Rosana Privitera Biondo
President
Mark One Electric

There are probably two passions, besides her family, that Rosana Privitera Biondo would readily cite: her company and her dedication to improving the lot of women in business. Her devotion to her company, among the top ten electrical contracting businesses here, is seen in its growth since her appointment as president in 1994. She attributes that to determination, a new strategy, and excellent execution by loyal employees.

The second is seen as she works to improve the business climate of women and minorities through her efforts as the national chair of the National Association of Women in Construction and as a board member of numerous groups where she plays an active role. She believes that women can be great leaders—they just have to “stay smarter, be more educated, and continue being on top of the game, no matter the industry. We cannot miss a beat.” She puts her money where her mouth is, hiring women and minority vendors as she can.

Biondo notes the challenges of her industry, but like her high scores in bowling, believes that having a worthwhile goal is the impetus for action. She’s known for her persistence and directness—she wants to move forward. Always.

Lois Boyle
President & Chief Creative Officer
J. Schmid & Associates, Inc.

Widely recognized in the catalog and direct marketing industry, Boyle has earned many awards there, including Kansas City’s 2001 Direct Marketer of the Year from the Kansas City Direct Marketing Association. At J.Schmid, a $4 million firm since 1992, she builds strategies for their clients’ direct marketing programs. She’s particularly fond of the business because, “Everything we do is measurable. The results of our campaigns help us learn and augment future campaigns.”

Boyle carries that focus to her community work. She’s been involved with the KC Direct Marketing Association as a seven year member and past president. She’s been very active with The Women’s Foundation and currently is working on a project with the Native Sons of Kansas City, believing we should “embrace the city’s history and be proud of it.”

She wants to live in St. John part-time with her sons and husband and continue her passion for the new--whether it’s traveling to the unknown, skydiving or bungee jumping. She gave up her Harley a while back and broke ribs surfing a big wave. Partner Jack Schmid says he’s amazed at all she done and calls her simply, “a leader, a doer, and an advocate for women . . . Kansas City needs more people like her.

She led the team that accomplished a tremendous transition, taking a facility that was losing patients and in danger of losing millions of dollars and turned it into a competitive, patient focused organization with sound financial footing. In the last four years, KU Med’s patient count has increased 33 per cent, revenues are up 85 per cent and patient satisfaction up 1500 per cent.

All this from a woman who just wants KU to be the #1 ranked academic medical center in the country. Aside from building that, she’s actively involved in the American Heart Association and several other organizations’ boards including the KCK Chamber.

Cumming attributes her position to her accounting and health care experience which taught her that financial performance was a means to enhance quality patient care. She hires superior people and listens to them. She says her family instilled values such as honesty, respect, and hard work. Her job doesn’t leave her as much time as she’d like for family vacations, reading, and the classic cars she loves, but she says she’s followed Mark Twain’s advice to “follow a comfortable road.” She’s comfortable in her role and if she weren’t, “I either wouldn’t be here or wouldn’t be enjoying it as much.”

Thrust into her position by her husband’s death in 1997, Ann Dickinson says she is chair today because she made the decision to retain ownership for the family, to honor husband Gary’s memory, to continue his life’s work, and to provide employment and career opportunities for their children and the company’s nearly 1,600 employees of the $285 million financial enterprise.

Under her chairwomanship, the company has doubled its assets, a growth she attributes to being left a sound company staffed with capable and dedicated employees. She created the Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation which has been instrumental in a number of causes. The Republican National Committeewoman for Missouri, she is on any number of boards in both KC and Chillicothe where she still maintains a home. She wants to “make a significant difference” towards making the revitalization of downtown Kansas City happen.”

All who know Dickinson comment on her enormous energy and will to get things done. She simply says, “. . . All in all, I’m a happy person. I enjoy life, love people, adore my friends and family . . . and I want to make the most of every moment in every day and fully appreciate the gift of life.”