Meet Five Inspiring Women Making a Difference in Lexington, Kentucky this International Women's Day
Celebrate the Strength and Success of Women this International Women's Day in Lexington, Kentucky! Honor the inspiring achievements of our local women and join together to recognize the work that still needs to be done towards gender equality. From entrepreneurs to philanthropists, these women have made a lasting impact and serve as an inspiration to us all. In this article, we will take a look at some of the inspiring local women in Lexington and their stories of success.
Chasity Hester, Be Medispa Co-Founder & PA-C
Chasity, born and raised in Southeastern KY, proudly graduated from the University of Kentucky Physician Assistant Program and has been practicing medicine for almost 30 years as a trusted clinician for thousands of patients. Chasity adores working alongside her Physician husband in Cosmetic and Integrative medicine at Be Medispa. As Kentucky's first medical spa, Be Medispa, founded in 2004, has been leading the non-surgical aesthetic industry for nearly two decades and is one of the few cosmetic centers offering a comprehensive menu of evidence-based health and beauty solutions. Taking a modern approach to aesthetic medicine, Be Medispa provides a unique and well-balanced design to deliver personalized, natural-looking results with one of the few practices in the country to deliver a full-service comprehensive menu of clinically-proven solutions for the face and body. Chasity centers her practice on correcting and enhancing lip and eye anatomy.
Chasity attributes her success to her ability to cultivate good habits. She firmly believes that a successful woman should persistently overcome obstacles while keeping her eyes fixed on her larger goals. Despite facing limited resources in her upbringing, Chasity managed to excel as both a student and an athlete, earning scholarships that provided a path forward for her. Guided and inspired by her teachers, she aspired to become a teacher herself, but ultimately chose a career in healthcare. Now, as a healthcare provider, Chasity finds joy in the opportunity to impart knowledge and skills to others, bringing her journey full circle.
Chasity finds inspiration in several remarkable women, including Dr. Terry Wahls, M.D., a female physician who, despite her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, regained her ability to walk, bike, and hike through sheer determination and research. Another strong and resilient woman who inspires Chasity is Robin Arzon, a Peloton fitness trainer who has also overcome significant struggles. Chasity admires these women and the positive impact they have on others. Coming from a background surrounded by influential women, Chasity has always believed in her potential and never felt held back by her gender. Her specialization in female health and wellness at Be Medispa is a natural extension of her personal history.
Kari Coughlin, Chief Operating Officer for On Tap Tours
Kari has been a Kentucky resident for a decade, and her passion for hospitality, event planning, and restaurant operations has always been evident in her work. Known for her stellar tea parties, hospitality has always been Kari's thing. Now, she is the Chief of Operations for On Tap Tours, a Lexington-based tourism company that offers an elevated bourbon experience. On top of that, Kari is a certified bourbon steward dedicated to bourbon education.
Kari's definition of success has evolved over time. Rather than chasing titles and big paychecks, she now seeks joy, pride, and meaningful accomplishments in her professional and personal life. Kari creates her success by doing what brings her joy. Kari grew up in a big, loving family, dreaming of marriage and kids, but never thought about being career-driven until finally finding her true passion with On Tap Tours. Kari's mom is her role model and a real-life Superhero! With a full-time job, raising kids, and pursuing a Ph.D., she never missed her kids' activities - from piano recitals to basketball games. She taught Kari and her sisters that anything is possible with grit and positivity. Her mom's impact gave Kari resilience for life's challenges, and Kari is forever grateful for her unwavering love and support.
Ironically, Kari wasn't keen on Kentucky initially, but working with On Tap Tours unleashed a passion for Kentucky tourism that she didn't know she had! Her job gave her access to the state's unique, elevated bourbon experiences, leading her to become an enthusiastic ambassador for Kentucky's attractions. Kari's love for Kentucky and the tourism industry continues to grow over the years, and she is proud to show visitors the magic of the bluegrass state through On Tap Tours. Each itinerary is 100% custom-built, ensuring visitors have a unique and memorable experience. Kari knows success is about self-worth: being confident, assertive, and advocating for yourself. Refusing to settle, she leads and motivates others to reach their highest potential. It's all about valuing yourself and what you bring to the table!
Kara Heissenbuttel, Director of Human Experience at Keeneland
With over twenty years in the hospitality industry, today, Kara Heissenbuttel is the Director of Patron Experience at Keeneland. She is responsible for the development, management, and execution of all patron experience initiatives for the world-renowned racetrack and sales facility. Kara also manages the development of new customer services initiatives, such as the Keeneland Rewards program and the Keeneland mobile app. She has worked hard to implement these initiatives to make the patron experience more enjoyable and convenient for everyone.
To Kara, a successful woman is a woman who is not afraid to chase her dreams and use her unique talents. Success looks different for each of us and changes with the different phases of life. Most importantly, success is finding a balance that brings you the most joy. As a young girl, Kara always saw herself working in a professional business setting. She remembers explicitly coloring a picture of Barbie in a business suit and thinking that would be her one day. At that time, women had to work much harder to carve their paths and have a seat at the table. She is so grateful for the generations of women before her who paved the way to be where we are today. Kara feels so fortunate in her career to be surrounded by strong female leaders, both in the companies she has worked for and in the community.
One thing Kara treasures most about working at Keeneland is the community of strong female leaders. From Christa Marrillia, who first hired her and allowed her to follow her passions; and Shannon Arvin, Keeneland’s president, who encourages the staff to balance work and family; to the team of women that Kara works with, who are second to none at what they do. These women continue to serve as her mentors and sharpen Kara each day. The greatest challenge for Kara in her role has been balancing work and family and feeling that she is enough. The truth is that there is no perfect balance; sometimes, she excels in motherhood, and sometimes at her job, but the pendulum swings. Kara says to surround yourself with people with talents more remarkable than your own, and lean on your village. “So often, as women, we second guess ourselves when we shouldn’t. You have to find peace in your balance, and that’s when you become comfortable in your skin”. An integral part of the Keeneland team for over twelve years, Kara helped to make the Keeneland experience one of the best in the world and is an incredible asset to her team.
Norma Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Bottoms Up
Norma Smith opened Bottoms Up xNorma Cocktail Shop in 2017 with a bold mission to revolutionize the craft cocktail industry. Located at the bustling Greyline Station, the shop is a vibrant oasis of delicious drinks, friendly bartenders, and a creative atmosphere. Bottoms Up xNorma Shop offers a selection of craft cocktails, beers, and wines, along with a full menu of delicious snacks and sandwiches. So whether you're a local looking for a place to relax and enjoy the company of friends, or a visitor seeking an exciting new destination, Bottoms Up xNorma is the perfect place to experience the best craft cocktails.
Norma believes that a successful woman sets goals for themselves and works hard to achieve them, regardless of the challenges they may face. Of course, success looks different for everyone, but as long as you pursue your dreams and strive to better yourself each day, she considers that a win! Growing up, Norma dreamt of becoming a teacher, driven by her love of reading and learning about exciting topics. Today, Norma teaches cocktail and bourbon classes and is overjoyed to share her passion for cocktails, particularly bourbon, with others.
Norma is incredibly thankful for her large, supportive family of inspiring females. From navigating divorces and careers to raising children and facing family tragedies, each has become a source of strength and resilience for Norma. Her beloved Grandma remains the most influential woman in her life, always ready to provide advice and a hearty laugh. Norma has had to work hard to prove herself as a woman in the male-dominated bourbon and craft cocktail industry. However, she has embraced the challenge, investing in her education and gaining the confidence to empower herself and rise to the occasion.
Katherine Cranfill, PA at Saint Joseph Health
Katherine Cranfill, PA-C, is a highly successful and accomplished Physician Assistant from Lexington, Kentucky, with over 15 years of experience specializing in critical and emergency care. Katherine has always been passionate about helping people in need. In her current role, she is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the emergency room, managing the staff, and providing critical care to patients.
Katherine's career as a Physician Assistant allows her to achieve an excellent balance between her family life and work life. As she puts it, "This is what being a working mom on International Women’s Day looks like!" Despite being on-call at the hospital and with her two kids under two running around, she managed to answer our interview questions while also attempting to cook dinner.
Katherine always knew she would work in the medical field, and after many volunteer hours, she discovered the Physician Assistant profession, which she immediately knew was her calling. Her mother's leadership at the VA hospital inspired Katherine to thrive in a male-dominated industry and figure out where she fits best. Now, as a working mom, she values risk-taking, continued education, and being comfortable in her own skin as key elements to success.
Mother Teresa is the female leader Katherine most admires. She was a profound example of using her gifts to care for the most vulnerable population. She was unbiased and provided the perfect illustration of leading through example. Katherine believes most women in medicine have encountered gender bias at some point. She has found that providing education about her career title and abilities has helped remove some bias. Although it remains, breaking down these gender barriers is very important to me as a female medical provider. Katherine Cranfill, PA-C, is an accurate role model for those who aspire to work in the medical field. She embodies the values of hard work, and her commitment to providing quality care is evident in her work. Her career inspires those who wish to make a positive impact in the medical field.