The Peoria Woman - April 2007

Brenda Coates
Calling Peoria Home

Since last August, Brenda Coates has been the executive director for the Peoria Housing Authority (PHA). During her 18 years of public housing experience, she has held various positions within the agency. She was deputy executive director for nine years before being promoted to executive director in August 2006. In 2001, she was selected to receive the Women of Achievement Award from Women in Management. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Augustana College and is also a 1996 graduate of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School. Currently, the Peoria resident serves as a board member for the Peoria Area Labor Management, Women in Leadership and Women’s Advisory for Financial Literacy and is a member of the Rotary Club of Peoria.

Features

Peoria Profile

Lori McCombs
Jennifer Burns
As the president and owner of Leaves-N-Beans Roasting Co., Lori McCombs doesn’t just drink coffee—she lives and breathes it.

Finding a Cure for Hair Care

Jennifer Burns
When a woman looks her best, she can also feel her best. One local salon owner is helping women look and feel their best during a very difficult time—facing cancer.
Career

Culture Counts...Access Your Audience!

Cyndi Maxey
Maxey Creative Inc.
An understanding of culture is priceless for the stellar presenter. When you understand the culture of your potential audience, you have an edge on influence.
Lifestyle

Do You Eat to Live or Live to Eat?

Amy Forsberg
The Antioch Group, Inc.
Food seems to have an ever-increasing power over many people. Is it simply the nourishment our bodies require to sustain life? This relationship with food is one that can quickly spiral out of control and become unhealthy.

Senior Moments

by Bugs
Don't dwell on this, but from the moment we are born, we start aging.
Health

Gestational Diabetes

Jeri Yee
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
Gestational diabetes affects between 2 and 14 percent of all pregnancies, making it one of the most common problems of pregnancy.

Women and Gambling: No Glamour and Glitz

Coleen Moore
Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery
It’s estimated that 5 percent of the general population are compulsive gamblers. Of those, according to the New Jersey Council on Problem Gambling, one-third are women.
Finance