Meet Our Leadership Team
At Polk County Women Mean Business, our leadership team is dedicated to carrying out our mission with heart and purpose. We work together to create meaningful connections, plan engaging events, and ensure every member feels supported and valued. Each leader plays a unique role in fostering collaboration, encouraging growth, and strengthening our presence in the community—so that every woman who walks through our doors knows she belongs.
Our Leadership Team
Jessica Robinson,
President
Owner of Cohesive Brands
The President serves as the leader and primary representative of Polk County Women Mean Business, overseeing the vision, strategy, and operations of the group. This role guides the leadership team, facilitates meetings, and ensures the group’s mission of connection, collaboration, and growth is upheld. The President fosters a positive and inclusive culture, builds relationships within the community, and ensures members are engaged and finding value in their membership. By leading with purpose and direction, the President helps position the group as a trusted and impactful network for women in business.
Luanna Baughman,
Vice President
Owner of Nana LuLu’s Cookies
The Vice President supports the President in leading the group and serves as a key decision-maker and representative for Polk County Women Mean Business. This role steps in to lead meetings or events when the President is unavailable, helps oversee leadership team operations, and ensures all roles are working together toward the group’s mission. The Vice President acts as a bridge between leadership and members, providing guidance, sharing updates, and helping drive initiatives that enhance member value and engagement.
Dori Shackelford
Accountability + Growth Coordinator
The Accountability + Growth role focuses on ensuring members are actively engaged, building meaningful connections, and making the most of their membership. This leader helps foster partnerships, encourages one-on-one meetups, and inspires members to take ownership of their growth within the group. By tracking attendance, collecting business cards, and helping arrange follow-up connections, this role plays a key part in both member success and overall group growth. The Accountability + Growth leader also serves as a positive influence, motivating members to stay involved, attend events, and continuously seek opportunities to connect and collaborate.
Janet Farmer
New Member Experience Coordinator
The New Member Experience role ensures that every new member and guest feels genuinely welcomed, supported, and connected from their very first interaction. This leader follows up after meetings to learn about each new attendee’s experience, encourage continued participation, and invite them to become (or remain) active members. They help identify ways the group can support new members, then communicate those needs to existing members to foster a culture of connection and collaboration. By creating a smooth and positive onboarding experience, the New Member Experience leader strengthens retention and builds lasting relationships within the group.
Olga Lazukina
Media & Meeting Recap Coordinator
The Media & Meeting Recap Coordinator captures the energy and highlights of each Polk County Women Mean Business meeting through photos and videos, ensuring our community and public audience can share in the experience. This leader documents the event, thanks the speaker, and creates a recap post in the public group that showcases the day’s connections and encourages ongoing engagement. By sharing meeting highlights and promoting upcoming gatherings, the Media & Meeting Recap Coordinator helps keep the community excited, informed, and connected between events.
Tamara Roberts-OffutT
Programming & Education Coordinator
The Programming & Education Coordinator is responsible for bringing fresh, engaging, and valuable content to Polk County Women Mean Business meetings. This leader seeks out dynamic speakers, develops creative meeting themes, and plans educational segments or workshops that inspire and equip members. By curating a variety of topics—from business growth strategies to fun, interactive activities—the Programming & Education Coordinator ensures each meeting is impactful, enjoyable, and aligned with the group’s mission of connection, collaboration, and growth.
Brigitte Garcia
Community Partnerships + Outreach Coordinator
The Community Partnerships + Outreach Coordinator builds and nurtures relationships between Polk County Women Mean Business and the broader community. This leader identifies ways for the group to give back, collaborates with local organizations, and creates opportunities for members to get involved in meaningful causes. They also explore partnerships that bring value to members—whether through shared events, sponsorships, or collaborative projects. By fostering strong community connections, this role helps strengthen the group’s presence, impact, and reputation as a network that supports both women in business and the community at large.
our fearless founder
Samantha Avila
Polk County Women Mean Business exists today because of the vision of Samantha Avila. As founder and former president, she created this community so we would have a place to connect, collaborate, and grow alongside other women in business. Her leadership turned an idea into the thriving network we’re so proud and honored to have today.
Beyond PCWMB, Samantha and her husband run JA Pro Painting and Pressure Washing, where they bring the same values of integrity, dedication, and care that shaped this group. Thanks to her heart for empowering women, you can experience a community built on encouragement, support, and opportunity.