety.

How did your experience as a crimevictim shape your decision to go intopublic service?

Afer a guy tried to kidnap me at gunpoint,the responding officer said: Lady, i you knew

what went on every day in Charlotte, youwould never leave your house. From there,the support and responses rom the police anddistrict attorney just kept getting worse so I eltI needed to understand why. I ormed a groupto study the issue and learned that the courtsystem was systematically starved o resources.

Afer getting the city and the county to undsome o the critical needs that the state shouldhave been covering, the next step was to getinvolved in making changes at the policy level,and that meant running or office.

Why is it important or women toassume leadership roles?

Everyone should consider some orm oleadership roles in areas that are importantto them. No one gender group should be

responsible or the decisions and outcomes oanother.

What inspires you?People who take risks and think out o

the box to create change that opens access toopportunity to a broader range o people.

How quickly afer you awaken do youcheck your email?

Depends on how ast the coffee kicks in.



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JULIEMMONS

FOUNDER/PRESIDENT OF CAROLINA

FILM COMMUNITY/EXTRASCASTING DIRECTOR

CAROLINA FILM COMMUNITY

Tough Juli Emmons has always had apassion or film, she started her career in livetheatre. I started on the stage, trying to act inany production I could be a part o, she says.Simultaneously, I g ot involved in film acting,and one thing led to another until I eventuallyended up working as a casting director. In2009, the North Carolina film industry wason a downslide. As a way to bring people infilm together or networking and collaborationand to help create jo bs, Emmons created the

Carolina Film Community. Emmons calls thiswork the highlight o her career.

Te film industry is hard to break into.What advice would you give to young

women who want to ollow your ootstepsinto filmmaking?

Te film industry can definitely be achallenge and I would say that it is certainlynot or the easily dissuaded. Id tell any young

woman looking to make film a career to makesure this is what you truly want to do. Youcant pursue being an actress because you likedressing up and having your photo taken onthe red carpet. I you decide to become anactress, it needs to be because you belie ve that

you were created or that purpose and nothingelse will complete you. I you want to go intofilm, either acting or working behind thecamera, my advice is: Dont give up.

How do you find work-lie balance?Its not always easy to turn o the worker

part o me, but I have a su pportive amilythat encourages me to ind the balanceI need. We love doing things together,

whether i ts going to th e movie s or pl aying

on the lake. hese moments keep megrounded in lie and enable me to keepthings in as much balance as po ssible.

In your career, what was the turning

point that made you a success?Its kind o a joke between my riends, amily

and me, but my tag line is: Not the boss ome. It is an idea I make light o in jokes and

photos, but theres a lot o truth to it. Imnot a quitter and I almost never take no or

an answer. I will always look or a way to getthe job done and Im going to do it with 100percent o my heart. When you mix passionwith tenacity and perseverance, what can beaccomplished is unimaginable.

LILLIANFAHRDIRECTOR, HEAD OF DEFEASANCE

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Lillian Fahr credits her ather and brothersor her competitive nature. I grew up withour boys, so I had no choice, she says. Myather was old-school and saw women asinerior to men, which made me want to

show him that he was wrong. Even today, as adirector and the head o deeasance or WellsFargo & Company, Fahr works hard to provehersel. She also e xercises her competitivespirit by running road races. She worked orthree years to save money or college, and thenmoved to Seattle where she attended HighlineCommunity College or two years beoretranserring to the University o Washington inSeattle, graduating with a degree in psychology.

How has running impacted your lieand career?

When I run, I eel ree. When I moved to

Charlotte in 2001, I ran my first Susan G.Komen race. When my daughter was a te en,

we began to run it together and she alwaysbeat me. Now we run hal-marathons togetherand I always beat her, which drives her to work

harder. Running is a bonding experience or us,and provides a little competition. We challengeeach other, but regardless o which one o uscrosses the finish line first, the other alwaysoffers encouragement and love.

As head o deeasance in yourproession, what do you do?

Deeasance is a way or borrowers to cleartheir commercial mortgage-backed securitiesloans by substituting collateral. My team and Ihelp borrowers buy U.S. reasuries that replacethe uture payment stream on their CMBSloan, then release the commercial property

that was the original collateral on their loan.

How do you motivate your daughtersand other young women to succeed?

I spend a lot o time mentoring women atwork, as well as my daughters and their riends.I tell my daughters they can be anything they

want to be, but their actions early on can affecttheir uture. I try not to talk at them, but Ilisten and give them my opinion or advice,

without orcing it on them. I praise andcompliment them when it is appropriate. At

work, I mentor young women and give themadvice when they ask me, but I never ail to tellthem that working hard is the key to reachingtheir goals. I encourage them to speak to theirboss regularly about their goals. I remind themthat they are in control o their own careersand that they should not sit back and wait orsomeone to do it or them.



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HONORAGABRIELVICE PRESIDENT,

NOT-FOR-PROFIT OPERATIONS

LASH GROUP, A PART OF

AMERISOURCEBERGEN

As vice president o not-or-profit operations

with the Lash Group, Honora Gabriel leadsa business unit that provides administrativesupport or corporate-based and not-or-profitoundation programs. We are responsible orhelping patients get access to medications theyneed to fight diseases like cancer and c hronicdisorders through financial assistance programsor co-pay grants, she says. Gabriel built thisdivision rom the ground up, and last year,her unit provided patients with almost $800million in co-pay support and had shippedover 900,000 units o ree medication.

You worked hard and put yourselthrough college. What did that

experience teach you about yoursel?

It taught me values, hard work anddetermination. While I c ould absolutely counton my amily or emotional support, it was myresponsibility to support mysel financially.I learned early on how to respect what I wasbeing afforded, even through hard work. Tereare so many people that arent given the chanceto go to college and I knew I was lucky enoughto be sitting in the classroom gaining a highereducation. As a result, I knew that I was goingto use it someday to do good, and thats what Ibelieve I am doing today.

What was your avorite subject in highschool and why? Did you pursue those

studies later in lie?My avorite subject was Spanish. While

I didnt pursue this oreign language studylater in lie, I think it gave me my travel bug.Trough this class I was able to see othercultures. oday, we love to take a ew trips bothdomestic and global every year and appreciatethe broader world.

What is your avorite way to spendamily time?

I am the oldest o five children, and our o uslive in Charlotte. I love to cook or my amily.

We have a big table o ood, say a prayer, toastwith our wine and then engage in great oodand conversation. I ofen take a moment to justlook around the table and smile at the lie wevebeen afforded. My avorite time is Tanksgiving.For the past 10 years, Ive been cooking or myentire amily and a ew riends. We set the tableor about 15 people, two turkeys, and many sidedishes, and create a day ull o memories.

When Demetria Faulkner-Welch enteredlaw enorcement training, she realized herlie would never be the same. Police work isever changing, by the hour, by the day, and in

every situation, she says. I pray daily when Iput on my bulletproo vest, strap on a weaponand start my tour o duty. With a bachelorsdegree in criminal justice rom AppalachianState University and a masters degree in humanservice rom Capella University, Faulkner-Welchis the training and recruitment director or theCharlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Shehas served on the police orce since 1992 andhas won the Chie s Award or Excellence inPolicing and the Community Relations Award.

Describe the work you did that earned

you the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police

Community Relations Award.

Te Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community

Relations Award recognizes officers rom theCharlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

who have made contributions to improvingpolice and community relations. Te ideao community policing, which was instilledin me early in my career, has helped makethis community a saer place to live. I wasrecognized or building positive relationships

with citizens and neighborhood groups in whatwas then called the Charlie Tree district.

You provided a needy young man a

stable home environment, which led

to his success as an adult. Describe this

journey and the rewards.

Tis was my opportunity to be influential inshaping a young Arican-American male into a

man and to show him all that lie has to offer. Imade a split-second decision to take Raymondinto my home so that he could have a stablehome environment. It was a transition or botho us because I was used to living by mysel andRaymond was used to living in a very lenientenvironment without rules. Ground rules werelaid out up ront because i he c ouldnt abideby my rules then the arrangement wasnt goingto work. At 6-oot-9, Raymond was one othe best basketball players in the Charlotte-

Mecklenburg Schools system and had severalscholarship offers but needed to improve hisgrades. He set a goal to bring up his grades sohe could go to college, and graduated romClemson University. Afer college, he enjoyedsix years o proessional basketball overseas.

oday he is a teacher and coach in Charlotte.

What advice would you give other

women who embark on challenging and

demanding careers?

Make your dreams bigger than what mostpeople are comortable imagining. Alwayskill with competence. Demonstrate andcommunicate a track record o success andcarry yoursel with confidence. Maintain arelentless work ethic.

CAPT.DEMETRIA A.

FAULKNER-WELCH

TRAINING DIRECTOR AND

RECRUITMENT DIRECTORCHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG

POLICE DEPARTMENT



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MELISA F.GALASSO,

CPAFOUNDER, OWNERGALASSO LEARNING SOLUTIONS

As a busy mom who holds down a ul l-timejob as a CPA, an entrepreneur who starteda learning initiative or adults, and an active

volunteer in proessional organizations andcommunity activities, Melisa Galasso lovesmaking an impact. When pe ople leave aseminar or a conerence, I hope they leave withsomething tangible to change or update, and

with the knowledge they need to implementthat change, she says. Tats why I reallylove customizing learning so that it resultsin actionable steps. Galasso is audit seniormanager in the proessional practices groupo Cherry Bekaert o Charlotte. Harboring a

passion or education, she serves as presidento the Charlotte chapter o the NorthCarolina Association o Certified PublicAccountants. wo years ago she started the

Womens Initiative to provide developmentopportunities or women, promote leadershipand improve diversity. She also oundedGalasso Learning Solutions to provideeducational opportunities or CPAs.

You are still early in your career buthave already accomplished a great deal

and earned many honors. What does the

uture hold?

I dont know what the uture will hold. Impretty sure I wouldnt have predicted beingwhere I am today a decade ago. My biggestinspiration is my young daughter. I really hopeto serve as a role model or her and help inspireher to be the next generation o emale leaders.

As president o the Charlotte chapter

o the NCACPA, you started theWomens Initiative. How are your effortsprogressing?

Being active in the NCACPA has oeredme many opportunities and I am grateulor all o them. However, despite the gains

o the past decade, the proession still lacksdiversity. Women graduate with a higherpercentag e o a ccounting d egree s than men,but a vast majority o the top spots in irmsand companies are still illed by men. I wantto help ill that gap with a more diversegroup o CPAs. he Womens initiative

was create d to supp ort an e ducationalcomponent as well as a social component.

Weve o cused on so t skills like ne gotiation,time management and communication,and Im happy to report that the WomensInitiative continues to sell o ut its meetings.

What is your avorite way to spend

amily time?Our amily recently joined WeddingtonSwim & Racquet Club so we could spendquality time together and stay active. Mydaughter is a stellar swimmer and enjoys tennis,so the whole amily is having un together.I also try to plan quarterly amily vacations.ravel is a great way to recharge and bring theamily closer.

MARYCATHERINEGARRETTCO-FOUNDER OF ONE7 MINISTRIES

HEADMISTRESS OF ONE7 ACADEMY

FOUNDER/TRAINER OFCHRISTFIT FITNESS MINISTRY

Trough One7 Ministries, Mary Catherine(MC) Garrett works to assist childrenand amilies whose lives were impacted byabuse, neglect, drugs, homelessness and

poverty. One7 is more than just a nonprofitorganization with a ocus on community,she says. It has become a liestyle o love andserving that is changing the east Charlottecommunity. Te One7 organization, whichGarrett and her husband ormed in 2008,offers transitional apartment housing orhomeless and disadvantaged amilies, a clubsoccer program and One7 Academy, a small,

private Christian school. When Garrett isnot parenting her blended amily o three

biological children and five oster children,running the One7 Ministry and serving asheadmistress o the One7 Academy, she is hardat work as a personal trainer and managingChristfit, a fitness ministry.

How did you make the leap to becomingheadmistress at the One7 Academy?

I became the headmistress o One7 Academyon blind aith through a vision God gave meto change the lives o five reugee girls who

were slipping through the cracks o the schoolsystem. In their educational setting, they were

nonreaders, they were ailing, they were bulliedand they elt hopeless. We decided that i we

could make a difference with a ew, it could bebig. One7 Academy now has five graduates, and22 students this year. Te school is changingthe lives o Charlottes inner-city reugee andunderprivileged children one day at a time,and I get to be in the lives o these kids daily.

Why did you decide to get intopersonal training, and how does thiswork help you in your other businessendeavors?

Personal training has absolutely changedeverything I do at One7. We have a strong ocus

on mental, spiritual and physical health. And Ihave started a aith-based fitness ministry called

Christfit. We ocus on personal training o yourmind and your body and your spirit. When yourealize that the strength o your physical body is

your core, you can become a very strong and fitindividual. It is also the same with our mentalcores and our spiritual cores.

How do you do it all? What are thesecrets to your success?

It would not be possible to juggle al l Ihave on my plate i it were not or God, my

personal anchor. Whether my lie at times maybe choppy, stormy, windy, and at other times

beautiully sunny, my anchor holds me steadyand grounded.



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LESLIEGILLOCK

VICE PRESIDENT,

DIRECTOR OF INSIGHTSWRAY WARD

As vice president and director o WrayWards our-year-old Insights group, LeslieGillock leads a diverse team o special ists

who urnish in-house research, provide astrategic ocus and deliver on a results-drivenmeasurement process. I saw in this job the

perect place or me to incorporate my skillsand interest, she says. My experience liesin brand building, an ability to interpretand analyze statistics and data, targetedmanagement techniques. Gillocks career hastaken her across a spectrum o companies andbrands including Fruit o the Loom, Springs

and ime Warner. She carved out success,starting in 1978, when the advertising worldwas male-dominated, and serves as a mentor toother women in business.

You came into adver tising o n theheels o the Mad Men era. Howdid you make your way in this male-dominated business?

Tanks to our parents, my siblings and Iare all strong-willed, motivated individuals.

When I graduated rom college with a degreein business management and a talent or mathand analytics, I decided to go into business. Myather told me, Youre a woman in a mans field.Youll be in some uncomortable situations,but you can look or opportunity and you willsucceed. I took his advice and began a career

that put me as the minority in boardrooms andon corporate executive teams. I was the ourthemale vice president ever at Fruit o the Loom,and I was the only emale board member duringmy eight-year tenure with the board o directorso ropical Sportswear International, a $500

million mens apparel company. In act, I wenton to chair the board, guided by my belie that Icould not, would not, ail.

Why is it important or women topursue positions o leadership?

Its important or women to pursue the paththat energizes and ulfills them, whatever it maybe. We need leaders and mentors. Our childrenneed examples o how to grow, learn, thrive andtreat others. Our communities need leaders tohelp us look to the uture, and to look out or the

interests o those in need. And our companiesneed examples o leadership that all can aspire to.

What inspires you to get up and go towork each morning?

I work among a talented and creative group o

people at Wray Ward. Tey inspire me every day.And I am proud o the results o this venture.In the past year, our group has tripled in size, inboth team members and revenue. Tis growthshows the value Insights brings to marketing

programs, and I am excited about our potential.

JADA S.GRANDYSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, REGIONAL

CRA STRATEGIES DIRECTOR

FIFTH THIRD BANK

It wasnt enough that Jada Grandy was thefirst person in her amily to earn a collegedegree. She went on to help her brother and

her cousin graduate rom college, too. Grandyobtained her bachelors degree in financeand an MBA rom Robert Morris Universityin Moon ownship, Pennsylvania. oday,she is senior vice president, regional CRAstrategies director, or Fifh Tird Bank. Shecredits the women in her lie or her drive anddetermination to succeed. My grandmotheralways reminded me that I can make adifference, and she taught me the importanceo education, Grandy says. My mom instilledin me values like hard work, independence,treating people airly, and the importance odoing well in school.

You were the first person in your amilyto earn a college degree. Where did youget the drive to break a cycle o poverty,

work your way through school and helpyour brother and cousin go to college, too?

My amily always reminded me I cou ld doanything I put my mind to. Te communityI grew up in was once a dangerous place andI always knew I did not want to live in thatkind o environment or the rest o my lie. Ihelped my brother through school because Iknew this world can be a tough place or anArican-American male and I reused to allowhis lie to be a negative statistic, so I gave himthe opportunity to make a p ositive impact.Education is a way to improve our lives and

provide a uture or those who will come aferus, and I believed I had a responsibility to giveback, starting at home.

Why is mentoring important?

Mentoring opens doors and providesinsights on personal and proessionalopportunities that one may not know about.Mentoring provides an opportunity to givesupport and direction or others. Mentoring

played a role in my own personal development.In middle school, a teacher believed inme and exposed me to higher educationalopportunities.

What is your definition o success?

My definition o success is being able to dowhatever it takes to lead a productive lie andto create opportunities or others to realizetheir best potential.

Describe an aspect o yoursel others

would be surprised to know.

I love to dance and specifically enjoy linedancing. I also am a balloon de corator.



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DARLENE

Darlene Heater was not

born in the Queen City,

but she has called it

home for 23 years. A

native of Kent, Ohio,

she graduated from The Ohio State

University with a degree in science.And it would be difficult to take a good look at Charlotte

and its institutions without seeing her handiwork.Look at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and youll see her dil-

igence and creativity in helping our young achieve academic suc-cess through garnering the support o public, private and religiousorganizations during her six years in public relations and strategic

partnerships. From recruiting tutors to soliciting sponsorshipsor school-based programs to helping to launch a oundation tosupport teachers and initiatives, she has made a difference.

Look at the citys increasing commitment to sustainability,and youll see her passion and ingenuity in creating a recycling,composting and conservation program incorporated into cityestivals and the ounding o Envision Charlotte, Uptownssustainability program.

Look at South End and Uptown, and youll see the how hertime as vice president o Neighborhood Development and Sus-tainability at Charlotte Center City Partners helped to createthe Charlotte 2020 Visition Plan, South Ends Good to Great

vision plan, and the University City Area Plan, all blueprintsor the live-work-play environment that so many millennialsand empty-nesters want to call home.

Look at the rosters o most o the citys and states mostinfluential organizations chambers o commerce, stateand local downtown associations, the Urban Land Institute,the Charlotte Regional Visitors Association, the CharlotteRegional Commercial Board o Realtors, and the U.S. GreenBuilding Council, and youll see her name.

She is said to know everyone who matters and to be able toput together the people with the skills, knowledge and powerto clear obstructions rom the path toward the regions uture.

Tat will come in handy in the coming years, as she takesthe helm o the University City areas efforts to guide itsgrowth as executive director o University City Partners, a

position she has held since 2013.Te completion o the Interstate 485 loop and the anticipa-

tion o the light-rail extension to the UNC Charlotte area willbring opportunities and challenges. Te North ryon corridor

will be transormed; vacant land arther out will be filled withapartments, retail, restaurants and offices. How those puzzle

pieces are cut and put into place will be visible or decades tocome, shaping how we live, travel, shop, play and work.

Tere is so much work to do; so much we can influenceand advocate or to build a great University City, she sa id.We should all care deeply about the quality o growth and

development in the community that wraps around our Uni-versity. It is one o our top economic development assets, itprovides a continuous talent pipeline to support job growth, itis our regions center o learning and research, and it seeds andosters entrepreneurism.

In describing its mission on its website, University City Partnerssays that building University City hasnt only been about new de-

velopment, new businesses, and new road and transit inrastructure.Its about building relationships.and building a community.

In just the past year, University City Partners has worked withthe city o Charlotte to update the University City ransit StationArea Plan; created a Parks and Open Space Plan or the area; and

assumed responsibility or managing University Research Parkslandscaping and investments and upholding its covenants.

We put a lot o effort into reminding our community andour partners about why its so critical to invest in UniversityCity and that we need to maximize the value o this invest-ment or the uture o Charlotte but also or the uture oUNC Charlotte, she said.

Te area has special meaning to Heater, as it is where sheand her husband raised two children, Lyndsay and Nicholaus,both o whom attended UNC Charlotte.

University City has been my home or almost t wo de-cades, she said. Its been a great place to raise our children,recreate, socialize and grow. Tough I worked in Uptown or20 years, University City has been our place our home.

She calls her children her greatest personal accomplish-

ment, as well as contributing to the success o a high schoolstudent she mentored at Independence High School.I mentored her through her college years as an under-

grad and then graduate student, Heater said. I celebratedwith her at her wedding and when she got her first job as aguidance counselor or Project L.I.F.. at West Charlotte.Tese young adults and the remarkable individuals they havebecome are my greatest personal accomplishments.

She considers her greatest proessional accomplishments to beher work at CMS and Center City Partners, specifically in workingo help Charlotte become more environmentally sustainable.

Her greatest challenges likely are on the horizon.Charlottes University City is now on the edge o transor-

mation, she said. Te remarkable growth o UNC Charlotteand the employment center along with the investment o the

Blue Line Extension create a perect storm or change. So manychallenges; so much opportunity; so much responsibility.But it is a responsibility that those who know her have no

doubt shell live up to.Darlenes commitment to University City i s only a part

o her leadership story, said racy Dodson, vice president oreal estate and development company Lincoln Harris, whonominated Heater as one o the regions 50 Most Influential

Women. She is without a doubt a leader in shaping the suc-cess o our uture Charlotte.

And that is why Darlene Heater is not only an influentialwoman, but also our Woman o the Year.



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PENELOPEL. HEFNER

PRINCIPAL/ATTORNEY

SODOMA LAW UNION

Penelope Hener believes she was born tolead. Since I was a little girl, I have alwaysconsidered mysel a leader, she says. Whetherit was serving as president o the various clubs I

participated in while in high school or startingan organization in college, I have activelysought out leadership roles. A busy mother otwo small sons who is active in a variety o civicand proessional organizations while headingup Sonoma Laws Union County office, Henerbelieves the key to having it all is multitasking.You have to do three things at once, or youcant get it all done, she says.

You rarely say no when you are asked

to participate, sponsor, support and helpout local causes. How do you do it all?I have ound the more you say yes to

people, the more you get the word yes back.Te way I get everything done is having a lot

o help. My colleagues are amazing and alwayswilling to give o their time and knowledge. Myamily supports all o my efforts; they watchmy children when I have commitments afer

work, they give generously to the causes I ampassionate about.

What led you to become a lawyer?I became a lawyer to help people. I love

speaking up or people who are unable to speakor themselves. I enjoy every minute I spend

putting the pieces back together or a amilyin distress. And it doesnt hurt that I am verygood at arguing my point.

What is the most rewarding aspect oyour work?I get the most satisaction out o happy

clients, and clients who have elt disadvantagedthroughout the entire legal process. Seeing the

look o gratitude, relie and hope on a clientsace when something goes their way is priceless.

Why should women aspire to positionso leadership?

Women should be leaders because we

bring something completely different to thetable. We can be smart and tough, but stillempathetic and sensitive. I think we have agreater potential to put aside our egos and do

what is best or everyone involved. And we are

the ultimate multitaskers.

What is your avorite way to spendamily time?

I love to travel with my amily. Even thoughour children are young, they are remarkable

travelers. I have so much un introducing themto new cultures, oods, people and places. Also,when we are on vacation, I am so much morerelaxed and can have precious one-on-one time

with them.

JILLHUSEPARTNER

SOCIETY 54

Jill Huse describes Society 54 as her dreamjob. She has always wanted to own a business,and practiced consulting alongside a day jobor a decade until she and a partner launchedSociety 54 last year. Te firm specializes in

helping law firms grow their practices. It hastaken me a while to establish my network,hone my skills, gain supplemental educationand develop the experience I needed tobe successul, she says. In 1994, she wasdiagnosed with Hodgkins disease. Sheunderwent treatment and went into remissionor two years beore the cancer returned in1996. She credits chemotherapy and a bonemarrow transplant or her survival, and this

year she will celebrate her 20th anniversary obeing cancer ree.

What led you to pursue a career inproessional services marketing?

In my first job out college, I worked

as a project management consultant orCaterpillar. I loved the consulting side, but I

wanted to work with corporations. I movedto Cincinnati and landed a job as a marketingdirector or a regional accounting firm. I

transitioned into legal, as the business servicesand proessionals are very similar. I was ableto grow my skills and hone my practice while

working with very intelligent pe ople, andI loved managing a team. I ound my true

passion is in coaching attorneys to de veloptheir personal books o business.

Why is it important or women todevelop their leadership skills?

o change c ulture, we ne ed strong womenwilling to lead. I enjoy mentoring othersand being a resource or proessionals whoare trying to make their way. I think it is soimportant or young women to have mentors

who have excelle d in their fields. I a lso want

my 9-year-old daughter to know how she hasthe ability to do anything and be anyone she

wants to be, and I want to be a living rolemodel or her.

You survived Hodgkins disease. How

did that experience shape the woman you

are today?

It has had a huge impact on my lie. Myather passed away rom lung cancer about18 months beore I was diagnosed. o deal

with that and then ace my own mortality atsuch a young age really shaped me. It mademe more driven to seize the day. SometimesI push things to happen too quickly, and Ithink that is because o my eeling o livingon borrowed time. I also think it made meconstantly re-evaluate things. I Im not happy

with a situation, I make an exit strategy andwork towards figuring out a way to either makeit better or chart a new course. Lie is too shortto not be happy.



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STACIEBEASLEY

JACOBSVICE PRESIDENT ANDAREA DIVISION MANAGER

FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL

COMMERCIAL SERVICES

Afer working just a year and a hal at FirstAmerican itle Insurance Co.s NationalCommercial Services division, Stacie Jacobs

was promoted to vice president and divisionarea manager. Moving rom a sales role tomanagement has proven to be a rewarding

challenge, she says. I am ocused on creatinga strong, cohesive work environment orour team, while growing our business.

Jacobs enjoys volunteering in the Charlottecommunity and ofen includes her childrenin her civic activities. In 2012, she headed upa number o special events associated withthe Democratic National Convention inCharlotte, calling it a lie-changing experience.

Describe your involvement with theDemocratic National Convention inCharlotte. What was the risk, and whatwere the rewards?

I treated my involvement with the DNC asa business venture, securing contracts directly

with the state delegations. I contacte d theexecutive directors o each delegation directlyand did not wait or the bidding processthrough our local leaders. As a result, I wasable to contract with several states and handleclose to 50 events or the week. Te risk wasailure and rejection, something we all dread.Te reward was more than monetary; itcame rom working with a diverse group o

individuals, meeting legendary politicians andlistening to captivating speakers, all the whileexperiencing history firsthand.

How has your involvement in civic andnonprofit organizations enriched your

lie and the lives o others?We have a sign in our home that says, You

Get What You Give. I ofen hear peoplesay, I dont have time, I am too busy, I donthave the money, I cant volunteer with otherkids, I dont have time or my own. In act,i it is important to you, you will find time.Volunteering costs nothing but time, and

what better example to set or your children

than teaching them empathy and compassion?While my proessional success ulfills me, it ismy commitment to serving and helping othersthat brings the most joy and enriches my lie.

What is your definition o success?

My deinition o success is when my8-year-old says, Do not judge; a rich heartmight be under a poor coat. hat is my newavorite saying, Mom. In those moments,

you know you are getting i t right.My deinition o success is how my childrengo into the world and make it a better

place through ki ndness and giving , withoutjudgment.

LINDAJAMESASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT,

HUMAN RESOURCES

GENTIVA HEALTH SERVICES,

AN AFFILIATE OF KINDRED AT HOME

In addition to working ull time as an

assistant vice president o human resources orGentiva Health Services, Linda James is alsoa proessional career coach. I offer assistanceree o charge to anyone who needs it, she says.Over the past year, I have mentored 15 peopleand assisted 10 o them in landing their nextcareer, promotion or ace-to-ace interview. Inaddition to her volunteer counseling program,

James enjoys community volunteering andis deeply involved in eal Diva, a Charlotteorganization devoted to fighting ovarianand other gynecological cancers, celebratingsurvivors, and honoring the memories o

women who lost the fight.

Why is career coaching important toyou, and how do you balance it with your

other activities?

As a human resources manager at a ormercompany, internal career coaching was part omy job. As my career evolved, I saw employeesending their employment and coming tome or help. Moving into career coaching asa hobby was a natural progression or me.Individuals reach out to me weekly and Igive them whatever assistance they need.Sometimes balancing it all is overwhelming,but I do the best I can to schedule my time, andit usually works out.

Why do y ou eel vo lunteer ser viceis important, not only or you, but oryour sons ?

Making personal connections with thosein need and giving my time always rewards

me twoold. My amily is ortunate to notneed certain services rom the communityand I want my sons to see the value o helpingothers. I began community service efforts inmy adult lie as a choice. It has influenced the

way I choose to live lie and I want my sons tounderstand that there is always time to give, nomatter what else is going on in their lives, andthat someone has a need greater than theirs.

You undertook a big adventure climbing Mount Rainier. How has thisaccomplishment affected your personal

and proessional lives?I climbed Mount Rainier six months afer

my younger brother passed away. I set a goalto spread his ashes at the highest point Icould, as close to heaven as possible. Settingthat goal meant I had to have a training planand a commitment to putting in the work tobe able to accomplish it. I climbed MountRainier in 2011 and since then I have runa hal-marathon, changed careers, and amcurrently pursuing a masters degree. I eellike something is missing i I am not workingtoward a new goal.



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SUZYJOHNSON

PRESIDENT AND OWNER

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT ADVISORS

OF THE CAROLINAS, LLC

Suzy Johnson credits her parents or inspiringher work ethic and the success she enjoys asowner o Employee Benefit Advisors o theCarolinas. Johnsons mother was the only

woman in the engineering program at WestVirginia University in the 1950s. Later in lie,she became a certified income-tax preparer anddid hundreds o tax returns as a volunteer ather local senior center. Johnsons ather was afinancial representative at Northwestern Mutualor 52 years and a managing director or 35 othose years. I was lucky to have a great motherand a great ather, Johnson says. Tey provided

a comortable environment or us to grow upin, but instilled in us the tools to go out into theworld and chase our own dreams.

Describe what you do or a living.My team and I provide guidance and

direction to 280 business clients or theiremployee benefit programs, including grouphealth insurance, lie insurance, disabilityinsurance, dental and vision insurance. We

work site products such as accident and criticalillness coverage. We also have an employee onour team who is an expert in individual healthinsurance and Medicare supplements.

How did you come to own yourbusiness, and what has this processtaught you about yoursel?

I have had three great mentors in my lie ;

my dad, who was a managing director withNorthwestern Mutual in West Virginia; myuncle, who was the managing partner withNorthwestern Mutual in Phoenix, Arizona;and my uncles riend, Jim Worrell, whostarted an employee benefits practice in the

Northwestern Mutual network office inCharlotte in 1991. When I was 32, Jim took achance on me by bringing me into his agencyand promising that i I developed the businessand hit certain targets, I would become a

partner in the firm. We were successul, and

by 1999 I had 50/50 ownership. When heretired in 2012, I bought him out, but he isstill my mentor, and serves as a business coachand consultant. I have learned I am at my bestand perorming at my highest level when I am

providing leadership and direction, and the

rewards rom good work are mine to earn.

List three skills you consider to be themost helpul or succeeding in business.

enacity and drive and an attitude oresilience when deeated; willingness to

constantly learn and work on yoursel tounderstand your weaknesses; willingness tohire employees who have strengths in areas youlack so your business ocuses not on its leader,but on the expertise and services the companydelivers to clients.

LORI R.KEETONATTORNEY

LINCOLN DERR

Lori Keeton describes her grandmother asa trailblazer. She was born in a tiny town inMississippi and graduated No. 1 in her highschool class, but was bumped to No. 2 becauseit made sense or a male to take her No. 1 spot,

Keeton says. Her grandmother went on tobecome a business owner. Keetons mother retiredrom teaching to pursue her dream to becomea Realtor and saw great success in SouthwestFlorida. Keeton credits her grandmother, motherand sisters or teaching her the importance ohard work, confidence, independence, aith,resilience and amily. Keeton is a membero Lincoln Derr, a woman-owned, boutiquelitigation firm. Her practice ocuses on civildisputes in both state and ederal courts.

What led you to pursue a career as alawyer?

I grew up with a mother who was an Englishteacher, a stepather who was dean o a lawschool and two older sisters with whom I spentmore time than I care to admit debating onesubject or another. From my mother I learned

to speak and write well, rom my stepather Ilearned to respect the legal system and rommy sisters I learned to argue effectively. Being alawyer allowed me to blend their influences.

How has your love or writing shapedyour lie and your career?

I love words. When I taught a collegeEnglish class between my first and second yearso law school, I knew the key to my studentssuccess was knowing how powerul words canbe. My love or words drove me to pursue acareer through which I can use that power toadvocate or my clients. In my personal lie,

writi

the mecklenburg times presents 50 most influential women, 2016

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