She Achieved with Albine Bennett

Katina O’Neal is happily married to her wonderful husband, Mario O’Neal, for 26 years. They are blessed with three children and two beautiful grandchildren. With over 25 years of experience in Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management, she was honored as Employee of the Year at the largest rural hospital in the Southern Region. Katina has trained employees on the CARES principles (compassion, accountabi...

As a life-long Mississippian, Suzy Bowman has stepped into leadership roles in her state that have helped revitalize K-12 education in the work she has done as one of the founding members of the Career Coach Program in Mississippi. Taking her knowledge from that initiative, she moved into the next phase of her career as an Ecosystem Workforce Coordinator in North Mississippi as one of the regional...

Cerritos Johnson, a native of Shannon, Mississippi, is happily married to Marco Johnson, celebrating 11 years together. Their family is a source of immense pride, including two wonderful children: Santavious Foster, aged 27, and Kortlyn Wells, who is 18. Cerritos embarked on her educational journey at Shannon High School before pursuing further studies at ICC, where she earned her Associates degre...

Melinda Pitner Marsalis was born and raised in Northeast Mississippi.  She is a Corinth High School Graduate with a BSE in Math from Delta State University and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Mississippi.  After a thirty year career in education, Marsalis retired and went into business with husband, Chris.  Together they own JC Media LLC which includes Kudzu 104.9 and The Shar...

Everyday, Melony Armstrong demonstrates what a leader is. Thousands of low-income families are housed, clothed and fed not because she sought out government assistance for them, rather, She is responsible for breaking down regulatory walls that prohibited anyone from practicing hair braiding without a cosmetology license in her state of MS. Now, in the state of Mississippi alone over 7,000 women ...

Letisha Jackson is the CEO of Jackson Insurance Group as well as a Speaker, Entrepreneur, and Woman on a Mission. Letisha knows what it’s like to go from fighting for a $1 Cheeseburger to producing a successful insurance business and experiencing great success. Fast forward to now, Letisha is one of the most influential women in the insurance industry. She has won countless awards (Influential Wom...

Annette "Nettie" Tomlinson is a multi-talented individual with a passion for empowering others. A gifted writer, speaker, and local photographer, Nettie's creative spirit shines through her various endeavors. In addition to her creative pursuits, she also excels in the realm of business, having achieved the esteemed title of SuperStar Director with Scentsy, a testament to her dedica...

Judge Staci Shumpert Bevill is the esteemed incumbent of Lee County Court, Post 1, bringing over two decades of legal expertise to the bench since her election in 2019. Her tenure as judge is marked by a steadfast commitment to the youth court division, a role that earned her the distinction of being Lee County's inaugural full-time youth court judge. Collaborating closely with her dedicated...

Allison Smith, originally from Belmont and currently residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has led a remarkable journey of personal and professional growth. Her roots trace back to Belmont High School, where she graduated with honors, and Northeast Mississippi Community College, earning a Radiology Technology Degree. Furthering her education at the Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound in...

Gabrielle Cooper, a Tupelo native, is a distinguished graduate from the University of Mississippi with degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish. With a remarkable career, Gabrielle has held the position of VP at Renasant Bank in Private Banking, showcasing her expertise and dedication. Beyond her professional achievements, Gabrielle is deeply involved in community service. She has served on var...

Barbara's journey began at Tupelo High School in 1978, bursting with excitement for the college experience that awaited her. The allure of the University of Alabama proved irresistible, marking the start of a vibrant chapter filled with youthful exuberance. Although she took a detour from Ole Miss in her senior year, Barbara's adventurous spirit led her to the enchanting streets of San F...

Becky Weatherford stands as the driving force behind a transformative initiative in Tupelo, Mississippi, as the Founding Executive Director of Talbot House Sober Living for Women, Talbot House Lawndale, Talbot House Bakery & Café, and Talbot House Production Kitchen. However, her journey toward this impactful role is marked by not just professional dedication, but a deeply personal connection...

Juanita Gambrell Floyd is currently employed by CREATE Foundation as Senior Vice-President of Finance and Administration.  Her responsibilities include managing all financial aspects of the operation of the Foundation and the oversight of assets.  She has been employed with the Foundation for over 38 years.  On her 20th Anniversary with CREATE, the Foundation established the Bernice Gambrell Endow...

Amanda has spent the majority of her life in Tupelo, except for a brief period residing overseas in London. Her profound affection for her hometown is undeniable, with Tupelo's close-knit and supportive community holding a special place in her heart. As the owner and operator of Cafe 212 in downtown Tupelo, alongside her husband, Jason, Amanda is on the verge of celebrating 18 years of busine...

Paula Jones, the creative force behind CallMePMc.com, wears many hats in her culinary journey. As the owner, recipe developer, creator, and photographer, she established Call Me PMc in 2012, propelled by her impressive victory in the MS Magazine Recipe Contest. Her website, Call Me PMc, is a culinary haven that offers a wealth of resources for those seeking straightforward recipes and time-saving...

Over 8 years ago, Chasi became the very first plus size trainer in Tupelo, MS, along with creating the first body positive workout dance cardio class in North Mississippi. This was way before body positivity hit the scene. ⁣ ⁣Recognized as one of Tupelo's “Top 40 Under 40 Young Leaders, Influential Women, and featured in local publications Mud & Magnolia & Invitation and global platfo...

Rubye Del Harden's journey from aspiring high school band director to a multifaceted business owner and entrepreneur is a testament to life's unpredictability. While her initial dream was solely focused on a career in music education, her path took unexpected turns that led her to remarkable accomplishments. After earning her degree in instrumental music education, Rubye Del realized her...

Kim is a Tupelo native and has spent the better part of 30 years collecting and enjoying art. In 2010, Kim started the Caron Gallery, and now she represents over 40 artists of all genres. In 2018, the Mississippi Business Journal named her one of the 50 Leading Women in Business. She is currently Chairman of the Board for the Community Development Foundation in Tupelo. Daily, she endeavors to brea...

Lauren McElwain is a devoted mother of three young children who also serves as a part-time speech language pathologist within the Tupelo Public School District. In addition to her role in education, Lauren is a dedicated fitness instructor with expertise in both yoga and Pilates. She is also the visionary founder and director of 'Cooking as a First Language,' a prominent nonprofit organi...

Roxie Thomas Clayton is a dance educator, choreographer and creative. She believes that movement and dance should be accessible to every student who has that creative passion. After receiving her Masters in Dance, Roxie continued to make new discoveries about her craft and started connecting dance with her love of teaching. Roxie has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Mississippi...

Tupelo native Lisa Hawkins, armed with a Bachelor of Science and a Master's in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women, wears many hats. She owns Room to Room Furniture, previously ran Velveteen Rabbit, and once taught nursing at Itawamba Community College. Her community involvement is equally impressive. Hawkins is the vice chair of the CREATE Foundation and a key figure on the Sanctua...

Amanda Koonlaba, Ed. S. is a dedicated educator aligning standards and integrating content to meet the needs of the whole child. Amanda was named the Mississippi Elementary Art Educator of the Year and received the Thad Cochran Distinguished Arts Educator Award in 2016. She is the founder and owner of Party in the Art Room, an online resource for art educators, and Amanda Koonlaba Consulting, whic...

Blair Hughes is originally from Dallas, TX, but calls Columbus, MS, her home. In the year 2000, she embarked on a new journey by relocating to Tupelo, following a thriving banking career in Washington, DC. Having spent nearly 15 years in the nation's capital, a profound inner calling for a different professional path, as well as a yearning to draw closer to her roots, stirred within her. Cont...

Katina Davis, the Founding Director of Wear It Well, is a devoted volunteer who empowers individuals to thrive. With extensive experience and expertise, she brings great value to her role. Her remarkable efforts have garnered prestigious awards and recognition, and she actively utilizes community resources to create positive change. Join us as we explore Katina's inspiring journey of making a...

From science teacher to Chief Volunteer Officer, Becky is larger than life!  Listen to her journey as she shares her experience of how she met her husband, being a teacher in Texas, coming to Tupelo, interviewing Steve Harvey, and her toughest year overcoming cancer and loosing her mother. Listen as she gives sound advice on lessons she’s learned on her journey, importance of giving back to the co...