To nominate someone you know, visit us online at GravitasMag.com
One of the state's most influential bankers, Rita
Lowman, is leaving her position as executive vice
president and chief operating officer of C1 Bank in
St. Petersburg to become chief operating officer at
Pilot Bank.
Lowman's skills and experience will aid Pilot in
several areas, ranging from tech to retail banking.
One goal is to help the bank optimize its new state-
of-the-art core operating system, which is to be implemented in February. e new system is
designed to provide an array of mobile banking and cash management services.
Emily Ley's bestselling planner
and wildly successful line of paper
goods and gifts began in sunny
South Florida with a dream: to help
women simplify their lives. She has
now taken that goal even one step
further. Her new book, Grace, Not
Perfection: Embracing Simplicity,
Celebrating Joy, was just released
this past October.
Emily and her brand have received
numerous accolades, including
"Best New Product" at the National
Stationery Show, and a "Top 10
Designer to Watch in 2015" by
Stationery Trends Magazine.
e Women's Resource Centers of Manatee and Sarasota
Counties are merging, with the goal of becoming an even
more effective nonprofit once they are united. Current
interim executive director Ashley Brown has been the
leader of the Women's Resource Center of Manatee for 13 years, and will become the CEO of
the merged organization. With the identical mission of empowering women, Brown says this
union is an excellent way "to maximize resources."
FINANCE
Rita Lowman
COO, Pilot Bank
BUSINESS
Emily Ley
Founder, Emily Ley Paper & Gifts
NONPROFIT
Ashley Brown
CEO, e Women's Resource Center
of Manatee and Sarasota Counties
In Our Community
These amazing women are true
leaders in their fields —shining
examples of perseverance,
excellence and commitment.
To learn more about them, visit us
at GravitasMag.com.
WOMEN IN THE NEWS - LOCAL
Bern's Steak House has a rising star in the wine
cellar—Rachel Healy was recently promoted from
Assistant Sommelier to Sommelier at the iconic Tampa
Bay institution. Having studied her craft both in the
states and abroad, Rachel has honed her skills and isn't
intimidated in a field largely dominated by males. She is
the first female sommelier in Bern's 60 years in business.
Armed with her passion for wine, she hopes to one day
achieve the role of Master Sommelier.
HOSPITALITY
Rachel Healy
Sommelier, Bern's Steak House
14 | GRAVITAS MAGAZINE GravitasMag.com
