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10 | GRAVITAS MAGAZINE GravitasMag.com WOMEN IN THE NEWS - LOCAL To read more about the women featured, visit us online GravitasMag.com Erica Shea joins the law offices of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick as the company's Chief Business Development Officer. In her new role, Shea will support and grow the law firm's business development initiatives, and split her time between the Tampa and Sarasota offices. Shea, a former senior multimedia account executive at the Tampa Bay Business Journal for 10 years, is also active in the philanthropic community. Shea previously served as a sponsorship chair and organizer for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and currently serves on the University of Tampa Board of Counselors. Tammy Levent has seen many trials and tribulations throughout her life and in her career, however, she has not only survived despite adversity but has actually thrived and now, she shares her story in her autobiography, "Sink or Swim." Today, Levent is a successful travel agent and a three-time recipient of the Travel Weekly Gold Magellan Award, along with many other honors. Don't let Levent's thick skin fool you, though: she is leading an effort to distribute her story of survival to those in need. Levent has started a GoFundMe account in the effort to raise $50,000 for the first run of printing to send her novel to charities, hospitals, homeless shelters, and schools where people can benefit from her uplifting story. As the co-founder of the fashion accessories house Bonitas International, entrepreneur, businesswoman and single mom of three children, Sarasota's Kimberly Martinez is a force to be reckoned with. Her company was named for the third time on Inc. magazine's prestigious "Top 5000 List for Fastest-Growing Private Companies." e company's flagship product, BooJee Beads ™, is a collection of identification jewelry that allows women to transform the required employee IDs into a fashion statement. Martinez, a former corporate executive, co-founded the company with her sister-in- law, Lisa Harrington, and has sold over 25 million lanyards since the company's inception. LAW Erica Shea Chief Business Development Officer, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick BUSINESS Tammy Levent Business Strategist, Travel Expert, BUSINESS Kimberly Martinez CEO, Bonitas International Ann Frescura began her new position as the new Executive Director of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce January 1. Frescura, who comes to Sarasota from Springfield, Illinois, served as the promotion and events director at Downtown Springfield, Inc. for eight years. Chamber executives say Frescura's experience promoting tourism in a business- heavy community like Springfield aligns with the chamber's operations and goals. Inspiring Women in Our Community To learn more about these women or nominate someone you know to be featured in GRAVITAS, visit our website at GravitasMag.com. NONPROFIT Ann Frescura Executive Director, Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce

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