Get a glimpse into the stories of remarkable women, presented by Porsche of Nashville.
Join us at our Inspiring Women event on Thursday, April 24, at the Joseph Hotel, for an evening of inspiration and networking with these incredible women, along with Clea Shearer, Ivey Childers, and Dr. Christine Rahm.
Fran Adkins, DMD
Dentist, Blackman Family Dental
Tell us about a challenge in your personal life or career and how you overcame it.
After graduation from dental school, I started my career in a private practice in Colorado. I quickly realized how isolating dentistry can be. I had the degree but lacked in leadership and clinical skills. I overcame these challenges by joining Heartland Dental. The mentoring and support I received gave me the confidence to succeed. At the time I started in 2003, there were only 150 dentists, and today we have more than 3,000! A team mentality resonated with me, and being a part of something bigger than myself has been so rewarding.
Who inspires you and why?
My mom was a huge source of inspiration as she also pursued a career in healthcare. Taking care of not only her patients, but her family and friends came naturally to her. Many of her co-workers were like our second family. I was always a witness to her letting people know they mattered and were appreciated, and I try to emulate that in my office as well. Even though she passed in 2017, she still inspires me every day.
Shannon Morse
Co-Founder & Visionary at The Green Door Life
Tell us about a challenge in your personal life or career and how you overcame it.
In 2020, I faced a major challenge — shifting from an in-person coaching business to a fully virtual platform overnight. It felt like years of work might disappear. However, just months before, I had co-founded The Green Door Life with Lisa Kirby. Instead of resisting change, we embraced it, leveraging our expertise to create a thriving online coaching model. What seemed like a setback became our greatest opportunity. Today, we’ve grown from a solo practice to a team of 20+, 100x our impact, and expanded beyond what I ever imagined. Challenges truly are catalysts for transformation.
Who inspires you and why?
I’m inspired by our clients at The Green Door Life. Their resilience, commitment, and transformation — physically, mentally, and emotionally — remind me of human potential. Seeing them push past limitations fuels my passion. Their stories of courage and commitment inspire me to continue creating spaces where people can thrive, proving transformation is always possible with belief and consistency.
Johnetta Blakely, MD, MS, MMHC
Executive Vice President of Quality and Clinic Operations Tennessee Oncology
Tell us about a challenge in your personal life or career and how you overcame it.
As a woman, one challenge I’ve faced in my career is navigating the male-dominated field of oncology and healthcare leadership. Early in my career, I often found myself to be the only woman in the room, whether in medical training, board meetings, or high-level decision- making discussions. There were moments when I had to work harder to ensure my voice was heard and that my expertise was recognized. Rather than letting this be a barrier, I embraced the challenge by focusing on my strengths — clinical excellence, leadership, and a commitment to patient-centered care. I sought out mentors, both male and female, who helped me refine my leadership approach. I also pursued advanced education in clinical research and healthcare management, ensuring that I could contribute not just as a physician but as a leader in healthcare innovation. Now, as Executive Vice President of Quality and Clinic Operations at Tennessee Oncology, I use my platform to advocate for diversity in leadership and to mentor other women in medicine. I believe that representation matters, and I’m committed to fostering an environment where the next generation of female oncologists and healthcare leaders feel empowered to step into leadership roles with confidence.
Who inspires you and why?
It goes without saying that I am inspired by my patients — their resilience in the face of uncertainty, their trust in our team, and their willingness to fight. Seeing their strength motivates me every day to push for better treatments, more accessible supportive care, and continued innovation in oncology. But the people who inspire me the most are my two daughters. Watching them grow into strong, intelligent, and compassionate women has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. They embody resilience, curiosity, and the determination to pursue their own paths, and that inspires me every day. As a working mother in a demanding field, I’ve always wanted to show them that it’s possible to balance a fulfilling career with family, to lead with integrity, and to make a meaningful impact. Their unwavering support, their fresh perspectives, and their ability to navigate life’s challenges with grace motivate me to keep pushing forward, both as a physician and as a leader. Ultimately, they remind me why I do what I do: to create a world where future generations — especially young women — feel empowered to break barriers, embrace opportunities, and lead with confidence.
Karee Hays
Owner and Founder Karee Hays Esthetics & KH Skin Lab
Tell us about a challenge in your personal life or career and how you overcame it.
At 38, with three young kids, I faced the daunting decision to return to school and pivot careers. Balancing family, work, and school was overwhelming. I became fiercely disciplined, often studying late or waking early. The doubt, both external and internal, fueled my determination to succeed. The financial and emotional pressures were immense, yet my drive to provide a better future for my family and set an example for my kids kept me going. This journey built my confidence, proving that with hard work, reinvention is always possible. Those challenges shaped my passion and commitment to what I do today.
Who inspires you and why?
My father has always been my greatest inspiration. To this day, I find myself reflecting on his incredible zest for life. He was a true prodigy in his field, but it wasn’t just his creativity or brilliance that stood out — it was the way he made everyone around him feel seen, heard, and truly cherished. His ability to connect with people on such a personal level while pursuing his passions so wholeheartedly continues to guide me. Whenever I face challenges, I think of him and his unwavering spirit, and it reminds me to approach life with the same energy, love, and purpose.
Vicki Shepard, ACSW, MPA
Healthy Aging Coalition President and Founder Chair, 2024 GO RED, American Heart Association, Middle TN
Tell us about a challenge in your personal life or career and how you overcame it.
I have heart disease. In 2017, I developed an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) and now also have diastolic heart failure and kidney disease. Becoming a volunteer in research studies and a champion for the American Heart Association’s GO RED initiative has allowed me to contribute to a movement focused on ending the #1 killer of women. These chronic conditions have taught me how to embrace a healthy lifestyle, listen to my body, communicate with my health providers, and to ask for support from family and friends. My own health advocacy and a supportive partner have helped me outlive the odds and live each day with purpose.
Who inspires you and why?
My husband, Ted Westmoreland, is my greatest inspiration. He loves me unconditionally and has always supported my career and been by my side during my health journey. When we first met, my parents were both sick, and he was the first to ask what I needed. We were caregivers for 10 years, bringing my father home to die with hospice and then caring for my mother who had Alzheimer’s disease. He is my best friend and trusted partner. Ted is my inspiration and hero!
Hannah Schneider
Founder, BRND House
Tell us about a challenge in your personal life or career and how you overcame it.
One of the biggest challenges I faced in my career was learning to effectively manage people and teams. While I was passionate about my work and grateful for the growth of my business, this aspect didn’t come naturally to me. It required a significant amount of effort and learning. To overcome this, I surrounded myself with individuals who possessed strong leadership skills. I sought out mentors and advisors who could guide me as I continued to grow and scale my agency. I also made sure to learn from my team members, recognizing their individual strengths and working to create an environment where everyone could thrive. Being a business owner can be incredibly isolating at times. You’re responsible for making decisions that are in the best interest of your clients and the company, and these decisions aren’t always easy. But by building a strong support system and continuously learning, I was able to navigate these challenges and become a more effective and patient leader.
Who inspires you and why?
The person who inspires me most is my mother. I think she’ll be surprised to read that, but it’s true. While we’re different in many ways, she’s been my unwavering cheerleader throughout my life. She instilled in me a deep sense of confidence that has allowed me to live fearlessly, try new things, and not be afraid of failure. In order to succeed, you have to fail a few times. So many people are held back by fear, but thanks to my mom’s unwavering support, I genuinely believed I could achieve anything I set my mind to and live the life I wanted, regardless of whether it followed a conventional path. I was, admittedly, a difficult child. I didn’t play by the rules, I challenged authority, and I stubbornly forged my own path. But through it all, my mom encouraged and supported me unconditionally. She never discounted my crazy ideas, dreams, or passions, no matter how risky they might have seemed. I am eternally grateful for that. Her selfless love and support are a constant inspiration to me and something I hope I can help instill in my own daughter so that she too grows up believing she can achieve anything she sets her mind to.
Photos by Hanna Turner.