Contributor

DR. LANA KASHLAN (M.D., FAAD) is an internationally recognized leader in cosmetic dermatology, known for her refined aesthetic approach, cutting-edge techniques, and natural-looking results. Board-certified in dermatology, she completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Northwestern University, graduated with Honors from University of Illinois College of Medicine, and trained at Boston University for her dermatology residency. After several years in private practice in Chicago, Dr. Kashlan was invited to Dubai to lead the dermatology division of a large multispecialty cosmetic clinic. She worked and lived in Dubai for nearly six years where she established a global reputation for delivering advanced skin and laser treatments tailored to each patient’s unique beauty. She has been an international trainer for some of the largest aesthetics brands and an invited speaker and brand ambassador for Dior Beauty, Shiseido, Clinique, and Sephora, and her celebrity patients include the likes of actress Lindsay Lohan and the stars of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Dubai and Netflix’s Dubai Bling. But a Midwestern girl at heart, she decided to move back to Burr Ridge with her husband and raise their two children. In October 2024, she founded Modern Skin Dermatology, a boutique dermatology clinic in Hinsdale that offers the most state-of-the-art cosmetic procedures and laser treatments—all while maintaining her practice in Dubai. Driven by precision, artistry, and a patient-first philosophy, Dr. Kashlan is redefining modern beauty—one face at a time.

What conversations are you passionate about bringing to the table? When you feel good in your skin, you show up differently in the world. I am inspired daily by my patients and helping them feel more confident in their skin.

How do you give back to your community or industry? I am proud to support and be an active member of the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club, a sponsor for Hinsdale Middle School PTO for whom we organized a tween skin care event in our office, and have served on the board of MedGlobal, a nonprofit organization that provides health care in areas of crisis.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind? I hope to leave behind a legacy of always leaving people and things better than how I found them. As a physician, I have dedicated my life to service and I hope my legacy, both personally and professionally, reflects that.

For more information, visit modernskinderm.com or drlanakashlan.com. You may also follow her on Instagram @drlanakashlan or on TikTok @lanakashlan.

LESLIE BOWMAN is the founder and Design Director of the award-winning interior design studio and retail showroom, The Design Bar, in Burr Ridge. With an approach that streamlines and simplifies the design process at any stage, The Design Bar serves as a lifestyle brand, bringing each home’s story to life. With 15 years of experience and an M.A. in Interior Design, Bowman’s effortless style is just the right mix of classic and modern—garnering national recognition in such publications as ELLE Decor, House Beautiful, and Good Housekeeping. Leslie Bowman Design, named one of the top three interior design studios in the nation, has also been featured on HGTV’s Windy City Rehab.

Most rewarding part of what you do? I get to make people’s dreams come true. I don’t take that task lightly. I am grateful people trust me with this process.

How should women support other women? It feels counterproductive to not support others. I learned early on that if I didn’t train someone to take my current position, I would never move up or grow myself. It may be that I train people away from me sometimes, but I know that the women I have trained have all gone on to be successful in their own careers. That is more satisfying to me than anything else.

How do you inspire others? As the quote I chose states, I have been through fire in my life—fire that most people don’t survive. However, instead of being a victim, I choose to show up every day as an example of how not to let the things that have happened define me. If I inspire just one person by being like this, then I’ve done my job.

Best piece of advice for anyone starting out? Don’t ever stop. Ever.

For more information, visit thedesignbars.com and follow @lesliebowmandesign and @thedesignbars on Instagram.

Raised in Hinsdale by a real estate developer father, LISA READ grew up learning deal structures and cash flow models on Excel the way other kids were read bedtime stories or taught to ride a bike. She spent years absorbing the nuances of real estate finance, not realizing that one day, real estate would find her. Her path led from Hinsdale Central to Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, then to an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. She worked in investment banking and financial markets before taking on the most demanding, and meaningful, job of all—raising three boys. About a decade into motherhood, Read took a side step and got her real estate license, and something clicked. Real estate was not only familiar; it was her calling. She finds it captivating, complex, and creative, relationship-driven and deeply human. It requires problem-solving, intuition, strategic thinking, and heart. It’s about bringing people home—not just to a house, but to a life that fits. As a real estate broker with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, Read loves working in the community that shaped her. A proud graduate of Hinsdale Central, she has raised her own family here—Tucker, a Junior at TCU, is studying military strategy and communication in Army ROTC; William, a Sophomore at the University of Iowa, is studying business; and her youngest son Brit, just starting at Hinsdale Central this fall, is a proud Red Devil football player. Shaped by this town, Read finds joy in helping shape it back—one family, one home, one connection at a time.

What conversations are you passionate about bringing to the table? I’m passionate about increasing awareness around real estate finance—and finance more broadly—especially among women and young people.

How do you define confidence—and how have you built it? Confidence is seeking your own approval first, trusting yourself, and liking who you are. Honestly, I built it by failing, by losing a lot, and digging deep to cultivate my own strength. It’s a process, but every step has taught me to rely on myself more.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind? Ultimately, I want to do work I love that creates real value and leaves people in a stronger, more secure place.

For more information, visit lisareadrealestate.com. You may also follow her on Instagram @lisaread_realestate as well as Facebook and LinkedIn.

GRACE SALVINO and IVANA VUKANIC are Wealth Managers at Performance Wealth, a nationally recognized independent RIA based in Hinsdale. Combining more than a century of collective experience with a commitment to empowering clients, Performance Wealth provides personalized fiduciary guidance to high-net-worth individuals and multigenerational families. Salvino, a University of Michigan graduate with an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, brings a sharp investment mindset and strategic depth to client relationships. Vukanic is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, known for her ability to simplify complex financial decisions and help clients build clarity. Together, the duo lead initiatives like PW Next Gen Program—a mentoring program designed to equip the next generation with financial literacy and stewardship skills—and the Next Chapter Program, a community group created to support navigating transitions. Their work is grounded in thoughtful insight, disciplined planning, and a genuine desire to make a difference in their clients’ lives.

How do you define confidence—and how have you built it? Confidence is the quiet strength that comes from preparation, consistency, and discipline. At Performance Wealth, our commitment to excellence is not just a motto but the standard we hold ourselves to as fiduciaries. As women in a male-dominated industry, we have built confidence through integrity, hard work, and being fully present for clients’ most important financial decisions. True confidence grows when you use your voice to advocate for others, especially women, helping them take ownership of their financial lives. Whether guiding families through transitions or mentoring the next generation through our PW Next Gen program, our confidence is rooted in service, empathy, and a passion for helping others succeed.

What excites you most about the future of your industry? The shift toward independent RIAs is transforming wealth management. As fiduciaries, we are not tied to pushing products. Instead, we focus on results, transparency, and always putting clients first. That freedom allows us to build lasting relationships rooted in trust. We are energized by the opportunity to guide families through the largest wealth transfer in history, as trillions move from Baby Boomers to their children and grandchildren. Women play a central role in this transition as decision-makers, matriarchs, and next-generation leaders. At Performance Wealth, we lead with education and empowerment, preparing the next generation to be thoughtful stewards of their wealth. The future of our industry is more inclusive, values-driven, and collaborative, and we are proud to be part of that change.

For more information, visit performancewealthpartners.com or follow the company on Instagram @performance_wealth. Ivana Vukanic and Grace Salvino are individually on LinkedIn, along with Performance Wealth.

BETH GUERIN was a busy mother working full-time when she started the Mama League in Hinsdale in 2022. “After a 15-year career in finance, I recently decided to focus exclusively on the Mama League and it has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life,” says Guerin, who recently expanded her business to Northbrook. “The ‘fourth trimester’ support and community the Mama League fosters is what I wished I had when my boys were born. It’s been incredibly meaningful to help provide that experience for other moms while also creating the flexibility to spend more time with my own boys as they grow.” The Mama League’s mission is to provide a nurturing community where moms can learn from experts—and lean on each other.

What excites you most about the future of your industry? There’s been a growing shift towards providing more resources for moms. During pregnancy, women typically have 10 to 15 doctor appointments. After birth, a baby will usually have around seven well visits in the first year, and yet moms are often scheduled for only one postpartum checkup. Fortunately, there’s increasing recognition that this isn’t enough. From doulas to sleep and feeding specialists, pelvic floor physical therapists, and maternal mental health resources, there’s a growing sentiment that moms shouldn’t have to just survive, but with the right resources, can truly thrive. I’m grateful to be part of an industry actively working towards improving the “fourth trimester” experience for moms.

How do you maintain balance between your professional and personal life? If you find a mom that has mastered this, please introduce me, I’d love to learn her secrets. We’re all juggling so many responsibilities, trying to keep all the balls in the air. I’m constantly evaluating which tasks I want to take ownership of, which ones I’m comfortable delegating, and which can go unattended/incomplete for the moment.

What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d received earlier in your career? It’s OK to make mistakes. The fear of making an error or not having an immediate answer to a question used to literally keep me up at night. Years into my career, someone told me that it’s OK to say, “Let me think about that and get back to you.” It sounds so simple, but at the time it was life changing.

For more information, visit themamaleague.com. You may also follow the Mama League on social media @mama.league and @mamaleaguenorthshore.

GABRIELA LONCAR is the co-owner and Licensed Real Estate Broker of Loncar Realty, a boutique firm specializing in luxury homes and elevated client service in Chicago’s Western Suburbs. With a background in finance and leadership roles at Citadel, Loncar brings a level of strategy, negotiation, and professionalism that sets her apart. Since joining Loncar Realty in 2021 with her husband, Brandon, the firm has earned a reputation for integrity, market expertise, and a client-first approach that turns what can be a stressful process into a seamless, personalized experience.

What conversations are you passionate about bringing to the table? I’m passionate about empowering families to build wealth and stability through real estate. A home is not only where life happens, but also one of the most powerful financial investments a family can make.

How do you maintain balance between your professional and personal life? I believe balance comes from being fully present. By prioritizing my family, health, and faith alongside my business, I can give my clients the dedication and attention they deserve while staying grounded.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind? I want to be remembered for raising the bar in real estate, leading with integrity, exceeding expectations for my clients, and inspiring women to know they can have both a thriving business and a meaningful family life.

For more information, call 630-999-0749 or email Loncar at [email protected].