Women’s History Month | March 2023
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“Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” – Maya Angelou
Happy Women’s History Month! We’ve been busy celebrating stories of successful female innovators and entrepreneurs and supporting women-owned and led businesses.
We know a thing or two about women and what is possible when women come together to make things happen. KMG is proudly women-led and are fortunate to count some of the most amazing women as clients, partners and friends. Being women-led is a badge we wear proudly, especially during Women’s History Month, and as we celebrate the many achievements of women who came before us.
We’ve loved spotlighting some of these amazing women on our social channels and we’re excited to share a full recap below. Read on to learn more about these amazing women and the impacts they have on our lives.
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Dr. Yo-El Ju, Professor of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis
Dr. Yo-El Ju is a Professor of Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis where she serves as physician-scientist studying the relationship of sleep and neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, Dr. Ju and her colleagues started the North American Prodromal Synucleinopathy (NAPS) Consortium. The purpose of the Consortium is to support clinical care, advance discovery, promote education, and engage our community in order to improve the quality of life and care of individuals living with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD).
"My patients inspired me to start NAPS. I was inspired to organize an effort to band together with colleagues at several North American institutions to come up with an answer to this question. This effort grew into the NAPS Consortium. Our collective goal is to be able to tell our patients with RBD that there is an effective treatment to prevent dementia or Parkinson disease."
Click here for more information and to read more about the NAPS study.
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Yemi Akande, President and CEO, Focus STL
FOCUS STL President and CEO, Yemi Akande-Bartsch, has successfully led the organization for over 10 years. This month’s breakfast panel, hosted by Focus STL, featured local women business leaders (including our inspiring CEO!) and offered guidance on navigating power structures, achieving change and how to lead in community and civic spaces.
Thank you for your leadership, Yemi, and providing a forum for dialogue on important topics not only for our region but the world at large. Read more about Focus STL and their commitment to female leadership here.
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Lori Dowd, Founder + Executive Producer, Storytrack
Lori Dowd, Founder + Executive Producer at Storytrack, and her team are experts in video production. Through their creative digital content studio with offices in STL and Chicago, Lori and her team thrive in creating and producing award-winning films and short-form video to tell a story. Lori is a champion of other women and we are honored to partner with her on leading projects, including a world-class commercial development in NYC.
Read more about Storytrack and their amazing work here.
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Sue McCollum, CEO, Eagle Brands Sales and Double Eagle Distributing and Founder, Clever Little Girl Foundation
Sue McCollum is a force of nature. She is an accomplished executive, nationally-recognized speaker and community advocate. A champion for women's causes, Sue has done so much to make a positive difference in her community. We are grateful to know and work alongside her!
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Michelle Sortor, Executive Director, The Bridge STL
Does spring cleaning have you feeling generous and in the mood to donate? We’ve got just the place! 🌷🧺💫
Our friends at The Bridge STL excel in filling the metro area’s wealth gap by donating items from those who have a lot, to those who have very little. Help bridge the gap and read more about this wonderful organization here.
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Kristin Fleischmann Brewer, Deputy Director, Public Engagement & Laura Schilli, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Pulitzer Art Foundation
"Art is a language without words." – Tsubasa Yamaguchi
The Pulitzer is a tremendous resource in our community. The world-class art is complemented by the organization's world-class people. Kristin & Laura are the definition of our ideal partner: visionary, growth-oriented & collaborative. If you're seeing this, it is your reminder to go see some art: The Pulitzer is open Thursday through Sunday!
Photo credit: Special thanks to @virginia_harold for capturing Kristin & Laura with artist Faye HeavyShield
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Annie O'Donoghue, External Affairs Strategist & Sans Bar St. Louis, PreventEd Sans Bar STL
Alcohol-free enthusiasts who like to have fun through community-building events? Count us IN! Annie and her fantastic team at Sans Bar STL are quickly taking the N/A party catering world by storm. Read more about one of our favorite STL Pop-Ups at our link in bio!
PS…the Sans Margarita is the island drink fantasy that dreams are made of!🍹🏝️💫
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Angela McGaughey, Director of Sales & Lauren Richardet, Sales Manager, AC Hotels by Marriott
Warm and hospitable, both words that come to mind when we think of the AC Hotel brand and our partners at the hotel in the Central West End. Angela and Lauren are so knowledgeable about what it takes to bring a hotel to a neighborhood and become part of the community fabric. Their team goes above and beyond for each and every guest & visitor and we are so fortunate to know them both!
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Michele Cruse, Office and Marketing Manager, Edwards Realty Company
Always willing to roll up her sleeves and lend a hand, Michele is a valued partner to KMG for marketing for several mixed-use Chicagoland centers through her work with Edwards Realty Company. She is a joy to work with and can find beauty in every situation, No. Matter. What.
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Sara Hentz and Wendy Temples-Steinbecker, Co-Founders, Temple & Hentz
It doesn't get any more chic than this duo. Stylish, smart & full of soul. So, naturally, KMG loves them! 💃🏼🖼️🛋️
Wendy & Sara are the power duo behind the interior design firm Temple & Hentz. T&H seamlessly blends the old and the new with an unparalleled ability to infuse spaces with soul. The firm is value-driven, full-service, thoughtful, approachable and, in a word, iconic. Which is why we were thrilled to help them build out a web presence worthy of their high-quality design eye. Follow them at @templeandhentz and watch for the big reveal!
We are so grateful to not only call them clients but good friends!
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Frances Thompson, VP of Marketing, Koplar Properties
Maryland Plaza is a local treasure. This beautiful shopping destination is steps away from Forest Park and blends stunning architecture with well-known brands like Lululemon and Kendra Scott with local businesses such as Maryland House, Edera, The Cup and Paul Mitchell among others.
If you've enjoyed a Maryland Plaza event — Midweek Movies, the July 4 parade, Holidays on the Plaza among others, you've likely engaged with Frances Thompson of Koplar Properties. She has dedicated 20+ years to building community & helping Maryland Plaza sparkle. We appreciate her partnership and look forward to all she has planned for 2023.
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