Southwest Missouri Businesses That are Powered by Women

It’s no secret that southwest Missouri is full of female leaders guiding businesses to success. Read on to learn how local companies are committed to building diverse leadership, empowering their employees and enriching our business community.

Bryan Properties

417-864-6303 | 2659 E. Normandy Dr. Ste. 104, Springfield, MO | bryan-properties.net

Ericka Peppers has a message for all the girls dreaming of their futures: Focus on the right thing.“Focus on investing in you,” says Peppers, the Chief Operating Officer of Bryan Properties in Springfield. “Find something you love and give it your all. Become an expert in it.”

For Peppers, it was the C-suite. “I wanted to be in leadership. I never knew it would be in the housing space, but I always knew I had a passion for training, coaching and developing people and to set a bar of excellence and get everyone to it,” she says.

She honed those talents at her church—as director of the drama program—and in school, as a member of student government. She also had stellar mentors in her parents.

“They never accepted mediocre in anything I did,” Peppers recalls. “I had to be the best. We were never allowed to quit anything. I was on the swim team throughout grade school and high school, and while I was nowhere near the best, I was 1 of 3 girls who could even compete in the 500, which is 20 laps. I just never stopped. And every time I wanted to, my dad was on the sidelines, yelling at me to keep going. I can still hear him in my head: ‘GO! Get after it! Don’t stop, just keep kicking.’ This has directly channeled into roles in my adult life. I will never give up!”

Erica Lea Design Studios

417-731-4086 | 380 E. State Highway CC, Suite D 105, Nixa, MO | Ericaleadesignstudios.com

Since 2010, Erica Lea Design Studios has worked with a host of clients both locally and nationally. This Nixa-based interior design firm partners with artistic and detailed professionals who represent all different trades, helping them make high-end concepts a reality.

This customer-focused design company uses a white glove, service-oriented approach. According to owner and founder Erica Hendrix, each project is unique because it “reflects the people who reside there.” She also says that creating a positive sense of place and home helps facilitate a family’s sense of belonging and enriches the community as a whole.

In addition to collaborating with an insightful team of female leaders, the ELDS team regularly conducts pro bono work with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Springfield HBA Board of Directors and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Whether they are working on a house or out in the community, the team at Erica Lea Design Studios hopes to “enhance and elevate” the lives of the people who make 417-land home.

Paragon Architecture

417-885-0002 | Springfield, Joplin, St. Louis | paragonarchitecture.com

Pinegar Honda

417-765-0363 | 3520 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, MO | pinegarhonda.com

Toth and Associates

417-888-0645 | 1550 E. Republic Rd., Springfield, MO | tothassociates.com

Volt Credit Union

417-862-0471 | 2624 W. Republic Rd., Springfield, MO | 2440 N. Kansas Expressway, Springfield, MO  / voltcu.org

Members of Volt Credit Union know that their money is in good hands. After all, they own the business. The member-owned, non-profit credit union is overseen by a volunteer board of directors, and profits made are returned to those members in forms including reduced fees, higher savings rates and lower loan rates.

Volt recognizes the anxiety surrounding money at every stage of life, from young people learning financial responsibility for the first time to those recovering from financial setbacks, hoping to start anew. The credit union accepts deposits, makes loans, and provides a wide array of other services to help its members with any financial questions or needs they might have.

That same foundation of member support applies to Volt’s staff. They invest in the lives of their employees with unique benefits, like a more casual dress code, extra ReCharge Time & Volt Volunteers Hours.

Employees are provided with ongoing training and tools to help increase their awareness and understanding of differences and why they matter.

Female leaders driving Volt’s success include President/CEO Loretta Roney, Chief Retail and Commercial Officer Caroline Richardson, Chief Operations Officer Shana Jahnke, and Chief Experience Officer Vicki Owens.

Volt celebrates diversity. They believe it makes for a strong business community because it brings in new ideas and talented people.

Arvest Bank

417-885-7240 | arvest.com

Arvest operates across four states, but the bank stays true to its core values by maintaining local leadership in each market. Arvest empowers these local leaders to meet the needs of their customers and make an impact in their communities.

Springfield’s team is made up of women who embody the bank’s mission–“People helping people find financial solutions for life.” Equipped with years of experience and the tools of a full service bank, this team provides solutions for customers, including loans, deposit services, investments, succession strategies, and treasury and cash flow management.

Whether it’s planning fundraisers for bank-lead initiatives like Million Meals, helping educate future leaders in our schools, feeding families of medically fragile children, packing food at the local pantry, or serving on nonprofit boards, these Arvest associates demonstrate through their actions what it means to be committed to the community.

Serving customers and community, Arvest’s powerful associates make a lasting impact on 417-land.

BluCurrent Credit Union

417-887-1983 | 1770 W. Sunset St., Springfield, MO | blucurrent.org

BluCurrent Credit Union has been dedicated to building better lives together right here in the Ozarks since 1929. Today, the financial institution proudly serves over 23,000 members and currently has over $300 million in assets. BluCurrent may be one of the largest credit unions in southwest Missouri, but the team still excels at providing personalized, convenient service to every member.

BluCurrent’s growth and success would not be possible without the female leaders that proudly represent the mortgage department: deAnna Downs, SVP of Mortgage Lending, Hannah McCaig, Mortgage Sales Manager, and Courtney Pruente, Mortgage Support Manager. Under deAnna’s direction, the mortgage team assisted 713 families in purchasing or refinancing their homes in 2022.

Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #459303. Member NCUA.

Guaranty Bank

833-875-2492 | gbankmo.com

Since 1913, Guaranty Bank has remained dedicated to having a positive impact on communities across 417-land through volunteerism, philanthropy and a responsible approach to financial services.

Guaranty’s impact would not be possible without extraordinary leaders like Tambra Foote-Bates, HR Manager Officer, Becca Morgan, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Heather Ramsey, Senior Vice President of Private Banking, Amy Wilkerson, Vice President Private Banking Officer, Kathy Qu, Private Banking Officer and Zilian Falig, Private Banking Specialist.

In 2022, Guaranty Bank earned Platinum Elite status with the U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loans. As a community bank, they prioritize providing an unmatched, high level of service in southwest Missouri.

Perimeter Behavioral Hospital

Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Springfield is here to provide hope and transform lives. Available 24/7, Perimeter assists youth who are suffering from mental health crises and those who are unable to keep themselves and others from harm.

The leadership and nursing team which is over 50% female, work closely together to provide compassionate care. As CEO, Alyssa Ingle draws on her experience in clinical psychology, business development and community outreach to create a solution-focused atmosphere. The team at Perimeter ensures through daily therapy groups, individual and family sessions, and providing additional environments such as a recreation gym and sensory room, each patient’s stay is a healing experience. Once stabilized, patients receive aftercare plans to be able to successfully return to the community.

Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Springfield is truly a powerful resource for families in 417-land.

Quality Clean

417-833-4250 | 2305 E. Olive Ct. A, Springfield, MO | myqualityclean.com

Locally owned and family-operated, Quality Clean offers quality service, with a drive to elevate small business and serve the community. Owner Cindy Gibson says, “Our business is here to grow and help others succeed. Small businesses are the core of the 417 area.”

Gibson’s female leaders empower staff and promote diversity. “Diversity,” she says, “allows for collaboration and inclusion. This helps us be more productive.”

In a time of uncertainty, Quality Clean has expanded services, including discounts for those in need and electrostatic spraying to combat illness.

Celebrating 20 years in 2023, Quality Clean provides the quality results your business deserves!

Wil Fischer Distributing

Historically, the beer industry was predominantly male-driven, but that has been changing recently here in 417-land.

Erin Lee, the VP of Human Resources at Wil Fischer Distributing, has played a key role in redefining their people efforts for the last 10 years.

Wil Fischer Companies is a beverage distributor that has serviced Southwest Missouri for 56 years. They now operate in over 60 counties throughout Kansas and Missouri and in the last 9 years, have tripled in size through several acquisitions.

Erin has helped lead many growth initiatives in her tenure and is joined by many other talented women who have expanded into leadership roles throughout the organization.