ANN MEACHAM

It’s unbelievable. After moving here for what we thought would be 4 years in 1983, here I am twenty-seven years later! It’s been quite a ride including a great few years serving on the WEC Board and as president in 2001 (I think). I joined in 1995. I’ve made some wonderful friends in WEC. The things I like most about WEC are GEM lunches and Cannon Circle.

The two biggest events for me over the years were: 1) getting divorced from my High School sweetheart after 34+ years and 2) starting my own business in 1998. Although the marriage needed to end and I’ve never been happier or freer, it was tough . . tough . . tough. Being in my own business has been great…and challenging.

I love my work. I coach business owners and execs on being effective leaders, inspiring their people, being good communicators, etc. We also work together to create a vision and a strategy for achieving the vision. The joy is in seeing the individuals grow as well as their companies. Interestingly the coaching often crosses into life coaching since many behaviors at work transfer into our personal lives and vice versa.

I have two children: Charlie and wife, Ann, live in Connecticut and have two beautiful, smart children (aren’t all grandchildren?). Abby is 5 and Ryan is almost 4. I love visiting them – such a loving household. Laura and husband, Cameron, live in Jacksonville and are hoping for children and are settling for 2 kitties as their children for now.

I’ll close with one of my favorite quotes:

“The greater danger is not that your hopes are too high and you never reach them, but that they are too low and you do.” Michelangelo

NATALIA BENDA

I have been lucky to be a member of WEC for 3 years now. It is really wonderful to meet and listen to so many interesting, strong women. In my free time, I enjoy the beach, dancing, traveling and training Tae Kwon Do. I am a green belt- watch out!

I have been practicing dentistry for 9 years and couldn’t be happier or more in love with a profession. I believe it is an advantage to be a woman in Dentistry for many reasons- we are more patient, more caring, we listen and we have smaller hands!  I use the latest technologies, materials and the best laboratories in order to provide the very best dental care available.