Meet These Powerful Orlando Women: 2021 Women Who Move The City

BARBARA WEST

Co-Founder | American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund)

When former Orlando news anchor and reporter Barbara West signed off from her last newscast after more than 20 years at WFTV/Channel 9, she told viewers she planned to see them again. But her intentions were much bigger than returning to local TV. Instead, the Emmy Award-winning journalist joined her husband full time to build their local nonprofit into a national foundation raising millions of dollars for charities coast to coast every year.

West says, “People didn’t know how frustrated I was to simply report on problems troubling people here and around the country. I wanted to improve lives and strengthen communities by raising funds for nonprofits who work directly to solve issues plaguing our communities.”

Almost every weekend after saying “goodnight” to viewers, West and her husband, Wade, would emcee fundraising events and conduct live and silent auctions for charities and nonprofits in Orlando and across Central Florida. The two helped raise millions of dollars combined for Florida Hospital (now AdventHealth), Rollins College, UCF, the Red Cross, American Cancer Society, animal shelters and dozens more organizations. For the first 15 years, they never took a salary for all their work, wanting to provide the most help to their nonprofit partners.

“Between my job at Channel 9 and our weekend fundraising, Wade and I worked seven days a week for years,” says West. “The fact that we could see the positive impact we were having, and in some cases saving lives, fueled our energy and kept us going.” As the Wests’ popularity and reputation for fundraising grew, they were asked to help with galas across the country. They would head to Miami, Atlanta, New York, and other cities to boost the net proceeds at major national fundraising events. The American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) grew from their husband-and wife operation based in a spare bedroom to their new 10,000 square foot national headquarters in Maitland. Today, the Wests’ fundraising charitable foundation is a GuideStar platinum-rated 501(c)3 with nearly 30 full-time employees raising funds for more than 500 charities and nonprofits each year, even during the pandemic. “Early last year, we recognized the need for organizations to create virtual events to help sustain their important missions,” says West. “To help them understand and thrive in a virtual fundraising world, we created essential educational tools and developed an electronic platform for them to use as well, all at no cost to them.” “We put a lot of sweat equity into becoming a 20-year overnight success,” quips West. “But honestly, we couldn’t have turned AmFund into the national educational and fundraising organization it is now without the fabulous team we built and the sage leadership of Deborah Marshall, the woman we brought in to be our COO. Deborah has extensive C-suite management experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. In fact, her national peers voted her ‘Fundraiser of the Year’ in 2020.” Having significantly increased the net proceeds at thousands of charity events, the Wests and their staff of professionals know how to assure fundraising success. Today, AmFund teaches organizations how to vastly enhance their fundraising effectiveness as it makes unrestricted donations to charities in Orlando and around the country.

Looking back, Barbara West has no regrets about leaving the anchor desk. She says, “I am fortunate to have been part of television news for such a long time, and now with the American Fundraising Foundation, I am able to fulfill my own dream of making a positive difference in our world. AmFund stands ready to work with deserving organizations who need our fundraising help through our educational programs, grants, and special event sponsorships. Our aim is to make certain every worthy organization will have the funds they need to impact lives.”

PHONE: 407-895-8000 | AMFUND.ORG | INFO@AMFUND.ORG

 

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26Health

26Health celebrates the amazing women leaders: Tynisha Dunnell, DebO Ofsowitz, Latoya Crittenden, Stephanie Hunter, Brittani Hunter, Kristan F. Landry, Angela Martinez-Curras, Neema Richardson, Tara Dorsey (Pictured left to right) Not pictured Maria Garcia-Rolon.

26Health provides comprehensive physical & mental health services, adoptions counseling & homestudies; rapid HIV, HepC and STI testing & care, regardless of ability to pay, to the City of Orlando LGBTQ+ community and allies. All are welcome at 26Health in person or virtually.

801 N. MAGNOLIA AVE. | 4TH FLOOR | ORLANDO, FL 32803 | PHONE: 321-800-2922 | 26HEALTH.ORG

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ADENA AJAYI

Vice President and Chief Executive Officer | Ajayi Healthcare

Adena Ajayi is the Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Ajayi Healthcare, a dedicated patient-care and healthcare management group. Patient care is offered through The Children’s Lung Asthma and Sleep Specialists, Women’s Sleep Center and Florida Pediatric Research Institute while auxiliary services come from Florida Medical Marketing and Scribe Office Support Services.

Adena moved to Orlando 20 years ago with her husband, Dr. Akinyemi Ajayi, with the goal to create a high-level pediatric pulmonary and sleep medical company. An extensive background in marketing, initially as a marketing director in the entertainment world at Arista Records and then as a medical marketing manager for Bristol Myers Squibb in New York, helped guide her as they expanded the practice. The couple carefully grew The Children’s Lung Asthma and Sleep Specialists to serve children from the southeast to the southwest coasts of Florida, with offices located from West Palm Beach to Daytona Beach and from Ocala to Tampa, with multiple locations in Central Florida. Realizing how difficult it has been to treat children with sleep disorders due to a lack of approved medications, Adena decided to become part of the  solution by developing a pediatric clinical research company that conducts research into children’s sleep and asthma disorders. The

Women’s Sleep Center was developed to cater to the unique needs of women with regard to sleep and the disorders associated with it and has been instrumental in improving the health of women locally. Adena’s medical marketing firm specializes in increasing visibility and referrals for medical practices as well as managing continuing education programs for medical professionals. She believes strongly that all efforts should be made to maintain high levels of medical expertise, along with exceptional customer service, to make every patient experience the best it can possibly be. Being a businesswoman has not distracted Adena from the work that she considers to be her biggest accomplishment: Raising with her husband their three girls to be strong, exceptional and kind women.

PHONE: 407-898-2767 | CHILDRENSSLEEPLAB.COM

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SEJAL DHARIA PATEL, MD & SHARON B. JAFFE, MD

Center For Reproductive Medicine (CRM)

Center for Reproductive Medicine (CRM) has been providing patients with individualized fertility treatment options in Orlando and Central Florida since 1985. Combining more than one and one-quarter centuries of physician experience and new state-of-the-art process with an on-site surgical facility, CRM has achieved some of the highest success rates in the Southeast. CRM is known for providing compassionate patient care, customized treatment plans, and affordable pricing options to give patients every possible chance of success in conceiving.

OUR DOCTORS: CRM’s five reproductive endocrinologists and infertility specialists—Randall A. Loy, MD; Sharon B. Jaffe, MD; Sejal Dharia Patel, MD; Frank C. Riggall, MD; and Albert Asante, MD—are locally and nationally recognized as leaders in the field of reproductive medicine. WHAT SETS US APART: Whether helping to conceive Central Florida’s first IVF baby, performing robotic and minimally invasive reproductive surgeries, or preserving fertility via elective egg and sperm freezing, CRM has always been on the leading edge of technology and is part of an elite category of infertility clinics that are equipped with multiple, on-site embryologists, laboratory and surgical facilities (Orlando Avenue Surgery Center), providing patients with the highest quality of fertility care and convenience. In addition, CRM is a founding partner in My Egg Bank (myeggbank.com), the world’s most successful egg-freezing program with hundreds of successful deliveries and many more patients currently pregnant. CRM physicians are also consistently recognized as Orlando Top Doctors and Best Doctors as well as being named to the U.S. News & World Report list of Top U.S. Reproductive Endocrinologists.

SERVICES PROVIDED: If you are in need of the most sophisticated IVF technology available or less complex fertility therapies to help you conceive, CRM’s dedicated physicians and staff offer a full range of diagnostic and treatment services for both men and women. From ovulation induction to the most advanced reproductive technologies, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and screening (PGD and PGS), third party reproduction via egg donation, or fertility preservation (elective freezing of eggs or sperm), CRM will work with you to provide a customized treatment plan based on your physical, emotional and financial needs. Please contact us today to schedule an initial appointment at one of our o­ ces in Winter Park or Celebration.

1500 S. ORLANDO AVE | WINTER PARK, FL 32789 | 410 CELEBRATION PLACE | SUITE 205 | CELEBRATION, FL 34747
PHONE: 407-740-0909 AND 800-343-6331 | FAX: 407-740-7262 | IVFORLANDO.COM | MYEGGBANK.COM

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VICKIE MARTIN

Executive Director | Christian HELP | Employment & Resource Center

Vickie Martin brings a unique perspective to her current role as Christian HELP’s Executive Director. In her previous years she served as a volunteer and member of the agency’s Board of Directors but before that, nearly 23 years ago, Vickie was a client.

For 29 years Christian HELP has been providing employment coaching and opportunities, groceries, and a multitude of resources, to anyone needing assistance to move their life forward. They do it all in the spirit of offering what their acronym stands for – Hope, Encouragement, Love, and Prayer. That’s what Vickie remembers most about her encounters with Christian HELP. She was working, but unable to pay all her bills so she received groceries for her and her children. Christian HELP not only provided food for her family, but one December they even helped with Christmas gifts too. Vickie credits the agency with helping her through a tough time in her life and, even more so, appreciated how they delivered their services with such kindness. “At Christian HELP I was greeted by people who looked you in the eye, called you by name, and recognized you were more than your moment of hardship,” Vickie shares. “When I got to a point in my life where I no longer needed assistance, I knew it was the place I wanted to give back. I never guessed I would one day be leading it, but I can’t imagine doing anything else.” Even during a pandemic, Vickie and her dedicated staff of 12, along with 600 volunteers, continued the mission of helping people. They found new ways to serve and even created new programs. With a desire to be closer to the people she serves Vickie recently started teaching Christian HELP’s employment curriculum at AdventHealth’s Hope & Healing Center. She believes, “If I can let people know that they have value and that they matter, and help them have their best life possible, then it’s a good day for me, whether in or out of the office.”

450 SEMINOLA BLVD. | CASSELBERRY, FL 32707 | PHONE: 407-834-4022 | CHRISTIANHELP.ORG

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HEATHER MCCANDLESS

Founder CEO | DACG

Founding DACG in 2010, Heather McCandless set out to fulfill the company motto of Building Better Partnerships. And their long track record of providing excellent construction services throughout the State of Florida for a variety of clients and for a variety of project types is proof they are doing just that. What sets DACG apart is its unique “one-stop” shop offering project teams a wide range of services that span from pre-design to the end of a building’s useful life. Heather is a certified General Contractor for the State of Florida. Overseeing daily operations, finance, business development, and client services, she is also an OSHA 500 certified safety trainer, First Aid/CPR Instructor, Forklift, Aerial Lift and Earth Moving Instructor. Heather works with local businesses to improve job site safety practices and knowledge.

Heather is also deeply involved in the community- she sits on the board for AdventHealth for Children, She Is More Than, 100 Plus Women Seminole County and dedicates her time as a liaison through the Guardian Ad Litem program in Seminole County to improve the lives of local children. In her spare time, Heather is a youth sports coach and is an active supporter of the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools.

983 EXPLORER COVE | ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL 32701 | PHONE: 407-960-4032 | DACGINC.COM

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DEENA MAALI

Director | Diamond Banc, Jewelry Buyer & Lender

Deena Maali was born and raised right here in the heart of Orlando. Living and working in the same community as when she was a child is something Deena loves and appreciates. With the city growing as fast as it has, the opportunity to be the Director for Diamond Banc was a no-brainer for her. Being able to grow in her career and be part of the company’s growth in her own city was something she could only dream of.

Deena utilizes her 10 years of experience in the jewelry and luxury industry by assisting customers with their jewelry equity needs. She is here to help her community and explain the options available through Diamond Banc in regards to accessing the equity that they have tied up in fine jewelry. Deena’s love and passion for luxury jewelry, as well as her kind heart and trustworthiness, allow her to offer clients an exceptional experience. Diamond Banc is the largest jewelry buyer and equity lender in the nation. You will not find another company that will work harder or with more experience in the jewelry industry.

This is the fourth location in Florida offering their clients an unmatched menu of options to access the liquidity of their fine jewelry and luxury watches. The Diamond Banc Orlando office is located in the Dr. Phillips Windermere area. What better way to make its mark here in the central Florida area than with a Florida native. We take every value-adding factor into consideration to offer you the maximum value for your jewelry and diamonds. Whether it be purchasing your unwanted items or making you a luxury backed asset loan, we’ll make sure you get the money you need and deserve. Diamond Banc creates customized funding solutions tailored to each individual client and prides itself on being able to offer a simple, fast, and secure way of doing business for all our guests

9100 CONROY WINDERMERE ROAD SUITE 200 | WINDERMERE, FL 34786 | PHONE: 407-232-7688 | DEENA@DIAMONDBANC.COM | DIAMONDBANC.COM

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SHARON ARROYO

Vice President of Government and Community Relations | Duke Energy

Sharon Arroyo is a veteran executive who brings a strong focus on customers, communities and collaboration. She is laser-focused on the company’s efforts to further strengthen relationships with county, community and civic organizations and business leaders in order to best meet their needs. “Sharon’s dedication to our customers and her strong strategic vision will enhance our service across the 35 counties we serve,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Helping to support the vitality of our communities is an important part of Duke Energy’s commitment to Florida. Her experience and passion for customer engagement will help ensure we are connected and listening to what our communities’ need and deliver on their expectations.”

With nearly 34 years at Duke Energy, Arroyo has a vast knowledge of the utility industry ranging from transmission construction and substation engineering to finance and large account management. Two things Sharon is passionate about are education and the arts, and she enjoys supporting these efforts in the Central Florida community. She is committed to serving her community and is on the board for United Arts of Central Florida and is the chair of the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools. She has been a resident of the Central Florida area for 24 years. Sharon says, “We don’t just work here, we live here. Our customers are the fabric of our communities, the reason we work hard to provide exceptional service and our first priority.”

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KAREN WILLIS

Chief Executive Officer | Early Learning Coalition of Orange County

Karen Willis had no idea that a move to Florida would change her life when she left the cold of Indiana to join a local workforce board in 1998. She fully expected to continue her career in public job training programs, but early childhood education soon became a passion when Florida enacted the School Readiness legislation a year later. And by 2007, Karen took the reins as CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County (ELCOC).

Karen holds a Bachelors from Valparaiso University and a Masters from Indiana University and spent many years working with public policy, allowing her unique insight into addressing the challenges of strengthening an early childhood delivery system that is primarily privately owned, but highly dependent on public support. Not only does Karen support those who serve low-wage working families and 4-year-olds under the State-funded VPK program, she is a tireless advocate raising awareness about the crucial first 2,000 days of life when 90% of brain architecture is formed. Over 84% of ELCOC’s $77M budget goes directly into vouchers to help parents offset the cost of care.

Yet the majority of Team ELCOC work is promoting program quality by adding enhanced brain development services few child- care providers can afford to offer on their own. During Karen’s tenure, fueled by the healthy pursuit of foundation grants, fundraising events, and individual donations, Team ELCOC has added early intervention, social emotional health, crisis response, arts and culture, early literacy, and volunteer in-class and virtual reading to the cadre of services available in early learning programs. Karen and the ELCOC team envision a day when high quality, accessible, and affordable early learning services are available to all families across Orange County. And that is only possible with the support of our community.

While COVID has taken a toll on the industry, hard work, grit and partnerships have provided the support needed for the nearly 630 early learning providers under contract with ELCOC to survive to serve the children and families who need them. Because the adventure awaits, and those fi rst 2,000 days matter the most!

7700 SOUTHLAND BLVD | SUITE #100 | ORLANDO, FL 32809 | PHONE: 407-841-6607 | WWW.ELCOC.ORG
TWITTER: @ELCOC | FACEBOOK: EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF ORANGE COUNTY

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ALICIA ROSADO

CEO | Educe Salon

Alicia’s tough mental fortitude and fierce work ethic has led to her success in running a multi-million-dollar company. She elevated herself and her career when she moved to Orlando to join her husband in sharing his vision and love for hair-dressing. Out of passion and love for the industry, they founded Educe Salon. Almost a decade since opening Educe Salon, Alicia has proven to be the backbone of the family business by bringing devotion and grit to the company while allowing her staff and others to see the possibilities of success in the Hair industry.

Educe is now embarking on the renovation of a 6,000 square foot facility they purchased in the Mills 50 District in Orlando for a second location. She is committed to raising the bar for not only Educe Salon, but all Salon Companies in Central Florida. She coaches her staff on all things business related and how a Hairstylist can easily earn a six-figure income through education and professionalism. Alicia has been committed to not just curating a vision for the company, but also to working on personal development to be a better leader to her team. She believes the best version of anyone’s self is yet to be, and encourages her team to grow not only professionally but personally. After 24 years as a hairstylist, she has seen the industry grow in amazing ways but still notices a slight misconception of what success can signify to or for a hair stylist or a Salon Company. Alicia is breaking ceilings in the Orlando beauty market in regards to such misconceptions. “Success is a mindset, if you want it then get out of your own way and take it.” When treated like a business and run properly, any stylist or salon company can meet and exceed their goals. It’s strong leadership and guidance that leads to growth and Alicia certainly has the mindset to help her team and company thrive. Alicia is most grateful for her family and is raising the bar for what women can achieve with resilience, tenacity, and a service mindset. “One thing I truly believe is if you do for others all the rest will fall into place.”

936 N. MILLS AVE. | ORLANDO, FL 32803 | PHONE: 407- 440-2840 | EDUCESALON.COM

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FANNIE HILLMAN + ASSOCIATES

Fannie Hillman + Associates was established in 1981 by single mother, entrepreneur, real estate visionary Fannie Hillman, and has blossomed into the largest independent real estate company in Winter Park. A true leader in the real estate industry, we have built a reputation for delivering the highest quality real estate services to Central Florida. The women at Fannie Hillman + Associates are some of the highest-producing real estate agents in Central Florida; they are extensively involved in the community and they strive to stay on top of the latest market trends. Fannie Hillman + Associates is proud to have the women agents pictured above representing us, and we know they will continue to make great strides in the community we all love.

205 W. FAIRBANKS AVE. WINTER PARK, FL 32789 | 122 S PARK AVE. WINTER PARK, FL 32789 | PHONE: 407-644-1234 | FANNIEHILLMAN.COM

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BERNADETTE GIRVIN & MICHELLE TAYLOR

CEO and Financial Professional, respectively | Gambin Financial Group

Bernadette Girvin and Michelle Taylor know a thing or two about being financial gatekeepers. Both self-made entrepreneurs that have run their own successful financial practices, they’re also each married and raising two children with an eye on future goals. The knowledge they have acquired during their combined nearly 20 years in the financial industry has empowered them to share their expertise with those that may not have been given the opportunity to be a part of the conversation in the past. This is what drove them to start their “Women In Wealth” initiative.

Guided by Gambin Financial Group’s four key values of Loyalty, Integrity, Elite Standard, and Legacy, Bernadette and Michelle feel compelled to share their learnings with other women who may find themselves as the new faces of financial wealth and decision-making in the very near future. In fact, over the next 10 years it’s estimated that a wealth transfer of $30 trillion will take place from men to women. In addition, 30% more women are making the household financial decisions when compared to 5 years ago and the number of companies with three or more women in their C-suite has grown to 44%.

It’s no surprise that men and women think and feel differently about money, and the ladies of GFG are determined to share their wisdom with the women of our community. With this inevitable shift of wealth in the years to come, their mission is to empower women to have a seat at the table when it comes to conversations and decisions surrounding household finances and goals. With their women-centric approach and arsenal of trusted relationships and strategic partnerships, Bernadette and Michelle are ready to give women the tools and knowledge to participate in these life-changing discussions.

127 N. MAGNOLIA AVE. | ORLANDO, FL 32801 | PHONE: 407-627-0091 | GAMBINFINANCIAL.COM

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OLIVE GAYE

Founder & President | GenCare Resources Home Healthcare

During the pandemic, the agility of companies across every industry was tested, especially those in healthcare. GenCare Resources, the home healthcare company of entrepreneur Olive Gaye, was no exception. Gaye built GenCare Resources on her vision of what a concierge model of home healthcare should be. Realizing opportunity existed to positively impact the industry, her organization incorporates various high-end home health offerings. It may seem like those services would create the cutting edge to success, but Gaye proves to be the most critical factor of GenCare’s competitive advantage in a peri-COVID-19 world. Armed with knowledge of what a controlled contagious disease response looks like, Gaye knew home healthcare was going to be a critical front in the pandemic war. She mobilized her team to make changes to protect clients and staff and implemented policies to address the changing environment.

A member of various boards and organizations, Gaye engaged her expansive network of like-minded professionals to collaborate on best practices during these unprecedented times. Engaging with various organizations allows her to capture cross-industry changes that could be transferable to her own endeavoring to make the GenCare family of companies even stronger. With renewed focus, Gaye and her team are readying to take on the changes of the economy and expanding GenCare’s enterprises to meet the needs of the post-COVID-19 world. Lines of business includes GenCare Resources specializing in a plethora of home-based health services and GenCare Kids, a pediatric center for medically fragile children. Gaye also heads GenCare Solutions, and recently received approval for the newly established Florida State Nurse Registry (FSNR). FSNR will transplant GenCare Resource’s internally-developed recruitment system into an expanded business model that will serve the entire state. Gaye’s hope is to build all GenCare’s lines of business to last, extending dignity and respect to those most vulnerable. “GenCare is the impetus of one experience, which has bloomed into a vision for a future to impact the entire Florida system of care,” she says.

7003 PRESIDENTS DRIVE | SUITE 800 ORLANDO, FL 32809 | PHONE: 407-440-2877 | GENCARERESOURCES.COM

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CARYN GREEN

Marital and Family Lawyer | Green Family Law

Green Family Law P.A. (“GFL”) was founded by Florida Bar Board Certified Marital and Family Law Specialist, Caryn Green, in 2016 to bring peace of mind to families during a time of uncertainty and unrest. Being a mother of two, her goal as a family lawyer is to minimize the effect of family disputes on the parties and, more importantly, the children, and to offer both emotional support and realistic guidance to her clients, based on their individual goals. Caryn and her team, comprised of attorneys Kristin Coffey, Jennifer Lawson, Kieran Kaur, and Tabatha Boltze, have experience facilitating complex issues involving marital and family law by using personalized approaches to fit the needs of each client, and strive to utilize dispute resolution methods designed to avoid expensive litigation whenever possible to preserve relationships. Caryn is recognized by “Best Lawyers,” in Orlando Magazine, and is also designated as one of Florida Super Lawyers, “Top 50 Women,” and “Orlando Top 50”. Jennifer has been nominated as “Best Lawyer’s Ones to Watch” for 2021.

All five attorneys devote a portion of their private time to bettering the community. Caryn is a founding member of Orlando’s Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Gala, which has raised millions of dollars over the years. Kristin holds a centric role as a lobbyist and advocacy coordinator for International Justice Mission, an NGO committed to eradicating global human trafficking. Jennifer is a board member and VP of Communications for the Central Florida Gator Club, where she has engaged in various volunteer opportunities. Kieran supervises the contact between parent(s) and child(ren) for Osceola County families who are court-ordered to have supervised visitation, so as to ensure the safety of the child(ren). Tabatha volunteers at various food banks and prepares packaged meals to distribute to the homeless and/or less fortunate on a regular basis. The team at GFL is passionate about serving clients and the community, with a goal of striving to make a positive difference.

1000 LEGION PLACE | SUITE 1650 | ORLANDO, FL 32801 | PHONE: 407-403-5558 | GREENFAMILYLAW.NET

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DR. FRANCES BALLAGAS

Innovative Endodontics

Innovative Endodontics has prided itself in providing excellent service while ensuring that patients are comfortable and pain free for the last nine years. My goal has been to save teeth and break down the presumption that root canal treatments are painful, complicated, and unnecessary. Ever since I started this company, I knew the technology I would provide had to be the most innovative, which led to the inclusion of now industry standards of portable digital radiography, the best practice software available, 3D cone beam computed tomography analyzation, and advanced surgical operating microscopes. This approach of always finding the newest, most advanced methods of providing comfortable, effective treatments through research and continuing education has led to loyal referring offices and patients. By having a conservative treatment mindset to avoid tooth debilitation, my practice has relied on a multiple visit structure, regardless of production, to ensure the elimination of patient symptoms before obturation.

Although effective for my commitment to patient care, at times it has caused an inconvenience for my patients in having to return repeatedly due to continued symptoms. In consideration of the ever-changing dental environment, especially amidst a global pandemic, as well as patient feedback it will be my pleasure to introduce the newest advancement in endodontic care, Sonendo’s GentleWave procedure. This groundbreaking technology will reduce the number of visits necessary for success while providing a less-invasive, efficient way of cleaning canals with minimal instrumentation.

It has been a journey of research, discussions, and meetings to decide to include this amazing procedure into our standard of care, but it is the best option for my staff, my referring doctors, and most importantly my patients. Being the first in the Orlando area to step forward with GentleWave is a testament to my dedication of providing state-of-the-art Endodontic Therapy while catering to patients’ comfort and needs to ensure a lifetime of care and satisfaction. From my doctorate to my Endodontic Fellowship and Residency to my extensive experience, it is my passion and pleasure to continue growing and providing the highest standard of care while focusing on exceeding patients’ expectations of comfort and customer service.

7352 STONEROCK CIR | SUITE B ORLANDO, FL 32819 | PHONE: 407-434-0305 | INNOVATIVE-ENDO.COM

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ASHLEY SHEAFFER

Principal | KBF Design Gallery

Ashley Sheaffer is half of the sister/brother team at the helm of KBF Design Gallery, a design-to-build remodeling firm that recently opened an award-winning showroom in the heart of Maitland. Leading both the sales and the design teams, Ashley believes that KBF’s clients and team members benefit from the somewhat unconventional approach KBF takes for the entire remodeling process. KBF’s method differs from many other design-to-build firms:

Rather than the typical scenario where each client works with a single designer, the KBF designers work collaboratively as a team on every project. As design team lead, Ashley helps foster this collaborative culture where everyone has a voice. Each team member contributes in their area of expertise while concurrently expanding their skill set by working alongside other industry specialists. Ashley grew up in the remodeling business. Her father, Keith Vellequette, founded KBF in 2003, and she joined him in 2010. Keith instilled in Ashley the importance of relationships, and that value is the keystone of KBF’s success. Ashley states: “If I had to pare down our firm’s culture into one sentence, it would be ‘the results from our collective efforts are greater than what one could achieve on their own.”

Ashley recognizes that the firm’s success is the result of the solid foundation laid by her father and the collaboration of hard-working teammates who stand beside her and her brother, Adam Vellequette, every day. Putting the right person in the right position has guided much of the growth of the business and exemplifies Ashley’s leadership style. She believes in empowering her team to make contributions that guide the path forward, and as the team grows, she wants it to mean something special to say, “I work at KBF.” This leadership approach has paid off, with KBF winning multiple categories in Orlando magazine’s 2021 Home Design Awards, including Best Remodeling Company, Best Kitchen Design Showroom and Best Cabinet Showroom. Ashley’s goal is to grow the company by continuing to develop and empower the KBF team. In doing so, she aims to provide KBF’s clients with the highest level of design and quality as well as the best home remodeling experience in Central Florida.

1295 SOUTH ORLANDO AVENUE | MAITLAND, FL 32751 | PHONE: 407-830-7703 |  KBFDESIGNGALLERY.COM | INFO@KBFDESIGNGALLERY.COM

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KELLY L. PRICE

Broker & Owner | Kelly Price & Company

Entrepreneurial icon and preeminent broker Kelly Price is a household name in the Orlando real estate industry. Passion for her community began early and helped her develop an astute and competitive eye for Central Florida real estate. A Winter Park resident herself since the age of 12, Kelly has nurtured community connections as a proud Winter Park High School Wildcat, a University of Florida Gator and an MBA graduate of the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. Kelly launched her company in 2002 with the principles of “integrity, loyalty and unwavering enthusiasm” guiding each interaction. Her passion: Surpass client expectations and guarantee they experience professionalism unknown with any other firm in the real estate industry. Backed by dynamic and talented agents, Kelly Price & Company provides clients with an unwavering commitment through its comprehensive and award-winning service.

“Our team of talented and powerfully-networked professionals is dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service to all of our clients,” Kelly says. The KPC team takes great pride in the relationships they build, working relentlessly to help their clients achieve their real estate goals.

Kelly Price & Company continued to excel in 2020: No. 1 sale in Winter Park–1520 Summerland Ave., listed by KPC.; No. 1 sale in Maitland 1850 E. Adams Drive, sold by KPC; No. 1 and No. 2 sales in College Park–335 Columbo Circle and 1139 Belleaire Circle, both sold by KPC; More sales in Baldwin Park than any other broker; More sales in Windsong than any other broker; KPC agents on average close 10 transactions worth $4.92 million per year. Kelly will always call Winter Park home, where she is dedicated to serving her community—from the neighborhood level to Central Florida as a whole—through civic and philanthropic endeavors. An advocate for all of the richness of the region, Kelly has been proudly representing Central Florida’s most distinguished homes for more than 30 years.

243 W. PARK AVE. | WINTER PARK, FL 32789 | PHONE: 407-645-4321 | KELLYPRICEANDCOMPANY.COM

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JESSICA HALLGREN KENDRICK, ESQ. & SARAH MAROTTA GELTZ, ESQ.

Kendrick Law Group | Hope for More Foundation | Champion Title & Closing | Park Title

Jessica Hallgren Kendrick enjoys a challenge. In the span of six years, she founded Kendrick Law Group, co-founded Champion Title & Closing/Park Title as well as the nonprofit Hope for More Foundation. Her passion for the community is why she serves on numerous local civic and philanthropic boards while raising her two sons, Connor, 6, and Dylan, 4.

Her ability to grow both professionally and personally is largely due to the amazing team surrounding her; specifically, her law partner Sarah Geltz, Esq. who jumped in to continue growing the branding and has been instrumental in launching Champion Title, Park Title and Hope for More with Jessica.

The Kendrick Law Group is a boutique, concierge law firm focusing its energy on business and personal focused matters that run the gamut from business owner issues to healthcare matters, contractual, and real estate law, family legal issues, and estate planning. Along the arduous path to legal success, Jessica and Sarah came to appreciate the knowledge and legal experience they could bring to the field of real estate. The relationships forged with clients in these sectors became an impetus for the launch of their title businesses Champion Title & Closing in 2017 and Park Title in 2021 which mirror Kendrick Law Group’s concierge concept; to provide attorney-managed title services where clients are guaranteed outstanding service.

Achieving success early in their endeavors has allowed Jessica and Sarah to direct some of their energy and focus to charitable causes. They believe wholeheartedly in giving back to the central Florida community and being a positive influence and force for those in need. The continually rewarding experience with Make-A-Wish and Pace Center for Girls has spawned Hope for More, which they co-founded in 2017.

Their foundation focuses primarily on identifying areas of need primarily for women, children and veterans in Central Florida.

630 N. WYMORE ROAD #370 | MAITLAND, FLORIDA 32751 | KENDRICKLAWGROUP.COM | @KENDRICKLAWGROUP
CHAMPIONCLOSING.COM |@CHAMPIONCLOSING | PARKTITLECOMPANY.COM |@PARK.TITLE
HOPEFORMOREFOUNDATION.ORG | @HOPEFORMOREFOUNDATION

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STEPHENIE PORIS, MD

The Stiletto SurgeonTM | Poris Plastic Surgery

SPECIALTY: Cosmetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery.

PHILOSOPHY: “It is my personal philosophy to provide my patients with an elevated level of professional care that has passion, creativity, sophistication, and of course, a lot of fun.”

MEET DR. PORIS: “My hands were made for holding scalpels, my heart I give to each patient, but my feet, they were made for sky high stilettos.” Stephenie Poris, MD is a native Floridian, born and raised near Orlando in Satellite Beach. Her childhood devotion to competitive cheerleading, figure skating, art and science helped develop in her the values of precision, poise, humility, hard work, and an aesthetic eye. A perfect foundation for building a career in plastic surgery. Now, after a 15-year journey of medical and surgical training, Dr. Poris is proud and excited for the next chapter – her own plastic surgery private practice in Orlando, FL opening August 2021.

SERVICES: Dr. Poris has a mission to provide a concierge experience to all her patients throughout their care. Whether it’s repairing a woman’s body after breast cancer, restoring her fi gure after childbirth, or refi ning one’s natural beauty, Dr. Poris’ concierge approach means partnering with every patient on their quest for renewed confi dence, listening to their goals, and creating a customized treatment plan. At her new state-of-the-art office, patients will be offered a full spectrum of face, breast, and body, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

WHEN SHE KICKS OFF THE STILETTOS: Dr. Poris cherishes the time she spends with her two young sons and husband. “My family keeps me grounded, and I believe there is nothing more humbling and rewarding than being a mother.” She and her husband love to cook, travel, snow ski, and spend their free time outdoors with friends and family.

324 EAST PAR STREET | SUITE 100 ORLANDO, FL 32804 | PHONE: 407-558-1616 | PORISPLASTICSURGERY.COM |

INSTAGRAM: @STILETTO_SURGEON

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KESHINI PARBHU, MD

Remagin

Keshini Parbhu, MD is a board certified Oculo-facial Plastic Surgeon that has been practicing in Central Florida since 2010. She serves as volunteer faculty at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and has been named one of Orlando’s Best Doctors every year since 2013. She is a frequent contributor to academic journals and has presented research at a variety of meetings around the country.

Dr. Parbhu has an interest in reconstructive as well as cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures. She has a particular interest in upper and lower eyelid surgery, brow lifts, and eyelid reconstructions following skin cancer removal. Dr. Parbhu believes that nonsurgical procedures are important to help maintain a rejuvenated appearance. She performs injectable facial rejuvenation treatments as well as light and energy based treatments. She understands the importance of being able to treat darker skin types in our Central Florida community and has treatment options for all skin types. To help with lower facial rejuvenation, she is proud to provide submental and jaw contouring liposuction, FaceTite, NeckTite, MyEllevate light guided suture suspension, and MINT PDO thread lifting.

She takes pride in her specialization in knowing a lot about a small part of the body! She enjoys helping people SEE better, LOOK better, and FEEL confident. Dr. Parbhu believes that each person is unique and likes to have a collaborative approach in developing a treatment plan that is often a journey in achieving natural appearing results.

4750 THE GROVE DRIVE | STE. 230
WINDERMERE, FL 34786 PHONE: 407-704-3937 | WELCOME@REMAGIN.COM | FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA @PARBHUMD

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JULIE KLEFFEL

Chief Banking Officer | Seacoast Bank

While most people were merely trying to get through 2020, Julie jumped into a new role as Chief Banking Officer for Seacoast Bank, one of the largest community banks headquartered in Florida. She now leads retail banking, wealth management, residential lending, specialty finance, government lending functions, and call center operations. A fourth-generation Central Floridian with 25 years of banking experience, this industry expert is a fixture in our community. In addition to her executive role at Seacoast, she serves on the boards of the Edgewood Children’s Ranch, Central Florida YMCA, The Gardens at DePugh Nursing Home, and West Orange County Chamber of Commerce, and recently chaired the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball.

The tireless Julie Kleffel is also known for delivering results – it’s why the Orlando Business Journal named her “Business Executive of the Year” in 2017. Julie has played a critical role during the pandemic, leading discussions with FinTech companies and streamlining operations so Seacoast could quickly process a high volume of PPP applications. Under her direction, supported by a mostly female team, Seacoast has originated over 7,600 SBA PPP loans, with about 40% directly benefiting Central Florida businesses.

“I’ve never been one to sit still for very long,” Julie states (the obvious). “Anyone who knows me knows I like to see potential in everything.”

Wherever Julie is — the office, at home in Longwood, or at a state capital — she is always on a mission. A parent and advocate for special needs children, Julie has provided expert testimony before the Florida and Tennessee Legislatures and is an active member of the Down Syndrome Foundation and Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida. Julie believes in the power of human connection through mentorship and is grateful for those who helped in her personal and professional development. She invests a great deal of her time mentoring female professionals and business owners across the state. She sees her purpose as impacting lives for the better. No matter where Julie goes, she is a dynamic and passionate Central Florida woman who does her part to make Orlando better every day.

SEACOASTBANK.COM

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DIANA HUSSAIN, MD, FAAPMR, DABPM

Spine & Brain Neurosurgery Center

As a child, Dr. Hussain always dreamed of becoming a doctor and never imagined doing anything else. It was a special calling, a desire to help people and improve their lives. During her internship in General Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, she realized it was a long road to functional recovery after injury or surgery. Dr. Hussain continued her training at the Mayo Clinic in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a specialty that aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints and muscles. Dr. Hussain finds her work very rewarding. She loves to see the smiles on her patients’ faces when they are able to enjoy life again without restrictions.

Dr. Hussain is a mother, wife, doctor and entrepreneur with a special interest in the latest techniques that can diagnose, preserve and restore function including high quality orthobiologics such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Botox for migraines and other conditions, as well as spinal and joint injections under Xray or ultrasound guidance. Musculoskeletal conditions are some of the most common health problems in adults and are the leading cause of disability worldwide, which add to healthcare costs and loss of work. Dr. Hussain is double Board Certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Board of Pain Medicine. She participates in medical education as an Assistant Professor of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine, where she strives to be a role model for the next generation, working with medical students and helping in the admission process. Although women are a large and growing segment of the medical profession—making up half of the United States’ total college educated workforce only 29% of women work in the fields of science, technology and engineering, according to the National Girls Collaborative Project. Dr. Hussain is a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and holds privileges at Orlando Health and AdventHealth. She is also a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, International Spine Interventional Society, National Headache Foundation, Florida Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

7460 DOC’S GROVE CIRCLE | ORLANDO, FL 32819 | PHONE: 407-903-9360 | SPINEANDBRAINCENTER.ORG

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SUSIE BRAGG RN, BSN

Practice Manager & Svelte Nurse
Educator | Svelte Medical Weight Loss Centers

Busy and fulfilled are two words that describe Susie Bragg’s career and life. A graduate of Kennesaw State University’s BSN program, Susie’s 30+ years in nursing includes spinal cord injury care at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta and Pediatric ICU at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans to name a few. Today she enjoys managing both Florida Vein Care and Svelte Medical Weight Loss Centers. Susie’s journey began when she convinced her husband, Richard Bragg, MD, to open their own niche practice in 1998 called Florida Vein Care. “Working long hours as an ICU nurse, I developed spider veins on my thighs and was horrified. I made sure my resident husband learned how to treat the unsightly veins and the practice idea developed from there.” It wasn’t long before Florida Vein Care had a strong following in Seminole County and a second location was opened in the Dr. Phillips area in 2005.

In 2008, the Bragg’s opened a sister practice: Svelte Medical Weight Loss Centers. “The word Svelte captures the essence of confidence and sexy you feel when your blue jeans fit right!” Susie shares. The weight loss program is centered on insulin stability, decreasing inflammation, and cellular nutrition. As the Svelte Nurse Educator, Susie enjoys producing podcasts and videos that empower their clients to not only lose weight,but to understand how foods impact their metabolism. “There is nothing more gratifying than seeing one of our clients beaming with pride about their weight loss! That’s what motivates me; the results people get with Svelte.”

In 2012, an additional location was opened in East Orlando to better serve the entire Orlando area. Susie knows the key to juggling two distinct practices with three different locations is finding the right people! “Our dedicated staff makes it possible for me to focus on navigating the growth of the business and being involved in the community.”

In 2017, Svelte Medical added bio-identical hormone optimization to the menu as a certified bioTE provider. “Dr. Bragg and I realized that people our age have no interest in getting old; it’s a great fit for our practice and our clients love the therapy.” At 56 years old, Susie Bragg is anything but old and she intends to stay that way!

SVELTEMD.COM

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Sharon Watkins

RadiusPoint

Sharon Watkins founded RadiusPoint in January 1992 to focus on solving the issues that plagued her clients’ telecom, IT and utility invoices and services. To meet their needs, Sharon assembled a team of problem solvers, which led to the creation of Radius-Point’s proprietary software, ExpenseLogic. The business process outsourcing industry was in its infancy, and Sharon created a service and a software to fi ll the needs of businesses nationwide.

“Creating a software that our clients can use on a daily basis and that we can use internally to manage their services, invoices and vendors has continued to evolve over the past 25 years,” Sha-ron states.

“Part of what makes RadiusPoint so unique is the dedicated group of problem solvers who are an indispensable asset to the company and to our clients,” Sharon says. “The feedback we get from our clients is how amazing their support teams are at RadiusPoint. The feedback we get from our employees is how much they enjoy working with other team members within the com-pany. It is our focus to ensure this continues both on the client and internal side of the company.”

I’m incredibly proud to be in the middle of all the technology excitement that’s going on in Orlando today. It’s a great time to live and work in this city!

1211 SR 436 | STE 295 | CASSELBERRY, FL 32707 PHONE: 407-657-4169 | RADIUSPOINT.COM