Celebrating International Women’s Day With Six Leading Ladies

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the game changers, the record breakers and the glass ceiling smashers who inspire us with their passion for innovation. These women-owned companies, that also happen to be clients, are empowering us to think equally, build intelligently and innovate for change. 

#BREAKTHEBIAS  

The Aurora Highlands – Carla Ferreira  

In a male-dominated industry, Carla Ferreira is a force to be reckoned with. She is the director of onsite development and principal for The Aurora Highlands, where she leads the marketing and sales teams and inspires the direction of various projects. Clad in a construction hat and designer heels, Carla epitomizes beauty and brains.  

Acova and The Hornet – Betsy Workman  

Betsy Workman worked at The Hornet for almost two decades before she was at the helm. Her knowledge of the industry and dedication to inclusivity can be seen in the menus and the thoughtfulness that went into the design of sister restaurant, Acova. Driven by the Workman family’s own health-conscious and gluten-free lifestyle, she felt a strong sense of place and purpose to create an establishment that champions fresh, sustainable ingredients with ample choices for people who have dietary preferences and different tastes. The team also donates $2 from each kids’ menu item ordered to a local children’s charity every month.  

Restaurant Olivia – Heather Morrison 

A hospitality maven, Heather Morrison has built a strong reputation for herself in the restaurant industry. She is passionate about taking care of people, which is evident in the way she runs Restaurant Olivia. Her empathetic nature combined with her experience as a professional makes for a powerful balance. While Heather has garnered accolades for her dedication to the service industry, her greatest accomplishment is her daughter, who is the namesake of her restaurant.  

Deviation Distilling – Cindi Wiley 

Originally hailing from Pittsburgh, Cindi Wiley comes from a family who owned a number of grocery stores growing up, and she saw firsthand what it took to run a successful business. In 2019, Cindi, her husband Bob Wiley and head distiller Dave Gade opened Deviation Distilling. With stunningly beautiful bottles and unique ingredients, Deviation Distilling has become the destination for approachable gins and one-of-a-kind cocktails. Leveraging her degree in graphic design, Cindi spearheads the design of the award-winning bottles, which won the 2019 Gold Medal for Excellence in Packaging Brand Identity from the American Distilling Institute. 

My Make Studio – Linda Sudowski 

After years of watching her mom and grandmother make wedding cakes, Linda Sudowski decided she wanted the art of cupcake and cake decorating to be more accessible to everyone. When Linda met Chayla Turner, the two had an instant connection. Chayla joined My Make Studio in 2016 and has become the creative inspiration that elevates Linda’s concepts. Together, the duo enjoys designing new kits, teaching classes and sharing their creative passion with their community.  

Prim + Co – Gretchen TeBockhorst 

At Prim, every day is International Women’s Day thanks to our fearless leader, Gretchen TeBockhorst. Gretchen is an award-winning public relations and marketing communications expert. A recognized and respected leader in the hospitality and lifestyle industries, her media relations efforts secured national attention from a variety of outlets. Since launching Prim + Co, Gretchen has catapulted it into an award-winning PR firm with renowned clients. She has cultivated a workplace that fosters collaboration, community and creativity.