SINCE ITS INCEPTION seven years ago, Hinsdale Living magazine has sought to empower local women with a long-standing commitment to engage, inspire, and champion the leaders who build, uplift and inspire our communities. Please join us in celebrating some of the Hinsdale area’s most powerful women and all that they contribute, personally and professionally to the villages we call home. This new annual feature showcases Hinsdale’s most influential women across a variety fields—artists, agents, designers, boutique owners, business owners, financial executives, matchmakers, healthcare experts, community leaders, and philanthropists. We believe that the hand that rocks the cradle also rules the world, and it is in that spirit that we invite you to raise a toast as you turn these pages to all the amazing women in our midst.

PRODUCED BY KEMMIE RYAN

WORDS BY SHERRY THOMAS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK ISHMAN

STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA

HAIR AND MAKEUP BY DANA HAMED

SHOT ON LOCATION AT HILTON/CHICAGO OAK BROOK HILL RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER

If you like what you see in these pages, please know that this feature was met with resounding enthusiasm and will be a recurring annual feature. Feel free to contact our team if you would like to recommend a Hinsdale area Power Woman for our 2021 feature.

SWEET SUCCESS

For DR. MIRA ALBERT, founder of Brush Pediatric Dentistry and a pediatric dentist, it all started with a sweet tooth— her own. “Thanks to that, I spent a lot of time with my childhood dentist.” Her own Hinsdale practice continues to make similar memories for young people today, with a unique vision to make the experience fun and nurture success in every child’s dental health. Dr. Albert earned her undergraduate degree and Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Oral Sciences and Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from University of Illinois at Chicago. She is currently earning an executive MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She is also a National Spokesperson and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as a Diplomate and Examiner of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Her role model growing up was her mother, a woman she describes as fiercely dedicated, intently faithful, and unconditionally loving. As for her business style, it’s all about collaboration. “I love to collaborate with my team, other specialists—such as the many orthodontists I choose to work with—and the families I treat,” she says. “My motto is teamwork makes the dream work!” Brush Pediatric Dentistry is located at 911 N. Elm Street, Suite 228, in Hinsdale.

For more information, call 630-504-2223 or visit brushforkids.com.

Dress by Ted Baker, available at Central Boutique Highland Park, centralboutiquehp.com; gold necklace by J. Crew Oakbrook Center, jcrew.com.

LAURIE P. BARRY, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Senior Vice President -Wealth Management with The Barry Wealth Consulting Group at UBS Financial Services Inc., says her best teacher may have been her own mother. “I started balancing my mom’s checkbook at age 9, and if I wasn’t ‘to the penny,’ my mom would make me start all over again!” says Barry, a University of Illinois graduate who has been helping clients to achieve their financial goals since 1991. “This helped me get my start in embracing numbers and working through budgets.” Barry shared a particularly close bond with her mother, who was divorced and legally blind, yet raised five children. “She taught me right from wrong, and she always told me how special I was,” says Barry, describing her own business style as conservative but approachable, with a touch of flair. “This early experience definitely made me drawn to this career and helping women, like my mom—work through their finances patiently and thoroughly.”

Laurie P. Barry can be reached at 312-525-4393. For more information about The Barry Wealth Consulting Group, visit ubs.com/team/barrywealthcg.

As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers both investment advisory services and brokerage services. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that clients understand the ways in which we conduct business and that they carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to them about the products or services we offer. For more information, visit our website at ubs.com/relationshipsummary. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial PlannerTM and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the US, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. © UBS 2020. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Dress by Kobi Halperin at Neiman Marcus Oakbrook Center, neimanmarcus.com

THE COLLABORATOR

Long before the popularity of HGTV, KRIS BERGER and her husband were rehabbing homes and helping friends make their dream home visions come true. A real estate agent with Compass and more than 20-year veteran of the industry, the Hinsdale native says that hobby is what opened the door to her thriving real estate career. “I really like to be hands-on with all my clients and be there for them now and down the road as their lives change,” says Berger, who studied Fine Art and Photography at Arizona State University and Columbia College. She has many role models but says it was her father who raised her to “really pay attention to time management and to never burn a bridge.” She also points to her female colleagues as inspiration. “I’ve had many women realtors mentor me along the way who I really admire—especially Laura Murphy and Tina Porterfield who taught me the importance of integrity.”

Kris Berger is a luxury real estate broker with Compass, 1 Grant Street, Suite 201, in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630-975-0088 or visit compass.com/agents/kris-berger.

DREAM CHASER

Everyone has a light bulb moment, that turning point where the path you were intended to take becomes crystal clear. For DR. MEAGHAN BOSTON DALY, a concierge internal medicine doctor with Harper Health, it was during her teen years growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. “I was a young high school student volunteering in the cardiac cath lab, still trying to decide if I wanted to become a doctor one day,” she says. “The patient that we were treating went into cardiac arrest and the staff sprang quickly and efficiently into action. They saved his life! Once the patient was stabilized, I realized the other student who was with me had fainted. But instead of fear, I felt energized and had a renewed sense of purpose.” She went on to Cornell University, then Tufts University School of Medicine, completing a residency at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. Her role model during that time was Dr. William Osler, who she says brought medical students out of the lecture hall and to the bedside for clinical training. “Since that time, I’ve never looked back on chasing my dream.”

For more information about Harper Health, call 855-947-7371 or visit harper-health.com.

BUILDING A DREAM

When LESLIE BOWMAN was a little girl, she used to “build” homes out of shoe boxes covered with magazine cuttings of beautiful rooms. “I used to dream of one day making those shoe boxes a reality but when it came time to go to college, I decided to study accounting because at that time, I was told that women could not be architects,” says Bowman, who earned a BS in Accounting and became a CPA before finally pursuing her dream. Her path took her into the real estate development industry as a CFO, one that shifted dramatically when she found herself going through a divorce with three small children (under the age of 6). “Getting divorced while they were so young was difficult but unwittingly provided in me a sense of confidence that is still with me to this day. It made me who I am and made me realize that there is nothing that can’t be overcome.” She reinvented herself, earned an MA in Interior Design, and became an interior designer at age 44. Today, Bowman is Founder and Design Director of The Design Bar in Burr Ridge, a seed of an idea she turned into one of the top home accents stores in the nation within three years. “This is how I blossomed into becoming the real me,” says Bowman, adding that one of her role models is Alison Victoria from HGTV’s Windy City Rehab. “I have had the pleasure of working with Alison and she inspires me not only professionally but also personally. The support she has given me over the last year has been unexpected.” Step into The Design Bar and you might understand why it should not only be expected, but well deserved.

The Design Bar is located at Burr Ridge Village Center, 880 Village Center Drive, in Burr Ridge. For more information, call 630-734- 0000 or visit thedesignbars.com.

DREAM BIG

LARYSA DOMINO, a Hinsdale-based real estate broker with @properties who came to the industry from an extensive corporate finance background. Domino has risen to become the No. 1 individual agent in Hinsdale (by volume) in four short years. One thing Domino wants to model for her own daughter is that there are choices in life. “I chose a career change in my late 30s, which is a difficult thing, especially as a single mom,” says Domino, a CPA who holds a BA in Economics from Northwestern University, and an MBA in Strategy and Marketing from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. “My daughter has always been my ‘why’ and I wanted to teach her that you can rise from every moment that life throws at you. The choice is yours—and that with drive, a sprinkle of luck, and a lot of hard work, you can achieve your dreams.” Domino inherited that gogetter attitude from her father, a self-made man who immigrated to America with very little. “He taught me grit, honor, gratitude, and generosity,” she says. “I have always admired his tremendously successful career and his ability to stay grounded. He encouraged me to take risks and dream big, while always appreciating the riches in family and relationships. His hard work ethic definitely rubbed off on me.” Larysa Domino is a broker with the @properties office located at 30 S. Lincoln Street in Hinsdale.

For more information, call 630-561-8331 or visit atproperties.com/agents/7514/larysa-domino.

HOBBS London red dress, available at hobbs.com.

WHERE SCIENCE MEETS BEAUTY

RHONDA POLICANDRIOTES (BSN RN CANS) got her start in medicine as an Intensive Care Nurse. Being on the hospital front lines was a challenging assignment, but it also exposed her to the transformational power of aesthetic medicine— planting the seeds for the profession that brought her to partner with Dr. Cindy Brooks in creating Bella Vita Med Spa and Wellness Center in Hinsdale. The two are a dynamic team—Dr. Brooks focuses on the clients’ inner health while Policandriotes focuses on the outer beauty. “I fell in love with the art of combining science and beauty,” says Policandriotes, who earned a nursing degree at the University of St. Francis and completed medical aesthetic training at The Aesthetic Advancement Institute. She earned her Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) certification through the American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses (ASPSN) and has studied with top plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and master injectors throughout the country as well as international pioneers in aesthetic medicine. Policandriotes was also recently voted “Top 100 Injector” in the country. But for her, it’s more than just a career. “My passion is to empower patients with an education-based approach to achieve their aesthetic goals.” Bella Vita Med Spa is located at 950 N. York Road, Suite 102, in Hinsdale.

For more information, call 630-432-9333 or visit mybellavitamedspa.com.

LOOK WELL … FEEL WELL … LIVE WELL

DR. CINDY BROOKS, Founder and Medical Director of the Bella Vita Med Spa and Wellness Center in Hinsdale knows from experience that whole body wellness requires a holistic approach. “In addition to being trained on a disease management model, I have always believed in a prevention and wellness-based model supported by science and evidence-based medicine,” says Dr. Brooks, who graduated from the University of Florida School of Medicine, completed her Radiology Residency at Virginia Commonwealth University followed by a fellowship in Women’s Health at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “The BioTE hormone optimization program embodies my philosophy of prevention and wellness; it not only helps you live longer, but healthier and happier, which is changing the face of healthcare. We are outliving our naturally produced hormones. With BioTE, I can optimize your hormones using bioidentical hormones, which means they are the exact same hormones your body makes. I spent the first 10 years of my career diagnosing and treating disease, but now realize I can make the biggest difference preventing disease before it happens.” Working with business partner Rhonda Policandriotes, Dr. Brooks says the duo are perfectly paired to help make their clients feel good from the inside out. “I focus on your inner health while my partner, Rhonda, focuses on your outer beauty so you can truly look well, feel well, and live well.”

For more information sign up for complimentary educational webinars through their website at mybellavitamedspa.com or visit Bella Vita Med Spa located at 950 N. York Road, Suite 102, Hinsdale to pick up your complimentary book on hormone replacement. Phone 630-432-9333.

PROUD FAMILY LEGACY

If you ask about JULIANN GELDNER’s business style as Chief Operating Officer and Legal Counsel at The Geldner Center in Hinsdale and Chicago, you’re likely to get a nuanced response, one that praises her uncanny knack for marrying the art of collaborative participation with, when necessary, a dash of aggressive persuasion. JuliAnn, however, would rather shift the spotlight to her personal hero and role model— mother-in-law, Dr. Barbara Geldner, a Holocaust survivor who endured Auschwitz and then Bergen-Belzen. Barbara then went on to medical school and became a successful Ophthalmologist after emigrating to the United States with her family. “ Barbara Geldner is my role model because she was a survivor, broke through impossible barriers, and was fierce about her freedom, her family, and her profession,” says JuliAnn, who earned her JD at University of Illinois Law School and her LLM at Loyola University Law School. JuliAnn is passionate about her family and her community. She has held numerous volunteer positions over the years and currently volunteers as President of her synagogue, Temple Har Zion in River Forest. She and her family are third and fourth generation members of Temple Har Zion.

The Geldner Center, which offers plastic surgery and aesthetic services, is located at 12 Salt Creek, Suite 315, in Hinsdale with an additional office in Chicago. For more information, call 312-981-4440 or visit mygeldnercenter.com.

JUST SAY YES

LISA HUTCHERSON, Vice President of Client Relations at Selective Search Matchmaking, believes that an opportunity often presents itself when you least expect it. “A serendipitous conversation at a cocktail party years ago turned into a passion to assist my clients find true love,” says Hutcherson, a graduate of University of Iowa. “I’m grateful every day that I was given the opportunity to join the Selective Search family.” Lesson learned? Say “yes” to every opportunity. Hutcherson looks to a crew of faithful girlfriends as role models. “I am inspired daily by some truly fierce and dynamic women who work hard, run companies, and are the CEOs of their families,” she says. “Their wisdom and words are incredible and an important part of my life. They know who they are.” Her business style is timeless classic, with a twist. “I travel to meet clients all over the country, so keeping it comfortable is key. And never forget that you only have one chance to make a first impression.”

To find the love of your life, contact Lisa Hutcherson by calling 630-234-4664 or visit selectivesearch.com/lisa.

FEARLESS LEADER

JULIE JORDAN LAUX says if she learned anything while building J. Jordan Homes LLC in Hinsdale it’s that there is no such thing as a secret to success. “You need to surround yourself with a talented team and dedicate yourself to the task at hand,” says Laux, graduate of Miami University and founder of the Hinsdale-based luxury home construction firm. Laux continues to be inspired daily by the village of role models around her “making a go of things, achieving whatever they put their mind to.” And if that achievement has anything to do with bringing their home dreams to reality, Laux is likely a part of it. It’s her personal passion and it shows. J. Jordan Homes serves Hinsdale and surrounding communities—all with her at the helm. Her business style is to be full-on fearless. “You have to think through things, gather up your confidence, and decide!” she says.

J. Jordan Homes LLC is located at 112 S. Grant Street in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630- 455-0855 or visit @J.Jordanhomes on Instagram.

Scarf by Gucci, available at gucci.com.

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

Hinsdale native ASHLEY KILLPACK has been an entrepreneur almost all her life. As a teen, she made and sold personalized Christmas dough ornaments. After earning a BA degree from Southern Methodist University and a stint in advertising, she discovered calligraphy—a talent that opened the door to the custom stationery and wedding invitations. Her business, Ashley’s Custom Stationery, was launched at the same time she was also raising four children, no small feat but one she credits with making her as successful as she’s been these last 20 years. “Having the perseverance to grow the business and achieve my goals of success while having and raising four children is what helped shaped the businesswoman I have become,” says Killpack. Modeling everything she does on the influence of her father, Killpack has developed a hands-on business style with personal attention to each client—creating a wide range of custom paper products. While the industry has changed over the last two decades, Killpack continues to evolve, shifting her business away from retail to custom orders. One thing that will never change is her lifelong love of paper. “I love working with my clients to help them set the tone for their special event, and nothing does that better than a custom invitation or stationery.”

Ashley’s Custom Stationery is located at 107 S. Vine Street in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630- 794-0804 or visit ashleyscustomstationery.com.

Silk scarf by Ted Baker available at Central Boutique Highland Park, centralboutiquehp.com.

MANAGES BY MENTORING

When LYNN LAPALERMO was 23 years old, she went to her father and told him she wanted to buy a small skin care and makeup studio in Lombard. He told her, “If you do this, you have to stick with it. I don’t want to own a cosmetic business in six months.” That was 35 years ago and today LaPalermo now owns one of Chicago’s premier studios for eyelashes, eyebrows, microblading, and permanent makeup. She credits both of her parents for instilling her with a strong work ethic, morals, and values that have guided her throughout her life. As a result, she says her own business style is to manage her team while mentoring. “I was fortunate enough to have two incredible mentors in the early stages of my career,” says LaPalermo, whose professional training spanned fine arts, esthetics, permanent makeup, and paramedical makeup. “A gentleman who was the head Makeup Artist for Playboy magazine and the woman who was one of the founding legends of Aesthetics America. They were both sticklers for quality and customer service. I believe that is where my desire for mentoring derived from and also excelling in quality not mediocrity.”

Occhi Lash & Brow Studio/Occhi Hair Institute/Occhi Institute is located at 17W580 Butterfield Road, Suite G, in Oakbrook Terrace. For more information, call 630-785-6668 or visit occhilashes.com.

HIDDEN GEM

Regulars at Café La Fortuna and Chicago Artisan Roasters Inc. in downtown Hinsdale know that this local treasure is a throwback to the TV hit, Cheers. “Everyone knows your name,” explains ANGELA LAVELLI, who opened the popular café and java emporium in 2012— building on experience roasting coffee and running a small coffee shop in Colonia Roma, one of the most popular neighborhoods in her native Mexico City. “I like to see my business as an extension of my kitchen, where family and friends get together. We like to greet our customers by name to keep a positive and charming environment here at Café La Fortuna,” says Lavelli, who earned CPA credentials at the prestigious ITAM in Mexico City. “Since I spend a decent amount of my everyday life invested in this business, I like to make it as optimistic of an environment as I can. We are known as the hidden gem of Hinsdale, and that’s our ultimate goal— being the go-to place.” She counts her mother among her role models and says she is inspired every day by her children, Alejandra, Marianna, Sofia, and Sebastian. They are also the reason behind her personal motto: “Always smile.”

Café La Fortuna is located at 46 Village Place in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630-537-1586.

Dress by Dorothee Schumacher, both dress and necklace available at Sweet William, sweetwilliaminc.com.

GRIT AND GRACE

Behind every successful woman is usually another successful woman, and in the case of COURTNEY MCCARTHY, co-founder and owner of Elysian Travel, that woman was her grandmother. “I have a lot of role models, but the one that sticks out is my grandmother, who was the definition of grit and grace,” explains McCarthy, a Hinsdale resident who launched a multi-million-dollar luxury travel agency in 2016. Having lived and worked in Europe for years with Starwood Hotels and running marketing campaigns for various Fortune 500 Brands throughout the world, her credentials were ones that were earned on the road. As she says, it was “just a myriad of twists, turns, and pivots—good and bad—that taught the valuable life lessons” needed to launch her own business. A graduate of Xavier University, McCarthy says her most valuable education was living in London for five years and traveling non-stop. “Seeing and experiencing other cultures, languages, and people far exceeded anything I learned in the classroom.”

For more information about Elysian Travel, call 630-373-0809, 703-946-6813, or visit elysiantravel.com.

EMBEDDED IN THE COMMUNITY

Even before MEGAN MCCLEARY began charting a path to real estate success as Principal and Luxury Real Estate Broker with McCleary Group and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago, she was entrenched in the community she loves and now serves. After working in the corporate world along with internet start-up companies, she paused her career to raise her children in Hinsdale. “When we moved here, we custom built a wonderful home, and as our needs changed, we built a second home that we still live in 13 years later. I loved every minute of the building process,” says McCleary, who has given back to the community by serving on multiple executive boards including the PTO, Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club, and the Infant Welfare Society. “As my children grew older and more independent, I craved work again. I was obsessed with real estate and knew my unique combination of business and community experience would translate well. I put a business strategy together and put my energy into building the McCleary Group.” She holds great admiration for all the people she has met and worked with over the years and considers them her collective role models. “I admire strong successful women who have worked hard, overcome challenges, and have integrity—in particular Oprah Winfrey who I have had the pleasure of meeting personally,” says McCleary. Professionally, she prides herself on being professional and honest. “I focus on a tight geography by design and provide a high level of personal service.”

McCleary Group is located at 35 S. Washington Street in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630-780- 1913 or visit mcclearygroup.com.

CHANGE AGENT

The visionary work that ANDREECE NIKUDINOVSKI devotes herself to as a woman and a person of color has never been more relevant. As Co-Founder and Director of Marketing for The Hourglass Collective, a theatrical organization devoted to forging diverse onstage opportunities for minority voices in the greater Chicago suburban area, she is standing in a powerful position to implement meaningful change. “After years of working with theater companies that didn’t know how to dress artists of color, how to create a safe space for us, couldn’t match our foundation shades, didn’t know how to style our hair, and didn’t have people on their creative teams that reflected the actors they were hiring, I decided to take a leap of faith and create my own company alongside two other amazing women of color,” says Nikudinovski. “The community has been incredibly receptive and supportive of our mission thus far, which is wonderful. We decided to stop looking for a seat at a table not designed for us and to build our own table instead! And we’re so glad that we did.” One of her role models is legendary singer, songwriter, musician and civil rights activist Nina Simone. “She knew who she was and what she was worth and did not back down when she was mistreated or given less than she deserved,” explains Nikudinovski. “I admire her steadfast, unflinching spirit. She also was an artist that believed it was her duty to reflect the times and create moving art for her people. That is something I also aspire to do in my own company and career.”

For more information about The Hourglass Collective, visit hourglasscollective.com.

Plaid jacket by Veronica Beard at Nordstrom Oakbrook Center, nordstrom.com.

REACH FOR THE STARS

In a world where women continue to have to fight twice as hard to get the credit they deserve in the workforce, DR. TAMARA OWEIS’ passion for education was her life’s fuel. “Since I was a young girl, I dreamed of being a strong, independent woman who is able to support myself and help people around me.” says Dr. Oweis, orthodontist and owner of Band & Wire Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Clarendon Hills. She earned her Orthodontic Diploma and Master’s degree in Oral Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. “Fast forward 35 years, my passion in orthodontics helped me realize my dream of not only creating beautiful smiles but also enabling the means to help other causes to flourish in our community.” It was another strong, courageous woman who motivated her every step of the way—her own mother, who she describes as a determined role model raising three successful daughters. Dr. Oweis has a personal business style that allows her to adapt to change and approach every situation with an open mind and an open heart. “First, as a mom and then as a business owner, it is my goal to encourage my daughter to reach for the stars and educate my two sons about the importance of women’s impact in our community.”

Band & Wire Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry is located at 433 E. Ogden Avenue in Clarendon Hills. For more information, call 630-320-8888 or visit bandandwire.com.

Black blouse by Ted Baker, available at Central Boutique Highland Park, centralboutiquehp.com; leopard pattern booties by AGL, available at Sweet William in Hinsdale, sweetwilliaminc.com.

EMPOWERING WOMEN

What happens when life gives you lemons? You not only make lemonade; you open a stand. When KIMBERLY PACE-ARQUILLA tells the story of how she founded her Work+Shop Boutique in Hinsdale, her opening line could not be more apt. “A funny thing happened on the way to divorce court,” says Pace-Arquilla, a Texas A&M graduate. “I became single, and an empty nester the same year. It was during this time I realized most women are in the midst of raising children, caring for elder parents, and trying to run a business with little time to connect with other women.” The Work + Shop Boutique, filled with products designed, manufactured, or represented by women entrepreneurs from our community and/or global giving companies, was born. “I wanted to create a space where women could evolve into their next phase of life where their business ideas could be supported. Thankfully, I am surrounded by a beautiful group of girlfriends who believed in the idea.” In addition to providing an event space for women to support, educate, and connect, Work + Shop hosts a podcast room, small conference room, and a monthly gallery showing of a local female artist. It’s no surprise that Pace-Arquilla’s role model is Carolyn Leonard of Dy-mynd and her business style is to just do it. “I’m a believer that we’re stronger together and life it is too short to stop learning, laughing, and expanding our comfort zones!”

The Work + Shop Boutique is located at 14 W. 1st Street in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630- 568-5653 or visit thework-shop.com.

REBEL WITH A CAUSE

MARIEL PAIN might be described as a rebel with a cause. “As a barre3 studio owner, I am a fearless rebel in the fitness industry with a mission to create a culture of good health, where clients feel balanced in body and empowered from within,” says Pain. “I have a radically different approach towards exercise than what is found in other boutique fitness studios,” she explains. “Barre3 is a workout that combines strength conditioning with cardio and mindfulness, which unlike regular exercise, encourages clients to focus more on how they feel than how they look.” Pain, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and an MSW from University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration, says her background as a social worker inspires her to view barre3 studio ownership as an opportunity to give generously. “During the year I was building my studio, I personally taught over 100 free community classes.” That good deed is being repaid now, as Pain is adapting her practice to continue to support clients through the pandemic. “I’m full of gratitude for the generosity of the Clarendon Hills Park District and Hinsdale Park District because during my extended studio closure since March, my team has been providing 34 classes per week in the same beautiful outdoor spaces we were using during the summer of 2017. My studio community has been growing stronger despite our closed doors. I absolutely love hearing from my clients that they are practicing more barre3 now than ever before during these challenging times, recognizing the way our style of movement makes them feel stronger from the inside out and empowered to approach their day as the best version of themselves.”

Barre3 is located at 158 Burlington Avenue in Clarendon Hills. For more information, call 630-819-5112 or visit barre3.com/clarendonhills.

HANDS-ON APPROACH

What does it take to build 30 years of success in real estate? For CHRIS PEQUET of the Chris Pequet Realty Group, a real estate broker and top agent in Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty’s Hinsdale office covering the Western Suburbs of Chicago, it’s all about acknowledging the moments to grow. “After many years in the business, I sold my own family home of 22 years,” says Pequet, who earned a BA in communications and advertising from Michigan State University. “My outlook on the stress and pressure involved in selling and/or buying a home changed and gave me new vision through my clients’ eyes. It has made me a better and more empathetic realtor for the last 20 years. I truly take every transaction personally.” This hands-on approach is part of a business style and strategy that ensures she is involved in every step of a client’s real estate journey. Pequet’s role model is a longtime friend she describes as the hardest-working woman she knows. “She is always upbeat and has a passion for charitable work, friends, and family,” she says. “Her loyalty is unmatched and anytime I am around her, she makes me want to be the best person I can be.”

Chris Pequet Realty Group is part of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty, located at 330 W. Chestnut Street in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630-327-5175 or visit chrispequet.com.

DRIVEN TO SUCCEED

GINA PONGETTI ANGELETTI is a living example of her mission in life and in business—“Luck and hope are great, but hard work and grit are better,” says Pongetti, co-owner and Sports Medicine Director at Achieve Orthopedic Rehab Institute. “You have to make opportunities for yourself and give back equally to do the same for others.” A former gymnast and accomplished triathlete, Pongetti received a BA in Communication Studies and MS in Physical Therapy from Marquette University, where she served for years on the USA Gymnastics National Health Care Referral Network. She also earned a MS in Health Communication from Michigan State University. Today, through her company and her work, she takes care of the nation’s top gymnasts, including local Elites, National Team members, World Team competitors, NCAA Champions, Olympians, and Pan American Champions. Her business style is to be driven, compassionate, and full of community. “We demand excellence in all areas for our staff—technical and medical knowledge but also kindness and gratitude.” She points to her father as her role model and inspiration. “He was the most amazing combination of dedication and love, empathy for others, and selflessness,” she says. “His struggle with cancer was full of grace and appreciation, never fear.”

Gina Pongetti Angeletti is co-owner of Achieve Orthopedic Rehab Institute, with locations throughout the Chicago area, including 6300 Kingery Highway, Suite 204, in Willowbrook. For more information, call 630-891-3980 or visit achieveorthosports.com/about-us/our-staff/gina-pongetti.

THE MOMTREPRENEUR

MISTIE PSALEDAS LUCHT does not know the meaning of the word “fear.” When she got the idea five years ago to start a registry for children’s lost teeth, it at times felt impossible. “It took me five years to bring Wiggle: Tooth Fairy Registries to life as Creator and Founder, and I will never have the regret of not trying,” says Lucht, a Hinsdale mother of three who now sells tooth registry kits through her Etsy store, and works at two other jobs—Kids Manager at Life Time Fitness and Owner and Trainer at Fit Force. “What I learned is that whenever you are overwhelmed, just chunk the work. And never be afraid to pursue your wildest ideas.” Lucht also works at Life Time Fitness and Fit Force, utilizing her credentials as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor—truly embodying the concept of “doing it all.” She recently received a coveted promotion as Kids Manager and loves overseeing a team in an amazing company that is very supportive. She says her business style is more of a coach than a critic, leading her team by example. As a fearless mom and entrepreneur herself, she says any “momtrepreneur” who just “goes for it” is her role model— particularly Jill Salzman, creator of the Founding Moms, empowering all moms in business and entrepreneurship.

For more information about Wiggle: Tooth Fairy Registries, contact Mistie Psaledas Lucht at [email protected].

Striped dress by Finley available at Neiman Marcus Oakbrook Center, neimanmarcus.com; shoes by Clergerie.

FINDING BALANCE

For KATYA SIDELNIK, owner of Inner Jasmine in downtown Hinsdale, the yogic journey is as personal and unique as our DNA. “Whether you’re just learning more about your favorite aspect of yoga or diving deeper down a new path, I create custom plans and training programs to meet your individual needs,” says Katya, who holds the credentialing of an expert registered yoga teacher ERYT-500 and programs are registered through the Yoga Alliance as an RYS (registered yoga school). Her goal at the boutique-style Inner Jasmine Yoga Academy wellness and yoga studio is to help people find peace and calmness in a world that is never stable. “My hope is to help others find their balance and give them the opportunity to understand how their body and mind fluctuate in order to create awareness,” she says. “I truly want Inner Jasmine to be a community with people interested in learning and growing. I aim to ensure that everyone who walks through my door knows that they are supported.” Her inspirations in life, and in her business are the women in her family—particularly her mother and grandmothers. “I started yoga as a frustrated student but had incredible mentors on and off my mat,” she adds. “They taught me the importance of patience and showed me I could do anything I put my mind to.”

Inner Jasmine is located at 45 S. Washington Street, Unit 302, in Hinsdale. For more information, call 773-963-3252 or visit innerjasmine.com.

CARPE DIEM

JULIE SUTTON, President of The Julie Sutton Group in Hinsdale, jokes that she once thought real estate would be “a great part time job.” But today, this real estate expert and “staging guru” specializing in the Hinsdale area and surrounding Western Suburbs is devoted to her career 24/7. “Little did I know I’d be working seven days a week,” says Sutton, who came to the industry from a strong marketing and advertising background with a bachelor’s in marketing and a decade of experience at DDB Chicago Advertising. Over the years, she’s cultivated a business philosophy grounded in customer service and excellence. “This job is easy if you love what you do, have a passion for providing exemplary customer service, and work hard every day to ensure you’re meeting your clients’ needs,” she says. Sutton’s role models? “All the grandparents who tirelessly worked multiple jobs, who never complained, and were always grateful for the opportunities.” It’s no wonder she reads her chosen Theodore Roosevelt quote every morning.

The Julie Sutton Group is located at 1 Grant Square, Suite 201, in Hinsdale. For more information, call 312-909-9561 or visit thejuliesuttongroup.com.

KEEPING IT REAL

DR. CARA VANWORMER- HARTMAN (DC, DABCI, DACBN) of Therapeutic Health Associates in Hinsdale says she’s been fascinated with medicine for as long as she can remember, but it was one turning point that changed her life forever. “After watching my Mom’s battle with ovarian cancer, I was committed to diving deeper into root cause medicine,” says Dr. Hartman, who graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, Magna Cum Laude, from the National University of Health Sciences, and founded Therapeutic Health to fill a missing piece in medicine. “I focus on healthy longevity through addressing the underlying problems, restoring positivity and hope, and having compassion and patience with the journey,” she adds. Her role model is Dr. Tom O’Bryan, author of The AutoImmune Fix and You Can Fix Your Brain. “I had the privilege of accompanying Dr. O’Bryan and a group of clinicians on a trip to Switzerland where I was able to experience and learn European biological medicine in preparation for our own clinic’s expansion,” explains Dr. Hartman. This is reflected in a business style devoted to providing an objective, professional opinion without agent or bias for the betterment of her patients. “I’m ‘real’ with my patients, and I care deeply about them.”

Therapeutic Health Associates is located at 230 E. Ogden Avenue in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630-537-0758, visit therapeutic-health.com, or follow on Instagram at @therapeutichealth.

LIVE YOUR BEST SMILE

DR. CARRIE H. THANGAMANI, owner of CHT Orthodontics in Hinsdale, has been on the quest for how to “live your best smile” since she was 12 years old. “My passion and interest in orthodontics started as I began my own braces journey,” says Dr. Thangamani, an orthodontist who earned a BS from University of Notre Dame, a DDS from University of Michigan, and an MS in Oral Sciences from University of Illinois at Chicago. “I was fascinated by how, as my smile transformed, my self-confidence also grew over the years. From the moment my braces were removed, I knew I wanted to become an orthodontist!” She says her parents have been a guiding force from the beginning. “I can attribute my dedication and work ethic to them,” she explains. “They always encouraged me to follow and fulfill my dreams early on.” In her practice as an orthodontist and business owner, she has cultivated a style that is detail-oriented, thorough, attentive, compassionate, and empathetic. “Over the years, I have curated a wonderful team that help me to do what I do each and every day. They are a huge part of what makes CHT Orthodontics such a fantastic practice,” she says, adding: “I also continue to look up to and admire all of my female friends, both professionally and personally. Women truly can do it all!”

CHT Orthodontics is located at 1 Grant Square, No. 101, in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630-323-1201 or visit chtortho.com.

Navy knit and satin dress by Ted Baker available at Central Boutique in Highland Park, centralboutiquehp.com.

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

CATHY WALSH, an 18-year real estate veteran currently working with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty in Hinsdale, says nothing about her path to success as a businesswoman was a straight road forward. “Sometimes it was windy, and sometimes an expressway—with occasional sharp turns—but always headed towards a destination.” Currently a broker, real estate advisor, and interior design expert, she credits her parents, Joe and Shirley Dolack, for giving her the upbringing needed to develop her honest, direct, and dedicated business style. With a BSN from the College of St. Teresa and an interior design degree from Harrington Institute, Walsh prides herself on helping clients navigate the current real estate market with an eye on design and insider knowledge of the Chicago metro area. And in case you were wondering, this Chi-town native’s favorite food is north side Polish, and when it comes to baseball, she’s Cubbies all the way.

Cathy Walsh is with the Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty office at 330 W. Chestnut Street in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630-452- 6210 or visit jamesonsir.com.