Women Who are Dominating Their Industries
Across every sector, women are continuing to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact. Through hard work, innovation, and resilience, they’ve built strong careers and businesses that are shaping the direction of their industries. Their achievements reflect not only personal success but also a broader shift toward more inclusive and forward-thinking leadership in today’s business world.
Dr. Jennifer L. Barkin
Jennifer L. Barkin, Ph.D., stands at the intersection of science, advocacy, and lived experience. In her dual roles at Mercer University School of Medicine, she has built programs that speak fluently in two languages: the measured cadence of peer-reviewed research and the urgent call of communities in need.
Her signature contribution, the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF), developed during her doctoral studies at the University of Pittsburgh, demonstrates her ability to merge scientific rigor with human insight. Dr. Barkin led its design, validation, and global expansion, ensuring it serves not only as a reliable scientific tool but also as a lifeline for women navigating the challenges of postpartum recovery. The BIMF transforms data into practice, equipping clinicians with both clarity and compassion in restoring maternal health.
Leadership defines her next chapter. As the Director of South Georgia Healthy Start and Project Elevate, Dr. Barkin commands large-scale initiatives that blend precision management with grassroots connection. These multi-million-dollar programs function as infrastructures of support, linking advocacy at the national level with hands-on intervention in rural delivery rooms, clinics, and family homes.
Her academic portfolio—approaching 100 peer-reviewed publications—extends her influence beyond the local stage. From advancing perinatal mental health research to uncovering the hidden toll of climate change on mothers and children, she threads the urgency of environmental and social determinants into mainstream clinical dialogue.
To Dr. Barkin, systemic gaps are not barriers but opportunities for innovation. Whether addressing fragmented postpartum care, maternal mortality disparities, or the psychological consequences of climate shifts, she responds with evidence-based solutions anchored in resolve.
The impact of this approach is lasting. Dr. Barkin has not only built a distinguished career but also established a blueprint where science drives action, advocacy guarantees inclusion, and measurable outcomes stand as proof of enduring change.
Fai (Delicia) Chan
Fai (Delicia) Chan is an Austin-based clinical aromatherapist and award-winning researcher whose career has been defined by resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to integrative wellness. Drawing from her own health challenges, she has emerged as a global voice advancing healing through both tradition and science.
Fai’s journey began with a personal battle against debilitating acne scars, which sparked a search for alternative solutions. That pursuit led her to aromatherapy, revealing the profound emotional and physical benefits of essential oils. What started as personal healing quickly evolved into a lifelong mission to share discoveries that empower others.
Through Deli Aroma, the company she founded, Fai provides holistic care rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and supported by scientific research. Her services blend essential oil formulations, infrared energy therapies, and personalized protocols designed to address both physical and emotional well-being. Each consultation is a detailed, client-centered process, ensuring tailored solutions that restore balance and vitality.
Recognition of her contributions extends well beyond her practice. She received the Best Article of the Year award in 2023 and 2024 for groundbreaking studies published in the Biochemistry and Analytical Biochemistry Journal. She has also earned Peer Review Excellence Certificates, affirming her authority and credibility within the academic community.
Deli Aroma itself has been honored with multiple consecutive awards, celebrating its excellence and the innovative services developed under Fai’s leadership. Looking ahead, she is determined to expand her impact, bridging the wisdom of traditional healing with modern medical research to redefine what integrative wellness can achieve.
Pam C. Lyons
Pam C. Lyons is a Certified Professional Coach andLicensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor with 15 years of experience—and more than 20 years of life wisdom—celebratingfive years of service in the Plano Legacy area. As a Hurricane Katrina Survivor and businesswoman, she knows firsthand the strength it takes to rebuild and reinvent one’s life.
In recognition of her dedication and impact, Pam was recently selected as one of the esteemed award finalists at the upcoming Health 2.0 Conference in Las Vegas in 2026—a premier gathering of innovators, leaders, and changemakers in the health and wellness space. She is also a proud alumna of Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women in Business initiative, a Certified Autism Travel Professional, and a DFW Child MOM Approved 2025 Wellness Provider.
Her practice serves as a safe, compassionate space for the Texas community—a beacon of light for those seeking healing and growth. The slogan “Reinvent the World” was inspired by the collective trauma society has endured: the impact of COVID-19, growing mental health struggles, racial and political unrest, and the ongoing fight for women’s rights, equity, and safety. She believes everyone deserves a space to be heard, understood, and equipped with tools to thrive—not just survive. Her insights and professional journey have also been featured in International Business Times Magazine, highlighting her commitment to mental health advocacy and empowerment.
Pam specializes in supporting professional women, high achievers, veterans, college students, parents of neurodivergent children, and trauma survivors who are ready to overcome anxiety, depression, burnout, or self-limiting beliefs. Together with her clients, she works to reclaim their power, rebuild self-worth, and restore balance—so they can step into their authentic truth.
She reminds clients: You are worthy of rediscovery, healing, and greatness. Your journey to becoming a Divine Masterpiece begins with believing in your ability to reinvent your world.
Alicia Cadiz
Alicia Cadiz is a licensed psychotherapist whose work reflects resilience, compassion, and a mission to make therapy more accessible. Her practice is both personal and holistic, rooted in her service to underserved communities and her dedication to helping individuals find genuine healing and transformation.
Her career began in some of the most challenging environments. Alicia supported veterans as they transitioned back into civilian life and later spent two years working within Florida’s prison system at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. These formative experiences strengthened her resolve to create a therapeutic space that nurtures mind, body, and soul.
Through Healing with Alicia, she provides virtual psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families across multiple states. Her approach blends evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, and ACT with psychodynamic and Jungian principles, offering a therapeutic experience that is both practical and deeply transformative. In addition to one-on-one sessions, she has developed guided meditations, courses, and workshops that extend healing beyond the therapy room.
Her expertise has been recognized on national platforms. Alicia’s methods have been featured in Brainz Magazine, highlighted in various publications, and showcased through appearances on multiple podcasts. Equally dedicated to the profession’s future, she mentors aspiring therapists and supports the growth of the next generation of compassionate practitioners.
Looking forward, Alicia is focused on scaling Healing with Alicia into a trusted multi-state practice reaching even more communities. Her vision includes expanding accessible tools for self-healing—guided meditations, courses, and workshops—that empower people everywhere to take charge of their own emotional well-being.
Maz Dela Cerna
Maz Dela Cerna is an internationally recognized energy healer, breathwork facilitator, author, and transformational coach whose journey of resilience has inspired audiences worldwide. Through her work, she helps individuals release toxicity, break free from limiting patterns, and step into lives of authenticity and empowerment.
Her personal story became the foundation of her mission. Once homeless, battling addiction, and stuck in a cycle of abusive and toxic relationships, Maz turned her pain into purpose, transforming her experiences into fuel for guiding others toward healing. That transformation positioned her as a spiritual leader who empowers people to rise from hardship, reclaim their growth, and embrace their highest potential.
Through her platform, Phoenix Rising Collective, Maz provides programs and experiences that support healing, awakening, and expansion. By guiding people to release trauma, activate spiritual gifts, and align with higher consciousness, she offers a transformative pathway to freedom, growth, and long-term resilience.
Her influence has been recognized across global platforms. Maz’s work has been featured in Forbes, Brainz Magazine, Thrive Global, Studio 10 News, and numerous international podcasts. She has received honors such as the Brainz Top 500 Award, the Crea Global Award, and the Best Spiritual Healer in Australia. Her bestselling book, I Deserve Better, debuted alongside titles by Brené Brown and Esther Hicks, establishing her as a powerful voice in spiritual transformation.
Looking ahead, Maz is focused on expanding her impact to underserved communities, including those struggling to meet basic needs. Her mission is to help as many people as possible awaken their inner strength, break free from outdated paradigms, and step into lives defined by freedom and possibility.
Kelli Lewis
In the world of small business, Kelli Lewis stands out as a true problem-solver. 16 years ago, at just 23 years old, she launched KelliWorks, a consulting firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs simplify their accounting, streamline workflows, and implement efficient financial systems. Her expertise allows business owners to focus on growth without being bogged down by administrative challenges.
As a single mother, Kelli understood firsthand the struggle of balancing work and family life. She saw how disorganized back-office operations could drain time and energy, so she built a company that provides real solutions. What started as a one-woman operation has grown into a thriving business with offices in Union, New Jersey, and Miami, Florida, serving over 300 businesses nationwide in the last 16 years.
Kelli has worked across multiple industries, from real estate and medical offices to logistics and e-commerce. One of her most notable projects involved modernizing a 100-year-old family business, helping it transition to digital operations while preserving its core traditions.
Beyond her own success, Kelli is passionate about mentoring and community building. She founded The foundHER Factor, a networking event that connects and empowers women entrepreneurs through education, collaboration, and business resources. She also serves on the board of RENEW Life Center, a nonprofit that provides financial literacy programs and career support for families facing economic challenges.
Through her expertise and dedication, Kelli continues to transform the way entrepreneurs manage and scale their businesses. Her future vision includes expanding her reach and influence, further establishing her personal brand as a Business Coaching Consultant, and continuing to support entrepreneurs in achieving sustainable growth.
To learn more about Kelli and how KelliWorks can help your business thrive, visit kelliworks.com.
Lindsay O’Neill
A leading voice in health, wellness, and biohacking, Lindsay O’Neill is the CEO and founder of Wellness Eternal and Small Hinges Health. Her journey began with a life-altering event—while pregnant with her third daughter, she was hit by a car. This set her on a path of deep healing, leading her to become a certified Culinary Medicine Chef (Harvard & CIA) and a Wellness Coach. What started as personal recovery turned into a mission to help others optimize their health.
After a thriving 20+ year career in tech and marketing, Lindsay rediscovered her entrepreneurial passion in the field of biohacking. In 2024, she launched Wellness Eternal, a platform revolutionizing longevity and wellness through “entercation”—blending education with entertainment. Through her Optimize WE podcast, she shares transformative clinical studies, celebrity interviews, and cutting-edge biohacking insights—without the BS!
She also founded The Biohacking Directory (www.biohacking.directory), the first-ever resource rating longevity and wellness solutions, and hosts the Optimize WE webinar series for medical professionals to dive deeper into the efficacy of these solutions.
As a Peer Review Expert for BiohackYourself Media and a TEDx & Gaia speaker, she bridges research with real-world application for powerful health optimization.
Featured in Women’s Health Magazine, Forbes, The New York Times, Crain’s NY, Business Insider and NY Weekly Magazine, Lindsay is a heralded entrepreneur, but also a devoted mom of three daughters and a stepdaughter, and loving partner to an FDNY lieutenant. She proves that balancing career, family, and personal growth isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.
With a relentless commitment to exploring efficacious wellness/biohacking solutions and protocols, Lindsay shows that even the smallest changes can lead to profound transformations!
Juanita Marois
Juanita Marois has dedicated her career to bringing Métis culture to the forefront of Canadian tourism. As the visionary behind Métis Crossing, Alberta’s first Métis cultural destination, she has transformed it into a thriving hub where history, community, and innovation intersect. The work at Métis Crossing isn’t just about preserving the past—it’s about creating opportunities for Indigenous stories to be shared, celebrated, and carried forward for generations to come.
Through her hard work and dedication, Juanita has transformed Métis Crossing into more than just a cultural destination. Her deep appreciation for Métis traditions, drives her to ensure her team is creating experiences where culture is not just observed but truly lived. From hands-on workshops to storytelling by the fire, every detail has a purpose. With the addition of a cultural gathering center, boutique lodge, and skywatching domes, she ensures visitors do not just pass through. They leave feeling connected, inspired, and part of something bigger.
Under Juanita’s leadership, Métis Crossing has become a national leader in cultural tourism, earning awards for its authenticity, sustainability, and innovation. It has been recognized for its dedication to Métis heritage, eco-conscious practices, and architectural excellence, winning honors like the Cultural Experience Award, Leading the Way in Sustainability Award, and Prairie Wood Design Award. Beyond Métis Crossing, Juanita helps shape the future of Indigenous tourism through her roles with Travel Alberta and the University of Alberta.
Even with these achievements, Juanita isn’t slowing down. She envisions Métis Crossing becoming a global destination for Indigenous cultural tourism, driven by sustainability and education. But at its heart, her work is about something deeper—creating space for Métis voices, building a future where Métis culture is celebrated, and leaving a legacy that will stand the test of time.
Anita Flejter
Anita Flejter doesn’t believe in staying in one lane. Since arriving in New York from Poland in 2004 with nothing but books and ambition, she’s masterfully shapeshifted through industries – leaving her distinctive mark on each one.
Her journey began in art conservation, where she restored treasures at the Gettysburg Cyclorama, Rockefeller Center, and the Museum of Natural History. But preservation wasn’t enough for Flejter’s creative vision.
Pivoting to entrepreneurship, she founded Ultimate Tango, revolutionizing how dance schools operate. Through strategic digital marketing, she transformed a local Boston studio into the industry’s global digital authority – proving niche expertise could build worldwide influence.
Today, as Digital Marketing Director at NETINT Technologies, Flejter bridges complex video encoding technology with market-ready messaging. She translates the company’s ASIC-based innovations – powering everything from live streaming to AI-driven applications – into compelling narratives that connect with decision-makers.
“Success isn’t about mastering one field,” Flejter explains. “It’s about transferring insights across disciplines to solve problems in fresh ways.” She’s not just another marketer – she’s the first marketer companies need to scale. Whether it’s developing fresh go-to-market strategies, reframing how technical innovations are communicated, or unlocking new opportunities for growth, Anita proves that success isn’t about staying in one lane – it’s about knowing how to adapt, innovate, and lead across disciplines.
Learn more about Anita’s hands-on leadership approach at anitaflejter.com or connect with her on LinkedIn to explore how her cross-industry expertise can elevate your business strategy.
Sarah Kleinhans
Strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s found in quiet perseverance, in the unwavering resolve of a mother who refuses to let life’s hardships define her. Sarah Kleinhans is one such woman—a mother, an entrepreneur, and the driving force behind The 5280 Mermaid, LLC.
Once a professional model, Sarah’s life took an unexpected turn when her son, Addison, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010. Overnight, her priorities shifted from photo shoots to hospital visits, from career ambitions to survival mode. She put everything on hold to care for her son, navigating the emotional and financial challenges that come with a life-altering diagnosis.
Faced with the need to support her family, Sarah turned to something that had always brought her joy—cooking. What began as a small effort to make ends meet soon evolved into something bigger. Her company transitioned to all-natural dried fruit and herb beverage infusions, designed to create both mocktails and cocktails, as well as dip mixes.
By 2019, Sarah transitioned into full-time festival and farmers’ market sales, gaining a loyal customer base. In 2020, responding to overwhelming demand, The 5280 Mermaid expanded its focus on beverage infusions, catering to the growing trend of mocktails, which make up a significant part of her brand’s appeal. With 85% of her purchasers being non-liquor drinkers, The 5280 Mermaid has become a leader in this trendy and fast-growing space. Initially packaged in glass jars, she later adapted to industry trends and logistical challenges by switching to food-grade muslin pouches.
With a foundation built on community support, Sarah has always given back. Her company donates thousands of dollars in free products annually to cancer fundraisers and families in need, ensuring that no one facing hardship feels alone.
Her story has been recognized in USA News, US Insider, andVoyage Denver, where she has shared her journey of turning adversity into an opportunity to uplift others. Through The 5280 Mermaid, LLC, Sarah isn’t just building a business; she’s creating a legacy of strength, generosity, and unwavering determination.
