“You look fabulous!” It’s a phrase we hear over and over again in life – one that can be considered innocuous and complimentary. But for someone living with a chronic or invisible illness, this dreaded phrase can be seem like a double-edged sword. “There is such a fine line in our society of what someone who is sick or diagnosed with an illness should ‘look like,” shares Marisa Zeppieri, someone who has been living with multiple chronic illnesses since she was an infant. “If you look too sick, you get stares and questions about being contagious. You can be ridiculed for not ‘doing something with yourself’ or measuring up to what people think you should look like. And on the other side of the coin, if you look good, people question the validity of your illness and its severity. There is no happy medium between the two.”Continue reading

PHOTOS BY BRODY WHEELER

Sandra Wehner, CFP® is a Financial Advisor and corporate vice president at Rochester-based Sage Rutty & Company, Inc. With over 40 years in the industry, she has worked at the firm for nearly three decades. Sandy firmly believes that investing money is critically important, but she knows that enjoying life is equally as significant. Her direct and honest search for answers allows for a clear path to helping her clients understand exactly what they need to do and why for peace of mind in retirement.Continue reading

PHOTOS BY BRODY WHEELER

Tell our readers a little bit about yourself and your background. Who is Julie Hahn?
I am a wife and mother of four children. I have a step-son who is 13 and triplets (two boys and a girl) who are 11 years old. My husband Greg and I have been married for twelve years. In my professional life, I am an Assistant District Attorney with the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. I have been an Assistant District Attorney for nearly 23 years. Currently, I serve as Chief of the Major Felony Bureau, which is responsible for the prosecution of violent crimes and homicides in Monroe County that are not domestic related. I have served in this role since 2016. I have been a Bureau Chief since 2008 in other bureaus within the office, and also served as Deputy Chief of the Major Felony Bureau.Continue reading

Who is Tamika Goode Otis?
I am a faith-filled, passionate and dedicated serial entrepreneur with a heart for God’s people. My personal and professional mission is to empower people to live their best lives. I am the proud mother of two sons, Christian, 19 and Braylon, 12 who are my biggest inspirations and motivators. I have a passion for justice, inclusion and equity and my portfolio of work shows my commitment to those causes in everything I do. I love to travel and within 5 mins of meeting me you will learn that sunrises or sunsets on the ocean are my absolute most favorite things. I also get my fuel from seeing other people win, manifest breakthroughs and maximize their success.Continue reading

PHOTOS BY BRODY WHEELER

In the latest edition of Rochester Woman Online we welcome Kayla Kent-Moreira, affectionately known as “Mama Monies” to SoccerSam Fantauzzo, founder of the Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria franchise and Rochester Lancers soccer teams.

“Kayla helped us save soccer in Rochester. Our city was in limbo with the Flash and Rhinos leaving. Kayla kept the kick going for many. She’s an amazing mom and now is our CFO, or as we call her, Mama Monies,” says SoccerSam.Continue reading