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| Power Style Wellness Connections |
Meet 2008's Most Admired Woman Winners.
by Lucy M. Pritchett
photos by Ewa Wojtkowska
Meet 2008’s Most Admired Woman Winners. Each
is beautiful, enthusiastic, concerned, tireless, nurturing, and excited about her life.
We can glean different approaches to life from each of these women — something
that an admirer might find beneficial to her professional or personal life. As you turn
the pages to meet them, read about the career path that has led each to this point
along her road.
Starting on page 24, find out even more about each winner. We asked each one,
'What's on your mind?' and the resulting answers are quixotic and inspiring.
How Were They Chosen?
The editorial staff of Today’s Woman selected women from the local area
to be included in the Most Admired Woman poll. Our readers could vote
by choosing one of six women in 12 categories. The ballot was printed in the
March 2008 issue and was also available online during three weeks in March.
ARTS
JENNIFER BIELSTEIN
Managing Director
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Jennifer fell head-over-heels for
The Theatre in high school. She knew that her interests were on the business side of
theatre, and she studied business and theatre at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. After graduation, she moved to Chicago and pursued a career
in theatre from that moment on. She came to Actors Theatre of Louisville as
managing director in November 2006.
“My dream has been to be a managing director of a major regional theatre, and
Actors Theatre of Louisville is one of the most important theatres in the entire
country.”
ATHLETES/FITNESS
JANICE GERALDS
Owner
Curves Fitness Centers
Janice worked in sales for 18 years at Kosmos Cement Company which is now owned
by Cemex. She quit to be a stay-at-home mom to her two children. In 1998 the
opportunity of realizing her dream to have her own business presented itself and she
jumped at it. She owns two Curves Fitness Centers, one in Middletown and one in
McMahan Shopping Plaza.“Curves is my passion. I love helping other women reach
their fitness potential. It gives me great pleasure to see someone get into an exercise
and fitness routine and how it changes her life.”
BEAUTY/FASHION
JANET ROWLAND
Founder and retired owner
The Hair Design School
Jan started as a licensed cosmetologist over 40 years ago.
She soon became a manager and instructor of a cosmetology school
in Louisville. She acquired her first school in 1969 and when she retired in July 2007,
she owned a chain of six schools in Kentucky. The schools produced over 15,000
licensed cosmetologists. Jan served as president of the American Association of
Cosmetology Schools and zone commissioner for the National Accrediting
Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Science.
“My life has been blessed and I feel very fortunate.”
BUSINESS OWNER
TRICIA BURKE
President
OEC, Office Environment Company
Tricia graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind. She worked for a year
as a volunteer with the Archdiocese of Louisville in the Southern Kentucky Missions,
before joining Kentucky YMCA as district director and later, as state program director
from 1981-1988. In 1986, she took a year’s leave of absence to work in Dublin,
Ireland with the Catholic Youth Council. From 1989-1990 Tricia served as alumnae
director at Saint Mary’s College. She returned to Louisville in 1991 and joined
the family business, OEC, which she leads today.
“I like the interaction and involvement with other people ~ my coworkers,
our customers, and the individuals I meet through the boards and organizations I
have been involved with.”
COMMUNITY/NONPROFITS
DENISE VAZQUEZ TROUTMAN
President/CEO
The Center for Women and Families
Born in Belize, Central America, Denise was in first grade when her family moved to
Chevy Chase, Maryland. She has held management positions with Starbucks Coffee
Company in Atlanta and Oracle Corporation, a database technology company with
headquarters in the Silicon Valley. Prior to assuming leadership at The Center for
Women and Families, she was vice president of human resources for the YMCA of
Greater Louisville where she provided oversight to benefits, payroll, training, and
employee relations for 10 branches
and 1,200 employees.
She attended boarding schools in Kenya and India, and attended the University of
Windsor in Ontario, Canada. She describes herself as a life-long learner and
believes that if we are open to learning, we find educational
moments all around us.
“With all my travels around the world, I have come to realize that women are the
cornerstones of communities. My role at The Center gives me the opportunity to
touch and affect women’s lives at such a crucial and pivotal time.”
CORPORATE
DEB MOESSNER
President and GM
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kentucky
Deb earned her teaching degree in speech and theater from George Williams
College/Aurora University in Downers Grove, Ill. Teaching jobs were hard to come by
in the seventies, so she sought employment in the health insurance industry. She
spent seven years in sales and account management and then moved into
management. She began her career with Delta Dental Plan of Michigan and then
moved to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan. She lived in Lansing, Mt. Pleasant,
and Grand Rapids, Michigan, before moving to Louisville in 1991. She received
her master’s in business administration from Bellarmine University in 2005. In
November 2006, she became President/GM of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Kentucky.
“I like meeting the challenges within our business. We are in a complicated business
which I keep on trying to simplify.”
EDUCATION
BARBARA FLANDERS WINE
Principal
Presentation Academy
Barbara attended Presentation Academy and competed in field hockey, basketball,
and volleyball. She graduated from Spalding University in 1971
with a Bachelor of Science in Education and received her master’s degree in
education from the University of Louisville.
She has been at Presentation Academy for 26 years. She taught math, coached
volleyball for 18 years, and served as dean of students, assistant principal, and
director of enrollment. Barbara has been principal for five years.
“I love watching the excitement of the freshman class as they walk through our
antique front doors on their first day of school. They will not use the door again until
the final day of their senior year, when I open the door and present the senior class
to parents and friends. I love working at a school where students challenge me to
examine my own values and beliefs.”
FOOD/ENTERTAINMENT
GRACE DELUISE-KOENIG
Founder, owner/operator
Amazing Grace Whole Foods and Nutrition Center
Grace has formal training in occupational therapy and a master’s degree in
occupational therapy from New York University. She moved to Louisville in 1991 and
opened Amazing Grace health food retail store in 1995. She practiced pediatric
occupational therapy from 1981-1995. To augment the health food store business,
she studied real estate and has been a Realtor with Semonin Realtors since 2004.
To date she has sold over $10,000,000. Going full circle, Grace is now pursuing
pediatric occupational therapy part time.
“My purpose in opening Amazing Grace was to bring health awareness
to people. I had benefited from health food and nutritional products and
I wanted to let people know about them and how to use them in the right way.”
HEALTH & HEALTH CARE
DR. ANEES CHAGPAR
Surgical oncologist
Director of the multidisciplinary breast cancer
program at University of Louisville’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center
Anees grew up in Canada and graduated from the University of Alberta in Edmonton
with a bachelor’s in science and a medical degree. She earned her master’s
of surgery at the University of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where she completed her
residency and served as chief resident.
Anees was the inaugural Susan G. Komen Interdisciplinary Breast Cancer Fellow at
the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She joined the
University of Louisville School of Medicine as an assistant professor in the division of
surgical oncology in 2003, and in July 2008 will become an associate professor. She
was instrumental in the creation and development of the multidisciplinary breast
cancer program at UofL’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center and serves as its
director. She is also an academic advisory dean for medical students at UofL.
“I love working with breast cancer patients. It is a very treatable disease. Research
on breast cancer is evolving very quickly.”
HOME & HOMESTYLE
LIZ WILSON
Founder/owner
Liz at Home
As an only child growing up on a farm, Liz created imaginary houses in the woods
near the creek and on the hillsides of the property. Her bedroom became her first
interior design studio as she made custom window treatments from sheets and
painted the walls every color imaginable. But interior design was not something she
thought was an option as a career. She took a job as a secretary with International
Harvester and was involved in a new venture for the company — the Women in
Management Program. When she started her family — four children in four-and-a-
half years — she stayed at home the next 20 years to focus on her home and family.
While living in Indianapolis, she returned to school and took design classes. She and
the family moved to a 43-acre farm in Floyds Knobs and in 1996 she opened her
interior design business in New Albany.
“As a business owner, there have been times when I have had to stop and do a
reality check as to why I am doing this. But, I feel that we owe
it to ourselves to follow the path that the Lord has directed us to and we will succeed.”
MEDIA
VICKI DORTCH
Anchor
WLKY-TV NewsChannel 32
Vicki is a Paducah native and attended Murray State University with the intention of
majoring in print journalism. When she registered, the journalism classes were full
and an advisor suggested she take a radio/TV course. She loved it. After graduation
with a degree in speech communications, she began work at a radio station before
taking an anchor job at WPSD-TV in Paducah. In 1998, she moved to Louisville to
take a weekend anchor job at WLKY-TV.
“I love my job. Everyday is different. I don’t know what the news will bring one day to
the next.”
POLITICAL
MARTHA LAYNE COLLINS
Former Governor of Kentucky
Executive Scholar-in-Residence at Georgetown College, Georgetown, Ky.
Martha Layne Collins began her professional career as a public school teacher in
Louisville and Woodford County. During that time, she worked on various Democratic
campaigns. Her first elected office was that of clerk of the Kentucky Supreme Court
from 1975-1979. She was elected lieutenant governor of the commonwealth in 1979
and four years later was elected governor. She served as governor from 1983
through 1987. In 1984, she chaired the Democratic National Convention in San
Francisco. Collins is the first, and to date, the only woman to be elected Governor of
Kentucky.
After her service as governor, she became president of St. Catharine College in St.
Catharine, Ky. for six years. She also served as the executive scholar-in-residence at
Georgetown College where she developed the Commerce, Language and Culture
major, and she continues to encourage international experiences and studies for all
students. She is also the CEO of Kentucky World Trade Center where she works to
provide assistance to companies of all sizes doing business abroad.
“Some days I am up by 6 a.m. and get home between 8 and 10 in the evening. My
weekends are as busy as weekdays. I speak to classes on Kentucky history, to
leadership classes, and make appearances at events around the state. My
commitment to Kentucky remains just as strong as when I was in office.”
by Lucy M. Pritchett
photos by Ewa Wojtkowska
Meet 2008’s Most Admired Woman Winners. Each
is beautiful, enthusiastic, concerned, tireless, nurturing, and excited about her life.
We can glean different approaches to life from each of these women — something
that an admirer might find beneficial to her professional or personal life. As you turn
the pages to meet them, read about the career path that has led each to this point
along her road.
Starting on page 24, find out even more about each winner. We asked each one,
'What's on your mind?' and the resulting answers are quixotic and inspiring.
How Were They Chosen?
The editorial staff of Today’s Woman selected women from the local area
to be included in the Most Admired Woman poll. Our readers could vote
by choosing one of six women in 12 categories. The ballot was printed in the
March 2008 issue and was also available online during three weeks in March.
ARTS
JENNIFER BIELSTEIN
Managing Director
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Jennifer fell head-over-heels for
The Theatre in high school. She knew that her interests were on the business side of
theatre, and she studied business and theatre at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. After graduation, she moved to Chicago and pursued a career
in theatre from that moment on. She came to Actors Theatre of Louisville as
managing director in November 2006.
“My dream has been to be a managing director of a major regional theatre, and
Actors Theatre of Louisville is one of the most important theatres in the entire
country.”
ATHLETES/FITNESS
JANICE GERALDS
Owner
Curves Fitness Centers
Janice worked in sales for 18 years at Kosmos Cement Company which is now owned
by Cemex. She quit to be a stay-at-home mom to her two children. In 1998 the
opportunity of realizing her dream to have her own business presented itself and she
jumped at it. She owns two Curves Fitness Centers, one in Middletown and one in
McMahan Shopping Plaza.“Curves is my passion. I love helping other women reach
their fitness potential. It gives me great pleasure to see someone get into an exercise
and fitness routine and how it changes her life.”
BEAUTY/FASHION
JANET ROWLAND
Founder and retired owner
The Hair Design School
Jan started as a licensed cosmetologist over 40 years ago.
She soon became a manager and instructor of a cosmetology school
in Louisville. She acquired her first school in 1969 and when she retired in July 2007,
she owned a chain of six schools in Kentucky. The schools produced over 15,000
licensed cosmetologists. Jan served as president of the American Association of
Cosmetology Schools and zone commissioner for the National Accrediting
Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Science.
“My life has been blessed and I feel very fortunate.”
BUSINESS OWNER
TRICIA BURKE
President
OEC, Office Environment Company
Tricia graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind. She worked for a year
as a volunteer with the Archdiocese of Louisville in the Southern Kentucky Missions,
before joining Kentucky YMCA as district director and later, as state program director
from 1981-1988. In 1986, she took a year’s leave of absence to work in Dublin,
Ireland with the Catholic Youth Council. From 1989-1990 Tricia served as alumnae
director at Saint Mary’s College. She returned to Louisville in 1991 and joined
the family business, OEC, which she leads today.
“I like the interaction and involvement with other people ~ my coworkers,
our customers, and the individuals I meet through the boards and organizations I
have been involved with.”
COMMUNITY/NONPROFITS
DENISE VAZQUEZ TROUTMAN
President/CEO
The Center for Women and Families
Born in Belize, Central America, Denise was in first grade when her family moved to
Chevy Chase, Maryland. She has held management positions with Starbucks Coffee
Company in Atlanta and Oracle Corporation, a database technology company with
headquarters in the Silicon Valley. Prior to assuming leadership at The Center for
Women and Families, she was vice president of human resources for the YMCA of
Greater Louisville where she provided oversight to benefits, payroll, training, and
employee relations for 10 branches
and 1,200 employees.
She attended boarding schools in Kenya and India, and attended the University of
Windsor in Ontario, Canada. She describes herself as a life-long learner and
believes that if we are open to learning, we find educational
moments all around us.
“With all my travels around the world, I have come to realize that women are the
cornerstones of communities. My role at The Center gives me the opportunity to
touch and affect women’s lives at such a crucial and pivotal time.”
CORPORATE
DEB MOESSNER
President and GM
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kentucky
Deb earned her teaching degree in speech and theater from George Williams
College/Aurora University in Downers Grove, Ill. Teaching jobs were hard to come by
in the seventies, so she sought employment in the health insurance industry. She
spent seven years in sales and account management and then moved into
management. She began her career with Delta Dental Plan of Michigan and then
moved to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan. She lived in Lansing, Mt. Pleasant,
and Grand Rapids, Michigan, before moving to Louisville in 1991. She received
her master’s in business administration from Bellarmine University in 2005. In
November 2006, she became President/GM of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Kentucky.
“I like meeting the challenges within our business. We are in a complicated business
which I keep on trying to simplify.”
EDUCATION
BARBARA FLANDERS WINE
Principal
Presentation Academy
Barbara attended Presentation Academy and competed in field hockey, basketball,
and volleyball. She graduated from Spalding University in 1971
with a Bachelor of Science in Education and received her master’s degree in
education from the University of Louisville.
She has been at Presentation Academy for 26 years. She taught math, coached
volleyball for 18 years, and served as dean of students, assistant principal, and
director of enrollment. Barbara has been principal for five years.
“I love watching the excitement of the freshman class as they walk through our
antique front doors on their first day of school. They will not use the door again until
the final day of their senior year, when I open the door and present the senior class
to parents and friends. I love working at a school where students challenge me to
examine my own values and beliefs.”
FOOD/ENTERTAINMENT
GRACE DELUISE-KOENIG
Founder, owner/operator
Amazing Grace Whole Foods and Nutrition Center
Grace has formal training in occupational therapy and a master’s degree in
occupational therapy from New York University. She moved to Louisville in 1991 and
opened Amazing Grace health food retail store in 1995. She practiced pediatric
occupational therapy from 1981-1995. To augment the health food store business,
she studied real estate and has been a Realtor with Semonin Realtors since 2004.
To date she has sold over $10,000,000. Going full circle, Grace is now pursuing
pediatric occupational therapy part time.
“My purpose in opening Amazing Grace was to bring health awareness
to people. I had benefited from health food and nutritional products and
I wanted to let people know about them and how to use them in the right way.”
HEALTH & HEALTH CARE
DR. ANEES CHAGPAR
Surgical oncologist
Director of the multidisciplinary breast cancer
program at University of Louisville’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center
Anees grew up in Canada and graduated from the University of Alberta in Edmonton
with a bachelor’s in science and a medical degree. She earned her master’s
of surgery at the University of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where she completed her
residency and served as chief resident.
Anees was the inaugural Susan G. Komen Interdisciplinary Breast Cancer Fellow at
the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She joined the
University of Louisville School of Medicine as an assistant professor in the division of
surgical oncology in 2003, and in July 2008 will become an associate professor. She
was instrumental in the creation and development of the multidisciplinary breast
cancer program at UofL’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center and serves as its
director. She is also an academic advisory dean for medical students at UofL.
“I love working with breast cancer patients. It is a very treatable disease. Research
on breast cancer is evolving very quickly.”
HOME & HOMESTYLE
LIZ WILSON
Founder/owner
Liz at Home
As an only child growing up on a farm, Liz created imaginary houses in the woods
near the creek and on the hillsides of the property. Her bedroom became her first
interior design studio as she made custom window treatments from sheets and
painted the walls every color imaginable. But interior design was not something she
thought was an option as a career. She took a job as a secretary with International
Harvester and was involved in a new venture for the company — the Women in
Management Program. When she started her family — four children in four-and-a-
half years — she stayed at home the next 20 years to focus on her home and family.
While living in Indianapolis, she returned to school and took design classes. She and
the family moved to a 43-acre farm in Floyds Knobs and in 1996 she opened her
interior design business in New Albany.
“As a business owner, there have been times when I have had to stop and do a
reality check as to why I am doing this. But, I feel that we owe
it to ourselves to follow the path that the Lord has directed us to and we will succeed.”
MEDIA
VICKI DORTCH
Anchor
WLKY-TV NewsChannel 32
Vicki is a Paducah native and attended Murray State University with the intention of
majoring in print journalism. When she registered, the journalism classes were full
and an advisor suggested she take a radio/TV course. She loved it. After graduation
with a degree in speech communications, she began work at a radio station before
taking an anchor job at WPSD-TV in Paducah. In 1998, she moved to Louisville to
take a weekend anchor job at WLKY-TV.
“I love my job. Everyday is different. I don’t know what the news will bring one day to
the next.”
POLITICAL
MARTHA LAYNE COLLINS
Former Governor of Kentucky
Executive Scholar-in-Residence at Georgetown College, Georgetown, Ky.
Martha Layne Collins began her professional career as a public school teacher in
Louisville and Woodford County. During that time, she worked on various Democratic
campaigns. Her first elected office was that of clerk of the Kentucky Supreme Court
from 1975-1979. She was elected lieutenant governor of the commonwealth in 1979
and four years later was elected governor. She served as governor from 1983
through 1987. In 1984, she chaired the Democratic National Convention in San
Francisco. Collins is the first, and to date, the only woman to be elected Governor of
Kentucky.
After her service as governor, she became president of St. Catharine College in St.
Catharine, Ky. for six years. She also served as the executive scholar-in-residence at
Georgetown College where she developed the Commerce, Language and Culture
major, and she continues to encourage international experiences and studies for all
students. She is also the CEO of Kentucky World Trade Center where she works to
provide assistance to companies of all sizes doing business abroad.
“Some days I am up by 6 a.m. and get home between 8 and 10 in the evening. My
weekends are as busy as weekdays. I speak to classes on Kentucky history, to
leadership classes, and make appearances at events around the state. My
commitment to Kentucky remains just as strong as when I was in office.”
