The “Momma B” award is named after beloved Alabama philanthropist and true woman of impact, Joann Bashinsky. Each year, this esteemed award is given to a woman who represents her legacy of community care and business advancement within Alabama and beyond.  This year, we are proud to honor Eva Robertson as the recipient of this […]

For Karen Brooks, family and career have always been synonymous. Raised in the Phifer Incorporated family business, Karen’s mother inspired her long before she took the step of becoming an ambassador for the company in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  “My mother was always equally involved with starting the company. Watcher her and my father build it was […]

Mary Pat Lawrence’s incredible career is the result of combining her unique skill set with a passion for making change. From the time she was young, Lawrence knew she wanted to strive to make change on a large scale. Born and raised in a small town in Alabama, she had high hopes of moving to […]

Each chapter of Mary Andrews Carlisle’s 18-year tenure at Vulcan Materials Company has helped her to step into the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “Each and every role I had in the past, and each and every manager I had in the past, prepared me for the role I have today. I […]

Representative Leigh Hulsey didn’t start out with aspirations to run for office, but as a leader by nature, she saw an active need in her community and decided to meet it. Her desire to see her community’s leadership advocate for those raising families became a catalyst to her winning the Alabama House of Representatives seat […]

Three years ago, Elizabeth “Liz” Pharo acquired the largest processor of uncontested divorces. After processing over 1 million divorces on the previous platform, the need for a hassle-free divorce alternative was essential thus, Divorce.com was launched.  “My purpose is really to pioneer modern divorce – getting rid of unnecessary trauma.” 42% of divorce costs between […]

Growing up the youngest of nine children in Florence, Janice Pride learned early on the value of working with others.   “When you’re in a large family, you don’t know any different,” she said. “So sharing bedrooms and sharing bathrooms and setting your alarm early so that you could take a shower and do your hair […]

Liz Filmore is the first woman in the state’s over-200-year history to hold the position of Chief of Staff to the Governor of Alabama.  Sitting at her desk inside the state capitol in Montgomery, she reflects, “Being the first woman to serve in this role in this capacity is very humbling.”  “In most situations, the […]

Alabama State Representative Laura Hall was first elected to House District 19 in 1993, and has enthusiastically served her state with an unwavering commitment to public service ever since. Throughout her tenure, she has tirelessly focused on education, healthcare, and community development initiatives. It’s no surprise that Rep. Hall is passionate about education — with […]

Lora McClendon and her career are a testament to the power of vision, hard work, and dedication.  McClendon had an interest in governmental affairs from a young age. She earned her BA in Political Science from the University of South Carolina and attended Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business where she obtained an MBA. After […]

Linda Maynor did not plan on being where she is today. “I really wanted to be a psychologist,” she said. “That was always my dream of what I wanted to do.” Maynor, the managing partner for Maynor & Stiers LLC, has spent decades in the political sphere fundraising, managing campaigns, and lobbying on behalf of […]

LaFreeda Jordan was born in our state capital the same day Martin Luther King Jr reached St. Jude Hospital during the historic Selma-to-Montgomery March in 1965. “My father was so in touch with everything that was going on, he wanted to name me Freedom. My mother said no but she compromised and came up with […]

“There is a seat at the table for you.”  That’s what Lisa DeVine wants all young women coming up to know.   With a 20-year career as an Army officer behind her, including a stint as a paratrooper, DeVine, vice president of Program Integration at Leidos Dynetics, has been seated at tables many of us might […]

Cynthia Crutchfield leads Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation with a mission to help innovators grow roots. The Montgomery native may be at the top of her career but it’s only the beginning for her time as CEO of Innovate Alabama.  After just one year, Crutchfield and her team are […]

Ashley Robinett’s appreciation of community and collaboration has led to a career of tangible impact.  When looking to the early moments that shaped her interest in her field, she is drawn to the memory of her late high school calculus teacher, Bev Wilkin. “She saw something in me that I, quite frankly, didn’t see myself,” […]

As Regions Bank Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary, Tara Plimpton serves as one of 10 direct reports to the company’s CEO. With extensive and ever-changing responsibilities, Plimpton seeks to serve her team and community with great care in her decision-making. Plimpton’s areas of responsibility are vast, and as a member […]

In her more than 30 years in the banking industry, Rosilyn Houston has never been afraid to be “the first.” Houston has served in various senior management roles, most recently as Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Executive Vice President of Santander USA. She previously served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Talent and […]

The idea for dignified drug testing started with a personal experience from Liz Read, a 2024 Woman of Impact. As she observed her own family member navigate their options for accountability, the two pathways were to either go into a lab or purchase from a store. Thus, forcing a struggling person into an environment that […]

Maeci Walker combines strategy with a strong will to create a meaningful difference in her field.  After she completed grad school, Walker found herself as a volunteer on Luther Strange’s first campaign for Attorney General. It was during this time that she was connected with Martin Christie on the basis that a colleague decided she […]

YHN Media Group, LLC is proud to announce the 6th Annual Woman of Impact Awards – a celebration of the powerful women who propel Alabama. Women of Impact has historically and continues to recognize the women in Alabama whose contributions have earned the authority and power to move the needle in their industry. Our mission […]