CHAPTER 221
Women to Watch
“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules and build a life you’re proud to live.” ~ Anne Sweeney
Jessica Figueroa
Yolanda Flores
Barbara Melvin
Kevii Newbold
Gloria Padilla
Ana Rios-Hinojosa
Misty Smith
Melissa Torres-Silva
Immokalee Eastern Chamber of Commerce recently seated its first all-woman Board of Directors and administrative support team, including:
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Jessica Figueroa, Board Member
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Yolanda Flores, Board Member
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Barbara Melvin, President
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Kevii Newbold, Office Manager
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Gloria Padilla, Vice President
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Ana Rios-Hinojosa, Treasurer
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Misty Smith, Secretary
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Melissa Torres-Silva, Executive Director
Dr. Noreen Thomas recently joined the Board of Directors for New Horizons of Southwest Florida.
Carey Brisson was appointed to The Immokalee Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Photo Credit: Collaboratory
Leigh Frizzell Hayes recently joined Collaboratory’s governing Board as Trustee.
Dr. Alexandra R. Grace
Dr. Tam T. Mai
Sonal Sura
Dr. Alexandra R. Grace, Dr. Tam T. Mai and Sonal Sura were recently installed to the Collier County Medical Society's 2026-27 Board of Directors as Vice President, Director at Large and Secretary, respectively.
Kaitlyn Barnes is the recipient of the 2026 Dr. William and Nancy Lascheid Memorial Scholarship for Medical Students, an award recognizing medical students who have demonstrated exceptional community service.
Jamie DePaola, an international ultramarathon runner from Naples, recently completed the 80-kilometer (50-mile) Bali Hope Ultra 2026 as one of just 35 runners from around the world, raising a participant-leading $13,000 for the Bali Children Foundation.
Stephanie and Richard Prebish have been named Honorary Chairs of the Naples Historical Society’s 2026 Christmas Gala.
Mary LaGarde, Naples-based attorney and artist, has been named as one of five national finalists in the Artist of the Year competition by the American Cancer Society.
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NEW HIRES
Amanda Bjornson
Estate Planning & Insurance Senior Specialist
Capital Wealth Advisors
Margaret “Maggie” Nolan
Real Estate Department Associate
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A.
Lauren Rodriguez
Wellness Coordinator
Home Base Florida
Ronna Smith
Chief Program Officer
Champions For Learning
Mallory Stroud
Marketing Project Manager
Priority Marketing
Bonnie Thayer
Executive Director
Baby Basics
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Gabriela “Gabi” Zenuto
Director of Business Development
Diamond Custom Homes
For consideration in Women to Watch, email a recent success story of a woman you’d like to celebrate, along with her high-resolution photo, to inspireme@ebellamag.com. This might include a big accomplishment, award or honor received, appointment to a Board, educational achievement, etc.
