You spoke, and we listened — here’s the second and final batch, rounding out 40+ women leaders making waves in Columbia. These leaders are running companies, launching ideas, and shaping our community as Women’s History Month wraps up.

Note: Submissions have been lightly edited for grammar, clarity, and length.

Anne Sinclair, Founder + CEO, Anne Sinclair Consulting | Sinclair has served on Columbia City Council and is active with Washington Street UMC outreach programs, as well as refugee placement and settlement through Lutheran Family Services.

Alexus Bessellieu, Owner, Ace’s Space | Bessellieu has built a life of service as a nurse, then transformed her personal loss into purpose by opening an overnight childcare center in honor of her late son. Through compassion and resilience, she created a safe haven for families in need, ensuring her son‘s legacy lives on through every child cared for.

Alysha McConnell, Executive Director, Family Promise of the Midlands | Alysha was named Executive Director of Family Promise of the Midlands last year after serving as its Case Manager for five years. Her passionate leadership and dedication to families experiencing homelessness inspire all around her. | Nominated by Beth T.

Dr. Amalia Luxardo, CEO, Women's Rights & Empowerment Network (WREN) | A visionary leader elevating women’s voices across South Carolina through advocacy, civic engagement, and policy-shaping work. | Nominated by Tori N.

Aura Ortiz, Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant, Talk With Me Speech Therapy | Ortiz is dedicated to serving patients with her best every day. She is kind, reliable, efficient, and fastidious. Truly a gem.

Barbara Ball, Publisher + Owner, The Blythewood Voice | Owner and publisher of the local paper, now serving as president of the SC Press Association.

Bency Beals, Founder + Owner, Ignite Leadership Solutions | Bency Beals emphasizes leadership rooted in character, integrity, and purpose. Known for her authentic, relational style, she draws out leaders’ strengths and helps them find their own path — developing leaders who go on to develop others and create ripple effects across organizations and communities. | Nominated by Terry J.

Carmen Hampton-Julious, CEO, PALSS (Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services) | Carmen has led PALSS as CEO for over 30 years, growing it into a vital resource for people living with HIV. She has navigated the agency through financial and social challenges, consistently emerging successful.

Casiphia Wohlfeld, M.S., CCC-SLP, Founder, Talk With Me Speech Therapy | Launched + operates a pediatric speech and language clinic, investing in the next generation of leaders.

Chandler Inabinet, MD, SC OBGYN / LMC | Dr. Inabinet is an advocate for women’s health and always puts her patients first. She also has much respect for her team, demonstrating strong leadership by fostering a collaborative environment where every member feels valued and empowered to provide the highest quality care.

Connelly Anne Ragley, Chief External Affairs Officer/Legislative Liaison, Department of Social Services | She has helped lead DSS into a stronger era that is dedicated to improving the lives of children rather than just general bureaucracy. Not only does she work hard, but she also dedicates her off-time to serving her community in multiple volunteer roles. | Nominated by Ashley L.

Deonna Wylie, Founder, Cola Rosé Shower | Founded this event to empower women and spark open conversations around fertility and women’s health.

Diana Stevenson, CEO, Grace Outdoor Advertising | Stevenson, a child of immigrants, USC grad, and mother of five, is the CEO of Grace Outdoor — and truly impressive.

Level Fitness is set to open this fall on the corner of Forest Drive and Brentwood Drive. | Photo via Level Fitness

Hannah Buckner, Co-founder, Level Fitness | A staple in Columbia’s fitness scene, empowering clients and training the next generation of instructors. | Nominated by Elizabeth B.

Jean O'Reilly Barlow, Principal Artist and Owner, Interi | Jean is an artist gaining international acclaim for transforming culturally significant objects into works of art. Her work celebrates regeneration and transformation — not just of objects, but of the human spirit. Known for her generosity and advocacy, she uplifts others, especially women, while remaining grounded and approachable. | Nominate by Jennifer B.

Jeanette Smith, Blythewood Garden Club, Garden Club Council of Greater Columbia Board Member | Jeanette, a UofSC graduate in her 90s, remains very active in her community. She’s involved with the Blythewood Garden Club and serves on the Board of the Garden Club Council of Greater Columbia. She has chaired many of the Council’s February Fundraisers, even performing a traditional Latin dance this year. A featured writer and local media presence, Jeanette isn’t just keeping up with women half her age — she’s showing them how to live well. | Nominated by Molly R.

Jennifer Parker-Harley, Professor, University of South Carolina | As the Flute Professor at USC, she displays excellence, mindfulness, and care to all of her students. She contributes both her musical abilities and entrepreneurship mindset not only to the city of Colombia, but also to the greater South Carolina area.

Jessica Corley, Founder, Jessica Corley Law Firm | Leads with a client-centered approach rooted in compassionate advocacy and strong legal results, building a reputation for dedicated representation, meaningful community impact, and guiding clients through difficult moments with care.

Dr. Jennifer Clyburn Reed, Federal Co-Chair, Southeast Crescent Regional Commission | In US history, Dr. Clyburn Reed is the second woman and first African-American woman to lead a Federal Regional Commission. The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, based in Columbia, SC, builds sustainable communities and strong economies. Under her leadership, SCRC placed 425 doctors in health deserts and invested $52 million in 139 community-led projects. Her advocacy supports scholarships, homeownership, and historic preservation. | Nominated by Walter A. R.

Jennifer Feliciano, President, Central Carolina REALTORS® Association | Feliciano is the first Latina president of the Central Carolina Realtors Association. | Nominated by Monica R-C.

Kaitlyn Van Bean, Founder + Owner, RISE Fitness + Wellness | Has created an inclusive, community-centered space where women of all body types feel strong and supported, driven by a passion for accessible Pilates and whole-person wellness.

Kate Iseman, Founder, Cicada | Iseman is a leader in the male-dominated telecom and tech space, having founded Cicada five years ago. A proud Gamecock alumna, she supports young women through the university and donates 10% of her company’s earnings to charity. Cicada is nationally recognized, and Iseman is an award-winning entrepreneur and advocate. | Nominated by Roddy B. + others

Village Idiot Pizza has been a Five Points institution for over 30 years | Photo provided by Village Idiot Pizza

Kelly Glynn, Village Idiot Pizza Co-owner + Columbia Food & Wine Festival, Co-chair | The behind-the-scenes force leading logistics for one of the region’s largest culinary events — managing 100+ participants with ease (but she'd never toot her own horn). | Nominated by Ashley E.

Dr. Kim D. Moore, Superintendent, Richland County School District Two | The first female African American Superintendent of Richland County School District Two has achieved unprecedented student academic achievement since assuming leadership of the District.

Kelly Kepley, Business Manager, Devine Chiropractic, and Accounting Manager, South Carolina Hunters For The Hungry | A wife and mother of three, Kepley is the business manager at Devine Chiropractic and an accounting manager for a nonprofit helping feed the hungry statewide. An avid athlete, she’s often spotted walking several miles a day in Forest Acres.

Kelsey Bickley, VP of Marketing & Communications, Main Street District | Kelsey's creativity and hard work ethic are a huge asset to our region. Not only did she lead regional marketing efforts for years at Experience Columbia SC, she is now the marketing director for the Main St. District. Main Street has grown so much, and with the help of Kelsey people are buzzing about it. And she's doing it all while being a new mom — a total go-getter. | Nominated by Ashley E.

Kristie Jones, Founder, Soda City Peace of Mind + Sunnyside Academy | A local educator and businesswoman behind a tutoring center and micro school serving hundreds of students, beloved by families and staff alike. | Nominated by Elizabeth B.

Kyla Bailey, Co-owner, Carolina Fence Group, LLC; Co-owner, 1-800 Striper of Columbia; Agent, Better Home and Gardens Real Estate Medley |Kyla is a risk-taking entrepreneur passionate about building and strengthening the Columbia community, with ownership across real estate, fencing, and parking services.

Lisa Cole, CEO, Literacy SC | Leads a nonprofit changing lives through one-on-one reading tutoring, securing funding and partnerships to support adult learners across Richland, Lexington, and Aiken counties. | Nominated by Meredith G.

Lochlan Wooten, COO, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden | Leads a dynamic team at the South’s most visited zoo, ensuring that more than 1.2 million guests each year have a world-class experience — and learn how to protect the planet without leaving Columbia.

Lorie Gardner, CEO + Partner, Mad Monkey, Inc | When asked what it takes to be a successful CEO, she says it’s knowing “what you suck at.” An ADDY Award winner, including Best of Show, her success is rooted in curiosity, storytelling, and a gift for lifting others.

Margaret Ellen Pender, Principal, Anchor Investment Management, LLC | Margaret has been a cornerstone of the firm’s growth since nearly its founding, bringing operational expertise, strategic insight, and deep dedication to clients. As Anchor celebrates its 25th anniversary, her leadership and commitment to trusted relationships have helped shape the firm into the full-service wealth management practice it is today. | Nominated by Anna Kate Twitty, Flock and Rally

Dr. Meghan Davidson, Soulshine Pelvic Health | Dr. Davidson is an entrepreneur and clinician expanding access to specialized pelvic floor therapy — expertise still far too rare. Through Soulshine Pelvic Health, she’s built a holistic, patient-centered practice that helps women and men feel seen, supported, and empowered in their healing.

Dr. Melissa Boylan, MD, Owner + Founder, Noreta Family Medicine | Dr. Boylan founded Noreta (No Red Tape), a direct primary care practice that bypasses traditional insurance. Her subscription-based model offers prescriptions, lab tests, and general medical services at lower cost, with less wait time, creating a more meaningful, efficient, and patient-focused approach to care. | Nominated by Jan S.

Merritt McNeely, CEO, Flock and Rally | A powerhouse of influence, vision, and community leadership in South Carolina. Since 2018, she has helped transform the agency into a fully integrated strategic firm serving high-profile clients across the state and beyond. | Nominated by Anna Kate T.

Shannon Henry, President + Founder, SASS Go | Leading the charge in violence prevention and survivor recovery, including creating the Green Screen initiative with the AG’s office to address mass drugging incidents. | Nominated by Kristen M.

Sheldon Paschal, Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement, United Way of the Midlands | Sheldon is dedicated to the community where she was born and raised. A leader at United Way, she works to strengthen and support the city we all call home. Accomplished in the arts, she participates in plays and uses her talents to give back beyond her career. Breaking the mold, she is extremely gifted, professional, and possesses a spirit like no other — her presence and influence are a gift to our city. | Nominated by Libby Anne I. + Sharon W. B.

This cinema will celebrate female filmmakers at its Femme Film Fest. | Photo via COLAtoday

Sumner Bender, Executive Director, The Nickelodeon | Bender has done a fantastic job of making the Nick a community space again. From forums to film talks to the upcoming Femme Film Fest, our local historic theatre is something to be proud of. And (!) it's the only nonprofit art-house theater in South Carolina. | Nominated by Ashley E.

Tara Morawski, Owner + Broker, Harcourts Carolinas | Morawski moved here from CA as little as four years ago and has since immersed herself in the community. Has taken on several leadership roles and started new local events in support of business owners.

Victoria Dixon Mokeba, Founding Director + CEO, Carolina School for Inquiry | A visionary leader behind the Richland One public charter elementary school.

Yasmine Gabr, MD, Lexington Family Practice Summit | In addition to treating hundreds of patients in the Midlands, Dr. Gabr serves as medical director of Lexington Family Practice–Summit, making her the youngest and only female lead doctor in the LFP network.