Features

With the belief that health coaches are key to combating chronic disease, DR. SANDRA SCHEINBAUM’s Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA) trains people to become health coaches, and then helps practitioners and businesses hire them. As founder and CEO of FMCA, she is a leader in the field of health coaching education. An educator, clinical psychologist, author, and public speaker for more than 40 years, she’s on a mission to grow the health coaching profession so that millions of people can get the support they need to lead healthier lives.

Most rewarding part of what you do? The most rewarding aspect of my work involves spreading the word about the benefits of health coaching for reducing the incidence of chronic diseases driven by lifestyle. Whether speaking on stages, being interviewed on podcasts, or as host of the Health Coach Talk podcast, I’m creating awareness about functional medicine health coaching—a movement that’s transforming health care.

How do you inspire others? I’ve been told that I inspire others by serving as a role model for what’s possible as we age. Thanks to the latest research in functional medicine, frailty and cognitive decline are not inevitable. At 74, my routine includes daily handstands and 100 pushups, ballet classes, Pilates, yoga, and weight training. I encourage older women to stay curious and consider what’s possible, including getting physically and mentally stronger, and even launching new careers.

Greatest risk you’ve taken as a professional? In 2015, I took a huge risk by leaving a thriving career as a clinical psychologist to establish a global online school to train health coaches. At age 65, a time when most people think about retiring, I chose to work harder because I had a bold mission— training thousands of health coaches.

For more information, visit functionalmedicinecoaching.org, follow @drsandi on Instagram, and sandra-scheinbaum-ph-d-17ba678 on LinkedIn.

CLOTHILDE EWING is a seasoned communicator with a background in journalism at CBS News, producing for The Oprah Winfrey Show, working in politics, and serving as VP of Strategic Communications at The Chicago Community Trust. She was inspired to start writing children’s books after reading a New York Times opinion piece by Denene Millner, titled “Black Kids Don’t Want to Read About Harriet Tubman All the Time.” Her goal is for people to see more children of color in books that are not defined primarily by race or struggle but by belonging and joy. A Syracuse University graduate, she lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.

Greatest risk you’ve taken as a professional? Hands down, saying out loud that I planned to write children’s books. Becoming an author meant putting myself out there in a way I had not before, making me feel extremely vulnerable. Early on, I planned to become a reporter, but when I found I could be a producer instead, I was sold. I have played a behind-the-scenes role most of my career, so being out front was something very new to me.

Most rewarding part of what you do? When I began writing, I didn’t realize how nerve-wracking yet rewarding it would be to read my own stories to kids. Young children are brutally honest, but connecting with them feels like magic. It is one of the things that I really appreciated when I visited Reading Power, a one-to-one literacy program, and read to their students. The children were visibly thrilled to enter a room filled with books and adults who were eager to support them on their reading journey. Despite nerves, I always leave school visits energized and more hopeful about the world than when I entered.

For more information, visit clothildeewing.com. Readers can purchase Stella and Roger Can’t Wait To Grow Up and Ewing’s other books at their local independent bookstore and online. To learn more about Reading Power, an organization Ewing supports, visit readingpowerinc.org.

With 30 years of experience in both commercial and luxury residential real estate, LORI NIEMAN brings a very different strategic approach to the real estate process. “Negotiating skills and creativity are imperative in this business,” explains Nieman, a broker with @properties Christies International Real Estate and the John R.Wood Christies office in Naples, Florida. “My years of negotiating on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, along with my home staging and out-of-the-box approach on the residential side, sets me apart with the skill set to make sure real estate transactions get across the finish line. I am fortunate to help clients with their real estate needs in two markets—the North Shore and the Naples area.”

Most rewarding part of what you do? When my clients work with me and then tell me that I have a client for life, it is very rewarding. The home selling and buying process is an emotional one, so helping them attain a sales price they never imagined, through creativity, visibility, and staging—or uncovering a private listing that is their perfect fit—makes me so happy. My clients always seem to become close friends and also my biggest ambassadors, and for that I am forever grateful.

How should women support other women? When women support each other in business, it leads to mutual success. In highly competitive fields, whether sports or real estate, this teamwork is even more important and there is no time or tolerance for anything otherwise. When we collaborate and share knowledge and advice, everyone benefits, including our clients.

Best piece of advice for anyone starting out? Hustle. Real estate is a very competitive industry. Follow through with what you say you’re going to do and always put your clients’ interests before your own. Invest your time and give yourself the grace to make mistakes and learn from others.

For more information, visit linktr.ee/loriniemanrealestate, follow @loriniemanrealestate on Instagram, Lori Nieman Real Estate on Facebook, and Lori Nieman on LinkedIn.

As one of 10 children who was raised by two parents who “sacrificed everything for their family,” JACQUELINE JURICA grew up with a good ethic, surrounded by love. “I have been in the jewelry business since I was 15 years old—starting out in a shop learning how to do jewelry repairs and engraving,” says Jurica, owner of Jacqueline’s of Highland Park Jewelers. “I have since worked for Fortunoff’s on 5th Avenue, in the diamond district of New York, and managed a fine jewelry store at Water Tower Place.” She opened Exclusively Jacquelines in 1993 and has since owned and operated 10 locations, including Jacqueline’s of Northbrook Jewelers. “We have an on-premise shop with six full-time jewelers, and do all jewelry design and repair from start to finish here at our Highland Park location,” explains Jurica, adding that her passion is to take outdated jewelry and redesign it into something new that can be worn every day. “We also carry engagement rings in both natural and lab-grown diamonds and have a showroom with a fine designer jewelry selection of more than 7,500 items.”

Most rewarding part of what you do? Every day I am rewarded, thanked, and hugged. I love making jewelry and memories with my clients.

How should women support other women? By listening to their needs and helping them to overcome obstacles, through experience.

How do you inspire others? I hope to inspire others by maintaining integrity and by teaching hard work, customer service, and dedication.

Powerful woman you admire the most? Jewel Kadet, owner of Rogers & Hollands. Greatest risk you’ve taken as a professional? My biggest risk was opening my first location with only $1,200 in my account and living on my parents couch.

For more information, visit jacquelinesjewelers.com and follow @jacquelinesofhp on Instagram and @jacquelinesofnb/boards on Pinterest.

DR. ANAT ASZODI LANSKY received two bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and psychology at Indiana University before earning her medical degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago and brings more than 20 years of experience in Internal Medicine to her patients. Dr. Lansky is on staff at Endeavor Health and Northwestern Hospital, specializing in women’s health through Dedication Health’s concierge medical offices in Winnetka and Wilmette.

Definition of success? Success is a personal journey, with success and failure often closely intertwined. I aim for a purpose in my life, continually evolving, and striving to make a positive impact on the lives of those around me.

Most rewarding part of what you do? I feel fortunate to forge enduring relationships with people, which enables me to provide compassionate care and empowerment to my patients. By deeply understanding individuals, my goal is to help them feel their best and provide steadfast support.

Best piece of advice for anyone starting out? My advice is to persevere relentlessly. Keep pushing forward, even when the challenges seem insurmountable. Aim for what seems impossible and refuse to retreat.

For more information, visit dedication- health.com/dr-anat-a-lansky.

DR. JANA MECHUROVA received her medical degree from Komenskeho University in Bratislava, Slovakia, and completed her residency in John H. Stroger Hospital in Chicago. She worked as an Assistant Program Director at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago—teaching and supervising residents and providing primary care services to underserved patient populations. Later, Dr. Mechurova accepted a primary care position in Endeavor Health where her main focus of care was on patients with complex medical conditions, women’s health, preventative care, and counseling. She is fluent in English, Slovak, and Czech, and speaks basic Spanish. Board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Mechurova currently serves as a concierge physician at Dedication Health in Wilmette and Winnetka.

Most rewarding part of what you do? The most rewarding part of being a physician is the ability to help those in need and to be able to make a positive impact on patients’ lives.

How should women support other women? By talking, sharing experiences and knowledge, women can help each other face and overcome various challenges.

How do you inspire others? I am trying to encourage others to look at the positive aspect of things and focus on progress they’ve made. By making myself available and talking to people, I let them see that their aspirations and values are possible. I offer the support they need to get one step closer to the goals they set for themselves.

Definition of success? Success is a good blend of the accomplishments I achieved over time that leads to a balance in my professional and personal life.

Best piece of advice for anyone starting out? Do not give up on your dreams. Stay motivated and be patient! The success will eventually come.

For more information, visit dedication-health.com/dr-jana-mechurova.