WOMEN IN PROFILE :: JUNE/JULY 2008
Distinguished Women in Profile
Every week we work with outstanding professional women, and with this issue we have decided to do our part in spotlighting some of these fascinating women. Here you can read short profiles on each of these women. In the future months we will be doing more profiling of women from different walks of life.
Carmella Gibellino-Schultz
The Permanent Cosmetic Studio
www.permanentu.com
Beginning in 1978 Carmella’s flair for hair began by attending the Delaware Beauty Academy. Since then she has followed a long line of cosmetologists. Carmella worked at Majo Hair Studio for many years with her two sisters, Madelyn and Lynda, and her mother, Carmella. In 1996 her dream of opening a school specifically for skin care became a reality when she opened Delaware’s first aesthetic school, The Skin Care School and Center.
Carmella’s journey into permanent makeup began in 1999 out of curiosity simply because she was allergic to topical makeup. She had eyeliner done, got hooked and decided to begin practicing the art of permanent cosmetics. Carmella’s training has been in Canada, Texas, Belgium and Philadelphia and she believes that continuing education is a key to success.
With one happy client after another permanent makeup became her primary focus thus leading her to move forward and sell the school to Dawn Training Centre. Now, almost 10 years later, Carmella is happily doing permanent cosmetics along with her cousin Gina Marsilii in Chadds Ford, PA.
Karen Burton
Founder, President
Father’s Day Gala, Inc.
436 South Buttonwood Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
www.fathersdaygala.com
Karen is the founder of Father’s Day Gala, Inc. a non-profit organization that celebrates fatherhood in Wilmington, Delaware! The mission of the organization is to return and maintain fathers to the helm of the family by promoting positive awareness of the roles of fathers within their families and communities. Father’s Day Gala provides a foundation for bridging the gaps between parents and children to encourage healing in those relationships. Since 1999, the organization pioneered and sustained its position on fatherhood initiatives and outreach throughout the State of Delaware. Under her leadership, the organization was instrumental in the Governor signing a Declaration establishing June as Fatherhood Awareness Month in the State of Delaware. The organization’ annual signature events are: Fatherhood Awards Recognition Luncheon held every Father’s Day; Fatherhood & Family Conference; and the Father Family Walk & Bar-B-Q. Karen designed the organizations five key fatherhood programs: My Dad; New Fathers; Incarcerated Fathers; Fathers and Work/Life and Responsible Fatherhood. The Responsible Fatherhood program is offered at the Downtown YMCA of Wilmington, Delaware. Over the past 10 years, Karen has been an advocate for fathers and their rights and has gained the respect of the fathers within the tri-state community for her diligence to educate and uplift fathers and their families. Contact information: 302-981-4117 or www.fathersdaygala.com.
Amanda Gibbons
General Manager of Sunlighting, Ltd.
After graduating from Southampton College of Long Island University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Graphic Design, Amanda worked for the non-profit organization The Nature Conservancy in the philanthropy department. After gaining valuable philanthropy development experience and appreciation, Amanda, a Delaware native, returned to Wilmington in 2004 to join in the operation of the family business, Sunlighting, on the Kirkwood Highway.
Sunlighting is a retail residential lighting fixture and ceiling fan center. Full time staff can accommodate any customer’s needs, small or large, and accompany them during the lighting process. Since Amanda’s arrival, Sunlighting has won the Reader’s Choice award from Delaware Today magazine for Best of Delaware-Lighting 2 years in a row! Amanda has plans to expand the business even further by designing a soon-to-be launched website where customers can interact with the many manufacturers of lighting fixtures and ceiling fans.
Recently married and settled in Wilmington, Amanda enjoys the outdoors and traveling. Scuba diving, hiking, sailing, kayaking, camping, and windsurfing are some of the many activities you might find her doing on her coveted days off.
Dr. Barbara A. McGuirk
Medical Director,
Reproductive Associates of Delaware
4735 Ogletown-Stanton Road
Medical Arts Pavilion 2, Suite 3217
Newark, DE 19713
www.reproductiveassociates.org
As the Medical Director of Reproductive Surgery at Reproductive Associates of Delaware, Dr. Barbara A. McGuirk is well respected and highly acclaimed for growing thousands of Delaware families. She completed her residency at the Medical Center of Delaware and her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1996, she began perfecting reproductive surgery and tubal reversals using the laparoscopic (keyhole) approach. This method requires great technical skill, and is only carried out by a select group of reproductive surgeons in the U.S. and around the world.
Dr. McGuirk identifies as a mother and caretaker and is intensely passionate about her work. She enjoys getting to know her patients on a personal level and teaching them how to improve their health and nutrition for the best chance at conception. Her goal is to create healthy women and healthy families. She explains, “Helping you have the family you want, while providing a wonderful experience for you, one you can look back on with fondness… I can't imagine a more fulfilling way to offer my expertise in this fascinating area of medicine. It's my greatest reward.”
Pat Barron
President and CEO,
Barron Marketing Communications
www.barronmarketing.com
Pat Barron is President and CEO of Barron Marketing Communications, a full service-advertising agency, located in Wilmington. For the past 32 years, her firm has provided creative communications solutions for a national and varied client base. Barron Marketing has successfully helped launch and promote many well-known products and services over the years. The Delaware community has also greatly benefited from untold hours of communication services that she has donated over those years. Along the way, she enjoyed a wonderful 40-year marriage to her high school sweetheart, and all the joys and perils of raising their two sons. Although recently widowed, she is a proud grandmother of four. The most recent and first girl arrived on May 5th, 2008.
Recalling an interview many years ago, she was asked what she believed was important in order to be successful in business? Her answer. “Respect!” When asked how that can be achieved? She said, “one stripe at a time”. While she believes she has been fortunate to earn a good number stripes over those many years, she continues that quest each and every day.
Sophia Erensel
Owner,
Sweetheart Boutique
Trolley Square
Everyone has to start somewhere; Sophia Erensel, proud new owner of Sweetheart Boutique in Trolley Square, has just decided to start differently than others. But then the 24-year-old Chadds Ford native has never been one to conform to traditions. After spending her high school years attending Wilmington Friends School, Sophia packed up and headed to the American University of Paris. Studying Art History and International Relations while steeped in the culture of Paris only served to foster Sophia's bourgeoning interest in fashion and style.
Upon her return to Wilmington in 2005, Sophia recognized the need to enhance the boutique culture now budding in the city. She envisioned a space that allowed individuals to experiment with new styles, confidently expressing themselves through unique designs. Sophia realized this in Sweetheart, an eclectic boutique offering trendy and original styles with fresh takes on old favorites. As an added twist she displays art and photography by local artists in the store. Sweetheart is a refreshing take on a growing trend, a true reflection of its imaginative owner.
Mary C. Boudart, Esq.
Boudart & Mensinger, LLP
2323 Pennsylvania Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19806
boudartmensingerlaw.com
Practicing law for almost 32 years, Mary, known as Mimi, opened an office with partner Jennifer Mensinger on March 6, 2007. Mimi previously practiced with Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz & Bhaya for over 22 years and was a partner with that firm. Her practice focuses on Family Law, including divorce, property division, custody, support, alimony, domestic violence, adoption, and minor criminal matters involving children and adults.
Mimi is a graduate of Padua Academy, the University of Delaware and Temple University School of Law. She is a member of the Delaware State Bar Association and the Family Law and Women and the Law Sections of the Bar. She was a co-founder of the Women and the Law Section with Judge Aida Waserstein. Mimi has been on the Board of the Delaware Zoological Society for 20 years and served as its president several years ago. She was a member of Wilmington Women in Business for many years and served as the president for a term. She was on the first board of directors for Child Care Connection, now known as the Workplace Family Connection. Mimi was elected to represent the City of Wilmington on New Castle County Council in 1982 and served for 4 years. She still loves politics as a supporter of the Democratic Party. Mimi is an enthusiastic tennis player. She has been on USTA teams for many years and is happy to be playing at the Senior level(that means she is over 50!) Mimi is married to the Honorable Donald W. Callender, Jr. and is the mother of two adult sons, Sam and Joe Callender.
Photos Provided By:
Lindy Powers Photography
Lindy Powers has been a professional photographer for 30 years, and has photographed top lawyers, executives and business leaders throughout the Delaware Valley. She believes that everyone has a "good side". Lindy's photo portraits are created in the classic painterly portait style; you are studied from every angle. Your soul will be viewed through your eyes. Posing for the camera is a skill that can be learned, and Lindy will teach you. She began her career on the other side of the camera as an international fashion model, and is skilled at seeing, and training everyone to look real, and to look great.
"Your picture precedes you."
For more information or to schedule,
contact Lindy Powers Photography at
610-268-5294 or lindypowers.com
Photos Shot On Location:
www.dehort.org
