After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tracey Cohen worked for a short time in Atlanta for a market research firm before joining Target Copy in 2004, the company her mother founded in 1982. She became president in 2009 and later expanded the company’s focus, changing the name to Target Print & Mail. The printing, signs, and mailing services provider has always been woman-owned and operated, and Cohen is proud to have brought the company through many changes and significant growth. Cohen served on the boards of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Foundation for Leon County Schools, and Tallahassee Entrepreneurs Organization. She’s active with the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and lives in the city with her husband Jeremy Cohen and daughters Molly and Paige.

Describe a defining moment in your career. Target Copy struggled in the economic downturn from 2009-2012. In 2015, I pivoted from the campus copy shop model and acquired a local commercial printing and mailing company. That turned out to be the right choice as we have continued to grow, adding signs, promotional products, and graphic design to our portfolio.

How do you define success?

Short term, my focus is on producing beautiful, high-quality projects that are delivered on time. Long term, I define success based on achieving a few financial goals and on developing a strong culture and a cohesive team.

Who has served as your mentor or inspiration, and how did they impact your path?

My mother, Mayda Williams, paved the way for me in countless ways. She showed me what it means to be a strong, outspoken woman in the business world, unapologetic about her ambition, and always fighting for what she believed in. My mom was a trailblazer, and I’m still learning from her 15 years after she sold the business.

What lessons have you learned along the way that have improved your professional life?

My mother always said, “Be the squeaky wheel.” I have found that being pleasantly persistent has ensured that the company was taken seriously and treated as not just a vendor, but as a partner. Also, loyalty has real value and pays dividends when times get tough.

What advice do you wish you’d been given before entering your industry?

Any industry, even print, has growth potential if you listen to your customers and make smart investments based on what their long-term needs are. I was warned that “everything was going digital” before I bought the company, but our business continues to grow, and we see a lot of potential ahead.

Videography by Boo Media.

Carrie Zimmerman vaulted from being an Olympic gymnast in the 1976 Montreal Games—the first American woman to score a 10 in floor exercise—to the boardroom as a global entrepreneur. With her husband Curtis, she co-founded The Zimmerman Agency, an integrated marketing firm headquartered in Tallahassee. One of the top three largest hospitality public relations agencies in the U.S., The Zimmerman Agency represents clients in 36 countries and employs 134 professionals.

Zimmerman says her “Wow!” business philosophy was based on disruptive thinking and fearless enthusiasm inspired by executives across the globe. She was named one of Microsoft’s Top 10 Savviest Businesswomen, and Inc. magazine has featured her as a Gold Medal Millionaire Entrepreneur. She also served as a board member and president of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Association and twice has addressed the United Nations on the powerful synergy between elite athletics and global entrepreneurship to a forum of worldwide leaders.

Describe a defining moment in your career.

Our team was presenting year-end highlights when I noticed the client was staring at me, instead of the team. I asked why, and his response stunned me. “I just love how incredibly proud you are of your team,” he explained. “Your face shows such admiration and respect for them.” The brilliance of our team is inspiring; it humbles me.

What motivates you?

My motivation is unapologetically simple; I love to win, but honorably, with no compromise on integrity or ethics.

What advice do you wish you’d been given before entering your industry?

When I started in business, I was told “temper your enthusiasm, slow down, contain your energy, don’t suggest things which are impossible.” Thankfully I wasn’t a good listener and believed adamantly and confidently in disrupting the norm.

What advice do you have for young women pursuing their careers?

My immediate answer is to remove the “young” and “woman” from the question. Advice for women is no different than the advice for men: Be curious. Be confident. Be hopeful. Be fearless. Be inspired. Be passionate. Be brilliant. Be bold. Be creative. Be crazy. Be relentless. Be strong. Be thankful. Be happy. Be yourself.

Tell us about a time when you were met with a crossroads decision and how you faced it.

A couple years ago, I began to “phase forward” with succession on my side of the business—an easy task as our leadership team had been in place for decades. It was
a huge personal decision not to work for the first time since I was 15 years old. Allowing a team who was so talented to take the well-deserved spotlight trumped my own desire for intensity and constant pressure.

Videography by Boo Media

If there’s one thing that Carol Dover can do, it’s build a bridge. She’s not a carpenter or a construction chief, but the skill has been essential in her nearly 30 years as president and CEO of the 10,000-member Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA), as well as in her work as a lobbyist and government executive, and board member for the National Restaurant Association, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and Visit Florida as well as serving as chair of the Florida Horse Park.

Dover’s work protects, educates, and promotes the diverse interests of Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry, which employs 2 million diverse individuals. She’s received many awards and honors, including being named the FSU Alumni of the Year; she received the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show Beacon Award; and, in 2024, she was inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame for her contributions to the growth and success of Florida’s tourism and hospitality industry.

How do you define success?

I believe that success is working hard each day and never compromising your integrity. I define success as establishing a team to trust and share a vision with and then watching as they achieve it.

Describe a defining moment in your career.

I’ve been blessed with many incredible moments, but the defining moment was my recent induction into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame. To be recognized among such legendary industry icons from Walt Disney and John Ringling to Governor Jeb Bush and Harris Rosen has been the honor of a lifetime.

Do you have an inspiration or mentor in your career journey, and how did they impact you?

Definitely my mother. Whether facing challenges early on in my career when few women were in leadership roles in hospitality or when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a global economic collapse that wiped out nearly 100,000 hotels and restaurants in the U.S., I have thought of my greatest mentor—my mother—and her constant reminder to me to never, ever give up.

What are you passionate about outside of the workplace?

As a breast cancer survivor, I am engaged in raising awareness and funds for breast cancer. I’m a competitive equestrian who lives on and runs a working horse farm, and I’m an active and involved mother and grandmother. My family is everything to me.

What advice do you have for young women pursuing their careers?

Never give up. Build bridges. Do not compete, but lift each other up and share your successes. We can accomplish so much more together.

Videography by Boo Media.

For Berneice Cox, the heart of the community lives strong within her. She stepped down from her role as CEO of a private sector consulting firm to lead the United Way of the Big Bend through COVID-19. She also hosts and produces the NBC television show Our Issues Tallahassee.

Cox is a graduate of Tusculum University and former adjunct professor at Florida State University. She worked for more than 20 years advocating for her clients in front of the Florida governor, Cabinet, House of Representatives, and Senate, as well as on the national level with the U.S. Florida Senate and Congressional Delegation.

Volunteer work has also been a mainstay for Cox throughout her career. She’s served as the past chair of the board of directors for the United Way of the Big Bend, including Leon County and eight surrounding counties, board member for the United Way of Florida Board of Governors, Tusculum University Alumni Executive Board, past chair of Women4FSU, board member with the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, and much more. 

What motivates you?

Respect given and received. When people feel respected and appreciated, they will move mountains.

Who has served as an inspiration for you in your career journey, and how did they impact your path?

My mother was an inspiration to me. She was strong while having grace, genuine and caring while having a lot of grit. My mother-in-law was also a woman ahead of her time.

What are you passionate about outside of the workplace?

I love reading, biking, or walking on the many beautiful trails we have in Tallahassee and Leon County.

What advice do you wish you’d been given before entering your industry?

Be prepared to regularly eat dinner at 10 p.m.

What advice do you have for young women pursuing their careers?

Don’t gossip, and stay away from people who do. Walk away as fast as you can when you’re around someone or a group that engages in gossip, which inevitably leads to misinformation and small ideas. Surround yourself with people who talk about big ideas, improving themselves or their community. Lean in on the positive, and surround yourself with positive-thinking people.

Videography by Boo Media.

Dr. Hillary Glenn, DNP, APRN-BC, serves as executive director of the Point Washington Medical Clinic, a nonprofit primary care facility in Santa Rosa Beach, which she co-founded in 2017. What began as a one-day-per-week clinic has evolved into a $3 million facility that has provided $4 million in health care services to the community—with a dedicated team of more than 140 volunteers who have contributed 33,000 hours of service, saving the area more than $5 million annually by preventing unnecessary emergency room visits. Dr. Glenn, who has called Walton County home since 2009, manages operations, fundraising, board relations, and volunteer coordination. She provides direct patient care, is a certified functional medicine provider and yoga instructor, and an avid adventurer. She shares her Point Washington home with her husband, Tamás Juhász.

Describe a defining moment in your career.

In 1999, I traveled to Vietnam where I met a 9-year-old girl. I learned that her mother died four months earlier after childbirth because she was not able to walk two hours to the nearest health facility. The story haunted me. I decided to leave my career, and I began the journey into health care.

How do you define success?

I view success as a blend of purposeful work, meaningful community engagement, and creating a positive impact that extends beyond myself—supported by a health balance between professional drive and personal renewal.

Tell us about a time when you were met with a crossroads decision. How did you face that?

In my early 30s while living in New York City, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis that progressed rapidly, making city living a challenge. I turned to my doctor for guidance, whose advice to move closer to family hit hard. Accepting that I would likely need support in daily life, I made the tough choice to leave New York and relocate to the Florida Panhandle to be nearer to family—a move that would ultimately transform my life.

What changes do you hope to see in your community over the coming years?

I would love to see a community that celebrates differences, demonstrates genuine compassion, and takes concrete action to support those in need. By lifting up individuals who haven’t had the same opportunities as others, we build a stronger community.

What advice do you have for young women pursuing their careers?

Dream big. Pay attention to your dreams. Keep yourself physically ready for the energy that dreams require, and access your heart and spirit. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Life has a funny way of opening new insights.

Videography by Boo Media.

Jennifer Grove has served the communities of Northwest Florida for over 30 years, most recently as vice president of external relations at Baptist Health Care. Before retiring in July 2024, Grove provided leadership for corporate marketing, government relations, the Baptist Health Care Foundation, faith and community health programs, and programs that engage thousands of Baptist team members in community impact efforts. Before joining Baptist in 2019, Grove led workforce development and community relations for Gulf Power and The Southern Company for 25 years.

Through long-term service on state, regional, and local boards, Grove has helped bring resources to Northwest Florida communities. She is passionate about workforce development and education as a pathway to prosperity and believes that by bringing talent, networks, and resources together, everyone’s quality of life can be lifted.

In retirement, Grove hopes to travel with her husband, Ray, spend time with family, and foster Drift-JenG, her coastal-inspired jewelry, painting, and interior design passion.

How do you define success?

Success is about living out my guiding principles of being inclusive, supportive of all, trustworthy and vulnerable, and impactful on those in my life. I’ve also learned that the definition of success is not static, so how we best contribute can’t be either.

What motivates you?

I am motivated by a deep desire to help others see the potential they have and to help build pathways to prosperity and well-being for all.

What lessons have you learned along the way that have improved your professional life?

Be open to opportunities, even if they sound crazy. Fear and excitement feel the same way in your tummy—having that feeling is when we grow. Listen to others about how they see you, your talents, your purpose, and your impact. Don’t put your career plan on a vision board. Let it evolve over time.

What are you passionate about outside the workplace?

In this first phase of my retirement, I am leaning into my passion for creating. I have long designed jewelry, interior spaces, and painted, but I have always had to fit time for that around my career and family.

What advice do you wish you’d been given before entering your industry?

Don’t get hung up on a defined career ladder or role. Sometimes you have to search for the elements of your life that help you connect to or grow your purpose—and it may not be your job at all.

Videography by Boo Media.

Hong Potomski, MBA, FACHE, has a passion for building healthy communities. As Florida Blue’s market leader for the Panhandle region, she leads, develops, and executes market strategies, establishing and nurturing key partnerships and striving to improve the health and well-being of the community served by the leading health insurer in the state.

Potomski has held leadership roles in strategy and operations with hospital and health insurance organizations with a goal to improve health literacy, equity, and access to quality care. She serves on the American College of Health Executives North Florida Chapter Board, University of West Florida Foundation Board, and College of Health Advisory Council, United Way of Emerald Coast and Health Equity Committee, and Achieve Healthy EscaRosa. She was recently recognized as a Healthcare Harmony award recipient from the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Medical Society, one of seven Rising Executives in Florida Trend, University of West Florida’s 2023 Alumni Community Spirit award, and Inweekly’s 2024 Power List.

What was a defining moment in your career?

I am proud to have led the effort to bring the first Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) program to the Panhandle. The program opened in the summer of 2017, and within a week, the clinical team saved a 17-year-old.

What motivates you?

My family. I am grateful every day that my parents took a risk to chase the American Dream, escaping their home country of Vietnam, living in a refugee camp in Hong Kong, and coming to the United States with literally nothing. Their tenacity and grit as entrepreneurs allowed my brother and me to have the resources needed for a great education and career.

What lessons have you learned that have improved your professional life?

Lead with integrity. Consistency is key. Surround yourself with good people. Be resilient. Practice gratitude and positivity. Celebrate the wins—big or small. Use your PTO. Eat the cake—all is good in moderation. Soak in the family time. Breathe.

What changes do you hope to see in your community over the coming years?

As we continue to promote the great quality of life in our region, I hope to see a continued focus on improving the health and well-being of our communities. This includes enhanced preventive care, increased access to affordable and quality health care, improved mental health support, addressing health disparities, more emphasis on holistic and integrative care, and better support for caregivers and families.

What advice do you wish you’d been given before entering your industry?

This journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Slow down and take it all in. Don’t let one moment or experience define you.

Videography by Boo Media.

Karah Fridley-Young, president of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF), was born and raised in Destin and is a graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School and Auburn University. She has been with DCWAF since 2012, has also served on the board for Young Professionals of Walton County, and currently serves on the board of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. The United Way included Fridley-Young in its inaugural 40 Under 40 class in 2021, Scarlett Magazine named her Woman of the Year award in 2023, and Habitat for Humanity of Walton County named her Power Woman of the Year. Outside of her professional achievements, Fridley-Young is a devoted dog mom to two golden retrievers, Huck and Honey.

Describe a defining moment in your career.

When I was named president of the DCWAF, which coincided with my tenth work anniversary, it was a milestone that recognized my hard work and provided a moment of reflection. It felt like a culmination of many experiences, highlighting the relationships I’d built, challenges I’d navigated, and the successes we’d achieved together.

How do you define success?

As a nonprofit leader, I define success through a combination of impact, sustainability, and community engagement. Success means making a measurable difference in the lives of those we serve, ensuring that the organization can continue its work over the long term, fostering a strong, committed team, and adapting to challenges.

When were you met with a crossroads decision, and how did you face that?

The pandemic prompted all of us to reevaluate how and why we do things. With our traditional fundraising model disrupted and the urgent needs of our charities becoming more apparent, we knew we had to find innovative ways to continue raising funds for children in need. It was a time that challenged my team to think creatively and adapt to new circumstances because despite the obstacles, our mission remained critical.

What lessons have you learned along the way that improved your professional life?

Be authentic and invest in yourself. Staying true to yourself fosters trust and strengthens relationships with colleagues.

What advice do you have for young women pursuing their careers?

Trust yourself and embrace your voice—contributing to discussions and sharing ideas leads to new opportunities. Seek mentorship and build a strong network. Surrounding yourself with those you admire and a tribe that supports you is vital. Invest in yourself, practice resilience, have humility, and play to your strengths.

Videography by Boo Media.

Dr. Alma Littles is a long-time patient advocate who recognizes the importance of being part of and giving back to the community. After serving as interim dean of the Florida State University College of Medicine, she was named to the permanent position in July 2024. Previously, Littles served as senior associate dean for medical education and academic affairs since 2003, leading the college’s accreditation efforts, curriculum development, and expansion of its community-based education model.

Littles has been involved in medical student education since 1989 and has been a family medicine physician specializing in rural communities. Shortly after joining FSU’s faculty in 2001, she became the founding chair of the department of family medicine and rural health and continues to advocate for quality health care for citizens from rural communities and underserved populations pursuing  the medical profession.

She’s held many academic, professional, and community-oriented positions and honors through the years and serves as secretary of Shiloh P.B. Church in Quincy, Florida, where she lives with her husband Gentle Littles, III, and raised her son Gentle Germaine Littles.

Describe a defining moment in your career. When I left private practice for academia, I realized I could contribute to the health of many more patients by helping train the next generation of physicians and other health care providers.

How do you define success?

Success is seeing what needs to be done, working with others to devise a plan, and making it happen.

Who has served as a mentor to you in your career journey, and how did they impact your path?

My mother was a significant mentor for me; her strength and compassion were unmatched. Dr. Pat Woodward was my pediatrician, and as I solidified that I wanted to be a doctor, he became a role model. With each stage of my career, there were many who provided inspiration, including
Dr. Alex Brickler, Dr. Bud Harrison, and Dr. Don Zorn.

What lessons have you learned along the way that have improved your professional life?

Having several relatives suffer premature morbidity and mortality taught me that every day is a gift. We should be grateful and use that time to make the world a better place.

What changes do you hope to see in your community over the coming years?

I would like to see enhanced patient care services in the Florida Panhandle and other rural communities, so patients won’t have to travel long distances to receive not only basic, but more advanced care when it’s needed.

What advice do you have for young women pursuing their careers?

Don’t underestimate who you are and what you’re capable of achieving. Find mentors doing what you’d like to do, and connect with them either personally or vicariously by reading about them and following the path of their successes.

Videography by Boo Media.

Hospitality, retail, and development may run through Sara Becnel’s veins, but she got to the top by earning her stripes. She was a restaurant hostess at 14, and her first post-college job was with Silver Shells Beach Resort & Spa, where she worked in housekeeping, engineering, the front desk, and the reservations call center. She worked retail at Banana Republic, then Bloomingdales after a move to Orlando, where she then became owner of a Verizon phone store.

In 2012, the director of retail position opened at Sandestin—Becnel’s dream job—and she wrapped up business in Orlando and moved home. In time, Becnel became the executive director of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and got involved with real estate development in addition to the retail operations. Her career continued to climb, and she now serves as president for Sandestin Investments. Under her leadership, Hotel Effie and Osprey Pointe were built and renovations were made at the Linkside and Baytowne conference centers as well as the Beach Club and Burnt Pine Club. Recently she became the majority shareholder of Sandestin Real Estate, Sandestin Investments’ in-house brokerage. Becnel also serves as co-trustee for the Sandestin Foundation for Kids.

Describe a defining moment in your career.

Designing and building Hotel Effie was a major defining achievement. It was my first hotel development, and I learned a ton, working on that project for five years.

How do you define success?

I believe if you learn something or can grow from something, then it is a successful endeavor.

When were you met with a crossroads decision, and how did you face it? Gosh, I make hundreds of decisions a week and usually am not at a crossroads. When it happens, I listen to my intuition, take time to digest, and reach out to trusted advisors and coaches if I cannot find the answer on my own.

Do you have a mentor, and how did they impact your career path?

My father has served as a mentor and inspiration in my journey. My whole life, I followed him around on job sites in my little pink hard hat. I recently found a paper from kindergarten that asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I answered “real estate developer” so I guess you can say it has always been my dream and in my blood.

What changes do you hope to see in your community over the coming years? The community has grown so much since I started coming here in the ’80s and moved here in the late ’90s. It has been incredible to see the growth, and I appreciate that we have more culture, industry, restaurants, and young professionals and would like to see more cultural growth and luxury shopping.

Videography by Boo Media.