April Briggs, Huntsville Learning Center
What is success to you?
Having the abundance of time, the richness of energy, and spiritual capacity to sustain myself, and enough in reserve to help other people.
What inspired you to become involved in your community?
First, my Mom who never met a stranger and would feed anyone. And my Dad, he took me to church and I got saturated in the word and involved in ministry. Then I met a fellow by the name of Art Leslie, who gave me my first job in ministry as a nursing mother of a 9-month-old. He allowed me to bring my baby to work. I worked as the assistant life skills counselor, a title I am pretty sure he made up. I started helping with at-risk teens, and I never stopped.
One accomplishment you are most proud of through your community work?
It’s a tie. I am very proud of the book that I wrote I GOT 5 ON IT (available at Amazon) because it’s a culmination of all of the lessons that I have taught to my children over their lives and teens over the past 20 years. I am also extremely proud of a camp that I founded at the Huntsville Learning Center called Growth Camp.
Why is it important for women to uplift one another?
I believe that it’s important for us to lift each other because it is an act of defiance against how society has defined women. When we remove competition and replace it with collaboration and real support something spiritual happens. When Jesus hits the scene he changes the scenery.
What advice would you give to young women who want to make a difference?
My advice would be to remember anytime in their life’s journey where they have REALLY needed something and it wasn’t available to them. I suggest that they get up and fill that need.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I want to leave a legacy of aggressively and audaciously following God‘s path as my authentic self.
Favorite way to spend a free afternoon?
With my feet touching some type of earth.
Donna Burns - REMAX Realty, Author of Sell Your Home For More
What is success to you?
Success used to mean to me, how far up the food chain did I get in your career and how much money did I make. Now, over time and experience, it means how fulfilling is my life AND my career.
What inspired you to become involved in community?
The city of Huntsville inspired me. I wanted to be a part of its vibrancy. No other place I have lived has had that effect on me.
One accomplishment you are most proud of through your community work?
I am really proud of chairing the Leaders of Impact for the American Heart Association. We had a fabulous group of young professionals who really worked hard to raise money for this great cause.
Why it is important for women to uplift one another?
As women, we have a unique skill set to understand the struggles and celebrate each others' wins.
Is there a local cause that is especially meaningful to you?
I support the American Heart Association and the Greater Huntsville Humane Society. Giving a voice to those who can not speak (dogs) is dear to my heart.
What advice would you give to young women who want to make a difference in their community?
Jump in, volunteer. Pick a cause that speaks to you!
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I don't know about any "legacy" of mine, I just hope that in some way I have effected change for the good.
Heels or sneakers? I only wear sneakers when exercising
Anna Manning, Huntsville Hospital Foundation
What is success to you?
I feel successful when I’ve used my talents with a sincere heart to help someone else, no matter how big or small the task.
Who or what inspired you to become involved in your community?
My role model is Celeste Childs. From the moment I met her as a young teenager, I knew that I wanted to love others the way she does.
One accomplishment you are most proud of in your community work?
I am most proud of the work I get to be a part of through the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund. It is one of the biggest blessings in my life to know my Event Team is helping our community’s most vulnerable patients. Nearly every piece of equipment in the Huntsville Hospital NICU is purchased through Melissa’s Fund.
Why is it important for women to uplift one another?
I see this firsthand every year at the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run Breast Cancer Survivor Walk. There is nothing stronger than the bond of women who come together to support one another. And if you’re a young female professional, I highly recommend looking into Momentum Leaders for extra support.
Is there a local cause that is especially meaningful to you?
The Caring House holds a very special place in my heart. Grief can be an overwhelming thing to navigate, but The Caring House team provides children and their families with a safe and loving place to work through loss.
What advice would you give to young women who want to make a difference in their communities?
Say yes. This is your HOME – you’ll never regret pouring your heart into it and making it better for your family, your neighbors, and your friends.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope I’m thought of as someone with a servant heart, who acts with heartfelt hospitality, knows how to throw a great party… and makes a perfect southern cheese straw ;)
Lindsey Patillo Keene, MidCity District
What is success to you?
Living a robust and peaceful life. This means being able to utilize my skills and passions at work, spending quality time with my family, ample rest and quiet time, fitness/ movement, and enjoying the beautiful parts of life through new experiences, travel, and play.
What inspired you to become involved in your community?
Being part of my community and gathering people is non-negotiable. Seeing the impact of placemaking is what inspires me every day.
One accomplishment you are most proud of through your community work?
Founding The Market at MidCity and growing MidCity District. I get to work with 100s of community members and small businesses to support our efforts to make Huntsville even better than it already is.
How has giving back to your community influenced you?
It’s a way for me to support the next generation and show my daughter that it’s important to have causes you care about.
Is there a local cause that is especially meaningful to you?
Land Trust of North Alabama. One of the most incredible aspects of our community is the quantity of preserved land around Huntsville. I love that we value preservation and outdoor recreation in our region along with growth and development. Two things can co-exist at the same time.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
That I continued to push the limits through placemaking and supporting business owners
A book that changed your perspective? Happy City by Charles Montgomery
Karen Petersen, WellStone
What is success to you?
When I was an aspiring TV reporter/anchor, it meant a high-paying job in a top 20 market. You know, the basics: Money, fame, and fancy clothes. Today, my definition of success is my family, health and well-being, sobriety, friendships, and a fulfilling career.
What inspired you to become involved in your community?
My parents inspired me first. They ushered, served on Church Councils, visited the homebound, and worked in the kitchen. Dad even shoveled the church (and our neighbors’) walkways after heavy Minnesota snowfalls.
One accomplishment you are most proud of?
I’m proudest of my girls, Serina and Sophia, but I’m most grateful for making it through 15 years of active addiction to alcohol and coming out on the other side. Without recovery, none of the other things would be possible. Today, I get to use my journey and experiences to advance the mission of WellStone.
Why is it important for women to support and uplift one another?
By leaning on each other, lifting each other up, and learning from each other, we all get stronger. The stronger we are, the more we can do. The wider our reach. The greater our impact.
Is there a local cause that is especially meaningful to you?
WellStone is a 24/7 care center for individuals in mental health and substance crisis. When I heard about WellStone I knew this was my calling, and when we expanded to pediatrics, I knew how much it would mean to children and families in our community.
I’m also passionate about my church, St. Mark’s Lutheran, along with other mental health/addiction recovery related nonprofits, like Best Life Recovery and NOMA, and I’m happy to see that NAMI re-established its North Alabama chapter.
What advice would you give to young women who want to make a difference in their communities?
Put yourself out there. Reflect on your personal experiences and interests and connect with the people and purposes that resonate most.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
If I could be remembered as someone who shared her hope and faith with people who had lost theirs or reminded others that they were loved and understood when they felt completely alone—that’s a legacy I could get behind.
One word that describes your leadership style?
Supportive
Dr. Lindsay Limbaugh- Limbaugh Orthodontics
What is success to you?
Success means creating something meaningful that positively impacts others while also building a life that is centered on family, purpose, and community.
What inspired you to become involved in your community?
The people around me who showed how small acts of support and generosity can lead to a real difference.
What is one accomplishment you are most proud of through your community work?
One accomplishment I am most proud of is creating an orthodontic practice that not only helps people with their dental health and self-confidence, but also supports and brings together our community. I LOVE being known as the orthodontist who "gives back" - to the community, our team, and our patients.
How has giving back to your community influenced you?
Giving back has reminded me that success is most special when it benefits others.
Is there a local cause that is especially meaningful to you?
Being a Community Sponsor for our local schools is incredibly meaningful because our schools are the heart of our community. These sponsorships allow me to give back not only to individual schools, teachers, and students - but also families and our city as a whole.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope to leave a legacy of creating confident smiles while building a practice that truly cares for and supports the community it serves. I want to inspire others to lead with kindness, generosity, and the courage to make a positive difference.
Favorite place in our city:
Big Spring Park
Dr. Beth B Richardson, Progress Bank
What is success to you?
Success, to me, is living in alignment with my purpose, serving others, honoring God, and making a meaningful impact. Over time, it has evolved from external achievements to internal fulfillment.
What inspired you to become involved in your community?
I was inspired by my family. The legacy of service, discipline, and excellence was modeled for me. I believe that we are blessed to be a blessing, and that conviction continues to fuel my commitment to community impact.
One accomplishment you are most proud of through your community work?
I’m most proud of the lives I’ve been able to impact whether through financial empowerment, mentorship, or leadership. Seeing individuals gain confidence, clarity, and control over their futures brings me incredible joy.
Why is it important for women to support and uplift one another?
There is power in sisterhood! When women support each other, we multiply strength, wisdom, and opportunity. We break barriers faster together, and we create spaces where everyone can excel, not merely exist.
Is there a local cause that is especially meaningful to you?
Organizations like The Cornerstone Initiative and United Way are especially meaningful to me. I’m especially passionate about initiatives centered on education, financial literacy, and faith-based development because they don’t just help people succeed in the moment, they equip them to sustain success and create lasting, generational impact.
What advice would you give to young women who want to make a difference?
Start where you are, use what you have, and trust that your voice matters. Stay grounded in your values, remain teachable, and never underestimate the power of consistency and faith.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope to leave a legacy of empowerment, integrity, and transformation; a legacy where I have shaped and changed lives, strengthened futures, and inspired generations to walk boldly in their purpose.
Heels or sneakers? Heels for impact, sneakers for strategy.
Cierra Elledge, PB&J Squad, #Badmoms
What is success to you?
For me, success means building things that create opportunity for others and being present for my kids and their very full lives while still showing them what it looks like to work hard, lead, and give back. It is less about what I achieve personally and more about what I help make possible for others.
What inspired you to become involved in your community?
Becoming a mom played a huge role. Once you have kids, your world gets a lot bigger and a lot more personal. You start to care deeply about the community they are growing up in.
I run a local mom group called #Badmoms of Madison County, and through that group I have seen firsthand how powerful it is when women come together to support one another.
One accomplishment you are most proud of through your community work?
One of the things I am most proud of is helping build and mobilize community-driven initiatives like the PBJ Squad that directly support families in need. We have been able to provide groceries, organize donation drives, and step in quickly when families need support, which is incredibly meaningful to me.
How has giving back to your community influenced you?
It keeps me grounded and constantly reminds me what actually matters. How lucky I am to be in a position to serve others. It has taught me how to bring people together.
Why is it important for women to support and uplift one another?
Women supporting women creates stronger families, stronger businesses, and stronger communities. When women choose collaboration over competition, we all move forward faster.
Is there a local cause that is especially meaningful to you?
Addressing food insecurity and supporting families during difficult times is something that hits close to home. Knowing we kept a kid from going to bed hungry is a feeling of immense gratitude and pride.
I am also passionate about supporting our local schools, whether that is volunteering, helping with events, or finding ways to support students and teachers.
What advice would you give to young women who want to make a difference in their communities?
Look around your immediate circle. Your school, your neighborhood, your friend group. There is always a need, even if it is small. You don't have to fit into a mold to make a difference. Just care enough to act.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I want to be known as someone who brought people together, created spaces where everyone felt welcome, and made it easier for others to step in and help. More than anything, I hope my kids grow up seeing that giving back is just a part of who we are, not something we do occasionally. If that carries forward into the next generation, that is the kind of legacy that really matters.
Women supporting women creates stronger families, stronger businesses, and stronger communities. When women choose collaboration over competition, we all move forward faster.