The women in this issue are anything but ordinary. In fact, when we tried to characterize them, a host of descriptions came to mind: exceptional, remarkable, noteworthy, wonderful, unparalleled and phenomenal. We found an extraordinary propensity for community involvement. They’ve taken advantage of life’s opportunities, but have given back a full measure.

A couple of rivers run through their lives. We found an extraordinary propensity for community involvement. They’ve taken advantage of life’s opportunities, but have given back a full measure. Interestingly, many have entered their careers by chance and happenstance. All of them balance their lives with daily physical activity. Each of these extraordinary women have deep ties and loyalty to their families. So much for their similarities, meet the 2004 Women Extraordinaire!

Ardie Gregory (Capitol Broadcasting Company)

Life in the world of media is fast-paced, full of information and in constant change. Whether the change is programming, news or new technology it is always on the horizon. It takes a special person to juggle that load as well as manage people. Ardie Gregory, vice-president and general manager of WRAL-FM is the type of manager everyone wants to have.

Her positive approach comes from surrounding herself with the same kind of people. “She has high expectations of her staff, which I think, encourages each individual to do their best,” said Ardie’s administrative assistant Kay Riffle. “She is also protective of her staff and is a caring manager. She has sincere empathy for individuals who have family members suffering from serious illnesses and with staffers who are trying to juggle a job, children and other responsibilities.”

Ardie is celebrating her 20th year with Capitol Broadcasting Company Her passion about the industry is as strong as ever. She explains, “Radio is such an intimate medium. It is so different from television. There is no ‘face’ in front of the camera. It is our job to create a ‘theatre of the mind’ in order to connect with listeners on a cerebral level.”

Looking back at the moment that most influenced her career; “I got fired from a position early after college. Of course, I thought it was the end of the world. As it turned out, it opened up the world of advertising and media to me. I’ve never looked back,” she remembers.

Today, she runs an adult contemporary music station. They reach over 200,000 listeners per week. Ardie strives to serve those listeners in as many ways as possible. “We have a responsibility to the people of the community, to serve local clients and to help the North Carolina tax base,” she told members of the American Women in Radio & Television group.

Ardie has been instrumental in implementing the AMBER Alert System in North Carolina. She works in conjunction with the Bureau of Missing Persons, North Carolina Association of Broadcasters, law enforcement and emergency preparedness agencies to implement this system. Ardie is quick to point out, “Of course, we hope to never have an alert, but know we are prepared and mobile if necessary.”

As a woman in broadcasting, Ardie offers a different perspective and style. She believes in a collaborative team effort. Her team is built with different personalities and strengths. Their varying expertise make WRAL-FM what it is today. Having a good time and delivering a strong profit are also important.

A challenge Ardie faces is the amazing number of tasks she handles. She starts each day with a plan although it is usually in shambles by 10 a.m. Flexibility drives the rest of the day. Ardie believes that she faces fewer challenges than some women in the workplace. Capitol Broadcasting Company’s progressive thinking makes that possible. She says, “after all, I broke through the ‘glass ceiling’ almost 15 years ago.”

Leadership in Ardie’s world is ‘do you trust me enough to follow me down this path and do I trust you to follow me?’ She cites Jim Goodmon, President and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Company as a tremendous influence. “Jim has taught me that doing business ethically is not only the right thing to do, it is also very rewarding.” Ardie focuses on making the ‘right’ decision. She finds that the financial rewards follow the
path of ethical practices.

She shares the commitment of Capitol Broadcasting to be a good ‘community citizen’. Ardie serves on the National Advisory Board for Duke Children’s Hospital. She is also a board member for Scenic North Carolina and the 2004 president of the NC Association of Broadcasters. Her unyielding desire to improve the lives of others is evident in her work with The Computer Training Partnership.

Ardie is tirelessly dedicated to her staff, listeners, local artists and the Triangle Community. Her contributions to so many special interest groups make a legacy of commitment to the Triangle.

Beverly Baskin (Better Business Bureau of Eastern NC)

It’s not often that covering a local business story for a radio news network leads to a job as the founding CEO of the company in the story. But, that is exactly what happened to Beverly Baskin, now the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina.

Her career choice was the result of a news wire story and meetings with various community leaders while working for South Carolina Network, a statewide radio news network. One source, Ted Law the former president of the Better Business Bureau of the Piedmont, was a true champion for self-regulation in the marketplace and a part of the BBB CEO recruiting team. “He believed that ethics should be the bedrock for every business and helped me believe the same,” explains Beverly.

Then, in 1983, she began a career with the Better Business Bureau in Columbia, South Carolina. After nine years of building and growing the organization, Beverly took a hiatus to fulfill a long-time dream—she volunteered for the Peace Corps. On assignment in the Fiji Islands, she was able to impact many business owners by utilizing her business skills as a liaison between the Supreme Court of Fiji and the Consumer Council of Fiji. The small claims tribunal she worked to institute helped to bridge communications and resolve disagreements.

While in Fiji, Beverly also served as an advisor to small business owners, teaching basic business skills. “Many of the small business owners were entering the commercial marketplace with little or no experience. They were not used to buying and selling goods and services, having previously relied on barter systems.”

Beverly joined the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina in 1999. Under her direction, membership has increased 25% and many member services have been added. Beverly believes this has all been possible because of those who work with her as ambassadors for ethical business practices.

“I couldn’t do my job without the dedication and hard work of my staff and the support of a volunteer board of directors,” she shares.

The Raleigh-based office receives over 30,000 inquiries and 600 complaints each month about businesses in the 33 counties that make up the Bureau’s territory. To best assess the information, Beverly and her staff strictly adhere to a policy of remaining an independent third party while handling all complaints—an important aspect of the BBB’s commitment to the highest business standards.

“The Better Business Bureau is here to help businesses and consumers build positive ongoing relationships. By remaining impartial, The BBB can help re-open the lines of communication, build new options for both parties to consider, mediate the dispute or, if necessary, provide arbitration.”

As a leader of an organization dedicated to fostering the ethical relationship between businesses and consumers, the ability to remain impartial is mandatory. Beverly often considers her mother’s advice when she is tasked with solving an ethical dilemma.

“She taught me the meaning of ethics and always believed that one’s word is a solemn oath and should be honored whenever given. I believe that ethics are paramount to the foundation of any business. If an organization considers its ethics as one of its most precious assets, then protecting that asset will naturally become part of the business plan and business decisions become much simpler.”

As a part of her dedication to the community in which she lives, Beverly actively gives back. She can regularly be found visiting with children in the pediatrics unit of Wake Med Hospital, reading to first grade kids at Brentwood Elementary School and tutoring students at Green Elementary School as a part of the Great Leaps program Beverly also enjoys the outdoors with her two retired racing greyhounds and is dedicated to helping others like them live full lives in retirement with adoptive families. For more information on the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina visit www.bbbenc.org or call (919) 277-4222.

Christine Young (First Citizens Bank)

Strategic, organized, always with a plan, genuine and caring, not only about her customers, but her team as well. These are the characteristics of Christine Young, Area Vice President and the Wake Area Executive with First Citizens Bank. Overseeing a network of 25 retail branches and more than 200 associates in Wake County, leadership is a vital component of her daily life.

Chris began her banking career, while pursuing her MBA at the University of Texas, as an intern at a local bank in Austin. During her career, she has successfully adapted to the ever changing environment of the banking landscape. Beginning in the days of regulation, when banks simply waited for customers to appear, to today’s highly competitive environment, where banks vie for customers, she has been a leader in bringing innovative financial solutions to her clients.

Chris gleaned an early picture of leadership and teamwork as a trumpet player in her high school band. Each band member plays individually, but must synchronize with each person connected to the next, to create a quality performance. This requires the skill to play an instrument well, the ability to tune in to others, empathy, and the willingness to follow the conductor. She applies these qualities today as she orchestrates the Wake Area First Citizens team.

Chris grew up in Iowa and practices the life lessons her parents taught her early on. Her mother was a strong role model who received a college degree after raising three daughters. She went on to teach public school and become a community volunteer. She lead the negotiation of a positive collective bargaining agreement for her school district. Chris’ father, a small business owner, taught her perseverance and the value of hard work. She has embraced those attributes and puts them to work at First Citizens. Chris is committed to her customers at the bank as relationships are everything. “We partner with our clients to help them grow their businesses. Then we create an investment in one another,” she believes.

“It takes our whole team to meet clients’ needs. We do not just ‘silo’ everyone together.” High expectations inspire everyone to constantly ‘stretch’ for ways to do more. Chris envisions herself as an integral part of ‘change leadership’. She is a catalyst who enjoys leading others. Her team has taught her the value of humor in the workplace. In turn Chris shares her vision, plans and strategies with them.

How to ‘do it all’ is one of Chris’ big challenges - TIME. In addition to being successful at First Citizens, she is active in the Triangle community. As chairperson of the Major Gifts committee for the Cary Family YMCA, the “We Build People” campaign raised $320,000. Scholarships funded camps, tutoring for academically challenged students, youth programs and after-school care for over 1,000 Cary children in 2004.

Chris believes in a balanced lifestyle. She enjoys golf, North Carolina beaches, hiking and exploring with her husband and son. She could not give what she does to the Triangle community and the First Citizens team without them and their support.

Jim Hyler, Vice Chairman of First Citizens Bank says Chris has made a pronounced footprint in the Triangle. “She works to make our area a better place to live and to improve the lives of others. Chris is putting in place a legacy of future business and community leaders. Her focus on mentoring will strengthen the skills of our next generation.”

Erika Mangrum (Iatria Day Spa)

A healthy life balance is of concern to all business leaders, entrepreneurs and executives— no matter the industry or position. Erika Mangrum, owner of Iatria Day Spa is no stranger to the struggle of balancing a busy schedule and a healthy body. The difference? Erika has made it her business to help others maintain a healthy life.

After 12 years of climbing the corporate ladder with Sprint, Erika stepped down as general manager for strategic marketing for the Southeast U.S. because her husband was placed in a leadership role at an organization which could have been in competition with her company. She joined Bell & Howell as executive director of marketing while maintaining her role as a wife and mother. At the same time Erika was also in the process of earning her MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina. There simply were not enough hours in the day and she soon found herself in the hospital with a hole in the lining of her stomach. Then late one night, she fell asleep at the wheel and nearly had a fatal car accident. It was at this point that Erika began making some changes.

“I think it was the combination of losing control over my own destiny when I had to step down from a key position that I loved, along with the pressure that I put on myself, sometimes to the detriment of my health. I learned that it is important to take time for myself and relax,” Erika recalls. “I have only one body and it has to last me a lifetime, so I need to invest in my own well-being.”

To help relieve a little stress, she went for a massage. While at the spa, she began thinking about an upcoming business plan project for school and had a revelation. “As I was lying on the table, I decided to use the preventative healthcare field for my project,” she explains.

After creating the plan and conducting focus groups of coffee shop patrons, she realized a niche market existed for a facility with the credentials and education of a doctor’s office, but the feel of a day spa with an emphasis on preventative healthcare.

“I caught the entrepreneurial bug,” says Erika. “The scariest part was leaving a job with a good paycheck, but I just wasn’t happy. Once I could live with the worst case scenario of Iatria not being a successful venture it was an easy decision.”

Her instincts were right and Iatria, now in its fifth year, will open two new centers in 2005. Her years with Sprint taught Erika many valuable lessons that she says have helped her create a successful organization. She empowers the people that make up Iatria to lead and take ownership by offering managers partnerships in new locations. But, she attributes her confidence in making such a drastic change to the lessons her mother instilled in her.

“She always told me to not be afraid; because the worse that can happen is you fall on your face and then get back up,” Erika recalls.

Erika looks at life differently now. She has learned to set aside time for family and herself while still giving back to the community. With renovations in progress at the Creedmoor location and two locations on the docket for 2005, Erika believes in listening to her employees and customers and is excited about the suggestions they have made.

She volunteers her time to charities such as Hospice of Wake County, March of Dimes, Jimmy V and is a member of the board of directors for The Assistance League of the Triangle, The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Raleigh Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. In all of her activities, Erika remembers to stay balanced and Iatria, which means ‘art of well-being,’ exemplifies that philosophy. In fact, the corporate logo is the Greek symbol for life. “In many respects, Iatria is an extension of what I have learned over the years,” she explains. “I am happy to have a place where I create the same environment for others.”

Grace Ueng (Savvy Marketing Group)

Mother, Mentor, Novice Athlete, Savvy business leader—all terms that describe Grace Ueng, founder and president of Savvy Marketing Group. This multi-faceted, focused entrepreneur has been a leader most of her life. From student government president and founder of the Sloan Undergraduate Management Association at MIT to holding leadership positions in 5 venture backed start-ups and now founder of her own company, Grace seems to have it all.

“You always have to be learning,” comments Grace. “I have been blessed with parents who gave me every opportunity possible and the core values that I strive to adhere to; like faith, honesty and hard work ethic.”

This drive to ‘do the right thing’ has paid off for Grace. To her own surprise, she was accepted directly after finishing her undergraduate at MIT to the deferred admit program at Harvard Business School where she completed her MBA in 1991. She went on to manage five leading household brands for General Mills & Clorox where she was recruited into software.

Today she helps new ventures in Fortune 500 companies as well as startups optimize their chances for success by sharing in her clients’ passion for growth. Savvy Marketing Group provides two main avenues of services. The first, Resolute Ventures™ Services, utilizes the firm’s proven methodologies to help advise in business planning, defining target markets, performing due diligence, raising capital, and building a team. Chief and Crew for Hire ™ Services offers growing companies additional marketing talent by providing interim chief marketing officer and team implementation.

“The mission for Savvy Marketing Group is to help CEOs and those starting new ventures think through issues and maximize success,” says Grace. “Our goal is to come in and help set a strategy. People are concerned about ROI more than ever and they don’t want to rush into hiring a CMO. By recommending and finding the right candidate at the right time, we can support clients as they make decisions about their marketing strategy.”

In between meetings and travel time, Grace spends time doing the things she enjoys as well as gives back to the community. She works while her seven-and-a-half year old son is sleeping so she can spend quality time with him in the evening. She is a runner, biker and swimmer and participates in Lymphoma & Leukemia Society Team in Training, Race for the Cure and Run for the Roses-- all by a woman who did not know how to ride a bike until just about 2 years ago.

She told Endurance magazine in August of this year about learning to ride a bike. “After my sister got into a biking accident on a hill near my house while growing up, we didn’t ride bikes except in our driveway! After my marathon, I wanted to start doing triathlons but knew I had to learn to get over my fear of riding. Several falls and bruises later, I am now happily riding over 60 miles a week.”

Mentoring is another passion of Grace’s as she encourages others through professional roles and is also a trained Stephen Minister caregiver through her church, White Plains United Methodist, where she helps people who have experienced crises. To be commissioned into this position, Grace was required to read many books and go through 50 hours of training about suicide, divorce and dealing with the death of a loved one.“When I got divorced, I had someone to listen to me and the process was so very beneficial that I wanted to also help others.”

Jean Davis (Empire Properties)

A dedicated community supporter and savvy business leader, Jean Davis is a partner at Empire Properties, a full service real estate development company which owns and manages 17 properties throughout downtown Raleigh from office to retail to restaurant space.

Born the youngest of seven children to a traditional Irish-Catholic family in Boston, Jean has an affinity toward downtown life. Formerly the co-founder of Serentec Inc., a regulatory compliance services provider for pharmaceutical companies, Jean and her business partner-- now her husband—sold the firm in 2002 to Lloyds Register of London, England.

“In six years we grew the company to over 70 professionals and won many awards, including a spot on the Inc. 500 list,” Jean says. “But we never really had a clear exit plan. From day one we were dedicated to creating a solid business and did. We wanted to sell to someone who held our same passions for strong business.”

Lloyds offered Serentec just that. A division of a non-profit company the Friendly Society in England, Jean says the company possessed key characteristics to help Serentec enter the global marketplace: a good attitude and solid reputation over hundreds of years.

It was in her role as director of corporate affairs at Serentec that led to her involvement with the revitalization of Downtown Raleigh. Today she sits on the board of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, is a member of the steering committee for the Livable Streets Plan and chair for the city task force to formulate the first small area development plan for the downtown West area around the new Triangle Transit Station.

Jean’s current position at Empire Properties combines her passion for business, historic preservation, community involvement and urban revitalization.

“I joined Empire Properties in 2003,” she remembers. “Greg Hatem, the founder of Empire has made a real change in our city by restoring some of Raleigh’s most historic downtown buildings which has in turn sparked real economic development. It’s an exciting time for our city and I am thrilled to be able to share my enthusiasm for this revitalization with others.”

Her desire to improve the beauty and contributions of downtown Raleigh were recently supported as she was accepted as an Eisenhower Fellow, a program that promotes international understanding and productivity through the exchange of information, ideas, and perspectives among emerging leaders throughout the world. In September of this year, Jean visited Australia to learn about their philosophies of downtown development in order to bring ideas home that may help in the revitalization efforts.

“I love to travel and this was an amazing opportunity for me to learn how other cities are growing and adapting,” says Jean.

Jean put herself through college in England and France. She spent time as a Press Officer at the United Nation Association in London and lived in many European cities where she taught English.

“To support myself during school, I taught English to business executives. Later, I took a few teaching contracts which allowed me to live in some of the great European capitals,” recalls Jean. “I have always enjoyed the vitality and energy of cities and have always dreamed of getting involved in urban planning.”

Jean attributes her desire to learn and her passion for the community to her parents. Her father was a warehouseman and her mother, a paraplegic from the age of 15, worked in a plant nursery until she returned to college to study economics and now works for a non-profit organization that helps the handicapped live independent lives.

“My mother is an amazing woman,” Jean shares. “She pushed herself upstairs each night to tuck the kids into bed and does everything on her own. No matter what was thrown her way she accomplished everything—all with a sense of humor. She taught me to approach life this way with enjoyment and laughter.”

Leslie Bevacqua Coman (NCCBI)

To be a female lobbyist 20 years ago, Leslie Bevacqua Coman had something to accomplish. Through the years she has developed respect among legislators and colleagues. She is a professional, honest and fair individual who can get things done. Leslie is ranked as the 6th most effective lobbyist in North Carolina and is the highest ranked woman to achieve that goal in the history of the state. She is the Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry (NCCBI).

As a child in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Leslie’s family was involved in local politics. Although neither of her parents ever ran for office, they volunteered for different races and campaigns.

Leslie remembers, “Growing up in a small town, the community spirit was contagious. Everyone was active in elections and campaigns and American pride was very strong.” Not ever thinking that this would become a career for her, it was where she ‘got her feet wet’.

She began her career as a legislative staffer while her children were young, never thinking that this was the beginning of a career path. Leslie always thought that she would raise her children and be a community volunteer. Little did she know that she was embarking on a ride that would lead her to many opportunities with incredibly inspiring mentors. In 1979, she worked on Governor Hunt’s re-election campaign and in 1980 joined his staff in the Governor’s office. “Jim Hunt was wonderful to learn from,” she remembers.

From there it was onto government affairs work for a law firm. Exposure to clients of different businesses opened the doors to her future at NCCBI. Mentors over the years were the driving force behind every new door. From Willis Whichard, a former State Senator and Supreme Court Justice who is now Dean of the College of Law at Campbell University, to Travis Porter, an attorney, as well as her first husband, David Bevacqua their support and confidence inspired her career.

In 1999 Leslie experienced a devastating loss that could have potentially impacted her career. Her husband who had been her greatest advocate died suddenly at age 52 of a heart attack. However, she continued with the support of her friends, family and members of Edenton Street United Methodist Church. She has a perspective of making every day count. That is a philosophy that she applies to each aspect of her life.

Business decisions are part of the job on a daily basis. Leslie believes in building bridges. “I build relationships by bringing people of different interests together and then achieving a consensus. It is my idea of partnerships,” she explains.

Always moving from one special interest to another, Leslie has worked closely with 3 major statewide bond campaigns in the last 8 years. Most recently, she chaired the work for the Amendment One: Self Financing Bonds which was on the November 2, 2004 ballot. It was successfully passed and will give local governments an additional tool to finance public improvements and create new jobs in their communities.

Leslie has recently remarried and balances her busy work life with her family and dedicated community service with Edenton Street United Methodist Church and numerous civic activities.

“Over the years,” Leslie recalls, “I have had the opportunities to work with the ‘best of the best’. Because mentors made a difference in my career, I feel very strongly about giving back and mentoring others”.

Linda Markus Daniels (Daniels Daniels & Verdonik, P.A.)

Linda Markus Daniels is excited about her work. With a law practice concentrated on the representation of entrepreneurial, technology-based and international businesses, she has a first hand look at the new, emerging technologies produced in the Triangle. Her firm, which she opened with her husband Walter in 1982, handles incorporations, mergers and acquisitions, securities transactions, the licensing, distribution and protection of intellectual property, tax problems and various international issues for clients in diverse aspects of the technology arena.

“This is such an exciting career,” comments Linda. “Our clients bring us new technologies that have never been seen before, products or services that may be intangible and many times help mankind in ways previously unimagined. We are tasked with working with them to strategically think through how the entire business will be structured and function so that the proper contracts can be prepared and relationships formed.”

To hear the enthusiasm in her voice as she discusses her work you would believe she has always been an attorney. But, she did not come into law until after working as an international economic/ business analyst.

“When I was in college, people asked which law school I planned to attend, not what I planned to do after graduation,” Linda recalls. “I don’t know if it was rebellion or true desire, but I did not intend to go into law, instead I wanted to find a position involving international business.”

With this as her goal, Linda studied public policy with a concentration in international economics policy at Duke University and then earned an M.A. with distinction in International Economics from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. After turning down many positions in New York City—a place she was not interested in living-- Linda found a position with a prestigious shadow government consulting firm in Washington D.C. where she provided research, analysis and offered information necessary for policy decisions by the federal government.

“This was very interesting work until the firm decided to end the international division. I was given my choice of other divisions and decided to try energy,” says Linda. On the energy side of things, Linda found herself involved in a lot of utility rate case work, preparing analyses and testifying as an expert witness. The next logical step was law school.

“At hearings I would sit behind the attorneys and tell them what questions to ask. It wasn’t a giant leap of logic to see that I could cut out the middle man and sit in the attorney chair,” she remembers. She returned to Duke University School of Law where she earned a J.D. with honors and served as an Editor of the Duke Law Journal. And after serving as a clerk at a number of law firms, and receiving an offer with Carolina Power & Light as a retainer consultant, her plans began to coincide with those of her husband. It was at this point that Linda and Walter Daniels opened the first resident law firm in the Research Triangle Park with the stated purpose of practicing technology law—a field that was then truly non-existent. Today, Linda offers the Triangle more than just legal consultation. She is currently a director of the North Carolina Electronics and Information Technologies Association, has served as a director of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development and a Councilor of the International Law Section of the North Carolina State Bar, along with many other professional seats. She is the recipient of the NCEITA 21 IT Support Services Award and has also served as a director of the Association of the American Dance Festival, Chairman of the Research Triangle International Law Roundtable, and is a member of the North Carolina Computer Law Roundtable. She is also a founding member of the RTP chapter of the Women President’s Organization.

When asked what advice she would offer to young women beginning their journey as a lawyer, Linda says, “Be proud that you are an attorney. Don’t let those who tell jokes and disparage the profession discourage you from helping others through your legal practice.”

Ping Fu (Raindrop Geomagic)

Ping Fu’s focus on diversity is fused into the culture of her company. She attributes living through the Chinese Cultural Revolution to her philosophies. After graduating with a degree in Chinese literature from Suzhou in China, Ping longed to be a journalist. She researched and wrote a piece on the killing of baby girls as a means to control population. The attention was phenomenal and soon the international community had eyes on China for many reasons, including Ping’s article. In 1982 when NAFTA imposed international sanctions against the country Ping was exiled. “They needed someone to blame,” she explains. “This is how I came to be in the United States.”

Since then, Ping earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California at San Diego and a graduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, both in computer science and she is always looking toward the future. A simple conversation with her reveals just why she is CEO of the breaking-edge software company, Raindrop Geomagic. The company develops custom software solutions that render products into a three dimensional image—an application Ping says will revolutionize the manufacturing and medical devices industry.

“I believe there is a manufacturing revolution coming,” says Ping. “What if you could have a crown or bridge made for a broken tooth before ever walking into the dentist office or a shoe made to fit the exact dimensions of your foot?”

The advent of the assembly line was the biggest breakthrough of the 20th Century, but according to Ping, our standards can be revised again. “Everything on an assembly line can be customized and made to order making life much more comfortable for everyone.”

This is possible through the use of software like that created by Raindrop Geomagic. Ping, likens it to a three dimensional version of the Adobe suite of graphic design applications. The difference is the software her firm produces adds a ‘z’ dimension to photographs and scans of an item in order to create a digital image that can be used to custom-fit, rework, or develop classic products in to new styles, shapes and colors.

And Ping is leading the company with a style that differs from most Americanbread execs. She operates from a philosophy which views the world as a balance and empowers those who work with her to reach goals by following their own path—much like a ying and yang. As a leader, Ping understands that there is more than one means to an end.

than one means to an end. “People build our company,” says Ping. “As CEO, my job is to rally people around a common goal and allow them to reach it how they see fit.”

Ping uses a house as an example of this philosophy. “When we build a house, the house has many walls and we buy materials to build those walls. Typically we think about the structure of the house, but we really live in the empty space. I like to help people understand that what really matters is something besides the ‘materials’ of a problem, but to look below the surface and find a solution.”

When asked about the influences in her life, Ping remembers the many lessons her uncle, whom she lived with, taught her. “He taught me a way of thinking that ignores the small issues and focuses more on the big picture,” she says. “He always said to look ahead and not at the holes in the road. His was larger than life-- with so much integrity, energy, intelligence. Most of all taught me how to love life and share the joys we experience with others.”

Susan Acker-Walsh (Constella Group, Inc.)

Ever since the age of seven, Susan Acker-Walsh has desired to be an entrepreneur. She has accomplished that dream and now works to improve the human condition.

“I used to play office at my grandfather’s old desk,” comments Susan, who is now chief executive for corporate development at Constella Group, a Durham-based provider of professional health services with two business units that create and provide health intelligence and technology services. “Growing up, I saw hard workers in my family and remember thinking that I wanted to run a company one day. This was at a time, in the early 1970s, when not many women ran companies.”

After living her dream as CEO and co-founder of a venture-backed environmental health and crisis information management software company, Blue 292, Susan rejoined Constella last year. She had previously been with the company from 1997 to 1999. She is excited about the future and the entrepreneurial environment within Constella Group. But no matter where she is working, contributing to improving life for others is paramount to her.

“I feel like I am making a difference everyday, and there is a whole lot more I can do. Since 1988, my work has dealt with environmental sciences or enhancing human health,” Susan says.

Susan’s path into this field came by circumstance more than by design. As a first-semester graduate student at Kent State University, she realized that a degree in history was not a good fit. She decided to relocate to North Carolina to join some friends and began a temporary file clerk position with Environmental Monitoring Services, Inc.

“At first, I was not really sure what I was working on, but I soon learned the company and realized that my work was impacting the lives of others,” Susan recalls. “We were like white knights of the world cleaning up environmental messes.”

Since then, Susan has remained in the health sciences arena, where she continues to fulfill an internal sense of social responsibility and social equity as it relates to her job, her life, her community and all the people she touches.

Susan refers to balancing work, friends and family as an amazing, ongoing challenge. “I am very present to the necessity of sharing my time between work and home,” she says. “I grew up in a family that did not bring work home, but they worked very hard and were successful. At home, my family comes first. This approach allows me to bring my whole self to my job and home.”

She cites flexibility and making time to communicate with her partner Tina Acker-Walsh and other family members as two important factors in the balancing act. Much of these characteristics Susan models after her parents and grandparents who managed households and jobs while making time for the family.

Susan’s dedication to giving to others also stretches into the community. She feels a sense of responsibility and enjoys mentoring those she can, especially young people. Her list of civic and volunteer commitments is lengthy and includes organizations such as the CED and the Kenan Institute for Private Enterprise, where she serves on the board of advisors. As often as possible, she bakes cookies for prisoners and makes meals for the homeless. A goal for the coming year is volunteering at United Church of Chapel Hill.

“I work very hard to contribute in whatever small way I can,” says Susan. “I make myself available to help as many people as possible. I have a strong desire to give back. My belief is that life is not about taking, but about giving of yourself to others.