It's Never Too Late

Originally from upstate New York, Lisa Barrett attended American University in Washington, D.C., where she received her B.A. in political science and M.A. in applied politics. After working in the political world for more than a decade, Lisa left professional politics behind and moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, in 2017. Lisa joined The Inspiration Lab in 2019 and is also founder Stephanie Lanier’s executive assistant for Lanier Property Group, which is a top-producing real estate team with Intracoastal Realty. 

Vicky Janowski is the editor of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal and WILMA magazine. She co-directs WILMA's Women to Watch Leadership Initiative. Previously, she covered health care for the StarNews and served as a local news editor. Janowski covered politics and state government in Atlanta and worked as a business reporter and bureau chief. She serves on the board of the Alliance of Area Business Publishers and is involved in Girl Scouts-North Carolina Coastal Pines.

Amanda Miars, a Wealth and Estate Advisor at Live Oak Private Wealth, has 12 years of experience helping clients achieve their financial goals. She partners with clients and their advisors to provide customized wealth management solutions. Amanda's goal is to educate, empower, advise, and advocate for her clients. Before joining Live Oak, she was a partner at a law firm in Wilmington, NC. Amanda earned her B.S. and B.A. from UNCW and her J.D. from Campbell University. She serves on several boards and committees. Amanda and her husband have two children and enjoy traveling, entertaining, philanthropy, and spending time by the ocean.

Haley Rae, founder of Studio Wilde and brand design expert, intimately understands the crushing weight of business growth that demands everything and leaves you empty. Through a challenging journey with chronic illness, she's had no choice but to do business differently. Through coaching, consulting, and design, Haley proves that evolving your business rarely requires doing more. But, isolating what matters most and doing it better. Haley is on a mission to revolutionize entrepreneurship by proving you can have a thriving business AND a life you love.

Sabrina Davis owns Port City Signs & Graphics, a signage company serving North and South Carolina. She started her career in journalism before launching a writing and design firm. In 2008, Sabrina bought Port City Signs and grew the business significantly. She now manages a successful team and is passionate about staff development. As a member of various local organizations, Sabrina enjoys connecting with other business owners. She lives in Wilmington with her husband and three children. In her free time, Sabrina enjoys tennis, skiing, and spending time with her family.

Sheri Leavens is the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Academic Advising at UNCW's College of Health and Human Services. She leads a team of 27 and oversees two Student Success Centers, serving nearly 5,000 students. Sheri earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at UNCW. Outside her professional role, Sheri is a living kidney donor advocate, business owner, podcast host, and community volunteer.

As Chief Executive Officer at James E. Moore Insurance Agency, Adrienne is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. This mission has driven her family’s independent insurance agency for three generations. A UNCW graduate and former Division I volleyball co-captain, she also leads through community involvement and philanthropy.

Jennifer is a partner with Craige & Fox, PLLC. Her principal areas of practice are elder law and estate planning. Jennifer serves as the New Hanover County Public Guardian. She is Chair of the Elder & Special Needs Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association as well as the Treasurer of the NC chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). She is a past resident of New Hanover County Estate Planning County. She was a 2012-2013 Borchard Foundation Center on Law and Aging Fellow. Jennifer received her B.A. in political science from the Univeristy of Alabama in 2009 and her J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2012.

Pam Hardy is a government and community relations manager for Duke Energy. She builds relationships with local government, business, and community leaders to enhance Duke Energy's reputation. Hardy has over 25 years of experience in the energy sector. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Shaw University and a Master of Organizational Leadership degree from Waldorf University. Hardy is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Beta Lambda Sigma chapter, and serves on several boards and committees. In her spare time, she enjoys community service, mentoring, reading, and spending time with her family.

Lisa Leath, Chief People Officer at Vantaca, is an HR expert and business leader. She founded Leath HR Group and hosts the podcast "HR Nightmares." At Vantaca, she drives HR strategy, focusing on talent management and culture.  Lisa serves on the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and co-chairs the Cape Fear Tech Talent Collaborative. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and advocating for others in the community. 

Rachel Olsen is a seasoned public speaker and communication coach. She has keynoted conferences and workshops worldwide. With firsthand experience of stage anxiety, she helps people transform their fear into powerful communication. Rachel has coached over 1,000 people to deliver impactful presentations. She's also helped clients lead meetings, craft sermons, and make pitches. As a public speaking instructor at UNCW and a TEDx coach, she trains and inspires future speakers. In her free time, Rachel enjoys dancing, reading, arranging flowers, and spending time with her husband.

Brooke Skipper owns Bee and Co Services and Salt Air Heating, Cooling & Electrical with her husband. Salt Air has been recognized for its company culture. Brooke is a UNCW alumna and a community leader. She served as Board Chair for the Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry and is actively involved in the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Professional Women in Building, and other organizations. In 2020, Brooke was named one of Wilmington's 40 under 40. Recently, she won the 2024 WILMA Women's to Watch Award.

AnnMarie, a seasoned real estate professional with a Northern upbringing and Southern charm, has been helping clients buy and sell homes in the Triangle area since 2001. Known for her ability to negotiate favorable terms and prepare homes for a quick sale, AnnMarie also manages a team of top-performing Realtors. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, exploring local cuisine, and raising her two children in the vibrant North Carolina community.

Stephanie Lanier is a successful real estate agent and community leader. As the head of Lanier Property Group, she has consistently achieved top rankings in the industry. With over a decade of experience, Stephanie has closed hundreds of transactions and is known for her exceptional client service. Beyond her real estate career, she is a passionate advocate for individuals with diverse abilities and actively volunteers in the community. Stephanie's commitment to excellence and her dedication to making a positive impact have earned her numerous awards and recognitions.

Bevin, a North Carolina native and UNCW graduate, starred on One Tree Hill for six seasons. After earning an MFA and working as a cycling instructor and motivational speaker, she returned to Wrightsville Beach in 2020 to launch Recess. Combining her passion for community, fitness, and wellness, Bevin's cycling classes offer a unique experience. Known for her infectious energy, dynamic music selections, and empowering coaching style, she has become a beloved member of the Wrightsville Beach community. Her ability to connect with people and inspire them to reach their fitness goals has contributed to the success of Recess.

Alisha Thomas, founder of Wait. What. Consulting and Bookkeeping, offers her expertise to creatives in Wilmington, NC. With a formal art and design degree and informal small business experience, Alisha brings a unique perspective to her work. Her time heading up finance, operations, and logistics for a successful gift company, which sold in major retailers, has equipped her with valuable insights. Alisha's passion for numbers and understanding of small business operations stems from her collaborations with a team of skilled accountants. She now shares her knowledge to help other creatives thrive.