Women in Business

The president of a leading Continuing Care Retirement Community, a successful restaurateur, several of the area’s most trusted money managers, three highly regarded plastic surgeons, and a renowned interior designer.

Those are just a few of the three dozen outstanding local businesswomen we’re proud to feature in this year’s “Women in Business” section, our annual look at a few good business owners, professionals, and company officers who represent the leading role women have taken in the greater Baltimore business community.

As has been the tradition with this special section, these women’s participation in the section has extra significance: Some of the proceeds from the section will go to the Maryland Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, more affectionately known as Komen Maryland, to support breast cancer research and awareness. And 2012 is an important milestone for Komen Maryland, which is celebrating 20 years of work. Since its inception, Komen Maryland has invested more than $35 million into the local community to fund breast cancer education, screening, treatment and support services.

In the section that follows, the Women in Business supplement offers business owners and executives a fresh venue to introduce themselves to both our readers and to other entrepreneurs (And our thanks to the staff at the stunning, waterfront Silo Point condo highrise in Locust Point, who made possible our Women in Business photo shoot).

Ladies, let the networking begin. It’s for a good cause.

  

Anne G. London, C.F.P.® Certified Financial Planning Professional®
Lorie Scheibel, M.B.A., Financial Consultant

AXA Advisors, LLC
6200 Old Dobbin Lane, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21045
410-309-3620
axa-equitable.com

Anne London and Lorie Scheibel are committed to helping their clients at AXA Advisors create suitable financial plans—and monitoring their progress to encourage success. London, a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, began working with AXA in 1997, after many years with her family’s real-estate business. She became a CFP® in 2003, and also received a certificate in Retirement Planning from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Scheibel, who has an MBA from Loyola and went through the executive and nonprofit leadership program at Georgetown, is working toward her CFP® designation. For both women, clients come first. “It starts with listening to their dreams,” says London, who has been named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women in The Daily Record and a Five Star Wealth Manager in Baltimore. While London frequently conducts workshops for women on financial issues, Scheibel has helped small businesses and area not-for-profits with pro-bono consulting and has volunteered to help area seniors manage their finances.

Anne G. London and Lorie Scheibel are registered representatives and investment advisor representatives who offers securities and investment advisory services through AXA Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA/SIPC, and are agents who offers annuity and insurance products through AXA Network, LLC and/or its insurance agency subsidiaries. AXA Network, LLC does business in California as AXA Network Insurance Agency of California, LLC and, in Utah, as AXA Network Insurance Agency of Utah, LLC. AXA Advisors and AXA Network are affiliated companies and do not provide tax or legal advice. Representatives may transact business, which includes offering products and services and/or responding to inquiries, only in state(s) in which they are properly registered and/or licensed.

 

 

Renee Wilson

President
Bijoux
The Gatehouse at
Green Spring Station
10749 Falls Road
Lutherville, MD 21093
410-823-5545
bijouxjewels.com

Renee Wilson fell in love with jewelry as a young girl and has had a passion for jewelry ever since. After nearly two decades of working in the retail jewelry business, Renee opened her shop, which gets named “Best of Baltimore” year after year. Bijoux is a full-service jewelry boutique featuring fine period antique and estate jewelry, contemporary designer pieces, and custom jewelry.

“Exquisite workmanship is our first priority,” says Renee, who hand-selects each piece. “We pride ourselves on our extraordinary service and extensive knowledge.”

 

 

Claudette Boudreaux

Financial Advisor
Chapin Davis
2 Village Square, Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21210
410-435-3200
chapindavis.com

Claudette Boudreaux has been in the financial services industry for 17 years. Her relationships with industry professionals convinced her that the field was a perfect fit. A graduate of Hood College with an MBA from Mount Saint Mary’s, Boudreaux is a vice president at Chapin Davis, a full-service financial firm committed to holistic wealth-management strategies. Since its launch in 2007, Boudreaux has been actively involved with the Chapin Davis Foundation, which supports local charitable organizations, and recently served as the foundation’s president. Her business philosophy? “If I don’t do it for my clients, who will?”

 

 

Amanda Austin

President/Interior Designer
Amanda Austin Interiors
1020 South Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
443-759-6177
amanda@amandaaustininteriors.com
amandaaustininteriors.com

Are YOU existing in a house . . . or ALIVE within your home? A house is bought . . . a home is made. It is made with breath, new life, patience, and understanding. The home is a sacred place, as it is shared with those that you care about and love the most. It should be the place that you most want to be, and it should be a place that transports you.

My name is Amanda Austin, and it’s lovely to share this time with you. I wish to invite you to become better acquainted with Amanda Austin Interiors, my interior design firm that was born to serve those that desire the comfort and peace of a HOME.

I have created a firm of distinct designers who understand money does not equate class, beauty, or exceptional design. The philosophies of my firm are simple. We become an extension of who you are, and we know this time is a privilege. You are taken care of. You are catered to. You are understood. Together we shall create beauty and splendor. We are changing lives one home at a time. I look so forward to meeting you . . .

 

 

Jennifer C. Sullivan

“BALTIMORE’S BULLDOG”
Regional Sales Manager
Bulldog Gin
Jennifer@BulldogGin.com
www.BulldogGin.com
http://www.facebook.com/bulldoggin
Twitter: @BULLDOGGIN

“I want to see Baltimoreans ask for Bulldog Gin with the same sense of ownership they ask for Old Bay and Natty Boh!” As regional sales manager for the 5 year-old Bulldog Gin company, Jen is passionate about this brand. The super-premium gin, handcrafted in England, “is infused with the most exotic blend of all-natural botanicals ever assembled in a gin,” she says. Jen, who grew up in a small town in the south, began her career in the beverage industry here in Maryland. After working for Southern Wine & Spirits—and completing a bachelor’s degree in marketing along the way—she discovered Bulldog, and hasn’t looked back. Jen feels her success comes from embodying the “Bulldog Spirit” of being defiantly different. “My goal is to give Bulldog Gin a strong brand identity in the Maryland area,” she says. “I believe the consumer palate is becoming more sophisticated, and Bulldog is known as one of the smoothest and most mixable gins on the market.” Jen loves the “Bulldog & Tonic” with a fresh slice of orange. She says “It’s simple, delicious and the perfect drink for Baltimoreans to sip on a hot summer’s day.”

 

 

Stephanie Elliott

Chief Operating Officer & Strategist
Chapin Davis
2 Village Square, Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21210
410-435-3200
chapindavis.com

When Stephanie Elliott started her job as a financial advisor in 1993, she embraced the field with a passion. “I wanted to learn everything the industry had to offer,” she recalls. With degrees from the University of Baltimore and the Wharton School of Business, Elliott has helped Chapin Davis develop a multi-generational approach and, thereby, broaden its reach in the community, with the goal of becoming the most respected financial services firm in Maryland. Chief operating officer and strategist for the firm, Elliott believes that success means getting to know every client—as well as understanding the big picture.

 

 

Elisabeth A. Hayes

Financial Advisor
Chapin Davis
2 Village Square, Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21210
410-435-3200
chapindavis.com

In her 40 years in the financial industry, Elisabeth A. Hayes has always put the needs of clients first, while upholding her core values as part of her approach to investing. A graduate of Hollins University with an MBA in finance from Loyola, Hayes began her career as a statistician for T. Rowe Price. Now a financial advisor for Chapin Davis, a full-service financial firm, Hayes works to provide the level of service her clients deserve. A strong supporter of Network 2000, Inc., Hayes has also been a member of the Junior League of Baltimore honor roll, and was named by The Daily Record as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women in 2005.

 

 

Ann Y. Fenwick, C.F.P.™, M.S.F.S., President
Johanna Bathurst, M.B.A.

Fenwick Financial Services LLC
Commerce Centre East
1777 Reisterstown Road, Suite 280, Baltimore, MD 21208
410-821-0089
fenwickfinancial.com

Fenwick Financial Services, a boutique financial advisory firm, offers a unique approach to investing and financial planning. We take the time to assess each of our clients’ goals, dreams, and risk tolerance. From there, we build a portfolio that is customized to that particular client’s needs. No two clients are alike; therefore, no two portfolios are alike. All of our investment recommendations have been selected after careful review and scrutiny, and all of our clients’ accounts are managed in house by Ann Fenwick and Johanna Bathurst. This level of service and oversight simply cannot be matched by larger firms.

It would be our pleasure to provide you with advice and management for your investments, retirement, and estate-planning needs, college savings plans, life insurance, and long-term care insurance.

To schedule a complimentary consultation, please call Fenwick Financial Services today.

 

 

Lisa Ishii, M.D., M.H.S.

Facial Plastic Surgeon
Johns Hopkins Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Johns Hopkins Center for Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 
877-546-4530 
hopkinsmedicine.org/facialplastics

As a woman, Johns Hopkins facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lisa Ishii understands that cosmetic surgery is more than smoothing a wrinkle or lifting a brow. She helps each patient reflect on the outside how they feel on the inside.

Dr. Ishii focuses on facial cosmetic surgery and is an expert in facelifts, eyelid surgery, nonsurgical treatment, fillers and hair transplantation.

After receiving specialty training at Johns Hopkins, she joined the faculty as a clinician-researcher and values the implementation of scientifically proven, cutting-edge technology. Dr. Ishii is double-board certified in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Ishii sees patients at Johns Hopkins Center for Facial Plastic Surgery at Green Spring Station in Lutherville and Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center at White Marsh.

 

 

Eileen Bumba

Realtor
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
10801 Tony Drive
Lutherville, MD 21093
410-790-1757
eileenbumba.com

As a Baltimore native and long-time real estate professional, Eileen Bumba is an expert in the local real-estate market. Working on her own—not as part of a team—she continuously breaks sales records and is currently ranked 8th in Baltimore and surrounding areas for sales volume. “I understand the changing trends in the market and strive to provide excellent service,” she says. No wonder her motto is “Bumba knows Baltimore!”

Bumba prides herself in understanding the needs of the first-time home buyer, as well as those who might be transitioning, such as getting ready for retirement or downsizing. “In tough times, the decision to buy or sell a home can be stressful,” she points out. “I give my clients the attention they deserve, and make the process as worry-free as possible.” Besides being a certified residential specialist—the highest designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field—Bumba has some strengths of particular value in the current housing market: She’s a specialist in short sales and partners with a mediation company to get consistently fast results from banks.

 

 

Rita Moore

Owner
Colours Salon
2346 York Road,
Timonium, MD 21093
410-252-0933
colourssalon.com

Yes, you can have it all: Colours Salon offers the most professional color and design work in one convenient location. Not only will you receive the highest quality customer service and creativity, you can relax while you get these services, says owner Rita Moore. She believes that a good hair stylist is like a good therapist—always listening to the client to obtain the best results. Because knowledge is power, Rita believes that providing her stylists with the latest techniques in cutting, styling, and color through professional education gives her clients the very best that her industry has to offer. Curly hair? No problem. Colours has stylists certified in the latest curly cuts and techniques. Colours continues to support community issues, such as cancer treatment and research. To learn more, go to colourssalon.com.

 

 

Audrey Slade

Director of Public Relations
Four Seasons Hotel
200 International Drive,
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-223-1343
fourseasons.com

When Audrey Slade was five years old, she would put on her “pearls” and stand on a box behind the hostess stand at her father’s restaurant to greet guests. After graduating from the University of Virginia, she parlayed that early PR experience into a job at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, eventually becoming area public relations manager. Hard work and a strong commitment to service are part of Slade’s DNA. Now, as director of public relations for the Baltimore Four Seasons, she quotes Aristotle to describe her approach to her job: “Excellence is not an act,“ she says, “but a habit.”

 

 

Yelena Frankel, M.D., M.H.S.

Board Certified Dermatologist
Maryland Laser Skin & Vein Institute, LLC
54 Scott Adam Road, Suite 301, Hunt Valley, MD 21030
410-666-3960
mdlsv.com

Dr. Frankel attended medical school at Jefferson University in Philadelphia, and completed her dermatology residency at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Further training at Johns Hopkins included a Master’s degree in public health an advanced two-year fellowship in dermatology and wound healing. Dr. Frankel’s expertise in helping the skin recover from damage and injury has earned her appearances on local and national television. She won national Investigator Awards from the American Academy of Dermatology and Wound Healing Society. During residency, she received the Preceptorship Award from the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Frankel’s practice includes general and surgical dermatology, skin rejuvenation, laser surgery, laser scar correction, Botox® treatments, filler injections and sclerotherapy. She participates with most Medicare plans, as well as the PPO/POS plans of Aetna, CareFirst, Cigna, and United Healthcare. Board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, Dr. Frankel is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the Women’s Dermatologic Society.

 

 

Lori Villegas

First Vice President, Wealth Advisor
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
650 S. Exeter Street, Suite 1100, Baltimore, MD 21202 410-736-5570
lori.villegas@mssb.com

As a Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Wealth Advisor, Lori Villegas works with her clients to manage, preserve, and transition their wealth. She began her career more than 17 years ago working for Dean Witter. “I have always had a passion for the investment markets,” Villegas says. “And it’s equally fulfilling to work directly with clients to help them achieve financial success and security.” Focusing on first-generational wealth, Villegas works with business owners and executives to help them preserve their wealth and assist them in creating individual plans that address their distinct needs. “Being a woman in a male-dominated field gives me a distinct perspective,” says Villegas, who was named as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women 2012 by The Daily Record. Villegas also gives back to the community by mentoring other business women, participating in Giving Circles, and working with various charitable organizations. “I hope that my small impact will help Baltimore be a better city,” she says.

 

 

Teresa Donofrio Snyder

President
Roland Park Place
830 West 40th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-243-5700
rolandparkplace.org

As president of Roland Park Place, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in northern Baltimore City, Teresa Snyder is fulfilling a personal commitment to eldercare that began with a summer job while still in college. “Now, after a 30-year career in the field, I feel fortunate to serve Baltimore’s premier retirement community,” she says. As the CCRC’s first woman president, Snyder is an example for other women planning careers in aging services. For Snyder and her staff, ensuring that the 300 residents’ many and varied interests are stimulated is every bit as important as providing medical and rehabilitative support. Roland Park Place has built an excellent reputation when it comes to the staff’s attention and accessibility to residents, a philosophy that Snyder exemplifies in her own interactions with residents, families, and staff. “I believe in the Roland Park Place mission and see it at work every day,” she says. “Even after eight-and-a-half years, I continue to be inspired by the energy and engagement of our residents, both here and in the greater community.”

 

 

Marie Gallagher Resurreccion

Owner
The Healing Path
37 East Cross Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
1623 York Road
Lutherville/Timonium, MD 21093
410-637-3760
healingpathbaltimore.com

Marie Gallagher Resurreccion started a small massage practice in Federal Hill, but her business grew so quickly that she soon established The Healing Path Massage and Wellness Center. In February, she opened the second location in Timonium. The Healing Path is not a spa and it’s not a clinic, she says. “We are the place in-between,” specializing in modalities that “will help you move from a place of imbalance and stress to a happy state of calm,” from reflexology and pre-natal massage to acupuncture, health coaching, and rolfing. Marie says she is blessed to have found a career that so perfectly suits her personality. “Our clients can count on us for every step of their wellness journey,” she says.

 

 

Susan Porter, C.R.N.P.
Anita Davidson, Consultant/Practice Manager

Hunt Valley Laser and Skin Care Center
10155 York Road, Suite 205
Cockeysville, MD 21030
410-628-1625
hvskin.com

The Hunt Valley Laser and Skin Care Center offers a range of treatments including Botox, injectable fillers, Velashape cellulite treatment, Vibraderm, and various laser services. Most recently, the Center has added Pearl and Pearl fractional. The Center is proud of two women who help to make it all happen: Susan Porter and Anita Davidson. Porter is a nurse practitioner with a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University and is a member of the honors society for nurses. The Center’s top-notch support staff is led by Anita Davidson. As manager of the practice, Davidson knows how to put clients at ease and help them to understand the various treatments.

 

 

Michele Shermak, M.D.

Plastic Surgery
1304 Bellona Avenue
Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093
410-616-3000
drshermack.com

The cornerstones of Dr. Michele Shermak’s practice are professionalism, excellence, art, and communication. “My patients know they should not be shy about asking questions at any stage,” she says. Dr. Shermak constantly innovates to provide the most comprehensive, advanced level of care available, and actually “wrote the book” on her field, a definitive plastic surgery text on breast and body contouring surgery published by McGraw Hill.

After spending more than 20 years at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Shermak joined a private practice in Lutherville with beautiful office space and on-site operating room facilities. When she is not operating in her on-site facility, Dr. Shermak operates at GBMC, Sinai Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center, and Northwest hospitals.

Dr. Shermak is board-certified and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, and many other professional organizations.
She is an associate professor at Johns Hopkins.

 

 

Megan L. Avery, Ch.F.C.

President
Legacy Associates, LLC
1301 York Road, Suite 602
Lutherville, MD 21093
410-828-9505
yourlegacyplan.com

At Legacy Associates, LLC, founded in 1998, Ms. Avery and her team work closely to help clients make sense of today’s complex financial and tax planning issues. You may have heard her speak as an expert at a local event or on WYPR’s Midday with Dan Rodricks show.

Recognized in Baltimore magazine since 2003 and featured in the February 2011 issue as a Five-Star Wealth Manager, Megan has focused her career on tax, estate, retirement, and income planning, and is licensed in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware. For more information contact support@yourlegacyplan.com.

 

 

Patty Ehoff

Restaurateur
Razorback’s Raw Bar & Grill
Dulaney Plaza Shopping Center
826 Dulaney Valley Road
Towson, MD 21204
410-821-9550
razorbackgrill.com

To Patty Ehoff, the key to success as a restaurant owner is knowing your business inside and out — from the front of the house to the back.

She began working in restaurants in her early teens and has held positions as a server, a bartender, and manager. But for Ehoff, true success is also knowing your community.

Born and raised in Baltimore, the Razorback’s owner knows just what her clientele is looking for: consistency, quality, value, and — most of all — fun.

 

 

Alyson Wells, M.D.

Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon,
Clinical Instructor of Plastic Surgery–Johns Hopkins Hospital
Valley Plastic Surgery and Medi-Spa
10151 York Road, Suite 112-114, Hunt Valley, MD 21030
410-628-8200
vpsurgery.com

Following her medical studies and training at some of the most respected institutions in the country — Washington University in St. Louis, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Miami — board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alyson Wells has been building a thriving practice in Baltimore. Her academic achievements reflect the skill, dedication, and professional discipline that define her approach to the art and science of plastic surgery. Her practice, Valley Plastic Surgery, focuses on cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery, facial rejuvenation, and body contouring, with the unique goals and needs of each individual patient foremost. Her medi-spa features personalized services that combine organic skin products with medical-grade ingredients to produce superior results. A wife and mother of two, Dr. Wells balances family, career, and community as she focuses on exceeding expectations of herself, her peers, and most importantly, her patients. Her mission is to continue as the premier choice for plastic and cosmetic surgery in the Baltimore region.

 

 

Jane Sawyer

Vice President
The Sawyer Group
100 Painters Mill Road, Suite 420
Owings Mills, MD 21117
410-356-0329
sawyer-group.com

Jane Sawyer began her career in the field of medical management. So when she met her husband, Charles Sawyer, and decided to join him in business, she was able to share her expertise with the financial services firm. The Sawyer Group, devoted to wealth preservation and planning, examines each client’s needs before making any recommendations. Long-term satisfaction is the primary goal. The firm has done pro-bono work with elderly veterans and their widows seeking assistance with health-care costs, and the Sawyers are also active in fundraising with the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

 

Janet P. Woodyard, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Plastic Surgeon
20 Crossroads Drive, Suite 12
Owings Mills, MD 21117
410-363-9000
woodyardmd.com

As one of the region’s most respected plastic surgeons, Dr. Janet Woodyard feels fortunate to have been able to help thousands of patients achieve their personal goals. She masterfully utilizes a comprehensive repertoire of both surgical and nonsurgical
techniques to consistently provide beautiful results.

A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Woodyard completed her plastic surgery residency at Washington University in St. Louis. She is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the prestigious American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Dr. Woodyard has been in practice over 19 years and was voted a Baltimore magazine “Top Doc” by her peers. “My goal is to provide natural results with the safest, most advanced techniques available and to always do so with care and compassion,” says Dr. Woodyard, whose practice focuses on cosmetic surgery of both the face and body.

 

 

Elizabeth B. Spannhake, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H.
Brittney A. Franklin, D.M.D., M.S.

Towson Orthodontic Specialists
7801 York Road, Suite 315
Towson, MD 21204
410-321-5004
smile-experts.com

Dr. Spannhake and Dr. Franklin are dedicated to providing their patients with a smile that boosts confidence and opens doors. Through state-of-the-art technology, the practice goal is to provide patients with outstanding results. Located directly across from Towson University, their specialty orthodontic practice provides treatment modalities, including Invisalign®, Teen Invisalign®, Incognito™ (lingual braces), Ceramic Self-Ligating Brackets, and semi-private treatment areas for adult patients.

Drs. Spannhake and Franklin are Premier Preferred Providers of Invisalign® and have considerable experience with micro-implants, cosmetic soft-tissue laser, and tooth-whitening techniques. Call today for a courtesy consultation with Towson Orthodontic Specialists.

 

 

Ashley Riddle

Owner
Up-Do’s for I Do’s
780 Elkridge Landing Road
Linthicum, MD 21090
updosforidos.com

Shortly after becoming engaged and searching for an on-site wedding hair stylist for her own wedding, Ashley Riddle recognized the need for high-quality, on-site bridal hair and make-up services in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. Riddle, who was working as a stylist in a local salon, soon opened Up-Do’s for I Do’s. Now in its eighth year, the award-winning on-site team of professional hair stylists and make-up artists travels to more than two hundred fifty weddings, photo shoots, and special events annually. Later this year, Up-Do’s for I Do’s will expand by adding a second studio to better serve brides in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Riddle is also active in the community as a sponsor of the American Girl Doll Fashion Show to benefit the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital and supports the Cool Kids Campaign.