From hospitals to housing to high-speed tracks, these women are driving change across Madison — and beyond.
By Jazmynn Appleton, Kristine Hansen, Tania Ibarra, Sagashus Levingston, Shayna Mace, Marybeth Matzek, Katy Ripp and Katie Vaughn
Victoria Thomas: Women, Wheels and Winning
Victoria Thomas co-owns Kellymoss, a Fitchburg company that restores and races Porsches. As principal and chief business officer, Thomas manages Kellymoss’ vision, culture and finances — but she also realized she could help champion women in the automotive industry.
Sagashus Levingston: The House That Power Built
Buying a home wasn’t just a transaction for me. It was a transformation. And for women like us — bold, brilliant and building without apology — it was a declaration that we deserve not just a place to live, but a place to exhale.
Tania Ibarra: Confident Leadership Starts With Financial Savvy
Whether you manage a team, lead a nonprofit organization or run a startup, your ability to understand and apply financial information affects how others view your decision-making, strategic thinking and overall credibility.
New Year Investments: Sister Act
When Anne Neujahr Morrison started New Year Investments, her boutique real estate development firm six years ago, her goal was to make a deeper impact on the city’s landscape — creating projects that blend walkability, housing and commercial spaces, and strong community connections.
Nikki Stafford: Seeing the Big Picture
In spring 2025, Nikki Stafford announced that UW Health is planning to add 24 pediatric and intensive care beds on the empty sixth floor of the American Family Children’s Hospital. With this move, Stafford is helping to position the Madison region as a leader in children’s critical care.
Shayna Hetzel: Sparking Entrepreneurial Growth
If there’s a throughline for Shayna Hetzel’s career, it’s supporting and helping innovative ideas come to life.
“My goal is to scale the infrastructure that allows startups to thrive,” she says. “I’m realigning priorities to make Wisconsin’s ecosystem more supportive for entrepreneurs.”
Katy Ripp: It Turns Out, You Can’t Hustle Your Way Into Alignment
When you’re misaligned, life starts to feel … off. You say “yes” when you mean “no.” Here’s what questions to ask yourself to start narrowing in on your values.
Mic Check: Madison Podcasters Shaking Up the Industry
According to the Women’s Media Center, half of the top 10 podcasts today are female-hosted; back in 2017, women hosted or co-hosted only a third of the top 100 podcasts.
These Madison podcasters are finding success in hosting their own shows while growing their own businesses and connecting with their audiences.
Jazmynn Appleton: Quiet is the New Confident
For many introverts, networking can feel like stepping onto a stage without a script. But what if the secret to successful networking isn’t being the loudest voice in the room — but the most intentional one? These insights can turn networking from overwhelming to achievable.
