2021 Women in Business

ood people and good ideas have a habit of finding one another. When she was named president and CEO of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce in 2018, Kathy Lehner thought her community needed an event where women could reflect on their own business successes and learn how to emulate those of others. Greeting businesswomen Lynn Moseley and Jackie Griese at a 2018 Chamber function, not long after being named CEO, Lehner felt emboldened to create an event where women could inspire each other. Moseley, owner and president of Jimco Maintenance Inc., works in a man's world, Lehner said. "How does she function like that?" Lehner said, creating one avenue of discussion. Lehner called Griese, Realtor at Michael Saunders & Company, "a dynamo" and thought she'd be the perfect emcee for such an event. That afternoon Lehner was having lunch with Sabal Palm sold out Staff Report said of past attendees. The second year (2019) was much like the first, with "such great women who are willing to empower others." Speakers this year were to include: Michael Saunders, Michael Saunders & Company; Jennifer Rominiecki, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens; Sarasota County Commissioner Nancy Detert; Ashley Brown, Women's Resource Center; Patrice Weston, State Farm Insurance; Maria Villella, Elysia Life Care; and Fawne Adams, Auntie's Anne's. "Someone's going to be able to relate to their stories and what they went through and come out encouraged," Lehner said. The Chamber is collaborating with the Women's Resource Center this year, with a focus on how mentoring relationships can benefit both parties. Organizers planned to match mentors and mentees as a result of the event. Other related functions are scheduled between now and next year's Women Empowering Women event. For more information, call 941-488-2236. Bank leadership and Neil D. McCurry Jr., president and CEO, asked her how they could help the Chamber. "I told him about this dream," Lehner said. "He said, 'We love our women at Sabal Palm,'" and agreed to be the presenting sponsor. McCurry off ered her funding and said, "Make it happen." Lehner believes many successful women are willing to share their stories. Others hear those stories, can relate to them, and say, "I can do this." The result of this convergence is Women Empowering Women, which is now in its third year. This one-day event, encouraging others through conversations and panel discussions, was held at Venetian Golf and River Club on Friday, Sept. 17. Speakers at these events share resources and aid in attendees' personal development. This year's event was sold out. "We've had relationships form from it, and they've kept encouraging each other," Lehner Jennifer Rominiecki Michael Saunders Nancy Detert G 64 Women In Business September 2021

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