Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Member Highlight
Kathy Holmes
Membership Outreach Coordinator
Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
I wanted to be part of SHINE because I know, firsthand, the impact the SNDs have made on countless lives. This is a small way for me to say thank you. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without the SNDs.
How do you SHINE?
I SHINE by being a mom to my three young daughters. I hope they see an example of a strong woman and emulate that in the future.
Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Member Highlight
Sarah Sobel-Poage
Vice-President Office Operations
Sylvania Graphics, Incorporated
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
The sisters have meant so much to me throughout my journey and were a strong presence during the formative years of my life. The women who are on the Leadership Team all love and respect the sisters and want the best for our younger generations.
How do you SHINE?
I SHINE by being true to my authentic self.
Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Member Highlight
Lori Z. Edgeworth
Vice-President of Enrollment Management & Partnerships
Mercy College of Ohio
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
I wanted to be part of SHINE because of what it stands for – empowerment and education of women. I believe that the more we empower and support one another as women, the better our world and community will be!
How do you SHINE?
My commitment to education – specifically higher education. For students who select to attend college – I want to do all I canto assist them to achieve their goals and be successful.
Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Member Highlight
Allyson France
Licensed Full-Time Realtor at The Danberry Company
Director of Communications at MVM Moving & Storage
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
I attended SHINE last year and within five minutes of the start of the program I knew I wanted to be a part of this fantastic initiative. I’m deeply passionate about empowering others to grow, prosper, and chase their dreams! To be able to interact and learn from some of the best and brightest in our community is simply amazing!
How do you SHINE?
I greatly enjoy giving back and supporting our wonderful community in any way that I can. I have been involved in philanthropy on a personal and professional level for much of my adult life and I couldn’t imagine it any other way. To put a smile on one’s face is truly immeasurable.
Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Member Highlight
Kendra Smith
Vice President, Community Health
Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH)
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
I’m proud to work at BSMH, where I can connect my personal passion for supporting community and couple that with our mission to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving health and welling being for the underserved. That means different things to me on different days, but the piece that is consistent is helping people when and where they need it. SND imagined SHINE to do the same, to help and support women in an encouraging environment that ultimately makes our community better. It’s what I strive to do, I’m sure it’s what the sisters strive for as well. It’s great to have strong women around you working toward the same goal, and SHINE is working to achieve that.
How do you SHINE?
I feel like I SHINE the most when I’m able to help our community thrive! Whether that’s through my work or my personal time, knowing I’ve used my time and expertise to help someone or create an opportunity within our community is a great feeling.
Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Member Highlight
Beth White
Retired Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
Author, Kit Wilson, RN Series
Associate, SND USA, Toledo Region
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
I was asked to be part of SHINE as a result of my volunteer work with the Associates. It started out as just another assignment, however, after working with SHINE for almost two years, I feel very lucky to be included in this group. The energy and willingness to give among this group of accomplished women are inspiring. The organization of the group is solid, affirming, and makes our work a pleasure.
How do you SHINE?
My retirement goal has been to attempt to explain the nursing profession to others. In other words, telling the inside scoop about what nurses do. For the last three years, I have had a very good time trying my hand at writing fiction about nursing life. Since 2022, I’ve self-published three short fiction novels about a nurse named Kit Wilson, RN. To my delight the books have been well received by nurses and non-nurses alike. I love my new hobby.
Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Member Highlight
Candace Bishop
Deputy Executive Director,
Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
I am proud to be associated with SHINE and the Sisters of Notre Dame because I believe in the mission and core values of the the Sisters. As women we wear many hats and carry many burdens, and sometimes our lights become dim. SHINE Women’s Summit provides a spark to reignite our lights. Every woman will leave shining, encouraged, and empowered.
How do you SHINE?
I am a servant leader in my community. I serve others with compassion and kindness.
Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Member Highlight
Sr. Delores Gatliff
Director of Evangelization
Christ the King Parish, Toledo
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
I am a Sister of Notre Dame and want to share our mission with every person I meet. I’m excited about encountering women who Support, Honor, Inspire, Nurture, and Empower other women.
How do you SHINE?
I try to share God’s goodness with every person I encounter. Helping facilitate a women’s Bible Study at Christ the King Parish enables me to meet outstanding women of faith, share the Word of God, listen to their stories, and learn from them how to be filled with hope in a challenging world. Serving on the leadership team for the ACTS retreat in our parish allows me to build friendships with women of all ages desiring to grow closer to God and deepen their relationship with Christ.
Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Member Highlight
Stephanie Kruse
Human Resources Manager
Eastman & Smith
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
The Sisters of Notre Dame hold a special place in my heart being a former employee and working closely with the sisters for two years. The outpouring of support they provide the community is inspiring and helps me to give to others as they do. SHINE brings together women from our community so we can all be inspired by each other’s voices and look into ourselves to see how we SHINE.
How do you SHINE?
I show up each day with a positive attitude willing to help others with issues or problems to make their day easier and less stressful. Most times just listening and seeing how you can be of service can help someone that is in need. I find that being grateful for all that I have has helped me to be compassionate and caring in how I help others solve their problems.
Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Member Highlight
Rosanna Hoelzle
Membership and Outreach Coordinator
Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
As a proud 2003 graduate of Notre Dame Academy, I am fortunate to have cross paths with many SNDs. For Sr. Carol, Sr. Nancy, Sr. Mary Ann, Sr. Delores and Sr. Sally, I will be eternally grateful for their leadership and example of strong women. I wanted to be part of SHINE because I know, first hand, the impact the SNDs have made on countless lives. This is a small way for me to say thank you. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without the SNDs.
How do you SHINE?
My whole career has been in public service. I didn’t always think I would have a career in this field but I see the seeds that were planted along the way and I’m fortunate to have found something I can use my skills and talents to advance. More importantly than my career, I SHINE by being a mom to my three young daughters. I hope they see an example of a strong woman and emulate that in the future.
Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Member Highlight
Candice Harrison
Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
SSOE Group
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
Last year, I was introduced to the SHINE Summit as a sponsor. I attended the event and had an amazing time. I was so impressed with both the dynamic speakers and the celebration of women. As a woman in our community committed to connecting, lifting, celebrating, and empowering other women, I am honored by the opportunity to serve the committee and to have just a small role in helping women in Toledo SHINE!
How do you SHINE?
I SHINE in the ability to balance career and motherhood with the understanding that family is always first for me. I also shine as through impact. As a community leader who has spent the greater portion of my career doing my best to contribute to the betterment of our local community, I have helped many organizations tell their story. In my current role, as Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, I get to impact positive change and help my company write a new chapter in its story!
Lauryn Vargas
Manager of Education Initiatives
ProMedica
What inspired you to be a part of the SHINE Women’s Summit?
If there is an opportunity to be apart of something that genuinely and intentionally focuses on uplifting and empowering women, count me in. I wanted to be a part of SHINE because it meant that I could be an advocate for others- it’s a place where ambitious women come together with a purpose and passion to uplift and inspire other women. The Sister’s of Notre Dame saw a need and stepped up and got to work, they put resources behind the need and are making a difference in the lives of women not only through this event, but through their work and service to others on a daily basis.
How do you SHINE?
I think I SHINE by two things: being a kind person and being authentic. Through kindness and authenticity you not only SHINE for others, you SHINE for yourself.