| Written by Cincy Chic staff, on 31-12-2007 16:24 |
 2007 Women of the Year
Fifteen of the Queen City's Finest
Meet Cincy Chic's first annual "Woman of the Year Award" recipient and the 14 other amazing honorees. Learn how they’re changing our city, nation and world through their unique professional and personal missions. Hear their stories and let their victories inspire you to reach your dreams.
2007 CINCY CHIC WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Karen Sacksteder
Owner, CEO
Sacksteder's Interiors and Design
Grab your tissues, ladies. This woman has had one heck of a year. And
not just in a volunteering-board-serving-business-success kind of way.
(She definitely had that, though) We're about to tell you why this
woman is deserving of the first annual Cincy Chic Woman of the
Year Award.
Two years ago, Sacksteder lost her husband of 30 years. A few months
later, her two sisters, Linda Nixon and Connie Acra, were diagnosed
with breast cancer. This prompted Sacksteder to get a mammogram, which detected a cancerous tumor. Although she received numerous chemotherapy
treatments and lost her hair, she still maintained her humor, grew even
closer to her two boys and her business - Sacksteder's Interiors and
Design - thrived more than it has in its 21-year history. She
maintained her community presence by attending networking groups and
inspired others by listening and encouraging during their own cancer
experience. In addition, her company was recently certified as a
Women's Business Enterprise for the National and the Southeast Council
for minority, women-owned businesses.
To help her and her sisters through the difficult breast cancer
treatments, Sacksteder got involved with the Pink Ribbon Girls, a
non-profit organization whose focus is on young breast cancer paitents
to educate, support and inspire.
Sacksteder recently wrote about the humorous side of breast cancer in a
forthcoming book, due in November 2008. Part of the proceeds of the
book, which will be titled Vivacious Vivian, The Wig That Helped
A Girl Through Breast Cancer, will go to the Pink Ribbon Girls.
"[She] chose to not become just a victim of her circumstances," says
her nominator, Kathy Smith. "Karen is both and inspiration and a mentor
in her life and in business."
The Cincy Chic staff congratulates Sacksteder on turning major life stumbling blocks into building blocks, inspiring others personally and professionally and her dedication to local women, her career and family.
NOTABLE WOMEN OF THE YEAR
(In alphabetical order)
Susan Archer
Community Manager
Towne Properties
Archer started as a concierge at The Falls at Landen, and using her
dedication, hard work and personality, she soon climbed the ladder to
her current high-ranking position. Archer recently won a coveted award
from her company, recognizing her determination and southern
hospitality. According to her nominator, Carrie Moak, the particular
community she manages is heavily populated by female divorcees. "Over
the years, Susan has formed bonds with women who were starting over
again- on their own, often with children to support," says Moak.
Stephanie Coffey
Social Worker
Hopple Street Medical Center
"Not only does Stephanie face a different family crisis daily with her
profession, but she does so with poise and grace," says her nominator,
Carrie Moak. Above and beyond Stephanie's typical job decription, she
also heads up a program every year called Adopt-a-Family. She gathers
wish lists from the children in the families she works with then finds
volunteers to "adopt" the family.
Lauren Darr
Owner
LOI International and Left Paw Press
Darr is truly living the American dream. She spent many years climbing
the corporate ladder and at the pique of her career, she decided she
wanted more. She started her own marketing business, and has since
branched out and also started Left Paw Press, which focuses on works by
and about children based on observations and needs of her own children,
who are now 13 and 5 years old. "She juggles both companies and running
a household like a well-rehearsed circus act," says her nominator
Bradley Tinkle. She serves on the National Board for American Women in
Radio and Television (AWRT) and The AWRT Foundation, as well as
donating PR support for numerous local organizations.
Lindsey Eger
Community Relations Coordinator
Turfway Park
It's fitting that she's the community relations coordinator for Turfway
because she is involved with many organizations in the community. Just
to name a few things: Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Northern
Kentucky Leadership Foundation, Covington-Kenton County Jaycees and
Leadership Northern Kentucky. She also organizes some major events in
the area. Most recent of which was the "First Annual Date
Auction for a Cause." That event raised thousands of dollars for eight
local charities. Eger also organizes the Charity Night at
the Tables, which benefits the same eight local charities.
Carol Gibbs
President, CEO
Accountability & Credibility Together (ACT)
We've told you about
Gibbs before. It's time to revisit her awesomeness. More than 10 years
ago, she launched ACT, a
non-profit dedicated to help people work themselves out of the welfare
system. She also serves on numerous non-profit boards and is actively
involved in the DRC, Downtown Council (DCI) and Art WORKS. Gibbs has
hired many of ACT's "clients" and gives them the opportunity to do the
same.
Erin Hamilton
Executive Director, Founder
Girls on the Run of Cincinnati, Inc. (GOTR)
Hamilton founded GOTR in early 2005 with personal funds and today it's
a nationally-recognized non-profit prevention program that encourages
the development of self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running.
It has jumped from seven fall program sites in 2006 to 21 sites in 2007
and this is the first year that Hamilton, as executive director, will
earn a salary for her position.
Michelle Harbin
Executive Director
Amy's Hope International
Professionally, she ranks second in worldwide sales for Motorola, a
fortune 500 technology company. "Her dedication and hard work has
placed her among the most valuable people in her company," says Jason
Johnson, one of her many nominators. These world travels took her to
places where she witnessed communities of suffering children, namely in
Romania. She soon founded Amy's Hope International, a not for profit
public charity established to help private orphanages in Eastern
Europe. Amy's Hope has now aided countless children and Harbin travels
the country to speak to schools and churches about her work with the
charity and raise awareness about the issues these countries face.
"Michelle didn't think, she acted," says another nominator, Amy
Hanavan. "[She] started something so wonderful and is truly inspiring
to others."
Sarah Katsetos
Executive Assistant
American Cancer Society
On paper, Katsetos' accomplishments represent a mature business woman
and mother. But when you meet this fresh-faced 24-year-old, you realize
what the term "old soul" really means. As a teen, Katsetos lost a close
girlfriend to cancer and recognized the importance of volunteers,
education and advocacy at a young age. In 2004, her mother and older
sister were diagnosed in with breast cancer within a month of each
other. She decided to dedicate her career and free time to finding a
cure and advocating awareness. She works in American Cancer Society's
(ACS) Planned Giving Unit and through walks and races, she has raised
more than $8,000 for ACS programs. As if she wasn't enough of a
do-gooder, she donated her hair to "Locks of Love" and is also involved
with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Crystal Kendrick
President
The Voice of Your Customer
Kendrick is the president of an award-winning marketing company, The
Voice of Your Customer. As the Arts and Entertainment editor for the Cincinnati Herald, she increases African American awareness and
participation in both the fine and performing arts programming. "She
routinely invites underprivileged children to view performances and
meet artists using her press passes," says her nominator, Jan Michele
Lemon Kearney. As if that's not enough to keep her busy, Kendrick also
established a mentoring program with undergraduate members of her
sorority at Xavier University.
Kelly Mahan
President
Mahan Advertising, Inc.
Mahan launced Mahan Advertising, Inc. in 1996, and today it's a
full-service advertising and marketing firm. And to say she gives back
to the community is an understatement, as she volunteers for the
American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Beech Acres and ACT. She
currently serves on the "Council on Child Abuse" board of directors and
previously served on the "Impact 100" board for four years, of which
she is still an active member. "Kelly is a friend and a mentor; she has
an open door policy and has been an inspiration to our interns and
employees," says her nominator and employee, Julie Metzelaar. (Who
wants to bet Julie gets a raise when she shows this to her boss?)
Ginny McCabe
Reporter/Writer
As an accomplished reporter and author of five books, McCabe is
successful in her career. But as her nominator, Karen Hawley, says,
"Most importantly, Ginny always places greater value on maintaining her
integrity and character above any ambition or monetary gain."
Tracie Metzger
President
Pink Ribbon Girls
This woman deserves a separate aware for just defying science. Metzger
had two children, but was then diagnosed with breast cancer, which
caused her to go through a double mastectomy and an early menopause.
Soon thereafter, Metzger had two more children! Pick up your jaw and
read on... After recovering from her treatment, Metzger realized there
was no specific group for young women dealing with breast cancer. So,
she founded an online community for breast cancer patients and
survivors to unite via a national searchable database of survivors,
private message boards and electronic newsletters. Through this
non-profit organization, young women are offered education and
awareness for early detection, support and an outlet to express fears.
Tisa Powell
Pure Romance Consultant
As a leader within her Pure Romance group and in the community as the
team leader for several networking groups and non-profit initiatives,
Powell is dedicated to helping women gain the confidence and skills to
become a success. "Tisa is making her mark within the community. She is
to be commended and recognized for her continuous efforts towards
encouraging, educating and helping to provide leadership to women,"
says her nominator Katherine Steele.
Christine Schoonover
Senior Vice President
Huff Realty
This award certainly won't be lonely in Schoonover's trophy case. She
was one of Cincinnati Magazine's top 40 people this year, the Women's Business Cincinnati's Top 10 Women in Real Estate in
2005 and was awarded the Business Courier's award for Top Sales
Person in 2002. Schoonover is also impressively involved in the
community as she boasts a list of 22 organizations for which she
volunteers. It isn't just for show, either. "[She] works personally
with young women starting out in the professional world," says her
nominator, Casey Gilmore. "Myself included."
Editors Note:
More than 200 entries were submitted in response to our call for nominees via CincyChic.com and press wires, from which a diverse group on the Cincy Chic staff selected the above honorees. The Cincy Chic Woman of the Year Award nominees were requested to meet each of the following three criteria:
• Demonstrate excellence, initiative and accomplishments in their business or profession
• Demonstrate their dedication to promoting, supporting and uplifting the community
• Demonstrate their dedication to inspiring other women
The Cincy Chic staff would like to thank its readers for shedding light on these awe-inspiring individuals. We regret that we were only able to feature 15, as each nominee made us even more proud than before to be a part of this amazing community of powerful women.
PHOTO CREDITS:
Photo: Neysa Ruhl Photography
Location: Fischer Homes Granite Spring Model Home
Models: (from left to right)
Susan Grause with Mary Kay,
Stephaney Theobald of Impeccable Planning, Maureen
Jacob, Mandy Jacob and Tisa Powell
Makeup Artistry: Jocelyn Sparks, Zoë Custom Cosmetics
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Thanks again! 
