Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Boston for 2023
NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Boston for 2023. Boston, the capital and largest city of Massachusetts, is generally known for its rich history, cultural significance, educational institutions, and of course, sports teams. But amongst the historic neighborhoods, prestigious campus life, and passionate Red Sox fans, ol’ Beantown also enjoys a vibrant business scene.
The booming business landscape in Boston includes world-class universities, advanced medical research, impressive technology and innovation, and unparalleled tourist attractions. Add in a booming financial sector and a strong focus on venture capital investment, and it’s no wonder so many women leaders are thriving in the City on a Hill.
Among this year’s awardees is Angela Canale, the Chief Growth Officer of Northwestern Mutual, who is a highly experienced and strategic thought leader, boasting over two decades of expertise in generating growth, innovating brands, and leading high-performing teams while transforming consumer experiences and cultivating meaningful relationships. As the Chief Data Officer for the City of Boston, awardee Stefanie Leabo leads a diverse team in transforming city data into actionable insights, utilizing her expertise as a problem-solving translator bridging policy and operational challenges with data, process, and technology. Also awarded is the Chief Executive Officer of CG Spectrum College of Digital Art and Animation, Anne Bosman, who excels in leading startups, scaling growth, and specializes in turnaround situations, showcasing expertise in operations, revenue management, change management, and optimizing team performance.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Boston for 2023.
Elizabeth Hackenson (Schneider Electric), Monica Caldas (Liberty Mutual Insurance), Angela Canale (Northwestern Mutual), Stefanie Leabo (City of Boston), Kristin Blount (Colliers International | Boston), Beth Colling (CDM Smith), Gabrielle Mondestin (MBTA), Lynne Ann (WinnCompanies), Katie Catlender (Cambridge Savings Bank), Anne Bosman (CG Spectrum College of Digital Art and Animation), Phoebe Goldsberry (The Hollister Group), Carolyn Nash (Red Hat), Deborah Scott (Harvard Medical School), Jennifer Sullivan (CVS Health), Ridhima Raina (Bain Academy℠), Nancy Pedrick (Humanscale), Kathryn Condon (Personal Investing Fidelity Investments), Alissa Ristic (KPMG US), Kristen Hopson (Generate Biomedicines), Shannon Dipalmo (CAN Community Health), Analiz Cabrera (Accenture), Nina Lynch (Accenture), Rebecca Greco (Kroll), any many others.
Women We Admire provides news and information on today’s women leaders in business, entertainment, sports, motherhood, medicine, law, and many other fields. We cover a broad range of topics and areas of interest aimed at recognizing the achievements of exceptional women while inspiring others to aim high and continue their journey towards reaching their full potential. Women We Admire and its affiliates circulate its content to over 32,000 individuals and businesses.
It takes two in the baby-making equation and men need a specific blend of essential nutrients for a healthy sperm count, motility, and normal morphology.
Timing is key. Guys benefit the most from taking a daily prenatal at least three months before trying to conceive.
Evidence-backed vitamins and minerals include CoQ10, zinc, folate, selenium, and Vitamins B6, C, D, and E, along with several amino acid derivatives.
One men’s prenatal ingredient that doesn’t get talked about enough is the Ayurvedic compound called shilajit, which has been shown to help support sperm health and energy levels.
Why Do Men Need a Prenatal?
Let’s start with the biggest question first. The reality is that eggs aren’t the only part of the baby-making equation. Any future dad who’s looking to start a family needs a very specific blend of vitamins and minerals to support their fertility and sperm health. Sperm needs to be the healthiest it can be for several reasons.
Sperm has a big job in fertilizing the egg and providing 50% of the genetic material for baby’s development. Sperm is also responsible for mapping out theDNA blueprint for the placenta, which will nourish a baby throughout the entire pregnancy.
Plus, it’s a little-known fact that men’s ability to father children has a timeline too. While men can produce sperm throughout their life,sperm quality declines with age, specifically concerning sperm DNA. During sperm development, several factors can causeDNA fragmentation, which means there are breaks or changes in a DNA strand or chromosome in the sperm. It’s as serious as it sounds. It can result in multiple issues down the line, including birth defects, developmental disorders, and even miscarriage.
Sperm morphology: In other words, what does your sperm look like? Its size and shape matter. Healthy sperm have an oval-shaped head and a long tail. In looking at a semen analysis, fertility is increased when over4% of sperm has normal morphology, and 14% is considered by experts to have a high probability of fertility.
Sperm motility: Healthy sperm is “motile,” meaning that it can efficiently swim to the egg. Successful fertilization comes from sperm that can swim in straight lines or large circles and move at a rate of around25 micrometers in a second.
Sperm count: This refers to the concentration of sperm in semen. A normal range for most men is around40 to 300 million per milliliter. Between 10 to 20 million sperm per milliliter is considered “low,” however your lifestyle factors (including nutrition) can positively impact your sperm count and change these numbers.
Numerousclinical studies show that getting the right nutrients supports sperm health across the board. Boosting your vitamin and mineral intake is important since a healthy diet doesn’t always provide the much-needed surplus of nutrients you need. Even your multivitamin doesn’t have some of the specialized nutrients shown to support sperm health.
According toDr. Darren Bryk, an expert in male andrology and infertility, swapping out the multivitamin for a prenatal is the quickest and easiest way to prepare for conception and fatherhood. “Proper prenatal nutrition for men, with consideration of adding a men’s prenatal vitamin that includes CoQ10, may be associated withhigher-quality sperm and fewer DNA abnormalities.”
To get the most benefit, it’s also important to take a prenatal vitamin daily. Making it a part of your routine is simple when you pair it with your morning meal. All of those nutrients help fill in the gaps in your daily diet and support your reproductive health.
What Makes a Good Men’s Prenatal?
In the last few years, men’s prenatals have started popping up on shelves. There are now way more options, but not all prenatal supplements are created equal. Formulation and quality is key. Finding the best prenatal requires knowing what nutrients to look for on the label. Let’s break them down.
CoQ10: Also known asCoenzyme Q10, this antioxidant is one that all future dads need. It helps support energy levels at the cellular level, so it helps sperm swim faster while also protecting sperm DNA from oxidative stress (one of the main causes of infertility).
Folate: This nutrient specifically plays a role in healthy sperm production and is associated withsupporting male fertility and DNA synthesis. While you’re searching, know that the best form to take is methylated folate, which your body absorbs more efficiently.
Vitamin B6: This B vitamin plays a crucial role in supporting healthy sperm.
Vitamin C: This vitamin has been shown to support sperm count, motility, and normal sperm morphology, including supportingoverall semen quality for conception.
Vitamin D: This is yet another powerhouse vitamin that promotessperm motility. Plus, Vitamin D has also been shown to consistently support sperm quality.
Vitamin E: This a powerful antioxidant that’s associated withimproved sperm motility, playing a role in successful fusion between sperm and egg.
L-Arginine: If sperm counts are up and your swimmers aremoving faster, this amino acid derivative is doing its job.
L-Carnitine: This is one nutrient that packs a punch. It plays a vital role in supporting sperm quality. Another perk? It’s associated withhigher fertilization rates.
Shilajit: This is one key ingredient that doesn’t get enough air time. Its name translates to “conqueror of mountains” which is pretty accurate for what it does.Clinical studies show that shilajit is effective at promoting quality sperm and higher testosterone levels. Plus, it’s been used for centuries to support energy levels and overall vitality.
What We Love: Not only was this the first men’s prenatal to hit the market, but it’s also the only men’s prenatal to include the Ayurvedic compound shilajit. This compound not only helps support sperm health but also boosts your energy.
The Beli Vitality for Men prenatal includes all the urologist and dietitian-approved nutrients needed to support men’s fertility and sperm health. Each bottle is made in the USA at a GMP-certified facility, meaning it abides by strict manufacturing practices. Plus, Beli was awarded the Clean Label Project Purity Award, giving you peace of mind that you’re taking high-quality prenatal vitamins. Beli men’s prenatal also happens to be a top pick byForbes Health.
What to Consider: Specialized forumula and at two capsules a day, it makes taking prenatals easier.
What We Love: This men’s prenatal pack includes a lot of heavy-hitting nutrients on our list, including vitamin E, L-carnitine, and CoQ10. Plus, they’re specifically formulated with bioavailability in mind, so your body can absorb all the nutrients.
What to Consider: The cost of a 30-day supply is $60, putting this prenatal at a higher price point on our list. It also requires taking a handful of pills, which makes it a little harder to stomach.
What We Love: Formulated by a board-certified neurologist, this brand follows strict standards and third-party testing to make sure their prenatal only includes what you need. That means they stay away from heavy metals, GMOs, artificial colors, or allergens. Plus, you only take one capsule daily.
What to Consider: The prenatal packs in some important vitamins and minerals, but it is more of a general multivitamin as opposed to being specifically designed to support fertility health.
What We Love: Natalist’s prenatals are made in the USA claim to meet cGMP guidelines. We also liked that this blend is formulated by a team of urologists and registered dietitians, and focuses on key nutrients like CoQ10, selenium, vitamin C, D, and E.
What to Consider: Four pills make this one of the higher daily doses on our list, while also being a higher price ($60) per monthly order.
What We Love: Blue Stork’s blend is geared toward supporting libido and energy levels, and they make sure to include key nutrients like Vitamin B6, B12, and zinc. Their blend is also made in a GMP-certified facility and is third-party tested.
What to Consider: Key antioxidants like selenium, CoQ10, and Vitamins C and E are not included in their formulation.
What We Love: Daily Wellness specifically hones in on fertility and sperm health, so it’s not just a multivitamin. Their blend includes L-carnitine and antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E, and selenium.
What to Consider: The supplement has a proprietary blend that includes green tea extract. Consider consulting with your doctor on this particular ingredient and how it might interact with medications.
About Prenatalratings.com
PrenatalRatings.com was created to help consumers compare different brands of prenatal multivitamins and find the right match. We rate prenatal vitamins based on 4 key quality metrics, including ingredients, quality, taste, and ease of use. Read our review articles to learn why certain prenatal multivitamins are better than others, and which ones we recommend you try first.
“Thank you to all the nominators for bringing these remarkable individuals to our attention. They made our decision particularly difficult since each nominee is doing something that benefits their community. We want all the athletes to know we’re proud of their leadership and others are too,” Ulich concluded.
2023 Athletes in Excellence Award Recipients
1. Jacob Heilveil (US – Paralympian – Wheelchair Racing) A native Korean, Jacob Heilveil moved to Hawai’i when he was twelve to undergo spinal surgery to correct scoliosis — a complication of the polio he contracted as an infant. He became interested in wheelchair racing soon after and has been a competitor ever since, having participated in ninety marathons, three Paralympics, and two World Championships. Jacob has coached wheelchair athletes and co-created the Exciting Programs Adventures and New Dimensions program (EXPAND), Colorado’s first Paralympic sports club, operated through the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. He’s currently developing an initiative to supply adapted equipment to existing mainstream community sport programs. He regularly volunteers in Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan conducting wheelchair racing clinics. Jacob is an advocate of providing people with experiences and exposure to expand their perceptions of what is possible. Nominated by 2014 Athletes in Excellence recipient, Candace Cable.
2. Anton Jackson (US – Deaflympics Gold Medalist – Basketball) After passing up Division I offers to attend Gallaudet University, Anton Jackson, a Deaf basketball player, went on to win Rookie of the Year at the university, a bronze medal at the 2007 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2009 Deaflympics. Returning to Gallaudet as an assistant basketball coach, Jackson led the school’s team to one of its few conference championships, before attending Trainer University to obtain an I’m Possible certification. In 2021, he founded AdroitBucket to provide access to elite basketball training and inspire Deaf youth to achieve their athletic dream. Some of his alumni are well on their way having been selected to represent Team USA. Nominated by 2019 EYS recipient Blessed Mbogo.
3. Natalia Mayara Azevedo Da Costa (Brazil – Paralympian – Wheelchair Tennis) Ranked top twelve in the world, top ten for doubles, and number one in Brazil for wheelchair tennis while actively competing, Natalia qualified for the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. She won a silver medal at Les Petit As, Wheelchair Tennis Junior Masters, and gold medals at the Juniors South American Games and the Para Pan-American Games in both singles and doubles, giving Brazil its first gold medal in tennis. Now retired from competition, Natalia has been a force spreading awareness of adaptive sports and the Paralympic movement, actively volunteering in various capacities with organizations who deliver adaptive sports programs for youth, including Angel City, PlayLA, Ready, Set, Gold! YMCA, and Triumph. A frequent guest speaker, she has shared her Paralympic journey with audiences young and old. She has promoted wheelchair tennis by hosting clinics, conducted school assemblies, and created and shared content to amplify the reach and impact of these initiatives. As part of the Ready Set Gold! program, Natalia participated in their virtual series, promoting a healthy lifestyle by teaching children how to stay active at home. Beyond her local community, Natalia has volunteered for Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) and Paralympic APC campaigns, advocating for the empowerment of Paralympic athletes and the importance of inclusivity. Natalia also had the honor of representing all Paralympic athletes at the United Nations in Switzerland, where she delivered a powerful speech on the visibility of Paralympic sports and the significance of the Olympics/Paralympics being held in South America. Nominated by Ready, Set, Gold!, Izabela Maria da Silva, Andrea Tabor, Shanda Vail, Lauren Bendik, and Crystal Yang Edwards.
4. Amobi Okugo (US – Retired MLS Player) A first-generation Nigerian American from California, Amobi Okugo played over 200+ matches across multiple teams (Philadelphia, Orlando, Kansas City, Portland, Austin Bold, and the USMNT Youth Teams including the 2012 Olympic Qualifying Team) during his soccer career. While in the MLS, he represented his teammates as Team Captain and Player Representative, successfully negotiating improved player rights, and winning the Open Cup Championships (2015), Western Conference Winners (2017), and Copa de Tejas (2019). Okugo is a prolific volunteer, directly engaging with approximately 1,200 youth per year in a mentorship role, as well as an average of twenty-five community-based programs per year. His mission is to “help others understand their unique opportunities and create excellence through exposure.” He is the founder of Frugal Athlete, a business that helps athletes through financial education and athlete empowerment, as well as the creator of the Ok U Go Foundation, a non-profit supporting BIPOC youth. Nominated by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
5. Ella Rae Rodriguez (US – Collegiate Wheelchair Basketball) Currently studying neuroscience and cognitive science while playing collegiate wheelchair basketball for the University of Arizona, Ella Rodriguez has been competing since she first discovered adaptive equipment. Before college, she played wheelchair basketball, danced, surfed, cheered for her high school team, and even helped her high school coaches create a new adaptive team, which included three other students with physical disabilities. After winning two silver medals at the Paralympic trials in 2021 in long jump and discus, she’s now set her sights on joining Team USA’s U26 Wheelchair Basketball team. As a Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) Ambassador and youth mentor, she has generously shared her story to inspire others at corporate functions and outreach events, including CAF’s fundraising gala. In her spare time, she volunteers as a mentor and coach at CAF clinics, including CAF’s work with the Golden State Warriors wheelchair basketball clinic series and their multi-sport clinics at the University of Arizona. Ella has expanded people’s horizons by connecting them to CAF for equipment and giving them a glimpse of what is possible. Nominated by Challenged Athletes Foundation.
6. Jessica Smith (Australia – Paralympian – Para Swimming) Jessica Smith began representing Australia in para swimming when she was just thirteen. She swam for Team Australia for the next seven years, ultimately competing at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games at nineteen. Since retiring from swimming, Jessica has become a runner and an international advocate for diversity and inclusion, disability awareness, and positive body image, sharing her journey with diverse audiences including the United Nations. Her message to people living with a disability is to focus on what your body can do. Smith is co-founder and COO of TOUCH Talent Inclusion Consultancy, an international inclusive talent agency and disability inclusion consultancy, as well as a brand ambassador for corporations, and a member of the Australian Government Sports Commission’s AIS Female Performance & Health Initiative Athlete Advisory Group. Jessica has received numerous awards for her work, including the prestigious Order of Australia Medal (OAM), Australia’s highest honor, for her activism and dedication to sport. Nominated by 2017 Athletes in Excellence recipient Mo’ath Alkhawaldeh
7. Esther Vergeer (Dutch Paralympian – Wheelchair Tennis) In 2004, Esther founded the Esther Vergeer Foundation to help children with a physical disability or chronic condition develop self-confidence through sport. After winning her first of seven gold Paralympic medals, Esther was regularly approached by parents and disabled children asking how they too could get involved in sports. She began her community outreach by hosting two clinics at a tournament she was in, eventually growing the initiative into the Esther Vergeer Foundation which gives hundreds of children with a physical disability the chance to play sports every week across the Netherlands. Esther serves on the Dutch Paralympic delegation and is a member of the Dutch Sports Council. She is also Director of ABN AMRO Open’s wheelchair tennis tournament. Vergeer is the recipient of the 2022 and 2008 Laureus Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability. In 2016, she received the Fanny Blankers-Koen Career Award – the highest accolade for a Dutch athlete. In addition, she was named International Tennis Federation World Champion in women’s wheelchair tennis every year from 2000 to 2012, dominating the sport until her retirement in 2013. Having won 148 singles titles and 136 doubles titles over her career, Esther Vergeer has become a role model and advocate for female and male tennis players with a disability.
8. Jeff Williams (US – Olympian – Track and Field) Jeff Williams became a sprinter when his college track coach noticed his speed as a football player. After graduating with a degree in Physical Education Recreation and Sport, he continued competing and was ranked #2 in the U.S. and #3 in the world in the 200-meter dash from 1994 to 1998. He took bronze in that event at the 1995 World Championships, and in the 100-meter dash at the 1991 Pan American Games and earned a spot as a USA Olympic team member in 1992 and 1996. In response to Southern California school budget cuts eliminating physical education classes in the late ’90s, Williams co-developed the Psychomotor program which features activities that build agility, coordination, endurance, and cognitive development in children. Psychomotor is still in use nationwide as a YMCA program offering. Jeff was also an early participant in the Ready, Set, Gold! program, where he continues to spread the joy of sport to youth. Today, Jeff is a USATF Level II Certified Coach and a USATF Athletics Official and coaches high school track. In addition, he is the National Director of Track and Field for the non-profit Student Athlete International (SAI), overseeing track and field operations, and providing coaching, consulting, and mentoring services for the SAI track and field athletes. Nominated by 2014 Athletes in Excellence recipient, Candace Cable.
9. Kelly Worrell (US – Para Triathlete) A lifelong runner turned triathlete at 41, Kelly Worrell took silver in the 2018 Paratriathlon National Championship, was selected to represent Team USA, and has won gold and earned accolades like Elite Paratriathlon Development Athlete of the Year ever since. Currently ranked in the top ten in the world and second in the US in her sports class, she’s currently working towards the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Besides her role as Northeast Regional Programs and Community Relations Manager for Challenged Athletes Foundation, she’s an athlete mentor and coach to the U23 Para Triathlon Development Team, the co-founder of Swim Bike Run 4 Equality Foundation promoting diversity and inclusion in the sport of triathlon, and a volunteer assistant director/board member for the Athletes with Disabilities Network Northeast, an organization dedicated to bettering the quality of life for people with physical disabilities. Nominated by Challenged Athletes Foundation.
10. Shane Young (US – U20 National Team – Rugby) After leading his high school rugby team to three state championships and being named MVP his senior year, Shane founded Florida Gulf Coast State University’s rugby team, serving as club president and team captain. In 2012, at the age of twenty-two, Shane co-founded Memphis Inner City Rugby (MICR). With no budget, he leveraged the power of social media and funds from his teaching job to provide equipment, registration costs, rides, academic support, and case management to youth from some of the poorest zip codes in America. Over the next 5 years, MICR grew to serve hundreds of students and partnered with six schools. In 2017, Shane left teaching to focus on MICR full-time. Today, the program — which has been recognized as a best-in-class model of Sport-Based Youth Development — partners with fourteen schools and counts professional rugby players as alumni. Nominated by 2022 Athletes in Excellence recipient, Kevin Battle.
This is the 12th consecutive selection of Mack International on the shortlist in the category of Best Business Consulting Firm for Family Offices—an award Mack International has won several times in the past. This year, Mack is one of four firms shortlisted for Best Consulting Firm. “It is a privilege to be part of the PAM awards and applaud the outstanding achievements of so many esteemed colleagues in the industry. We are honored to be recognized for sharing our insights and ideas as consultants.”
Firmly established in a crucial niche of the executive search market, Linda Mack is a highly sought-after speaker at Family Office and Family Investment conferences on a global basis. “Today’s market is ultra-competitive, and families are looking for guidance. We consider it a privilege to be a client’s trusted advisor,” said Linda. “We help our clients execute their strategic vision by delivering exceptional counsel regarding their human capital needs. To us, a “search” is an intimate consulting relationship, not a transaction. We work with families in the context of the next 15+ years, not simply the position as it is defined/designed today. Our consulting goes beyond the “search” to include strategic planning, organization design/structure, succession, governance, onboarding, performance management, executive compensation, and retention strategies for C-suite executives.”
“Leading Woman’s Advocate” is a category that Linda Mack was awarded in 2022, and this year she has again been shortlisted as an individual finalist for 2023. She is one of three nominees. The award recognizes individuals and firms in the industry who are an inspiration to both female clients and colleagues. “Mentoring women who are starting or continuing to build their own businesses as well as those aspiring to leadership roles within the family office, is a priority for me,” said Linda. “I remember the challenges I faced in starting my own business. I am happy to help pave the way for other women and pay it forward. Being nominated in this category is truly special.”
Linda acknowledges that being nominated for a PAM Award is a genuine recognition from the private wealth community to one of its own. “I am deeply grateful for this tribute. Having our work recognized in these two categories is particularly meaningful as they represent our ongoing dedication to serving families at the highest level.”
A black-tie awards dinner celebrating the top-performing elite of the private wealth community will take place on February 8, 2024, at the extraordinary 583 Park Avenue, in New York City.
About Mack International LLC Mack International is the premier boutique firm that specializes in providing retained C-suite executive search and strategic human capital consulting solutions to family office, investment firm and enterprise clients on a national and international basis. Clients range from first generation business enterprise owning wealth creators through multi-generational families of six or more generations. Headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, clients also include multi-client family offices and select investment and wealth management firms that serve family office and ultra-high net worth clients. In addition to its executive search services, Mack International provides customized strategic human capital/talent management consulting solutions. The scope of consulting services includes succession planning, governance, next generation engagement,, compensation practices, and performance metrics.
About the PAM Awards PAM Awards are designed for investment advisors and wealth professionals, operating within the private asset management industry, who have proven to be the best and most knowledgeable in the industry. The judging process, using an independent panel made up of wealth industry experts, is based on a mixture of qualitative and quantitative performance indicators. Successful candidates have demonstrated exemplary performance in four critical categories: Financial Progress, Growth, Client Satisfaction, and Product Innovation.
Leading Custom Thermoforming and Contract Manufacturing Services Provider Earns Women’s Business Enterprise Status
VERNON, Calif., Dec. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Kal Plastics, an industry leader in custom, heavy gauge, cut-sheet Thermoforming, has been certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
WBENC is the gold standard for women-owned business certification in the United States. Kal Plastic’s certification was conducted and approved by the WBE Council-West, WBENC’s regional certifying partner. Attaining the certification is a meticulous process, including an in-depth review of the business’ history, current operations, a comprehensive legal and financial document review, and a site inspection. The certification process confirms that the business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women and that the business has appropriate structure and strategic business planning and implementation in place.
“Receiving WBENC certification is a significant achievement for Kal Plastics,” says Juliet Goff, President and CEO of Kal Plastics. “We are honored to be acknowledged as a women-owned and women-led enterprise. This certification celebrates the influential role of women in leadership, not only within our industry but across the broader business landscape.”
About WBENC: WBENC is the leading U.S. women’s business development and third-party certifier of women-owned and operated businesses. WBENC includes more than 18,000 certified WBEs, 14 national RPOs, and more than 500 corporate members, most of which are Fortune 500 entities. Thousands of corporations as well as states, cities, the federal government, and other entities seek suppliers with WBENC certification. For more information, visit http://www.wbenc.org and http://www.buywomenowned.com.
About Kal Plastics: Proud to be WBENC-certified, Kal Plastics is a Kal Plastics is a leading custom thermoforming and contract manufacturing service provider.
Kal Plastics brings over 70 years of expertise to the plastics industry, specializing in the development of high-quality products and components tailored to diverse utilization purposes and markets. As a woman-owned business in Vernon, California, their commitment to client satisfaction and clear communication sets them apart. They strive to build long-lasting relationships with our clients, ensuring their specific needs are met with custom solutions. To learn more about Kal Plastics, visit kal-plastics.com or contact us.
“We are immensely grateful for the support the Newark community, JLH and Newark Alliance have shown towards BrownMill’s growth over the last few years,” said Justis Pitt-Goodson, co-founder and CEO of BrownMill Company. “We are excited for this crowdfunding campaign to continue our momentum and strengthen the impact our sustainable legacy will have on Halsey Street, Newark and beyond.”
BrownMill is a dedicated lifestyle brand, crafting high-quality, ethically conscious and environmentally friendly clothing that empowers men and women. The company is committed to minimizing its environmental footprint and employs ethical and eco-friendly production methods, source materials from trusted suppliers, and energy-efficient techniques. BrownMill also prioritizes community engagement and strives to make a positive global impact.
“The JLH Social Impact Fund is thrilled to support BrownMill Company’s continued growth and success through our dollar-for-dollar matching program,” said Lauren Holiday, co-founder of the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Fund. “JLH was formed with the mindset of paying it forward, and the community effort that has gone into this crowdfunding campaign has perfectly exemplified what we aim to do. With Newark Alliance’s additional support, BrownMill will be better positioned to reach their goal of raising $100,000 by the end of this year.”
Jrue and Lauren Holiday launched their Social Impact Fund in 2020 following the disruptions of the global COVID-19 pandemic and protests over the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. Its mission is to combat systemic racism and socioeconomic inequality holding back Black communities. JLH supports local Black-led non-profit organizations, city-wide initiatives seeking equitable outcomes for Black and Brown communities, and historically Black colleges and universities in New Orleans, the Los Angeles area and Indianapolis.
“Newark Alliance is thrilled to be contributing $40,000 to the crowdfunding campaign through a dollar-for-dollar match” said Ashley Mays, Chief of Place and Real Estate for the Newark Alliance. “Halsey Street is a cultural and small business hub and BrownMill has made a tremendous positive impact on the community since its opening on Halsey Street two years ago. We are excited to be part of what’s to come for its continued growth and standing as a leading clothing brand in Newark and beyond.”
Halsey Street is a shopping and entertainment hub located in the heart of downtown Newark’s Arts and Education District. BrownMill Atelier became an anchor tenant of the street in June 2021 when it opened its first storefront. Since then, the company has been supported by NBA players, including Holiday, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony.
Shoppers can participate in BrownMill’s crowdfunding campaign by purchasing items on http://www.brownmill.co or visiting the store at 49 Halsey Street, Newark, N.J., throughout December.
About BrownMill Company
BrownMill is an innovative lifestyle brand of luxury clothing touted as a combination of bespoke tailoring and streetwear. All of BrownMill’s clothes are produced using recycled textile material from clothing waste, donations, imports, and thrift stores, driven by a strategy of Urban Upcycling. http://www.brownmill.co
About The JLH Social Impact Fund
The 2020-launched Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund, led by NBA champion Jrue Holiday and two-time Olympic gold medalist Lauren Holiday, is dedicated to dismantling systemic racism and socioeconomic barriers. The initiative supports local Black-led nonprofits, Black-owned businesses, city-wide initiatives for equitable outcomes, and historically Black colleges and universities in New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Indianapolis. With a focus on cities close to the Holidays’ hearts, the Fund demonstrates a steadfast commitment to fostering positive change where needed most.
About Newark Alliance
The Newark Alliance, through the combined strength and collaboration of its members, drives inclusive economic growth for all of Newark, N.J. Our members comprise Newark’s premier businesses, anchor institutions, and community partners, including Fortune 100 and 500 companies and several of the country’s top universities, developers, hospitals, and arts institutions. United by a shared vision, the Alliance and its Members work collaboratively to cement Newark’s status as one of America’s most diverse, prosperous, exciting, and equitable cities. Visit us at http://www.newark-alliance.org.
Experts in UX design and product strategy from Guidea will work closely with the 2024 Femovate companies to help them improve and accelerate the efficiency, usability and accessibility of their products. The complimentary services provided by Guidea will help burnish the credibility of the 2024 Femovate companies, putting them in a far stronger position to acquire new funding and media opportunities. UX design support may include researching and testing digital designs, identifying areas for differentiation in the market and collaborating with industrial designers and engineering teams to create user-centric products that exceed expectations, as well as delving deeply into the patient, provider and customer journey.
“Femtech is the industry that will change the world,” says Guidea CEO and co-founder Theresa Neil. “We see incredible promise with the startups we’re sponsoring while understanding the challenges they face bringing innovation to generally taboo health topics. Femovate can provide a small but powerful boost for these companies to jump to the forefront of femtech and bring solutions to millions of women globally.”
The 30 companies selected for the 2024 Femovate program include:
BREAST HEALTH
Deeplook Medical: Revolutionizing radiology for cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, with their FDA-approved, patent-protected software. The shape recognition software accurately measures, segments, and displays the density of soft tumor masses in Mammograms, Ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI images — with just one click.
iSono Health: Transforms breast cancer screening by combining automated ultrasound and artificial intelligence (AI) to empower women and physicians with accessible and personalized breast health monitoring.
KnowBra: Uses AI and computer vision for post-mastectomy bra fitting. The platform automates insurance claims and offers zero-touch fittings. KnowBra’s solution reduces discomfort, boosts confidence, and guarantees a proper fit.
CARDIOVASCULAR
Armor Medical: A biomedical device company that dares to innovate better health for all. The company’s groundbreaking wearable device, Maternal aRMOR, is revolutionizing early obstetric hemorrhage detection – offering objective, real-time monitoring to enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
CHRONIC CONDITIONS
Afynia Labs: Developer of an at-home screening test that will shorten the path to diagnosis and treatment for endometriosis.
FERTILITY
PherDal Fertility Science: Stands at the forefront of innovative reproductive healthcare, dedicated to transforming fertility assistance with groundbreaking and accessible solutions. The company’s flagship product, the PherDal Kit, is a patented, sterile, FDA-cleared over-the-counter option, meticulously designed to empower individuals on their path to parenthood.
Plan Your Baby: A global fertility and pregnancy telehealth clinic providing end-to-end clinical, digital, affordable, effective, personalized and fast solutions for fertility and pregnancy-related problems.
HORMONE HEALTH
Iameno: An end-to-end hormonal health management platform leveraging AI, data and sciences to provide daily step-by-step personalized guidance and action plans to women going through hormonal changes impacting their physical, emotional and cognitive health. Our mission is to create a new generation of women who are smarter about their health.
Impli: Developer of subdermal implants that monitor fertility hormone levels frequently and in real-time so that clinicians can make better decisions during the IVF treatment. Clinicians need more data points to deliver precision care to move the dial on success rates and also increase the safety of women.
Proov: A proactive fertility testing platform that helps couples identify the leading causes of infertility at home. Proov is the only FDA-cleared test to confirm ovulation at home. It combines simple urine-based diagnostics with an easy-to-use app to give women a clear view of their menstrual cycles and fertility status.
MATERNAL HEALTH
BB Imaging: A telesonography® provider that connects healthcare facilities and their patients with remote, expert sonographers. By combining a facility’s existing resources with FDA-cleared and HIPAA-compliant technology, TeleScan can bring high-quality prenatal ultrasound care to all patients.
Ciconia: The first AI-based medical device that allows clinicians to base critical labor decisions on accurate and user-independent measurements, providing a safe and gentle process for both mom and baby.
EXO: A company battling disparities in women’s health research and treatment while enhancing the standard of care for maternal health.
Health Evolve: Brings care delivery closer to home and is the creator of LAUREN, a digital health platform to help pregnant and postpartum women manage their health, while receiving support from a personalized care village outside of the walls of the clinic.
Partum: A hybrid clinic delivering the best of online and offline care to women and families through the fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum journey.
riskLD: A clinician-facing perinatal patient safety software platform that has been developed to elevate situational awareness of inpatient obstetric units and to improve outcomes for pregnant patients and their newborns.
Villie: A platform that connects expecting parents with support from loved ones through cash, gifts, and services while also helping brands target moms by placing products in front of their villagers to drive revenue.
MENSTRUATION
Joni: A menstrual care brand that’s making organic and sustainable products mainstream to make period care accessible for everyone.
ONCOLOGY
Cacta: Creator of MyLymphCare, a research-based home-monitoring solution for early detection of lymphedema, one of the major side-effects of breast cancer treatment. We empower women to monitor at home to catch symptoms before they are visible, enabling early treatment that results in a dramatically lower risk of chronic lymphedema.
Prosoma: A global medical company delivering digital healthcare solutions for oncology, with a product portfolio that supports the patient’s mental and behavioral health.
Thyia: A digital health platform providing women with access to at-home cervical cancer screening tests making cervical cancer a thing of the past.
PELVIC FLOOR HEALTH
HyIvy: Provides data-driven medical devices that facilitate the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor.
SAFETY AND PRIVACY
Epowar: A wearable technology to make women safer. The company recently launched the first safety app that detects if the user is physically attacked, alerting their chosen contacts, sharing live location data and storing valuable evidence in the cloud.
UTERINE HEALTH
Nesa Medtech: A leading deep-tech medtech startup that specializes in developing patented, scarless image-guided surgical solutions in the field of women’s health using advanced technology.
WOMEN’S WELLNESS
Bloomful: A diagnostic solution delivering streamlined, accessible gynecological care to underserved women globally.
Celeste: Celeste’s ExactRx is a medication diagnostic tool that transforms traditionally diagnostic lab panels into actionable medication safety and efficacy insights. Using AI-powered precision medicine, it enables healthcare providers and payers to pre-emptively assess how a patient will respond to medications and subsequently create personalized adherence plans.
Girls First Finance: Girls First Finance (GFF) promotes equitable access to education and financial services for vulnerable young women starting in Africa who are otherwise at risk of exploitation to cover their education expenses. Through its mobile super app platform, GFF provides access to student loans along with tools focused on safeguarding, financial literacy, career development and community support across over a dozen features.
Health in Her Hue: A digital health platform dedicated to connecting Black women and women of color to culturally sensitive healthcare providers, evidence-based, culturally-tailored health content, and community support.
Incora: Empowers women to meet their fertility and wellness goals by providing actionable health insights using the Incora smart earrings.
NAWAT Health: A digital platform that provides Arab women access to sexual and reproductive health educational programs and judgment-free and pleasure-positive online care with diverse, trusted, and trained sexual and reproductive health experts.
“The world is finally waking up to the staggering data that shows both the investment gap into women-led companies, women-centric innovation, and the huge untapped potential of both — and some are taking real tangible action,” said Ida Tin, CEO and founder of the women’s menstruation-tracking app, Clue, who is also credited with coining the term ‘femtech.’ “I’m impressed with the caliber of the femtech companies I’ve been part of selecting for the 2024 Femovate cohort and the practical support they receive from Femovate.”
Femovate is a UX sponsorship program for early-stage femtech startups. Launched in 2022 by Guidea, acclaimed for their expertise in UX design and product strategy, Femovate is aimed at lifting up femtech founders who work in a sector that has been woefully underfunded. Femovate has already contributed over $1 million of UX and product services to more than 30 early-stage startups since its inception. Learn more at https://www.femovate.com.
About Guidea
Guidea is an award-winning, women-led UX consultancy with extensive product and design strategy expertise in medtech, IoT, wearables, population health insights, digital therapeutics, healthcare software and femtech. The team is a trusted partner to 20 Fortune 100 companies and dozens of innovative startups. Products designed by Guidea are used by more than one billion people worldwide, and more than 660 million users globally use innovative health products designed by Guidea. Learn more at https://guidea.com.
Join. Stay. Grow. Connect to Your Calling, which launched today in print and online, relies on the stories of Benchmark associates, many of whom have called Benchmark home for over 20 years. Associates at all levels discuss finding meaningful work at Benchmark, following their passion for making residents’ lives better while enjoying the immense satisfaction from doing so.
Recent studies have shown that meaningfulness is more important to U.S. workers than any other aspect of their job and directly impacts job satisfaction. Individuals want to know that what they do makes a difference and, for the overwhelming majority, work with meaning and purpose can have a significant impact on their overall mental health.
“From our residents to their family members and one another, Benchmark associates make deep and lasting impacts on our residents, their family members and one another that goes far beyond simply going to work every day,” said Marla Rappaport, vice president of marketing for Benchmark Senior Living. “Throughout this campaign, we bring to light these powerful and inspirational stories, which are a key part of what makes Benchmark communities so special.”
Besides the personal satisfaction that comes with enjoying meaningful work, Benchmark provides a wealth of benefits focused on associates’ mental health and sense of belonging. This includes the company’s Inclusion Advisory Council, which focuses on helping make all associates feel welcomed, valued and have the opportunity to flourish. The Benchmark One Company Fund provides grants to associates facing unforeseen financial challenges. Each year, the Fund gives hundreds of thousands of dollars to associates in need.
In addition, all Benchmark associates receive mentoring, exposure to industry-leaders and professional development opportunities. Benchmark University offers skills-based supplemental training, including workshops, seminars and experiential learning. Leadership in training seminars designed to grow developing associates into management and executive positions are also available.
Since its inception 26 years ago, Benchmark’s workplace and company culture has been widely recognized as being among the best. Recently, it was awarded for the sixth time with Great Place to Work certification and earned a place on FORTUNE Magazine’s Best Workplaces in Aging Services™list. Also, it has been recognized on the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work employee-based survey for 15 straight years, every year since the award has been given and is one of only two companies to have done so.
For more information about how to connect with your calling with a career at Benchmark, click here.
About Benchmark Senior Living
Benchmark is New England’s largest senior living provider with 65 independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care communities and over 6,000 dedicated associates providing compassionate care and outstanding experiences throughout the Northeast. The Waltham, Mass.-based company was founded over 25 years ago by Tom Grape with the purpose of Transforming Lives Through Human Connection. Since then, Benchmark has continued to set the industry standard, having won over 300 hundred local, regional and national awards for its care, programs and as a top workplace. Benchmark has been named one of the Top Places to Work for 16 straight years in The Boston Globe’s annual employee-based survey and received repeated recognition in FORTUNE’s Best Workplaces for Aging Services list. In 2023, Benchmark communities received 53 U.S. News & World Report Best of Senior Living excellence awards based on resident and family feedback. For more information, visit BenchmarkSeniorLiving.com.
Additional Winter Season Fun Includes: Winter PJ Party at the Manor (beautiful historic home that sits next to the world’s largest children’s museum) 9:30 a.m., 1 or 3:30 p.m. on December 9, 2023 Wear your coziest pajamas and get “snowed in” at the historic Manor next door to the museum. Each door opens a new adventure. Encounter rooms taken over by woodland creatures, enjoy an indoor snowball fight, make holiday treats and more. Ticket prices range between $4 – $25.
Watch Santa slip slide away down the 47-foot-long slide YouTube: https://youtu.be/TxWMRnAT-Cg Santa’s Magical Morning – 8 – 10 a.m. on Dec. 10, 16 & 17, 2023 Join us for an exclusive morning with unlimited access to the WinterSlide, open exploration of WinterFaire, photos with Santa and special activities with family and friends. Ticket prices range between $24 – $41.25.
Countdown to Noon – 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 Celebrate the final day of 2023 with activities, live music from Zak Morgan, and countdowns at noon and 1 p.m. that will allow families to experience the excitement of a countdown at a reasonable hour for the youngsters! Receive festive favors for the big moment (while supplies last).
Llouie the Llama’s Winter Adventure: Lost in the Woods Written by Jeffrey Bowen Llouie the llama wakes in a deep forest, lost and experiencing some memory loss. With the help of woodland creatures, he pieces together memories of his farm. During Llouie’s journey, he encounters a fox who mistreats him and learns how to handle a bully. By the end, Llouie has made new friends who work together to help him find his way home. This one-of-a-kind experience debuts in the Lilly Theater within The Children’s Museum. See the museum’s website http://www.childrensmuseum.org/theater for additional dates and times.
Gift Memberships Give experiences, not more stuff!! A membership to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis lasts for a year. Better yet, the memories will last a lifetime! Who knew a year of fun could fit into a stocking?
The museum offers free admission to children and families on December 24, 2023. Please note the museum is open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on that day. There will be plenty of programming during this festive time so that families can always experience something new: See the programs happening the day of your visit on the museum’s online calendar (childrensmuseum.org/calendar).
Please note: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will be closed on December 25, 2023.
WinterFaire is presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers and is supported by Delta Dental of Indiana and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance. The WinterSlide is presented by Corteva Agriscience. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Children’s Health, Old National Bank, Ice Miller LLP, and The Heritage Group.
About The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experi arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and familiees. For more information about The Children’s Museum, visit http://www.childrensmuseum.org, TikTok@childrensmuseum, Instagram@childrensmuseum, YouTube.com/IndyTCM, and Facebook.
Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Seattle for 2023
NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Seattle for 2023. Seattle stands as the technology epicenter of the West Coast, housing influential corporations such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta. These formidable entities support a substantial workforce in the Seattle region, offering competitive salaries to their employees. The city’s diverse and eclectic culture ensures that individuals with a wide array of interests can find their niche. This year’s awardees are notable leaders spanning industries including technology and software, aerospace, biotechnology and life sciences, and retail. Each brings a unique and valuable perspective to the organizations they serve.
Among this year’s awardees is Microsoft’s EVP and Chief Financial Officer, Amy Hood, who oversees the company’s global finance organization and actively participated in the execution of key acquisitions including LinkedIn, GitHub, and Nuance Communications. Awardee Rachel Antalek, Chief Global Food Innovation Officer of Pizza Hut, showcases her passion for mapping long-term vision and delivering shareholder value in the food and beverage industry, skillfully building teams and coalitions to drive consumer-informed innovation. Also awarded is Reema Nath, Vice President of Information Technology at Thermo Fisher Scientific, who leads innovation-driven technology strategies, spearheads digital transformation initiatives, and plays a pivotal role in strategic portfolio management across the IT landscape for corporate functions.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders in Seattle for 2023.
Sara Kelly (Starbucks), Rachel Antalek (Pizza Hut), Linh Peters (Walgreens), Amy Hood (Microsoft), Reema Nath (Thermo Fisher Scientific), Amy Clemetson (Liberty Mutual Insurance), Michelle Vargo (Puget Sound Energy), Felisa Martin (Bristol Myers Squibb), Shane Fisher (Boston Consulting Group), Beth Gray (Iron Mountain), Sara Staggs (Aerotek), Mary Stata (Mercy Corps), Kristen Quillin (YNV Group), Michelle Maggs (D-Wave), Rebecca Pomering (Moss Adams), Jennifer Johnston (SunPower), Kate Godfrey (Karl Storz Endoscopy), Amy Masterson (MOD Pizza), Sarah Jacob (MedBridge), Michele Smith (Museum of Pop Culture), Amy Pelly (Amperity), Kim Mulvaney (Era Living), Renuka Ayer (Agility Robotics), Rana Muminoglu (Concentric), Nadia Dac (Omeros Corporation), and many others.
Women We Admire provides news and information on today’s women leaders in business, entertainment, sports, motherhood, medicine, law, and many other fields. We cover a broad range of topics and areas of interest aimed at recognizing the achievements of exceptional women while inspiring others to aim high and continue their journey towards reaching their full potential. Women We Admire and its affiliates circulate its content to over 32,000 individuals and businesses.
