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Please enjoy meeting the BADA** women who are bringing you the 2022 Bad A** Women's Month! One thing you will notice - all of these women are committed to making the world a better place for all.
We hope you will join them in their mission!
Ann Marie Cilley
Ann Marie Cilley
Ann Marie is the franchise owner of the Casual Pint Hamilton! and an unapologetic NY-native BADA**! She is mom to 2 teenage boys and 2 hound dogs, a staunch subscriber to the mantra "work hard, play harder," and firmly committed to her small business having a large, positive impact on the Hamilton community - every day.
Ann Marie's Affirmation:
I have the strength, courage, and talents to tackle any challenge that comes my way.
Kandyce Jones
Kandyce Jones
As a little girl of ten, Kandyce had big dreams - but did not always see how those dreams would come true. Over time she began to study conscious and subconscious awareness. Through discovering and mastering the power of thought, her dream life began to shape. Now she is a transformational influencer, a positive role model to children, and senior partner at W. H. Steiner where she teaches the principles of abundance and wealth management. Today, as a member of the Greater Hamilton Chamber, she helps employers and employees protect their life goals; she shows the public how to accumulate and access wealth tax free, how to save and protect retirement from risk, and how to maximize the value of Life. She is a proud participant in projects that make Hamilton a better place to live and thrive. That little girl of ten has grown to be thankful for the keys that make dreams become reality, and in return, uplift other women to recognize and achieve their greatest potential and (YES!) discover how bad-ass they truly are!
Kandyce's Affirmation:
I am valuable and I nurture my value with self-love!
Charla Hale
Charla Hale
Charla Hale is the Chief Strategy and JEDI Officer for the YWCA Hamilton who believes that well-behaved women rarely make history! However, being a BADA** should be deliberate - choose it if you want to change the world, and there is power in being a nice badass. Charla's personal mission is to leave her world better because she was part of it, and she uses Matthew 4:10 "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" as a reminder to always be herself and know that God provides the needed support to create change.
Charla's Affirmation:
I do not have a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.
Liz Hayden
Liz Hayden
Liz Hayden is the Planning Director for the City of Hamilton. She uses "badass" as a fun term of endearment for women she views as bold, bright, and making things happen - but make no mistake, Liz is a BADA** herself! She is a mom of 3 small children, a City employee for 10 years at the heart of its transformation and resurgence, and a frequent volunteer for the YWCA Hamilton and the Hamilton Community Foundation's Women's Fund.
Lisa Sandlin
Lisa Sandlin
Lisa Sandlin is the owner of Empoworks, a company who helps individuals - especially women - take ownership of their life, health, and wealth. Lisa believes that "badass" describes strength and commitment to action, and she lives each day according to these values. Lisa also believes in total wellness - Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and Financial - and she has personally taken action to overcome significant hardships including stage III colon cancer, divorce, and financial struggle.
Lisa's Affirmation:
I am always positive and my positive energy inspires and lifts me and those around me to achieve our life desires.
Sonja Kranbuhl
Sonja Kranbuhl
Sonja Kranbuhl is the Director for the Ft. Hamilton Hospital Foundation, and if you know Sonja, you know that she is always moving. That's because her personal mantra is to keep going - to never give up, to lift others up when they have fallen, and to view life's missteps or barriers as our greatest growth opportunities. We may not always know the plans laid out for us, but we can always count on Sonja to help the world keep going. We are grateful for her stamina!
Sonja's Affirmation:
I surround myself with female friends who inspire me to do more than I ever think I can.
Sue Sepela
Sue Sepela
Sue Sepela is the Grant Administrator for the YWCA Hamilton for whom "badass" has a very simple & reassuring definition: "As women, we wear so many hats, that we need to remind ourselves that we don't need to do it all. Our best is truly the best." Sue's superpower is to listen and learn, and she finds tremendous power and comfort in other people's successes vs. being in the spotlight herself. Her role as a grant writer directly supports her life mission to help people recognize their potential, to realize their goals, and to achieve more than they thought they were capable.
Sue's Affirmation:
It is my obligation to use my blessings and privilege to share whatever I can with others.
Tammy Bucher-Sims
Tammy Bucher-Sims
Tammy Bucher-Sims is the Executive Director for Caring Closet, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children grades K-12 in the Hamilton City School District by providing clothing and basic necessities to those in need. Tammy's BADA** confidence is contagious - she knows she has reached "that age" where she no longer needs external approval to accomplish whatever she sets her mind to, and her accomplishments on behalf of Hamilton's children are especially plentiful. She believes it's important to learn from the past BUT then "set it down - focus on the right now and love your people fiercely." Wise words from a very wise woman!
Tammy's Affirmation:
It's fine. Everything is fine! It's fine!
Bekki Rennick
Bekki Rennick
Bekki Rennick is the owner and manager of The Benninghofen House in the historic Dayton Lane district of Hamilton. For Bekki, being a BADA** means having a slightly rebellious nature, and not being afraid to push back, pivot, and choose happiness even it means a a more difficult route. Bekki purchased The Benninghofen House, a boutique hotel and event venue, to honor her entrepreneurial spirit and utilize her skills and passions to offer a unique hospitality experience in the city she loves. Bekki strives to follow her mother's advice to "bloom where you are planted" and always find the good in every situation to become her best self.
Bekki's Affirmation:
I know deep inner peace.
Samantha Starke
Samantha Starke
Sam Starke is the owner of one of Hamilton's newest businesses, Healthy Hideout. Sam's mission and "absolute full purpose of being on this earth" is to help others become the best version of themselves and to create a healthier and happier community and world. Sam does this by sharing her expertise in nutrition through educational seminars as well as through the products she creates and sells, by spreading joy, and by cheering for others as loudly as possible! She believes being BADA** means evolving and stepping into yourself at its highest possible version, loving yourself, and allowing others to love you. When you meet Sam, it is impossible not to fall in love with her!
Sam's Affirmation:
I attract opportunities that allow me to fulfill my purpose and I am capable & knowledgeable to overcome obstacles.
Leesa Terry
Leesa Terry
Leesa Terry is a married mom of two human babies & five fur babies who works full time as a legal assistant at Treleven & Klingensmith, but her passion is empowering women through movement. As owner and dance fitness instructor at Hamilton's Studio Undefined, she lives her personal mantra every day: Just keep moving! For Leesa, being a BADA** means not being afraid of failure or looking like a fool, which creates the freedom to pursue desires and chase dreams with reckless abandon. Leesa embraces her mission in life to empower others to love themselves fearlessly & unapologetically, because "when we love ourselves, we can pour that love into every other area of our lives. It all starts from within."
Leesa's Affirmation:
I am bold, unapologetic, and determined to make a positive impact on my community.
Arnita Gunn
Arnita Gunn
Arnita Gunn leads Beautiful Colors, a community initiative dedicated to improving relationships and creating intentional connections through chalk art. Arnita is a married mom of 6 (!!!) from Illinois who loves to travel as much as she loves her community. Arnita's personal mission is to be the example she needed as a young girl, and to her "badass" is defined by the women who are standing up - despite what they have been through - in allllllll the spaces, realizing and knowing that no one else can put limits on their futures. Arnita's mantra is "She believed she could, so she did" - and there is no doubt that Arnita lives that every day!
Arnita's Affirmation:
I am here because my life has meaning.
Sara Carruthers
Sara Carruthers
Sara Carruthers is a mom of 2 and the State Representative for Ohio's 51st House District, in which Hamilton is located. Sara is no stranger to being a BADA** in a man's world and working her butt off to serve her family AND her community in any ways she can. Sara's own words are particularly inspiring: "I have had struggles like everyone else. I choose not to share them because it doesn't make them better. I am a fighter for everything I love, including my hometown of Hamilton." Sara's faith is strong - she KNOWS God has a plan - but she also knows how to rise to challenges to over come them.
Sara's Affirmation:
I can do this with God's help, and a little help from friends.
Dawn Anderson-Thurmond
Dawn Anderson-Thurmond
Dawn Anderson-Thurmond is Domestic Violence Director for the YWCA Hamilton. In Dawn's words: "I'm highly motivated to do the necessary work to eradicate institutional and cultural violence with an amazing team at YWCA Hamilton. I’m committed to providing survivors of domestic violence the education, support, resources, and courage they need to succeed." For Dawn, being a BADA** means that we sometimes need to be unapologetic and authentic, even if/when it makes others uncomfortable. Her personal mission is to always be an advocate for marginalized populations and a catalyst for equality and justice in every space that she occupies.
Dawn's Affirmation:
I'm blessed to be a blessing to others!
Angela Breetz
Angela Breetz
Angela Breetz is a science teacher at Badin High School in Hamilton. As a teacher, Angela's mission is to send young people out into the world better prepared for college, career and life better than she was! But as a BADA** woman, she is an inspiration to all around her: Angela is currently on chemotherapy to shrink a benign abdominal tumor prior to its surgical removal. She believes in gratitude - "It doesn't make every day a great day, but it does make every day better." To Angela, "badass" means courageous, can-do attitude, game changer, and problem-solver - all qualities that she brings to everything she does!
Angela's Affirmation:
I am a BADASS!
Lynelle Lyons-Wilson
Lynelle Lyons-Wilson
Lynelle Lyons-Wilson is the owner of TerraLuna Pilates and Massage Studio. From the minute you meet Lynelle, you connect with her personal mission in life: to live each day joyfully and authentically and to inspire others to do the same. Lynelle's "pole star" is gratitude - consciously acknowledging her blessings in life every day is what guides her. And just opening a new business in Hamilton is both a source of personal pride as well as motivation to encourage all women to own their BadAssitude!!! Lynelle breaks down "badass" into a very simple and beautiful equation:
Women + (Fierce + Brave + Persistence) = BADASS
Finally - math that inspires! Thank you Lynelle!
Lynelle's Affirmation:
I am a beloved child of the Universe and deserving of all good things.
Angie Gray
Angie Gray
Angie Gray is the Director of Marketing Communications for Badin High School in Hamilton AND a mom of 3, grandmother of 2, wife to a great husband of 36 years AND the current president of the Fairfield Rotary Club!!! She is without a doubt a BADA** and for Angie, the phrase is a reminder that "she can do it!" Obstacles and barriers might appear, but she believes it's important to "go for it" when it comes to what's important in life. Going for it helps Angie achieve her personal mission in life: to achieve her personal best and to help others through hard work and dedication, so that she can be proud of her accomplishments.
Angie's Affirmation:
I make an effort to find the joy because life is short and we aren't guaranteed anything. Surround yourself with good people who love and support you, and do the same for them.
Michelle Parsley
Michelle Parsley
Michelle Parsley is the owner of The Parsley-Suggs Team at Keller Williams Advisors. Michelle was always referred to as a "badass" in high school, so connecting with the Hamilton B.A.W.M. was a no brainer! Michelle is passionate about real estate and it's her mission to help bridge the gap for women-owned real estate.
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