Women of Impact: Introduction

Third Quarter 2012
story by ANNE BROCKHOFF
photos by STEVEN HERTZOG

Civic Leadership. Creative Marketing. Education. Green Energy. Hospitality Management. Philanthropy. Sports Performance. University Government. Throughout our community, women are impacting our lives in traditional and untraditional ways. Women are at the forefront of the city’s business, education and civic life. They’re running power plants and hotels, coaching, teaching, building homes for families and training the next generation of leaders.

In this issue, we’ve highlighted the accomplishments of six outstanding professionals, and two newer faces to watch—Cris Anderson, principal of Kennedy Elementary School; Sue Hack, executive director of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Lawrence program; Sarah Hill-Nelson, owner and operator of Bowersock Mills & Power Company; Andrea Hudy, assistant athletics director for sports performance at the University of Kansas; Tracie Howell, executive director of Habitat for Humanity; Nancy Longhurst, general manager of The Olivia Collection; Daryl Bugner, art director at KERN Marketing Group; and Hannah Bolton, Student Body President at KU.

Sue Hack, Andrea Hudy, Sarah Hill-Nelson, Hannah Bolton, Daryl Bugner (back)
Tracie Howell, Nancy Longhurst, Cris Anderson (front)

Read their stories:

Cris Anderson

Sue Hack

Sarah Hill-Nelson

Tracie Howell

Andrea Hudy

Nancy Longhurst

These women have each followed a distinct career path, yet they do share a set of common values. They work hard, treasure their families, are passionate about what they do and absolutely dedicated to serving their community.

Are they the only women making an impact on Lawrence? No. The standouts profiled here are only a few of the many women impacting our lives; there are countless others out there, creating jobs, donating time and talent and striving to build a better Lawrence. It’s to them we dedicate this issue.

Women to Watch

It’s easy to single out established leaders. They’re the ones chairing committees, smiling in photographs, running for election and calling the shots in business and education.

But what about the next generation of women? The ones just now connecting with Lawrence’s many organizations, events and causes?

They’re harder to spot, but they bring plenty of energy, enthusiasm and ideas to the table. Young leaders like Daryl Bugner, art director at KERN Marketing Group, and Hannah Bolton, the University of Kansas’ student body president, are striving to make their own impact on Lawrence. And they’re well worth watching. We’ll certainly be keeping an eye on their accomplishments.

Daryl Bugner

Hannah Bolton