CHAPTER 210
Women to Watch
“I encourage women to step up. Don’t wait for somebody to ask you.” ~ Reese Witherspoon
2026 Women of Initiative: Claudine Léger-Wetzel, Julia Van Domelen, Nena Beynon, Sherie Marek and Lisa Kahn-Allen. Photo by Zee Anna Photography, LLC
Nena Beynon, Lisa Kahn-Allen, Claudine Léger-Wetzel, Sherie Marek and Julia Van Domelen were welcomed into the Women’s Foundation of Collier County’s distinguished Women of Initiative sisterhood, bringing the total number of honorees to 286 women whose leadership, philanthropy and service have helped shape Collier County.
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Linda Grijalva and Robin McClanathan were renewed and elected, respectively, to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s Board of Directors.
Sarah Owen, Director of Advancement Events at Gulfshore Playhouse, was appointed to the Collier Children's Advocacy Center Board of Directors.
Amy Adame, Angela Anderson, Maria Cancino, Betty Cajoux, Carolina Cuellar, Veronica Felicie, Lina Giraldo, Nallely Gomez, Maria Hernandez, Selina Martinez, Bertha Mendez, Mayte Moreno, Maria Ramirez, and Cristina Segura were proudly honored by Guadalupe Center as its Early Learning Dream Team of directors, assistant directors, and educational specialists through The Children’s Movement of Florida’s All In for Early Learning initiative.
Taryn Myron, Premium Audit Manager at Midwest Technical Inspection, recently joined the Friends of the South County Regional Library Board of Directors.
Jasmine Pagano, David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health’s Supervisor of Wellness Programs, received Florida Gulf Coast University’s 2026 Soaring Eagle Alumni Award, which recognizes a graduate for outstanding achievement or service in their professional or volunteer life.
Patricia Barton, founding Board President of Pace Center for Girls, Immokalee, received this year’s PaceSetter Award in memoriam at the annual Believing in Girls Empowerment Luncheon for enriching the lives of countless young women since 1998.
Lucinda "Cindy" Love-Abounader, President and CEO of the YMCA of Collier County, was named the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Citizen of the Year, an honor recognizing over 30 years of dedicated service to our community.
Darlene and Don DeMichele, longtime philanthropists, recently chaired Guadalupe Center’s Illuminate the Future - Elevate Gala.
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Nadine “Deanie” Singh, Founder and CEO of Premier Mobile Health Services, was inducted into the Dunbar Festival Committee’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame.
Announcing the recent opening of a new business started by a dynamic woman:
Diane Torrisi of Diane Torrisi Designs and Kevin Steffanni of Kevin Steffanni Design Group established a new collaborative interior design studio at 3368 Woods Edge Circle in Bonita Springs.
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.
NEW HIRES
Anna Gloth
Vice President of Program Development
Avow
Jessica Hallock
Development Director
Naples Therapeutic Riding Center
Ellie Poeder
Market Development Associate
Curran Young Construction
Allana Stephens
Travel Advisor
Preferred Travel & Company
PROMOTIONS
Danielle Green
Promoted to Vice President of Gardens and Facilities
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Lee Ann Rottmann
Promoted to Vice President of Animal Care Programs
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
