Women Who Mean Business
Inspiring Stories of Leadership from Five Unstoppable Business Women
Biz 417's Women Who Mean Business worked their way to the top of their respective industries in southwest Missouri and are poised for growth. Our fourth annual feature introduces five impressive women unafraid of change or obstacles.
By Adrienne Donica | Makeup by Emily Edgar using MAC Cosmetics | Shot on location at Glass Hall at Missouri State University
Mar 2019
Photo by Brandon AlmsFrom left to right: Stephanie Lynch, Julie Swift, Shelley Wehner, Angela D. Smith, Amanda Kastler
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Each year, Biz 417 honors a select group of outstanding businesswomen in southwest Missouri. Perhaps you already know the faces in this year’s class, but if you don’t, allow us to introduce you. The first thing you need to know is this: If these five women see barriers, they don’t let those give them pause. They break through them. They find solutions, develop alternate plans and know the path forward will include some failures. But above all, they are unrelenting in their pursuit of success. They are Women Who Mean Business.
Meet our Winners
AMANDA KASTLER
Partner at Elliott, Robinson & Company, LLP
STEPHANIE LYNCH
Vice President of Sales, Markets and Technology at International Dehydrated Foods Inc., American Dehydrated Foods Inc. and FITCO LLC
ANGELA D. SMITH
Owner of ADsmith Marketing & Advertising
JULIE SWIFT
Vice President for Waypoint
SHELLEY WEHNER
Co-owner, Project Manager and Designer at Cabinet Concepts by Design
How it works
We all know one: a powerful, determined businesswoman who, honestly, would be a little intimidating if she weren’t so damn good at her job. That’s the type of woman Biz 417 has shed the spotlight on since our first class of Women Who Mean Business in 2016. Strong candidates are women who are leading the way in their fields, running boardrooms or giving back in big ways.
The formal nomination period opens each September and includes a finalist round. Honorees are profiled in the March/April issue of the following year.
