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FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – KPC Media Group, Inc. announced the list of Influential Women in 2021.
The list recognizes “amazing women in our communities who have broken down barriers, defied social norms, and paved the way for future generations,” states the KCP website. This year’s group includes executives from diverse backgrounds: finance, arts, public service, higher education, events, marketing, and more.
On October 28th at 11 a.m. the public is invited to a free live chat with the women. To register, click here.
The list of influential women in 2021:
Amanda Shepard, COO – Fort Wayne Museum of Art
Amanda leads the leadership along with FWMoA CEO Charles Shepard. She is an important part of the staff of the organization and the development of the team. She also develops strategic plans and guidelines that shape the organization. In her spare time, Amanda chairs the board of directors of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, plays volleyball and raises two children.
Andie Hines-Lagemann, Founder – Tidewater Coaching
Andie is a fearless entrepreneur. She founded a nonprofit for women entrepreneurs, Own Your Success, which focuses on giving women a space to collaborate, learn, and grow in business without fear of judgment. She also founded Tidewater Coaching, where she works as an emotional intelligence provider and coach. In her free time, Andie volunteers at various local non-profit organizations and enjoys promoting local businesses and their owners.
Board of the Churubusco Chamber of Commerce
Correctly. The ENTIRE CCoC board was selected as an “influential woman”. This board consists exclusively of women who are causing a sensation in Churubusco. By volunteering with nonprofits, hosting events, and holding educational seminars, their approach to grassroots community participation quickly increases Chamber membership and influence. These board members are out there to “hit the sidewalk” to make their community a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Alderman Sharon Tucker – Fort Wayne Joint Council
Sharon Tucker was elected in 2014 to represent the 1st District on Allen County Council and was re-elected in 2018. While on the county council, she was the only woman, African American and Democrat, in office at the time. In 2019, she ran for and won the 6th District of Fort Wayne Common Council, making her name as the first African American woman to hold that seat.
Already in the last two years on the council, city councilor Tucker has not only had a lasting impact on the district she represents, but also on the entire city. She has campaigned for Public Safety Legislation, launched a startup program, PASE (Project Activate SouthEast), to offer workshops and a business pitch competition to entrepreneurs looking to set up shop in southeast Fort Wayne , and has moved business, retail, and housing developments to the area. . She is a tireless advocate for her neighbors and the community.
Juanita Ray, owner – el Azteca Mexican restaurant
Juanita has owned el Azteca and served as a community servant for 47 years. As the oldest of 14 children, Juanita began working as a migrant worker with her parents at the age of 12. She later worked in bookkeeping at St. Joseph Hospital, where her love for business was first piqued. In 1973 she opened el Azteca. She uses her position to give back to those around her by donating food and gift certificates to various organizations, including schools and churches. She has been donating to the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church’s Fun Fest since the early 1980s. She is also known for giving cash advances to her employees and covering shifts for anyone who volunteers in the community. Juanita’s history, friendliness and work ethic have inspired people for decades.
Kristin Marcuccilli, EVP and COO – STAR Financial Bank
Kristin M. Marcuccilli is currently Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of STAR Financial Bank and is responsible for information technology, banking operations, digital banking, information security and project management. In addition to her longstanding work in numerous community, civic and government organizations, she is a founding member of Touchdown for Kids, an organization that benefits Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. In addition to her longstanding work in numerous community, civic and government organizations, she is a founding member of Touchdown for Kids, an organization that benefits Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.
She was appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb to the Indiana Economic Relief and Recovery Team, a task force responsible for planning, managing, and billing federal aid the state will receive from CARES during the pandemic.
Kristin also mentors Sarah, an entrepreneur in Fort Wayne.
Rebecca Essig, Assistant Professor of Engineering – Purdue Fort Wayne
In a male dominated field, Rebecca is an excellent educator who has worked to nurture the next generation of engineers. Her high level performance in the classroom has received multiple awards at college and university levels. Outside of the classroom, she has shown a strong commitment to service across the university and in the community. All of their service activities are geared towards sharing their passion for engineering with K-12 students and increasing diversity within the engineering student body and workforce. At PFW, she volunteers for the FIRST Lego League, the Future Cities Competition and the Sci-TEC Academy (all K-12 programs in the field of engineering outreach). She serves as a faculty mentor for three PFW student organizations and also spends countless hours helping other educators improve their classroom and student interactions.
In addition, she has regularly demonstrated her commitment to diversity and inclusion by participating in Safe Zone trainings and the United Front Initiative. She believes that the engineering discipline can only really reach its potential when there is a diverse group of voices around the table.
Shanna Bradley, Founder and Doula – Journey Birth and Wellness
Shanna is passionate about helping those in need. While working at a refugee agency outside of Atlanta, she discovered how her passion for childbirth and working with refugees can be combined to help people in her hometown. She founded Journey Birth and Wellness to provide free doulas to women in 46806 (highest infant and maternal mortality rates) and overseas born women. She trained Burmese, Latinas and black doulas to serve this population.
Sherrie Berghoff, owner – One Purpose Marketing
Sherri has an extensive background in the healthcare industry and is passionate about making a difference for the seniors in her community. Sherri is currently focused on building its FOUR businesses from the ground up: One Purpose Senior Healthcare, One Purpose Senior Services, OPS Adventures (nonprofit) and One Purpose Marketing. Before Sherri entered the healthcare industry, she successfully ran her family auto business for 15 years while homeschooling her children! In 1997 she won the New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Business of the Year award for this business. She has also served in over half a dozen community organizations over the years. Her passion for helping seniors in the community is evident not only in her long history in the healthcare sector, but also in the time she has devoted to supporting outside organizations that directly impact the lives of seniors.
Susan R. Ralston, Owner – Jacob Insurance Service
Susan has held the same job since her junior year of high school. That was over 40 years ago. She had the opportunity to take over the business in full a few years ago and has continued to work to build a male-dominated local business as successfully as possible. With the Jacob Insurance Service celebrating its 75th anniversary last year, Susan was on more than half of that trip. As a more than 20-year-old volunteer at the 4-H, she won the Friends of 4-H Award l, the highest honor for volunteers. Jacob Insurance Service has received multiple awards for its success as a small independent insurance agency. Susan is also an active member of the Kiwanis Club in Angola, a board member of the Council on Aging, and serves on the fellowship committee of the Community Foundation.
Tee Cook, Owner – All in 1 Cakes and Events
Tee Cook is a business owner with a heart for her community. When not running all-in-1 cakes and events, she teaches free CPR classes for youth groups or runs various support groups for members of the community. She is a civil rights activist in Fort Wayne. She is opening an education center where people can learn about careers and better jobs. She became the first person to host an “Events in Color†event for black business salespeople and travels the US to speak about black women’s rights and mental health.
Virginia Richardson, Owner – Tilde Multimedia Company
Virginia began in Washington DC where she helped launch the first BET Soul Train Awards. After gaining many other marketing and advertising experiences, she moved back to Fort Wayne to start her company, TILDE. She works tirelessly to offer her clients a full range of digital marketing, web development, search marketing and event promotion. Through this work ethic, she has saved organizations from ruin and helped them thrive.
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