2023 Upper Chesapeake Women to Watch

CLASS ON THE

WATER LAUREN WARREN DOUGHTERY TALKS EDUCATION ON THE RIVER

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PROFILES OF EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN IN THE UPPER CHESAPEAKE

Congratulations Laura Holt and all the outstanding honorees on their 2023 Women to Watch Achievements.

“One of my favorite parts of local business is the support and encouragement all the women give to one another in our community. It really is amazing and I am incredibly honored to be a part of that.”

WE ARE PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

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e invite you to read about extraordinary women in our community and their accomplishments! Women to Watch spotlights the work, dedication, talents and community service of women in the Upper Chesapeake who continue to lead in their respective fields and those who embody strength, vitality, leadership and integrity for our community. We invited readers to nominate women who exemplify excellence, both in navigating their career path and as community leaders.

Our portal that accepted nominations was open on cecildaily.com from Friday, January 13th, 2023 through Wednesday, February 8th, 2023. During this 4-week period, we received (77) nominations of extraordinary women who work or reside in Cecil County, Harford County, Eastern Baltimore and New Castle County, DE. An APG Media of Chesapeake internal committee and an external committee made up of community members met after nominations closed. They embarked on the extraordinarily difficult task of identifying women to interview for the 2023 Women to Watch Magazine. The committee worked through a set of criteria for the nominees.

The criteria includes nominees’ community service, professional accomplishments and entrepreneurship as well as their work with mentoring and inspiring others.

As you can imagine, it was an exceedingly difficult decision. Each nominee had invaluable contributions indelible both in the community and workplace. The names within these pages represent women who are breaking stereotypes to positively impact our world today while inspiring future generations.

— The Women to Watch 2023 Committee

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Text “JoinElktonPD” to 410-431-1949 to apply OR to chat with a recruiter

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Table of Contents PROFILES

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CAROLYN ROGERS CHRISSY SHEPARD BECKY MARTIN BETH CREEK SARAH BOYCE NINA ZUNT LAURA HOLT JEANNA ASHBY JAIME WHITE MELISSA TAPP ELIZABETH FELTS LISA FIELDS

COVER PROFILE

LAUREN WARREN DOUGHHERTY

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LIST OF 2023 NOMINEES

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STAFF INFO EDITOR Erik Halberg ehalberg@chespub.com REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Tyler Edwards tedwards@chespub.com ADVERTISING Amy Bennett Kim Spencer Autumn Rapoza EDITORIAL DESIGN & COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Jennifer Quinn CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bellmyer Matt Hubbard Matt Hooke

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C A R O LY N R O G E R S Chief of Police Elkton Police Department Photo courtesy of Carolyn Rodgers

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SELECTED AS A WOMAN TO WATCH?

It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen as a Woman to Watch and to be recognized as a successful leader.

I feel blessed to work for the community of Elkton and its officers.

To be considered among these great women, who inspire and encourage other women to pursue leadership roles, is an unexpected bonus for doing something I love.

WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED AS A WOMAN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?

While unconscious biases do exist, most of the challenges I faced were created and based on my own selfdoubts. As one of only a handful of female officers in Cecil County in the early 1990s, I felt that I had to prove myself worthy of being a police officer. I had to perform better than 6

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PROFILE

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My success is measured, not by how I’m doing, but by how the people that I am leading are doing.

my male colleagues, couldn’t show any weakness or let anything I witnessed affect me in order to be accepted. But as I reflect back on those early days, I’m not sure that was true but it was more likely a result of my own insecurities. Despite these insecurities, I outwardly exuded confidence and competence. The professionals I worked with treated me with respect and dignity because I worked hard, was a team player and didn’t expect special treatment.

the case makes difficult days a little easier. Being able to give back to the profession and the community is a privilege.

WHAT IS SOME ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO OR ARE PURSUING CAREERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?

Don’t let fear, friends, family or the current social climate prevent you from pursuing your dreams.

To anyone entering this career field, I encourage WHAT IS ENRICHING ABOUT YOUR them to never lose sight of their reasons for WORK FOR EPD? pursuing this specific career. There will be difficult Policing is an honorable profession that I’m proud and traumatic times during which you will need to to be a part of. As the Chief, my main focus is reflect on this purpose. You must remain true to ensuring that the Elkton Police Department yourself and never compromise your integrity, provides the highest level of service to those we values and morals. This is, in my humble opinion, serve while supporting all levels of the organization. the best job ever and we need good people to The Elkton Police Department is a team and, as the join the ranks and do what few can do. leader, I work for the team and therefore am accountable to them. My success is measured, not by how I’m doing, but by how the people that I am IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN BUT HAVE NOT YET leading are doing. Watching our police have My goal is to become more engaged with the positive interactions with kids in some of our more vulnerable neighborhoods is heartwarming. Getting community to determine realistic expectations a hug from a crime victim because our team solved and goals for their Police Department. W2W U P P E R C H E S A P E A K E | W O M E N T O WAT C H 2 0 2 3

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C H R I S S Y S H E PA R D Owner Healthies of Perryville

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SELECTED AS A WOMAN TO WATCH?

Being selected for this honor is extremely exciting. This honor helps my leadership potential to be seen - to get me and my business and the difference it makes, the problems that will be solved and the value it adds out of the wings and onto center stage.

HOW DO YOU JUGGLE ALL OF YOUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS?

There are so many wonderful opportunities to get involved in our community. The important thing for me is to commit to ones that align with my values and allow me to give it my all and be my word.

WHAT IS ENRICHING ABOUT YOUR WORK RUNNING HEALTHIES AND IN THE COMMUNITY?

I have created a welcoming environment where everyone knows your name. It allows me to connect with our community in a positive way.

Fitness and nutrition is unique to each person. We are not a box cutter gym and nutrition center. We create an entirely different experience.

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Photo by Southern Shutter Photography

WHAT IS SOME ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO OR ARE PURSUING CAREERS AS LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS? Don’t allow fear to stop you from starting your own business. Find mentors that are successful in the area of business you want to pursue. As someone who found themselves anxious and confused before starting, I can honestly say that you can do whatever you put your mind to, what you don’t know you will learn, what you haven’t

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PROFILE

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Fitness and nutrition is unique to each person.

tried you will experience, and if you fail you will survive. The journey is as important as the end result, and it’s a heck of a ride!

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN BUT HAVE NOT YET? I would like to get involved with preparing young women to navigate the journey of life with tools that will see them succeed in whatever their hearts desire. W2W

Photos by Southern Shutter Photography

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BECKY MARTIN Owner RLM Property Management

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SELECTED AS A WOMAN TO WATCH?

It is an honor to be selected.

Dundalk has alot of professional women and to be nominated is a true honor.

WHAT IS ENRICHING ABOUT YOUR WORK AS A REAL ESTATE AGENT AND AS THE OWNER OF RLM? I love helping people find homes that are the best fit for them, and helping renters become homeowners is a wonderful feeling.

Photo courtesy of Becky Martin

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PROFILE

Photos courtesy of Becky Martin

WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE FACED AS A WOMAN IN REAL ESTATE AND AS A BUSINESS OWNER?

WHAT IS SOME ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO OR ARE PURSUING CAREERS IN REAL ESTATE?

“

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN BUT HAVE NOT YET?

I think this is a stereotyped question. I feel the challenges of a business owner are the same for everyone. I have been lucky in the fact that I have a huge support system of family and friends, and have not encountered any more challenges than any other business owner.

Do your due diligence and get as much education as possible.

Associate yourself with a broker that you are comfortable with. Do your due diligence and get as much education as possible. Call me. I am happy to walk you through it.

Join the Dundalk Chamber of commerce, and serve on the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors. W2W

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PROFILE

Beth Creek Executive Director Youth Empowerment Source

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ne thing motivates Beth Creek to juggle writing grant proposals, visiting high schools and managing her staff: the needs of Cecil County children.

Creek founded Youth Empowerment Source in 2014 to advocate for children through programs to offer drug abuse prevention initiatives and help students complete their GED. Now in a testament to the nonprofit’s growth, its Drug Free Cecil program alone served over 800 high school students in the county last year.

Creek began as a teacher working at a private school and in a church program with at risk students. The stark difference between students at the private school, who had

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Story by Matt Hooke Photos courtesy of Beth Creek

parents who had the time and resources to be a cheerleader, and poor students, whose parents were unable to devote as much time or resources to their child. The experience inspired her to become an advocate for children.

ninth grade. People had little hope that she could succeed due to a difficult home life marred by drug addiction. She managed to succeed in school at the Cecil County School of Technology and now has a job in her chosen field.

“The children who are struggling, aren’t struggling because there is lack of love from the people in their families,” Creek said. “Sometimes it’s just a lack of resources.”

“(There was) an assumption that because she wasn’t in school regularly when we started with her that she didn’t have a desire to complete her education,” Creek said. “That wasn’t the case, she had a lot of other mitigating factors that led to her not being in school regularly.”

At the time, Creek said, there were few resources focused on drug prevention or organizations focused on tailoring programs for the unique needs of Cecil County.

One of her most memorable success stories is a child who started at Youth Empowerment Source in the

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Children at Youth Empowerment Source programs learn anger management skills and other ways to process their feelings and grief.

The institution also helps children

by teaching them to set concrete goals to improve academic performance so they can be successful.

“No matter how hard the school system works, there will always be kids who fall through the cracks,” Creek said.

She hopes to expand the staff at Youth Empowerment Source to provide more drug prevention classes at the middle and late elementary school years.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a mental health crisis that makes Creek’s work even

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Kids’ potential is limited only by what we as adults put on them and what resources we don’t provide to them

more important as anxiety problems become a bigger issue. Youth Empowerment Source even added a new curriculum focusing on mental health. Creating new programs in response to the demands of the community is not new for Creek. After a study found that many people at Youth Empowerment Source had

— Beth Creek

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incarcerated parents, she began a program focused on helping children deal with the trauma of having a parent in the criminal justice system.

“Kids’ potential is limited only by what we as adults put on them and what resources we don’t provide to them,” Creek said. W2W

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SARAH BOYCE Owner Aire Serv Photo courtesy of Sarah Boyce

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SELECTED AS A WOMAN TO WATCH?

love to include the team in those projects and they always jump right in to help. While I work in HVAC, There are so many amazing women in Cecil County everything we do is about relationships and people that I admire and look up to. I’m honored to stand and that is incredibly fulfilling. among them.

WHAT IS ENRICHING ABOUT YOUR WORK AS A BUSINESS OWNER?

It is truly enriching as a business owner to create a team of people that are connected by a common purpose and set of goals. Through the past few years, we’ve been able to give back, repairing and replacing HVAC equipment for families in need. We 16

WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE FACED AS A WOMAN WHO OWNS A BUSINESS? All of the trades are absolutely male-dominated and it is a huge opportunity for women. One of the challenges that I faced early on was developing my network and creating those relationships. Another woman business owner

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PROFILE

Understand the importance of people in the process.

invited me to her networking group and I’ve been a member of that for several years.

WHAT IS SOME ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO OR ARE PURSUING CAREERS RUNNING THEIR OWN BUSINESS? Start small and write out your goals. Find a mentor that will pull you up, and help introduce you to the networks that can support your growth. Understand the importance of people in the process.

HOW HAVE YOU BALANCED YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER WITH GRAD SCHOOL AND YOUR OTHER INVOLVEMENTS?

Balance in life is certainly unique to each person and changes every day. The first step for me was accepting there is no such thing as a perfect worklife balance. I’ve found it helpful to always rate my to-do list by priority level. I love to travel and I set goals to visit certain countries every year. W2W

Photo courtesy of Sarah Boyce

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NINA ZUNT Contractor EHS Maryland, LLC

Photos courtesy of Nina Zunt

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SELECTED AS A WOMAN TO WATCH?

It is such an honor. I would love to be able to get women in the trade more in the spotlight and let other women know that breaking through the glass ceiling is nonprofit I run. In both organizations, I pride myself possible and being equal in a male dominated field on dedicating time to the underprivileged, the is as well. minorities (race or gender), and people that sometimes may not get a fair first glance. It is WHAT IS ENRICHING ABOUT YOUR rewarding in both industries to invest back into the WORK AS A BUSINESS OWNER AND community you work in, and I hope to one day grow big enough to start making a positive impact RUNNING A NON-PROFIT? and change not just in our zipcode, but on a I feel like I get the best of both worlds in both my national level. profit construction company and in the community 18

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PROFILE

Build trust in other women and networks in the industry. Set boundaries... and EMPOWER.

WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE FACED AS A WOMAN IN CONSTRUCTION AND AS A BUSINESS OWNER?

To this day, nine years into owning this business, I STILL deal with hardships and barriers for being a woman. It is almost a double whammy that I am a woman in the construction field. Whether it is a client assuming I am the secretary, or a client telling me “how cute” I look with a tape measure, I get my daily dose of the reality of sexism.

However, I treat it like my dose of redbull for the day. It energizes me, and makes me want to work that much harder to prove that women are of equal skill and competency, if not more.

WHAT IS SOME ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO OR ARE PURSUING CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION OR RUNNING THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

I have so much advice that I am not sure I have enough characters! :) Most importantly, be confident in everything you do and don’t let others bring you down. But to that same effect, don’t be afraid of the stereotypes keeping you from asking questions. It is important to be open to criticism no matter who you are. Break free of stereotypes.

Build trust in other women and networks in the industry. Set boundaries...and EMPOWER.

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN BUT HAVE NOT YET?

Photo courtesy of Nina Zunt

I always have new things in the works! I am currently taking classes to be certified to teach as I would love to start offering construction related classes (OSHA/blue print reading/ordering/ management) in both English and Spanish. W2W U P P E R C H E S A P E A K E | W O M E N T O WAT C H 2 0 2 3

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L A U R A H O LT Owner, Manager Crab Connection, Rogers Customs, Inc.

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Wow. I am incredibly honored to be selected for Women To Watch. I am often so busy that I forget to pause and reflect on accomplishments so it’s nice to be recognized. I would like to congratulate all the strong, successful women who make our local businesses so amazing. One of my favorite parts of local business is the support and encouragement all the women give to one another in our community. It really is amazing and I am incredibly honored to be a part of that.

HOW DO YOU JUGGLE ALL OF YOUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS WITH YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR BUSINESSES?

One of the things I like to focus on most is the ability to be present. I try my best to focus on each avenue with complete concentration when required. And then, I have a lot of planning calendars that keep me on track for future schedules. It also helps that my family and community support me in all my crazy ideas and business adventures. Little steps add up to big achievements so I set goals and chip away at them a little at a time.

Photo courtesy of Laura Holt

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SELECTED AS A WOMAN TO WATCH?

legal subrogation. I love my team and my customer base. We wouldn’t be in business without them so it’s important to recognize those who support us as well.

Cecil Crab Connection is my avenue for creativity and fun. The team there is so much fun and that WHAT IS ENRICHING ABOUT YOUR happiness radiates through our products. We only WORK RUNNING YOUR SHOP AND serve the freshest quality seafood which makes CECIL CRAB CONNECTION? me feel good. I often tell people, I opened Cecil Rogers Customs is a business that requires Crab because I want to be here serving the consistent change in terms of education and community fresh food, not because I have to. We training. Late model vehicles with electronics and will never sell anything less than premium quality, new aluminum and carbon fiber bodies are always because that would go against our mission. I improving and evolving. The collision industry know most customers by first name and am so requires a high level of documentation and skill for grateful for their support. Be sure to stop by on a safe and proper repairs; some of which escalate to Saturday or Sunday to say hi. You may just hear 20

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PROFILE

With hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

our karaoke cooks in the back (that would be me and lead cook Brian Lloyd, a long time professional in the industry).

for you! Don’t be afraid to take chances, ask important questions, and keep your big ideas growing. With hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED AS A WOMAN IN WHAT IS SOME ADVICE THAT YOU TRADITIONALLY MALE- DOMINATED WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO INDUSTRIES? WANT TO OR ARE PURSUING CAREERS Both of our family businesses operate in maleAS LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS? dominant fields. I could not be the leader I am in

Photo courtesy of Laura Holt

My biggest advice is to never give up on dreams.

There will always be challenges to face, but know that all the women in the community are rooting

the collision industry without great mentors (most of which were men). Doug Rogers, my father-inlaw, always supported knowledge-led leading.

Sharon Rogers, my mother-in-law always taught me to have a tight grasp of my surroundings. She always says, trust your gut. It always knows best. I know that in many situations where negotiations regarding insurance led repairs are done by men, that I have to have my facts correct and that I have to deliver my message in a very direct way. As more women start to enter our industry, I want to help lift them up and teach them to also be at the forefront of the industry so that maybe one day we don’t have to fight so hard to be seen as equals in the collision industry.

My husband Kenny is a commercial waterman who catches the crabs we sell at Cecil Crab Connection.

Brian Lloyd is our lead cook and assistant manager.

Together, they have given me confidence and knowledge within the seafood industry. They embrace the fact that I can shake a crab pot and steam them to perfection just like most men in the industry. It’s neat to have their driving forces encouraging me to keep breaking barriers. W2W

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Alice Stewart, Real Estate Agent, Coldwell Banker Realty Amanda McAvoy Brownhill, Co-owner, Domain Spa and Salon Amber Kackley, Owner, Elite Home Entertainment Amy Scarbro, Administrative Director, Tri-State Christian Academy Anne DeCaire PMHNP-BC, PMH-C, President, Perinatal Prana LLC Annetta Lidy, Doula, Ask Seek Knock Doula Services Aprile Harris, Nurse Practitioner, Nephrology Associates of Elkton Autumn Marquess, Owner, Crouse Auto Body and ACM Insurance Agency Becky Martin, Real Estate Broker and Owner, Realm Realty and RLM Property Management Beth Creek, Executive Director, Youth Empowerment Source Bobbie Spangler, Owner, Market Street Cafe Brittany Brodo, English Teacher, Bo Manor Middle School Brooke Dixon, Owner, The Glow Factor Carolyn Quelly, Real Estate Agent, The HQME TEAM of Integrity Real Estate Carolyn Rogers, Chief of Police, Elkton Police Department Chrissy Shepherd, Owner, Healthies of Perryville Christie McDevitt, Owner, North East Chocolates Christine Barton – Batton, Oncology Nurse from Dundalk, Maryland Connie Muller-Thym, Owner, Resolution Services 22

Danielle G Brown, Paramedic and Firefighter, Singerly & Rising Sun Fire Companies Desiree Johnson, Owner, Get Wick’D Devon Ragan, MS, CNS, CBS, Owner/Nutritionist, Devon Ragan By Design Donna Sekora, Owner, Donna’s Tavern & Restaurant Donna Woodis LPN, Case Manager, Union Hospital Elizabeth (Shelly) Farris, Nuclear Medicine Technologist/ Supervisor, CCHS Elkton Elizabeth Felts, Owner, West Street Village Mall Erin Wright, Chief Operating Officer, Voices of Hope Heather Holding, Head of Enterprise Risk Management & Chief Privacy Officer, Marlette Funding Heather Sinclair, Owner, Limitless Property Management Heidi Hunt, Owner, Teacher Turned Mama Llama Jaime White, Owner, All About Me Adult Day Program Jamie Sipala, Owner, Simply The Best Nutrition Jamila Mettee, Human Resources and Accounting, Frederick Ward Associates Jane Luke, Retired Social Worker, Newark, DE Jeanna Ashby, Freight Train Engineer, Norfolk Southern Railroad Jenel Davis, Business Owner, Mid Atlantic Mortgage Solutions Jennifer Rollins, Owner, Blue Iris Day Spa and Salon Jessica Thompson, Insurance Agent, Crothers Insurance Agencies, INC.

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2023 NOMINEES Congratulations

Jirleymar Morgan, Owner, Mint Magnolia Cleaning and Organizing Services Joan Pepper, Postal Worker, USPS JoAnn Dawson, Owner, Fairwinds Farm & Stables JoAnn Ragan, Insurance Agent, Crothers Insurance Agency Kat Koenig, Vice President and Curator, Port Deposit Heritage Corporation Keleigh Davis, Marketing, Guild Mortgage Kelly Albanese Bedder, Estate Attorney, Walla Law Kimberly R. Jones, Aquatic Director, Delaware Swim School Kristen Lehr, Student Mental Health Coordinator, CCPS Kristi Jenkins, Owner, Yoga Mouth Studio Kristin Lewis, Real Estate Agent, Follow My Heels at Integrity Real Estate Krystina Bubb, Author, Elkton MD Laura Hannan, Executive Director, Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center Laura Holt, Owner, Cecil Crab Connection, Manager, Rogers Custom INC Lauren Warren Dougherty, Boat Captain and business owner, Upper Chesapeake Boat School LeeAnn Nelson, Owner, LeeAnn Nelson Physical Therapy Lisa Fields, Community Engagement Manager, Union Hospital/ChristianaCare Lynda Woodside, Director, MRDC Early Head Start

Megan McRay, Executive Director, Cecil County Chamber of Commerce Meghan Brown, Principal, Thomson Estates Elementary School Melinda McAvoy Blailock, Co-owner, Domain Spa and Salon Melissa Hunt, Bartender, Queen Street Nutrition Melissa Hunter-Rash, Nurse Practitioner, Tri-State Health Melissa Tapp, Executive Director, United Way of Cecil County Meredith Boas, Graphic Designer, Grunge Muffin Designs Natalie Sanchez-Williams, Co-owner, Crave Eatery Nikki Bowen, Owner, Equitable Title Nina Zunt, Contractor, EHS Maryland, LLC Pamela Evans, Owner, Pookie Bear Daycare Sarah Boyce, Owner, Aire Serv Sharleen Kaiser, General Manager, Pharmkent Shiela Malatesta, Owner, SM&T Insurance Services LLC Stacey Malm, Bartender, Elkton MD Staci Mitchell, General Manager, Micks Crab House Tahiya Cooper, School Counselor, North East Elementary School Tammy Smithers, Owner, Cafe on the Bay Tracy McCullough, Realtor, RE/Max Vision Valda Rotolo, Victim Witness Coordinator, Cecil County Circuit Court Yvette Valentin, Director of Homeowner Services, Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna.

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PROFILE

Jeanna Ashby Freight Train Engineer Norfolk Southern Railroad

Story and photos by Jane Bellmyer

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he’s been working on the railroad all the live-long day for 15 years and, even now, Jeanna Ashby is one of few women conductors driving the trains for Norfolk Southern.

“I’m one of two women at my yard,” she said, adding that in the entire company perhaps 10% or less are women.

Her career can often be a hot topic.

“When I tell people what I do for a living it is usually a conversation starter. I get a lot of questions and I immediately become the most interesting person in the room,” Ashby said. “Depending on my mood to chat, I sometimes avoid telling people because I don’t want to talk about work or I don’t want to take away from the event or celebration I am attending.”

However, Ashby was invited to participate in a Women’s History 24

Month celebration hosted by the New Castle County Department of Community Services. She was part of a Women on the Move session that found her seated alongside Nicole Majesky, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation, US Coast Guard Chief Angela Strong, Chanel Riviere-Francis, Aviator.

“It was awesome,” she said.

Ashby began her railroad career in 2007 as a single mom.

“I was working in logistics,” she said.

“I needed something that would support us.”

A friend suggested she apply for a conductor job with Norfolk Southern. At first, she was working long shifts that included down time away from home.

“I used to go from Baltimore to Enola or Harrisburg

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(Pennsylvania),” Ashby said.

Arriving there, she’d face a layover with a company funded hotel room.

Ashby said she would be at the hotel as much as 24 hours before the train would make the return trip to Baltimore. “After 16 hours in the hotel they have to pay you,” she said.

“Now I work in the yard. I don’t do long haul any more,” she said.

A typical day is 8- to as much as 12-hours. It’s a job that doesn’t stop for holidays, weekends or bad weather.

“There’s a lack of quality of life,” she said. Now married with another daughter she still finds time to help with the Girl Scout Troop 727.

“I like baking, I like party planning,” she added. “But in the summer time we are on our boat all the time.”

Being able to afford to boat makes the long hours away worth it, she said.

You’ve got to know your slack, your draft and your buffer forces

— Jeanna Ashby

ENGINEER SCHOOL Ashby got called up from conductor to engineer in 2015.

“When it’s your turn to go you go,” she said on the month-long training.

She traveled to the McDonough, Ga. training grounds, known in the company as ‘Choo Choo U.’ Students are given two chances to pass the test. There’s no going back to being a conductor.

“You pass or you’re out,” she said.

After the month of instruction, she returned to Baltimore and worked for the next year being mentored.

Although she likes the money she makes as an engineer Ashby admits she prefers being a conductor.

“The conductor is the boss of the job,” Ashby said. “I liked being the conductor better. I guess I’m a control freak.”

As an engineer she is stationary, sitting in the cab most of the day.

The conductor job is fluid, physical and outdoors.

“You work in all the elements; sometimes at night. You’re climbing on cars, getting in between cars to lace hoses and throw switches,” she said. “You’re away from an office, serving the customers.”

There’s a lot of detail to being the conductor too. She had to be aware

of the freight being hauled. A line of coal cars is different than a mixed freight train. However as the engineer it’s also important information.

“You’ve got to know your slack, your draft and your buffer forces,” she said.

As the engineer of the diesel-electric train it’s a lot of moving throttles and levers. It’s also sitting in the same place as the train moves.

Norfolk Southern travels through Port Deposit and Perryville en

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route to the rails that travel north and south. Ashby explains how she is required by law to sound the horn as she brings the train through both towns.

Ashby said the public needs to understand that a freight train can’t maneuver or stop like a vehicle on the road.

tons; just to give you an idea of the weight you are trying to stop.”

“Unless there is an emergency stop, your stops are planned,” Ashby said. “So you’re thinking about how much air you need on a downgrade hill or if it’s raining and there are leaves on the rail. I might slide while trying to stop so maybe I’ll use sand before stopping to give myself some traction.”

“People have no idea how dangerous it is to play on tracks or try to beat the train at a railroad crossing,” Ashby said, stressing the need to respect the signals at crossings. “This can result in deaths, derailments, derailments that can turn into something like East Palestine, Ohio.”

(A Norfolk Southern train derailed March 1 in that Ohio town leaving in its wake a massive environmental clean up of chemical contamination of air, land and water.)

“You have to sound it 19 seconds before you reach a crossing,” she said of the Morse Code-like trill of two long, one short and another long blast of the horn. “If we don’t do it we could be held personally liable.”

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“For a large, heavy train such as a loaded coal train, it will take a mile and a half to stop if the engine is going track speed (50mph),” she said. “A loaded coal train is 6,700 feet (almost 1.5 miles) and is 17,000

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Ashby said she wants her daughters to choose their own careers, not just follow in her footsteps.

“My oldest is 22, my youngest is 7. I want them to do something they are passionate about,” she said. W2W

Congratulations Jaime White for your success in helping our community by providing a safe place for aging adults and adults with a disability.

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JAIME WHITE Owner All About Me Adult Day Program Photo courtesy of Jamie White

Photo courtesy of Jamie White

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SELECTED AS A WOMAN TO WATCH?

I am honored to be selected as a woman to watch in 2023. I feel wonderful knowing that I am able to reach many goals as a female business owner. I also owe thanks to my wonderful mate and business partner, Justin in addition to many friends and family that believed in me. I feel it is only up from here and am excited to be an entrepreneur in a male dominated society.

location and completing the build out. Being a new business and a first time business owner, I had to find a building where the owner believed not only in my mission but also the fact that I would be able to carry out all of the tasks to become successful. After looking at more than a dozen locations, I was able to find a landlord who believed in me as an entrepreneur and the mission I was trying to fulfill.

After I successfully found a location, I had to deal with many more challenges in finding a contractor to complete the project for a decent price. Being a female it was intimidating due to the fact the construction field is a male dominant profession.

WHAT IS ENRICHING ABOUT YOUR WORK WITH THE ELDERLY AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES?

WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU’VE Elderly members are far more intelligent than myself.

FACED AS A FEMALE BUSINESS OWNER? Being able to learn from them, help them and Although I faced many challenges during the opening provide a safe nurturing environment provides me with motivation to be successful. I find working with process, my biggest challenge was finding the right 28

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PROFILE

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adults with a disability and aging adults brings happiness and comfort to me daily. Knowing I created an environment that is motivated by smiles, is the most enriching work I could ever do in my life.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB WHAT IS SOME ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO OR ARE PURSUING CAREERS AS LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS? Ask questions as many times as you need to in order to understand what is needed for a project. With persistence and asking questions you will be able to accomplish anything in life. Dream big and don’t let others tell you that something cannot be done.

If you fail, that’s okay, get back up and try again. You are going to win the race if you keep going. Always remember, you cannot control the actions of others, but you can control your own destination.

Make your life meaningful and enjoy every minute of the process. W2W

You are going to win the race if you keep going.

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN BUT HAVE NOT YET?

I enjoy being involved in the community where I live and work. I would love to work with assisted living and nursing homes in our community on a regular basis. I would also enjoy working with schools on the high school or college level to offer internship opportunities.

Photo courtesy of Jamie White

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M E L I S S A TA P P Executive Director United Way of Cecil County

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SELECTED AS A WOMAN TO WATCH?

United Way Cecil invests in programs that show measurable outcomes – every year. Together we I am humbled and honored to have been selected as a create new solutions to old problems and join with people from all walks of life to put those solutions into Woman to Watch and to receive recognition for my action. We make it easier for people to make a contribution and hard work in our Local Community. It difference, whether it’s through time, money, or is truly humbling to have been chosen from among so empowering YOUR voice. To Live United is our call to many amazing, talented women who are also working hard in their Leadership roles. None of this would have action for the entire community. It’s about working been possible without the encouragement and constant together to achieve more than any single person or support from my Husband, and my loyal friends pushing organization could do alone. We recruit people and me to go out of my comfort zone and encouraging me organizations from across the community that share the same passion, expertise and resources needed to to aim as high as the sky without abandon. get things done. To me, this is everything. Lastly, but

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Temporary fixes aren’t going to cut it.

WHAT IS ENRICHING ABOUT YOUR WORK WITH UNITED WAY AND YOUR OTHER WORK IN THE COMMUNITY?

There are so many meaningful relationships that have been forged along my path to what led me to where I am today with United Way of Cecil County, and I am thankful for each one. Part of our work that is enriching to me and fills my heart to capacity is together with our non-profit agencies, 30

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Photo courtesy of Melissa Tapp

PROFILE never least, I am thankful for the relationships that I get to build with our communities and their families.

Those relationships are priceless. Restoring hope to someone which may have previously been lost is something you can never forget; a memory to cherish for a lifetime.

WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE FACED AS A WOMAN IN EXECUTIVE ROLES?

I’m not sure if some of the roadblocks I have faced while being an Executive Director are directly associated to my being a woman. I can say that when I face challenges that need to be tackled and I meet resistance, that’s where my persistence kicks into high gear. When a need is asked, I become stronger in myself because I realize sometimes it takes a strong-willed person to be that change, to be the person who needs to advocate on their behalf because the problems are going to solve themselves.

Most of the barriers aren’t a simplistic, easy fix. They need to be addressed quickly. Temporary fixes aren’t going to cut it. We need to be fast moving, and thorough, covering all bases.

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN BUT HAVE NOT YET?

I would love to have the opportunity to be a mentor to young ladies, so that I can have the honor of teaching them from very early on to be fierce in their passion for what they love. I want to teach them to think outside of the box and take with them the knowledge of not being afraid to stand firm, stand tall and fight for what they truly believe in. I want to be the cheerleader with the loudest voice in the backround constantly telling them THEY CAN do this. I want to remind them that they too have a voice, and to use that voice to be heard, and to take in all of the learning knowledge they can to succeed to the highest standards because when they KNOW that they can, they WILL. The limits will be endless. W2W Photo courtesy of Melissa Tapp

WHAT IS SOME ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO OR ARE PURSUING CAREERS IN NONPROFITS OR WITHIN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES?

My best advice would be to NEVER let ANYONE try to extinguish the light that you have inside of yourself to help others or in anything that you do. Let no one hold you back. Push forward. Don’t be afraid to disagree and commit to what you KNOW is right in your heart. Find positive people from all walks of life, full of endless ideas and keep them close to you. Be brave, be strong and never be afraid of change. Embrace it. Be ready to move with it, to adapt to it, so that you can create a goodness in your community that can be everlasting.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SELECTED AS

WOMEN TO WATCH 2023!

I am honored and humbled to be nominated among so many successful women. Let's continue to accomplish, inspire and cheer each other on!

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Congratulations Yvette Valentin

Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna’s Director of Homeowner Services and Mortgage Loan Originator

Her work helps Habitat for Humanity Susquehana partner with local families to build the stability and security that a safe, affordable home allows. Her commitment to her community extends beyond providing affordable homeownership opportunities in Cecil and Harford counties.

She also serves as the Vice Chair for the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce, and as a Board member for Deep Roots.

Nominee 32

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Thank you for Nominating Me

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The Team at FWA would like to congratulate all of the Women featured for 2023 including our very own Jamila Mettee in her nomination!

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COVER PROFILE

Lauren Warren Dougherty Boat Captain & Business Owner Upper Chesapeake Boat School

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he captain. The courageous, passionate leader of a vessel, who is often portrayed to be older with a rough-aroundthe-edges aesthetic. The captain of the M/V Summer Breeze, a 48-foot tritoon tour boat based in Chesapeake City, Lauren Warren is less of a hard-bitten old seadog as much as she is a helping hand, an instructor and a woman living her dream.

Warren, 32, the Summer Breeze’s captain and owner of the Upper Chesapeake Boat School, cited her journey to bearing boating’s top rank as organic.

“I am proud because I am doing what I really enjoy doing while helping other people and that makes me happy,” said Warren.

Warren’s time on the water dates back to her toddler years, where visits to see her grandfather involved a trip to Florida. There, her grandfather would

Story by Matt Hubbard Photos by Jennifer Quinn

teach boater safety courses and was part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

“He was a big boater and I think that’s where I developed my love for boating,” said Warren.

“What I like about Lauren is that when I tell her something that I know for a fact, I can tell that she is listening to me,” said Connell. “She likes to absorb knowledge and I love her personality.”

When Warren was 16-years-old, her grandfather passed away, which prompted her mother to buy a boat. It was then that Warren and her mother set out on their voyages to explore and find fun places for boaters to enjoy – bumping docks and running a propeller into the ground along the way.

Connell met Warren when she was 26-years-old and was working on getting her captain’s license. Warren explained to Connell that she needed a certain amount of hours on a boat to get her license, which is when Connell brought her aboard the M/V Summer Breeze as a crew member.

“It was fun and we made all of the mistakes that everybody makes starting out,” said Warren.

“Riding on a boat and driving a boat are night and day, so when she needed hours to get her captain’s license, I told the captain of the Summer Breeze at the time to give her as much sick time as he could,” said Connell.

Upon graduating high school, Warren worked at her mother’s candy store, Candy For All Occasions, where she said she developed her work ethic that would later be identified by the owner of the M/V Summer Breeze, Tom Connell, as part of the reason he chose her to captain his boat.

Warren completed the remaining hours needed for her captain’s license aboard the M/V Summer Breeze, officially ranking her as Captain Lauren Warren at age 27.

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from 2017 until 2020. In 2020, Warren found out she was pregnant.

With the COVID-19 pandemic and her pregnancy, Warren took the summer of 2020 on land.

“Come the summer of 2021, I had no idea what I was going to do,” said Warren. “I had a baby at home so I couldn’t do deliveries so I decided to work the dock at Schaefer’s in between captaining the Summer Breeze.”

It was during her time as a dockhand at Schaefer’s Canal House that Warren found her next journey – opening her own boating school.

Warren getting her captain’s license was an important milestone in her boating career, but it came with some unfortunate attention.

she said she would and from that day on she was running my boat,” said Connell. “She is as good as even myself behind that wheel.”

“Sometimes when I announce I am captain, I get a lot of agonizing looks and I have even been questioned of my ability to captain a boat,” said Warren.

Warren said that looking back on her experience as a woman captain starting out, the comments and “dock stares” made her self-conscious but, now, she finds it to be laughable.

Starting out as a woman in a leadership position in a male-dominated field, Warren explained that it was difficult for her to adjust.

“It’s not even like you start from scratch, you start lower than that and you have to work your way to just equal and I hate having to prove myself,” said Warren. “It’s a judgment thing first and it’s all because I don’t look like the guy on the fish-stick box.”

But the judgment didn’t stop her. When Connell called upon Warren to captain his boat for the first time, he said Warren did not hesitate at the offer.

“I called her one day because I needed someone to run the Bay Breeze and 36

“I wake up every morning and I do the best I can and I think other girls who go into boating should have the confidence to do the best they can too,” said Warren. “Do not be intimidated by anyone because two weeks ago, Joe hit the dock too.”

“When I worked on the dock at Schaefer’s, I saw a lot of mistakes by boaters and I’ve made all the same mistakes, so I thought I should start a boat school to help people not make the same mistakes I did,” said Warren.

Warren noted that once she put her idea for a boat school on Facebook, hundreds of people endorsed her; which led to her teaching multiple classes until she officially opened the Upper Chesapeake Boat School in 2022.

It’s a judgment thing first and it’s all because I don’t look like the guy on the fish-stick box.

— Laura Warren Dougherty Warren served as the M/V Summer Breeze’s captain doing The M/V Summer Breeze is now not tours out of Schaefer’s Canal House only the vessel Warren completed in Chesapeake City, while also doing her training hours on, allowing her boat deliveries all over the east coast to become a captain, but it is where

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Warren hosts her classes for Upper Chesapeake Boat School when she is not running tours.

“The reason this is so special to me is because I also started out a brand new boater at one point, too,” said Warren.

“I want to give all of the information that I didn’t have.”

Warren said that her goals with Upper Chesapeake Boat School are to make local waterways safer, smarter and more enjoyable for boaters by offering a comfortable learning environment for anyone interested in boating.

“I want people to know that there is a comfortable, judgment free, friendly environment that wants to help make our waterways safer while having fun,” said Warren. “There is a big stigma with boating where you think you

need to know everything and it’s just not true.”

From boating with her grandfather to exploring with her mother, Warren has made her passion for boating her legacy.

“My mom always had a word sign that said ‘if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough’ and that has always helped me through a lot because this industry is anxiety ridden but if it didn’t scare you, it wouldn’t be rewarding,” said Warren.

Anyone interested in learning more about Upper Chesapeake Boat School should visit them on Facebook. W2W

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ELIZABETH

Owner West Street Village Mall

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SELECTED AS A WOMAN TO WATCH? To be honest I was surprised. I feel I have done less in the past few years, as far as community involvement, but I am honored.

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F E LT S

WHAT IS ENRICHING ABOUT YOUR WORK RUNNING WEST STREET VILLAGE MALL AND HEART FELTS GIFTS? What I like best about running West Street Village is it allows me to give small business owners the opportunity to be successful. Heart Felts Gifts is my outlet for stress. It’s the fun part I get to do after a long week.

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PROFILE

WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE FACED RUNNING YOUR BUSINESSES?

The biggest challenge for me is trying to play “mediator” to the small businesses in WSV. I have been blessed to have a good mix of business owners in the past year or two. They all get along and look out for each other, but it hasn’t always been that way.

WHAT IS SOME ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO OR ARE PURSUING CAREERS AS LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS? The advice I would give is to get as much training as you can on how to own and operate a small business. When I started, I went to the SBA and took classes through SCORE. I also took basic accounting courses and Quickbooks so I understood how to

properly track business expenses, profit and loss and file and pay taxes.

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN BUT HAVE NOT YET? I feel my life is complete and fulfilling. I stay pretty busy. I visit our Florida home as much as I can so fly between Maryland and Florida 6 to 7 times a year. I also volunteer as a Museum guide and do KP duty at our local Florida VFW. Between traveling, managing WSV and being Mom Mom to my 4 grandsons, my life is nearly perfect. W2W

“

Heart Felts Gifts is my outlet for stress.

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LISA FIELDS Community Engagement Manager Union Hospital/ChristianaCare Photo courtsey of Lisa Fields

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PROFILE

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SELECTED AS A WOMAN TO WATCH?

It is a true honor and I am humbled beyond words to be selected. The work in our community is so very important and I am proud to lead the way with such a great team at ChristianaCare.

“

HOW DO YOU JUGGLE YOUR PERSONAL LIFE WITH YOUR WORK AT THE HOSPITAL?

Work-life harmony is definitely something that is important to me. Being a mom, wife and grandmother can be challenging when it comes to a career. However, prioritizing, time management and having leadership that supports caregiver wellbeing and self-care is critical to being the best I can be.

Choose a role that speaks to your heart.

A role that gives you pleasure and fills your bucket.

WHAT IS SOME ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO OR ARE PURSUING CAREERS IN THE MEDICAL FIELD?

Choose a role that speaks to your heart. A role that gives you pleasure and fills your bucket. But always know that you have options to grow and WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE ENRICHING change as you do as a person.

ABOUT YOUR WORK AT UNION?

As a lifelong citizen of Cecil County, it allows me to give back to the Community I grew up in. The Cecil County Campus is a special place where we are family, and we can work closely with our community partners in achieving the best outcomes for our patients.

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN BUT HAVE NOT YET? Yes, I want to really get more involved in our youth and their well-being. Working closely with our partnerships to be front and center in youthled programs. W2W

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Thank you for your nomination!

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Congratulations Erin Wright for being a Women to Watch nominee!

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023 WOMEN TO WATCH!

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C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

T O A L L P A S T, P R E S E N T, A N D F U T U R E W O M E N T O W AT C H FROM APG CHESAPEAKE

WOMEN

TO WATCH

WOMEN TO WATCH SHANNON 2022

WANG PAINTS A CLEAR PICTURE

FEATURED: Profiles of extraordinary women in Southern Maryland 4

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A DANCER’S CUTTING UP

MINDSET

WITH CAMERON ERRINGTON

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PROFILES OFATKINS TYANNA EXTRAORDINARY BALANCES STUDIO WOMEN AROUND OWNERSHIP AND SOUTHERN MARYLAND SOCIAL WORK

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CLASS ON THE

WATER LAUREN WARREN DOUGHTERY TALKS EDUCATION ON THE RIVER

PROFILES OF EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN AROUND SOUTHERN MARYLAND

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PROFILES OF EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN IN THE UPPER CHESAPEAKE

ON THE BAY

BOSS

IMANI BLACK PAVES THE WAY FOR MINORITIES IN AQUACULTURE

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PROFILES OF EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN ON THE EASTERN SHORE

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hank you for nominating us for the Adams Publishing Group 2023 Women To Watch.

We are so thank ul to our communi y for every oppo tuni y that has allowed us to volunteer, contribute and grow. We feel so much gratitude to all of the strong women that have taken the time to guide us and walk along side of us over the years, especially our Team at Domain. These women are t uly Women To Watch. Thank you ladies for ever thing you do to make a difference.

• Sophia Grace • • Susan Lavoie • • Samantha Menasion • • Kathy Wiggins • • Meghan McGuirk • • Shauna Wright • • Alyssa Biggs •

• Victoria Burrows • • Christina Day • • Carrie Grice • • Rebekah Kenley • • Amy Nunley • • Chloe Williams • • Jirleymar Morgan •

Domain Spa and Salon congratulates all past and present nominees and are appreciative of their contributions to our community-congratulations!!!