Women of Influence
"Celebrating another woman's triumphs or success will never take away from your shine or glory. If anything, it'll add to it and create more light."
-Alex Elle, New York Times Bestselling Author and Restorative Writing Teacher
As women, we are drawn to one another in friendship—a sisterhood of sorts. We rely on each other through different stages of life, and the soulful connections we establish often become the lifelines we need to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. Those connections we form are invaluable and can be a source of immense strength and resilience.
When women help to empower one another, they create a network of strong individuals that can work together to achieve their goals and make a positive impact within their communities. When young girls see the people they look up to achieving success in their chosen field, it serves as a reminder that anything is possible. We are encouraged to pursue our dreams and aspirations regardless of the barriers and obstacles that may lie in our way.
Here at BELLA, we stand behind one another, cheering each other on and supporting the dreams we all hold for ourselves. The energy that is BELLA has brought the most supportive and collaborative women into our orbit, and as a result, left us for the better.
This is our love letter to some of those women who have been an intricate part our success. And to all the women out there—no matter where you are in your journey—we see you, we support you, and together we shine brighter!
Tamsen Fadal
Journalist
Jacket: Chiara Boni La Petite Robe
Jumpsuit: Jonathan Simkhai
Who has inspired you in your career?
I lost my mother when I was 20 years old. She was my guide and my best friend before my career started, but she paved the way by making sure I believed in myself.
My father was there the rest of the way, giving me reassurance that it would always work out, and that faith, his support, and the seeds of strength my mother planted always influenced me, inspired me, and showed me how to do that for other women in the years that followed.
Why is it important for women to support one another?
I have found that mentoring, guiding, cheerleading, and just being a person to lean on is important not only to the women who are being supported but to the women doing the supporting. We need each other. We should be complementing one another, not competing. And in that, we all rise together.
Instagram: @TamsenFadalTamsenFadal.com
Anne Geddes
Renowned Photographer
Who has inspired you in your career?
Ever since I first picked up a camera, my inspiration has been Mother Nature—she’s the greatest artist of them all. She’s pure genius at hiding beautiful little surprises around every corner, and she never gets her colors wrong.
My work for the past 35 years has always been about merging our human existence with nature. Everything in nature is round, including beautiful pregnant tummies and the soft, round little bodies of our babies. Mother Nature is my muse.
Why is it important for women to support one another?
Women in general tend to more compassionate. A wonderful Italian Nona at one of my shoots a few years ago mused, “If men had babies, there’d be no more babies!”
It’s vital that we support each other. I've often wondered whether the current state of our world would be different if more women were in positions of power earlier, but we’re slowly getting there. I’m fortunate to work in a profession where I’ve not encountered sexism to the extent that other women have, although I’m very aware that my subject matter often isn’t considered serious within the mainly male-dominated art world. Still trying to change that!
Instagram: @AnneGeddesOffcial
Elizabeth Sutton
Artist
Pants: Koche
Jacket: Alice & Olivia
Belt & Bag: Elizabeth Sutton Collection(Neiman Marcus - Paramus)
Who has inspired you in your career?
First and foremost, my children motivate me to provide them with a good life and be the best role model I can be every day. I have also had numerous mentors who have helped me through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship by giving me guidance, support with infrastructure, and mental and emotional encouragement.
My team inspires me to deliver every single day. They help instill law and order into the creative chaos that comes out of my brain and are the ones who are effectively helping me execute my dreams.
Why is it important for women to support one another?
As women, we are our own worst enemies sometime. Women allow insecurities and jealousy to get in the way of supporting each other. Women act competitively, and if anything is to change, we need to act in sisterhood.
I've found the women who are truly supportive are those who have built something for themselves and have gained self-esteem and self-fulfillment through that process, so they don't feel threatened. I love seeing other women succeed; it gives me motivation.
Instagram: @ElizabethSuttonCollectionElizabethSuttonCollection.com
Dr. Bushra Helmandi
Chiropractor
Who has inspired you in your career?
I'm consistently driven and inspired by all the women in the world who can’t freely act upon their own ambitions. Growing up as a first-generation American, I recognize the privileges I've had that women from my ancestral home simply aren't entitled to.
Building a business that allows women to feel more confident in their own skin and building a team that empowers women in healthcare is my way of honoring all the women with unheard voices and unfulfilled dreams.
Why is it important for women to support one another?
Women supporting women is paramount to my beliefs and my practice. Women must uplift and champion one another in this world where professional industries are still heavily male-dominated.
As a female business owner, I work extremely hard to cultivate an environment that doesn't intimidate women, but instead enables us to achieve our full potential. It is my responsibility to ensure my team is full of like-minded individuals with the collective understanding of treating all people with respect and empowering each other to grow together.
Instagram: @B_HelamandiBeautyAndBodyNYC.com
Joelle Garguilo
Emmy Award-WinningReporter + Host
Who has inspired you in your career?
I have always hustled... I am one of the hardest workers you'll likely meet. I get that from my dad, Jerry Garguilo. Growing up, my parents treated everyone around me with such kindness at work and at home. Maybe I didn't realize it at the time, but as an adult, that simple thing is my guiding light. The people who inspire me are the ones who get to the top without taking anyone down in the process—[those] who give someone a chance.
There are also a handful of brilliant interviewers I love to watch and learn from. At the end of the day, we all need to develop our own style. I know people always say, "I want to be the next Oprah or Ellen," but for me, I just want to keep growing and being the best version of me I possibly can.
Why is it important for women to support one another?
It's not just important, it's necessary. I think it's very common when people are starting out, they view others as competition. You're doing yourself a disservice having that point of view. We all have our own secret sauce—that thing that makes us, well, us. When women support women, that's when the magic happens.
Instagram: @JoelleGarguilo JoelleGarguilo.com
Ruthie Davis
Founder, Designer, President | Ruthie Davis
Who has inspired you in your career?
My inspiration didn’t come from people as much as from the vision in my own mind for the future I could carve out. Growing up, I was a serious athlete and I think that inspired me to be goal oriented and driven to succeed. This carried on throughout my life as I moved from sports to building a luxury shoe brand, forging a new path to realize my innovative and unique dreams.
Why is it important for women to support one another?
We should appreciate and honor the value that women bring to the table. Too often, women feel competitive with other women, which is counterproductive to our success. As women, we need to do everything we can to show solidarity with other women. We need to support women who are smarter, more successful, better looking, etc. than we are. We can’t just support those we aren’t intimidated by. Women need to support all women, including the superstars!
@Ruthie_DavisRuthieDavis.com
Heather Florio
CEO | Desert Harvest
Who has inspired you in your career?
My mother was foundational in my development as an entrepreneur. She started her first company when I was a baby. I never saw her work a 9-to-5 job; instead I spent my life watching her engage with clients, lecture at Ivy League universities, do author appearances around the country, and mentor other young women on their full potential. She let her passion guide her work and I now recognize I emulate this and let my own passions guide my entrepreneurial path.
Why is it important for women to support one another?
We’ve come a long way in the advancement of women in the workplace, but when I am sitting in meetings with people in other leadership roles, they are still predominately filled by men. If we do not champion and support other women on their career journey, we’ll never be able to see a shift in the leadership demographic to an equal balance.
@HMFlorioDesertHarvest.com
Audrey Puente
Meteorologist
Jumpsuit: Chiara Boni La Petite Robe
Shoes: Ruthie Davis
Who has inspired you in your career?
My father, Latin jazz artist Tito Puente, was the greatest influence on my career. He not only was a master of music, but he was also a master of living life passionately. Always encouraging me to follow my passion, he said, “When you do what you love, it will never feel like work.” He was right. By combining my passion for weather with my love of visual arts, I was able to create an enjoyable 30-year television career. My father taught me how to make a job fun, be engaging, and stay true to myself, lessons that have influenced all areas of my life.
Why is it important for women to support one another?
I believe in supporting individuals more than groups. If the individual happens to be a woman, that’s even better! Years ago, I told my dear friend, Judy Torres, the queen of freestyle music, “When you rise, I rise.” By supporting her in elevating her game, I get to be warmed by the glow of her shine.
There were very few female Hispanic role models for me to watch in media during my childhood. Being a trailblazer in the world of meteorology, I understand how breaking through barriers creates possibilities for other women. When I support other women in endeavors that I believe are for the greater good, we all win.
@AudreyPuente
Elisa DiStefano
TV Host
Who has inspired you in your career?
I’ve been influenced in some way by every woman who I watched, in awe, on television as they told impactful and inspiring stories, dared to do something different, were persistent in pursuing their passion, decided to take a leap of faith, knew their worth, and decided to do things their own way. Soledad O’Brien took me to lunch when I was her intern and told me that if I continued to work hard, I, too, could do this.
Carol Silva, who I had the privilege of sharing a TV studio with for 15 years, taught me how to tell stories that matter and taught me life lessons every single day—typically before 5 am! My friend, Heather Moore, helped me to see my worth and made me believe I could design a life I love. And all my fellow moms, who make the seemingly impossible possible every single day, who are vulnerable and honest in sharing their challenges and successes, who are doing great things while being great moms—they inspire me every day.
Why is it important for women to support one another?
Whether it was going through my health crisis, having my babies, starting my businesses, or recently making a work/life change, the women who held my hand or reached out theirs to support and lift me up—those women have made a true difference in my life. Those women make me want to continue to do the same for others. Sometimes it’s the simple words of “How can I support you?”… “I am cheering you on” and “I believe in you” that can make a big impact.
We have been conditioned to feel like we are in competition. Instead, if we can be in the mindset that what is meant for you will be yours when it’s your time to have it, that we are all on our own unique journey, and that constantly comparing and looking around to see where others are doesn’t get you any farther any faster. Then we can walk together, help each other through the difficult parts, and hold out our hands not to hold each other back but to help pull each other forward, give a hug and high-five, carry each other when needed. [It can] make the journey a little easier and much more joyful [when we] encourage each other to keep going.
Holly Daniels-Christensen
Founder + CEO | Dune Jewelry
Who has inspired you in your career?
Inspiration for me is wildly unpredictable and comes in many forms. Oftentimes it comes from taking time in nature or more specifically, being close to the ocean, but quite often it comes to me completely out of the blue. It could be a few days after a compelling conversation with a coworker or customer, or sometimes it's the moment when I wake up after an incredibly realistic dream and jot down new jewelry design concepts (which is why I always keep a notepad next to my bed). I think the most important thing for me is to be open to new ideas at all times. An open mind keeps creativity flowing.
Why is it important for women to support one another?
I love this question so much! Women are powerful. Our intuition, emotional intelligence, creativity, and the sheer volume of projects that we can accomplish on any given day is something to celebrate. Supporting each other is going to be the key to our success now and well into the future. I have multiple female collaborators at Dune Jewelry, and we are constantly shouting each other's successes from the rooftops. It's important to understand that there's plenty of room for all of us to succeed.
@Holly_Daniels_ChristensenDuneJewelry.com
Vanessa Freeman
News Anchor, TV Host, Philanthropist
Who has inspired you in your career?
I have been influenced and inspired by a handful of people along my journey in media even before I knew this path as a journalist was one I wanted to take. I call them my guardian angels, the ones who saw a spark in me and pushed me to get on stage and use my voice when I was too shy to let it shine. The news director who noticed my hunger to learn and excel in TV news and provided me with an outlet to work on my first TV reel. The treasured guides I've been blessed to have along my path that acted as springboards and sometimes even shields from the unseen pitfalls along the way. I am driven to pay it forward because of their influence and inspiration.
Why is it important for women to support one another?
Women at their core have always been the base of any society, tight knit and reliant upon the collective to support every aspect of a thriving community and civilization. Through time, the ideals of the collective have been fractured and spackled with competition through the notion of scarcity in terms of position and career opportunities for women. We've seen the stress this can cause and the friction felt when women don't have a tribe and a strong support system with other women. We are such a strong connective tissue, and we are absolutely strong together, supporting, lifting up, and empowering one another. The world is better when women are together.
@VanessaFreeTV
