When it comes to hard work, women know how to get things done. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a professional or personal environment – regardless of the task at hand, we know women who will work until the job is finished, and ensure it was done properly. On the following pages, you’ll find local women in a variety of fields, from finance to event planning, who excel and inspire as they make their marks on Columbia. So, whether you’re looking for a reputable local business or some solid female inspiration, you’ll find it in these “WOMEN TO WATCH.”
For Jaclyn Rogers, working at Ai Painting Plus has allowed her to follow her passion into an industry that is constantly evolving. “The art world is dynamic, with evolving trends and constant innovation,” she says. It’s what sparked her interest in the field and what continues to ignite her passion for the field, something Rogers says
For as long as she can remember, Dr. Diana Coats has always had a love for plants and helping people. When an opportunity came along to chase her dreams, Coats, now the vice president of operations at Good Day Farm, couldn’t pass it up. “I made my way back to (Missouri) to join the emerging industry
For Sabrina McDonnell, her outstanding career in banking all goes back to her mother. Since childhood, McDonnell says her mother would talk about how much she enjoyed her job, the customers and coworkers. After experiencing it herself, McDonnell says she fell in love with the work. “Bankers help people connect their ideas, goals, and dreams with
Shawna Neuner has 30 years in the real estate industry and is going strong. She has recently partnered with other members in real estate to develop a new brokerage called Boulevard Realty. Neuner found her specialty in real estate by working on her personal investment properties. In owning her own rental properties and not knowing everything,
Having a good work-life balance is what Phyllis Nichols considers to be the key to a happy and full life. She says it’s important not to focus so much on work that you miss out on life. “Don’t forget to make a life while you are making a living,” she says. Thanks to State Farm Insurance,
Sarah Harley is passionate about helping others — it’s what led her to real estate, where she works each day to ensure everyone has an opportunity to find a home. “Housing is hard to find, especially for those with lower credit scores, but we all deserve a place to call home,” Harley says. For Harley, being
Amber Klempke and her husband have been helping people buy and sell their homes for the past six years. “We love what we do and wouldn’t change a thing,” she says. For Klempke, working in real estate isn’t just a job; it’s about making a difference in people’s lives while simplifying what can be a stressful
While Melodi Wisswell, owner and stylist at Platinum Paws, has always had a love and passion for animals, she never thought she would end up working as a groomer. “When I was younger, I thought about becoming a veterinarian,” Wisswell says. But, thanks to a job at PetSmart, Wisswell discovered that grooming dogs was where she
Jen Hedrick has always had a drive to create. As a child, she was always building with Lego bricks and Lincoln Logs, sketching, painting and drawing floor plans. Combined with her natural aptitude for math and science, architecture seemed like a perfect fit for Hedrick. Now president of SOA Architecture, Hedrick is able to put her
Becoming a doctor was a childhood dream for Dr. Leslie Shock. Plastic surgery combined her love of art, science and helping people. Following undergraduate study, Dr. Shock spent four years obtaining a medical degree and six years of technical training in plastic surgery. This spring, she opened Shock Plastic Surgery & Spa, a luxury spa and plastic surgery clinic. “We uniquely provide a welcoming,
