Inspirational Women

Kathy Boden Holland is the CEO of Mindr, a national leader in substance detection, monitoring, and safety solutions. The newest addition to their portfolio of products is Keepr Drive, a proactive driving tech aimed at helping families protect young drivers and make roadways safer.  Mindr is focused on making communities safe through innovative technologies that empower individual with the too...

Susan Wiggs is a best-selling NW-based author who consistently brings us interesting and informative reads. And her latest work scores on all points! "Wayward Girls" is historical fiction, a terrific genre which brings important history to light in a very readable way. In an earlier age, there were 'homes' for girls who were considered a problem, who were unwed and pregnant, who were foster k...

Sheila Roberts is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly best-selling, fan favorite author with more than 60 books to her credit. Sheila has had some of her books made into Hallmark and Lifetime Network movies. Sheila shares some insights into her newest book, "Love on the Shelf", which has a radio tie-in. A life-long Washingtonian, Sheila still considers this state home, continuing to...

Karie Bonner is the founder of 'You Glow Girl by Karie'. Her story is quite amazing, having created this online brand during the pandemic. She and her husband had both lost their jobs on the same day, weeks before their wedding, and Karie went on to launch 'You Glow Girl' as a fragrance and body care brand that grew through TikTok, creator partnerships, and community support. This y...

Kyla Cain is an Education Curator at Cougar Mountain Zoo, joining the program once more to showcase the zoo's summer activities; ones that will enrich all of our lives, young kids especially. Cougar Mountain Zoo is a gem in the PNW community, a reflection of our values of education and conservation. And new on their campus this year is a Summer Camp for young kids, grades 1 & 2, and 3 & 4....

Aida Salazar is an award-winning author and arts activist whose writings for adults and children explore issues of identity and social justice. She is the author of a number of novels for middle schoolers, young adults and adults including the picture book anthology "In the Spirit of a Dream: 13 Stories of American Immigrants of Color." Her newest addition is the Scholastic novel "Stream" which te...

Marilyn Milano is a Seattle-based vocalist and pianist with an especially big heart for animals, and what they bring to our lives. Pets have been found to be a comfort to the elderly, and particularly those living with memory issues. Related to this particular passion, Marilyn became aware of 'Tombot,' a company that has created a realistic robotic puppy, Jennie.  This puppy has even been inc...

Rachel Linden is a novelist and has been an international aid worker who has called both Seattle and the Peninsula home for the past 17 years. Rachel is active in the PNW literary community supporting local indie bookstores, speaking at PNW literary festivals, and teaching writing workshops for aspiring authors. She's also a proud and active Girl Scout's mom, and island community coordinator...

Corinne Cavanaugh is a three-time entrepreneur, a Harvard-educated marketing executive. and the founder of CAC Media & Publishing. She leads a team of fractional CMOs who have driven revenue for companies such as Microsoft, Estee Lauder, Disney, and others. She is also author of the Audacious Woman series of novels. Corinne is also a mom of 3 kids, ages 7, 5 and 2-1/2. Corinne brings...

Amy Friedman is an author, writing teacher, and the editor of a young people's writing and artwork anthology. The 11th edition, "A Secret Chord," will be releasing soon. Amy is a founder member of what is now The Pathfinder Network, a Portland, Oregon-based nonprofit providing justice-system-impacted individuals and families with the tools and support they need to be safe and to thrive i...

Lois Busby is one of the Youth Ambassadors for the Beat the Bridge 2026 fundraiser, supporting Breakthrough TD1. Nicki Rocco is the Development Manager at Breakthrough TD1 in Seattle. Together, they present the important case for fundraising, helping to support the research and development of new therapies and treatments for type 1 diabetes, and making a huge difference in the lives of countl...

Rebecca Atanassova is the author, and Alissa Hansen is the illustrator of the recent children's picture book "George the Mouse in a Log Pile House," a most beautiful story for parents and guardians to highlight to their children the importance of nature ahead of Earth Day, April 22. In a recent study, 62% of parents reported feeling guilty about the amount of time their kids spend on screens. With...

Rebecca Rosenberg is an author and champagne historian. These two passions converge in her book series, the Champagne Widows," with the third, "License to Thill — Lily Bollinger," just released. Named so after Bollinger champagne, notably used throughout the James Bond film series. Rebecca is also a speaker for the National Women's History Alliance. https://rebecca-rosenberg.com See Privacy P...

Aimee Khuu is Executive Director of Tacoma Community House and brings us stories and important information about the organization's invaluable work.  This non-profit has done right by serving immigrants, refugees, homeless youth and low-income residents in the Pacific Northwest region for 116 years. It maintains a critical role in strengthening the local community, promoting inclusion, divers...

Misty L. Heggeness is co-director of the Kansas Population Center, Associate Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at the University of Kansas, and former Principal Economist and Senior Advisor at the US Census Bureau. She is also creator of The Care Broad, a dashboard of economic statistics built by, and for, caregivers that brings their economic contributions into the fold.  Misty has t...

Lori Johnson is the Executive Director of Washington Outdoor Women, an incredible organization founded in the Puget Sound in 1998 for women to gain the skills and confidence worthy to enjoy the vast natural paradise that is our home.  Lori will host a 4-hour workshop "Bringing Back the Dutch Oven" on April 12, for a campout or just for your back yard. Elsewhere, "Women's Survival Minded Wande...

Nancy Shear has had music surround her all her life. Her memoir "I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms" portrays an incredible life where, at a young age, she would sneak into concerts featuring the Philadelphia Orchestra through the stage door, knowing she couldn't afford the ticket price. The deep love she carried for both the music and atmosphere would result in a career as an orchestra librarian,...

Alexis DeBrock, a young inspiring woman ready to explore many great opportunities, lets us in on her process and progress ahead of the Mrs. Washington 2026 Pageant, taking place this month. Alexis has been amazing on this journey, encountering new opportunities and creating others, all while also planning her wedding, and all with energy and effervescence. We can help her as this ad...

Chelsea Ann is a mother, author, Western medicine practitioner, and modern healer. She is on a mission to bring conscious children into this world by supporting women mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually on their motherhood journey. She is the author of "The Feminine Frequency: A Guide for Women to Tune into Their Nature & Awaken Humanity." Chelsea shares stories from women...

Lena Fein is a woman familiar with living, and growing up, in madness. She begins the healing journey and the unraveling of decades of her life in her memoir, "Shattering the Mirror." As one of four girls in her family, Lena feels she is the one who doesn't measure up, wrongly compared to her other sisters. After her mother's death, she discovers alongside her siblings, that their mother...

Stefanie Lachenauer is the 2025 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year, and the author of "Let the Glitter Settle: Mindfulness for Teens." Stefanie has nearly two decades as an educator and in that time has developed worthwhile training programs to support youth in all aspects of their lives. Stefanie is a certified mindfulness and trauma-informed resilience trainer who offers teens simple, accessib...

Kavya Thakrar is an amazing young woman, just 16 years old, but with wisdom and drive of someone 2-3 times her age.  She is proof that numbers shouldn't have factor in who we are, and what we are, or strive to achieve.  Kavya has had big dreams and has built foundations under them.  Her dream of journalism has already taken form in a book she has written and self-published: "Bows an...

Therese Dumas is a heart disease survivor. She has been a cardiology nurse practitioner for nearly 30 years and never imagined she would be the one requiring cardiac care. In 2020, she began experiencing severe chest pain, which ultimately led to a heart failure diagnosis. Therese is the 2026 Go Red for Women Ambassador in Washington. Awareness and education will lead us to living a heart hea...

Ellen Shapiro is an author new to the area of young adult literature, but no less unfamiliar toward mature works.  As International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed on January 27, Ellen's new book, "The Secret Buttons," has a way of honoring those who died, along with those who managed to survive.  Ellen shares some background story, her mother's experience during WWII, along with d...

Carol Lin is a former journalist, whose notable roles include reporter for ABC News, and anchor for CNN. Carol brought us some of the most defining moments of the 21st century, chief among them her coverage on the morning of 9/11.  Carol is the author of "When News Breaks: A Memoir of Love and War," a beautifully written, heart-wide-open story, where Carol opens her soul to share stories that...