Women in Profile

Sherry Treadwell
Anyone who knows Sherry, knows that she has a passion for all things creative. She believes that we are all creative if we choose to embrace it.

Through her personal journey, she found The Personal Transformation and Courage Institute, took many classes and feels supported by her work through the organization. She also went on to complete their Advanced Training programs.

Now, she feels lucky to be working for The Personal Transformation and Courage Institute as well as The Contemporary Art Center of Virginia. Both organizations are very close to her heart.

Sherry enjoys living by the Beach with her sweet husband and when she's not working, you can usually find her in her studio exploring her own creative process of journaling, collage art, mapping and photography or in her home cooking and decorating.

Kathleen Reilly
Kathleen retired from the federal government where she had careers as a Human Resource Manager and Budget Administrator. She has a degree in Human Resource Management and is a graduate of the DOD Comptrollership School.

After retirement Kathleen worked at the Association for Research and Enlightenment and also pursued her dream to study the creative arts. She studied with master painter Lois Schrof and now paints veil paintings-- watercolor paintings done in the Liane Collot d'Herbois method of painting based on Goethe's color theory and Rudolf Steiner's spiritual science.

She has participated in the basic and intermediate PTCI courses and graduated from the Institute’s advanced courses.

Kathleen is eternally grateful for the amazing life-transforming changes that have taken place from this work. She currently serves as Registrar for the Institute and this year will co-lead the Contemplative Living course "Embracing Silence".

“Life has given me the opportunity to develop and share both my analytical, problem-solving skills and my creativity through art and spirituality,” she says.

Janet Keim
Janet Keim is a South Hampton Roads native with passion to help women.

Janet is a co-founder and current Board of Directors member of The Keim Centers.

More than 25 years ago, Janet pursued her vision to establish an organization that would provide education, encouragement and support for individuals facing an unexpected pregnancy. Today that organization includes four pregnancy support centers located across South Hampton Roads called The Keim Centers, including a medical clinic in The Keim Center of Norfolk.

In 2008, Janet received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her outstanding lifetime of service to our community.

Toby DeBause, President of The Keim Centers, said, “Janet is truly an inspiration to us all. She has donated countless hours to serving this organization and has had an incredible, lasting impact upon countless people in our community.”

To learn more, call 757-499-4444, email info@keimcenters.com, visit www.keimcenters.com, or connect with The Keim Centers on Facebook or Twitter.

Gwen Dunston-Farthing
Gwen Dunston-Farthing is the General Office Manager for the Disabled American Veterans of Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Her primary responsibilities include all accounting and payroll functions for six stores and almost two hundred employees throughout the Hampton Roads area.

Gwen was born in Newport News and is a graduate of Hampton High School. She can be found at Darling Stadium on most Friday nights during the football season supporting her Crabbers. Mrs. Dunston-Farthing is also a graduate of the Professional Business and Medical Institute (P.B.M.I).

Gwen is very active in the community where she has been a member of the Zion Baptist Church for thirty years. She is also a participating member in numerous groups including the Masons/Order of Easter Stars, Royal Exalted Order of Amaranth, Heroines of Jericho, The Ladies Kings Templar, The Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Daughter of the Sphinxes and The Original Supreme Grand College Rose of Seven Seals.

Gwen has two sons and two grandsons who are the light of her life. Her favorite quote is “Give the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.”

Kate McLendon
Kate was born and raised in New Hampshire. Her love for fitness stems from eleven years of competitive gymnastics.

Her first role as a fitness instructor came about when she joined the Navy and was stationed in Hawaii. It was there that she got the opportunity to lead and instruct regular workouts for her co-workers.

After the Navy, Kate worked as a Personal Trainer for a base gym in Hawaii. Later, she went on to coach gymnastics at a local gym in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia for kids ranging from ages 3-18 as well as lead an adult fitness class for parents. Kate is certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise.

She continues to further her education on health and fitness and loves to share her knowledge and expertise with people of all ages.

Alexis Swann

Alexis Swann is a Hampton Roads native. Her present position is Private Banker and Senior Vice President for the Eastern Virginia region of Wells Fargo Private Bank.

Alexis has over 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. She believes in giving back to her community and has a strong passion for pursuing financial literacy for all. She is a frequent speaker and workshop facilitator on financial topics to many groups and organizations across Hampton Roads.

Some of the organizations Alexis works with are Peninsula Habitat for Humanity, VA Kids Eat Free , United Way Live Smart and the Urban League Guild. Alexis is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta public service sorority and is head of the financial empowerment ministry at Ivy Baptist Church.

In 2007, Alexis received the Women in Business Award for Finance by the Inside Business Magazine. In 2008, the YWCA - Peninsula honored her as a Women of Distinction in the financial industry.

Alexis resides in Yorktown, VA with her husband, Darren and two children, Mikaela and Chandler.

Shirley Hayes
Experience supplied with ease and enjoyment, Shirley regularly designs unique, exquisite floral designs and entertains with her special flair for food preparation for her friends.

Borrowing from an earlier career in restaurant management where she enjoyed food styling, choosing music to set the tempo complements the atmosphere of Images Unlimited.

Her compassion and upbeat energy help to create a private haven that supports transition for her clients.

She diligently researches for the most effective products to maximize a client’s investment, manages client care, scheduling and daily operations.

Born in Brooklyn, Shirley migrated to Tidewater with family. She attended Norfolk State University studying music and minored in English.

Michele Tryon
Michele Tryon is a Certified Child Life Specialist who moved to Virginia Beach from the Mohawk Valley of New York State in 2006. Born and raised in upstate New York, she and her husband raised their three children in a small village at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.

Michele earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology Child Life from Utica College of Syracuse University and her Master of Arts degree in Transpersonal Studies from Atlantic University in Virginia Beach. Her connection with Atlantic University and an opening in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, prompted her move to Virginia and created numerous new opportunities of its own.

In 2008, Michele co-founded The Center for Hope and Healing, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life for children and families facing health related challenges, in Hampton Roads. She has a great passion for integrating hope and healing in all healthcare experiences, and is committed to holistic care for children, their families, and the professionals who care for them.

Michele is traveling to Guwahati, India with Operation Smile in January 2011. Michele is a student of The Course in Miracles, practices yoga and mindfulness meditation, and loves to spend time near the ocean.