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, accountability, respect, expectation, and smile), emphasizing the mission and vision of their organization. Ad...
Jul 04, 2024•54 min
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 team members of the newly created State Office of Workforce Development known as Accelerate MS. Hav...
Jun 20, 2024•27 min
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 degree. Continuing her quest for knowledge, she attended The University of Mississippi, achieving both a ...
Jun 06, 2024•47 min
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 Shark 102.3 FM radio stations. Melinda has two fabulous adult children, two awesome children-in-law and fou...
May 23, 2024•41 min
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 are now registered hair braiders and first time business owners. Her Salon, Naturally Speaking, is th...
May 09, 2024•2 hr 18 min
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 Women, Top 40 under 40, Top Insurance Agency, Top Producer, Jim Ingram Leadership, and MORE), proving t...
Apr 25, 2024•35 min
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 dedication and leadership skills. Driven by her passion for helping others succeed, Nettie finds fulfillment in her role ...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 11 min
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 team, Judge Bevill has propelled Lee County Youth Court to prominence as a benchmark institution, particu...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 4 min
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 Mobile, AL, Allison dedicated 8 years to the field of cardiac and vascular ultrasound. Not only did...
Mar 14, 2024•45 min
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 various boards, including Good Samaritan Health Services, Kiwanis Club, GumTree Museum of Art, and is a...
Feb 29, 2024•42 min
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 Francisco. Here, she found herself at I. Magnin, a posh department store, where she immersed herself in the wor...
Feb 15, 2024•32 min
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 to the realm of addiction and recovery. Before committing her full-time efforts to Talbot House, Bec...
Feb 01, 2024•45 min
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 Endowment Fund in the amount of $10,000 in honor of her mother and her 20 years of employment. She is active...
Jan 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min
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 business success and 20 years of a strong and enduring marriage. Their combined dedication to both their cafe a...
Jan 04, 2024•33 min
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 strategies to whip up nutritious and delectable family meals. Hailing from the South, Paula carries ...
Dec 21, 2023•34 min
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 platforms such as Target, Nike, and BuzzFeed this purpose has took Chasity all over the world teaching, reachin...
Dec 07, 2023•39 min
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 dream of becoming a high school band director. Yet, her career ventured into diverse territories, including t...
Nov 23, 2023•1 hr 1 min
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 break down the barriers between visual art and the community around her. In the coming years, she hopes ...
Nov 09, 2023•50 min
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 organization located in Tupelo. Lauren's mission through 'Cooking as a First Language' is to foster and strengthen c...
Oct 26, 2023•24 min
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 in the Theatre Art and Film department for ten years. She is currently building an innovative dance ...
Oct 12, 2023•56 min
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 Sanctuary Hospice House and Journal Publishing boards. In addition, she actively volunteers for Eight Days of Ho...
Sep 28, 2023•48 min
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, which allows her to travel to schools to work with teachers and students throughout the country. Amanda ...
Sep 13, 2023•47 min
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. Contemplating the idea of establishing a restaurant, Blair sought to ensure her readiness and commitment. Her...
Aug 30, 2023•37 min
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 meaningful impact and uplifting those in need. To learn more about Wear It Well, visit https://www.weari...
Aug 16, 2023•50 min
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 community, and This a story you don’t want to miss! Connect with Albine: Instagram: sheachievedpodcast ...
Aug 02, 2023•53 min
Heather Gausline Tate has been a travel advisor with Whimsical Destinations since 2016. Travel has always been her passion, having explored 36 states and 29 countries and counting. Now she makes it her mission to help her clients have as many adventures as possible. As Mississippi’s first-ever member of the Sandals Royal Chairman club and back-to-back #1 Honeymoon Planner by Mississippi Magazine, Heather has grown her reach from her home in Guntown, Mississippi to now reach clients throughout th...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Lynsee Pannell took an unconventional route to hair dressing as a career. A graduate of The Mississippi School of Math & Science, she was always fascinated by the science behind things. For her, hair is about the transformation, the change and her work is the catalyst. Hear Lynsee’s story of overcoming bad decisions, unplanned pregnancy, criminal charges, and a divorce to becoming a successful hair salon owner. Hear her insights on partnerships, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of kn...
Jul 05, 2023•53 min
Listen to hear the inspiring journey of Trailblazer Zell Long. From her humble beginnings as the first African-American secretary in the budget department of the City of Tupelo, Zell has risen to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi. Throughout her career, she has not only achieved remarkable professional success but also managed to raise eight children. During this captivating session, Zell will delve into her career trajectory, recounting the ch...
Jun 14, 2023•45 min
From elementary school teacher to owner of Mississippi’s first and only meadery, Jeri Carter has learned a few things. Hear her unique story of how she became an entrepreneur, and her inspiring and motivating lessons on how you, too, can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Check out Queen's Reward: https://queensreward.com/ Connect with Albine: Instagram: sheachievedpodcast Facebook: She Achieved Podcast with Albine Bennett Albine's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/albine.bennett/ A...
May 30, 2023•1 hr 1 min
This podcast is about conversations with extraordinary women in northeast Mississippi (and beyond) who had the courage to follow their inner calling. Despite the challenges they encountered, whether in business or community, they consistently and relentlessly pursued greatness. Success can take on many forms and looks differently depending on who you ask, but achieving success is something all of us can do! She Achieved is about inspiring you to chaise your dreams and aspirations just like the l...
May 11, 2023•1 min
