2026 Women of Impact

"Impact is not always loud. Often, it is found in the quiet, consistent ways a life touches others."

That's how my friend and fellow portrait photographer Tassie Winters opens every conversation about why the Women of Impact portrait project exists.

In a world that measures worth in titles, follower counts, and accolades, Women of Impact was built on a different premise: that the most meaningful influence rarely announces itself. It's found in the women who show up faithfully, who lead with integrity, who shape their families and communities in ways that may never be fully seen, but are always deeply felt.

Winters is the founder and editor of the 2026 Women of Impact portrait project. Earlier this year, she invited me to a talented group of female photographers across the country who were photographing and writing about women in our own local communities who were making a big impact in small ways.

"Impact is defined not by position, but by presence," Winters said.

There may be no better time to sit with that idea than right now. Ask anyone who runs a business, a household, a nonprofit, or all three at once, and they'll tell you that August doesn't ease you into Fall. It surprises you. It shoves you. School supply lists appear overnight. Fall bookings stack up on summer's leftovers. Wedding season is still in full swing, harvest is bearing down, and everyone who put off "getting to it later" suddenly needs it now.

It's exactly the kind of season that separates presence from performance. The kind of busy where showing up quietly, day after day, matters more than actually being seen doing it.

This month, I am putting the spotlight on the Women of Impact honorees in our community. The ones who aren’t just surviving this special kind of busy. They are the ones running toward it. Because underneath all the chaos is purpose, and underneath the purpose are people who are counting on them.

Over the coming days, you'll meet:

A Village Trustee who believes local leadership starts with just showing up. (Published Aug. 1)
A regenerative farmer rebuilding the food system one family at a time.
A therapist and practice owner who leans on music and community to stay grounded.
A florist and garden center owner who has learned to stop calling it "balance."
A foundation founder who turned unimaginable loss into a living legacy.
A benefits analyst turned health coach turned stage manager juggling three callings at once.
An artist who traded approval for authenticity.
A hairstylist who found her softer definition of success after cancer.
A wellness executive raised on an avocado ranch, now helping people navigate a healthy lifestyle.
An acupuncturist healing from the root, not just managing symptoms.
A medium and intuitive healer who trusts what she feels before she understands it.

None of them set out to be "impactful." They just kept showing up in the quiet, consistent, often unglamorous ways that this project was created to honor.

As Winters puts it: "Impact is not reserved for a few; it is found in the lives of women all around us, often in ways that are quietly lived each day."

Grab your coffee (or your planner, or your third cup of coffee). Let's meet them.

Haruka Lee Follows Three Callings

Fall is the season when open enrollment planning ramps up, health goals get a fresh look before fall, and community theater seasons start gearing into rehearsal mode, which means Haruka Lee is likely running on all three cylinders of her working life at once.

She's a Senior Benefits Analyst, but also a health coach. And during certain seasons, a stage manager keeping Chicagoland productions running on schedule.

"By day, I'm a Senior Benefits Analyst, where I support employees across a broad range of benefits, from health and welfare to retirement, helping ensure people understand and make the most of their offerings," Lee said. "In the evenings, I shift into my role as a part-time health coach, leading one-on-one coaching sessions and supporting clients in building sustainable health habits.

"And, at certain times of the year, I also work as a stage manager in the Chicagoland area, ensuring that rehearsals run smoothly, the cast and crew stay on schedule, rehearsal reports are completed, and everything is set up for the next day."

Three Roles, Three Deeply Personal Reasons

Each career grew out of a distinct, personal experience. Her path into benefits began in college, where she discovered how differently the U.S. healthcare system works compared to other countries, and found she genuinely enjoyed helping people navigate it.

Her health coaching career grew out of something far more personal: a ten-year journey during which she lost 130 pounds and has maintained the loss ever since.

"That experience inspired me to help others navigate their own health journeys by providing support, encouragement, and accountability in a way that's sustainable and realistic," Lee said. She now coaches for Vita-Life Weight Loss in the Chicagoland area.

And the theater?

"I've been a 'theatre kid' for as long as I can remember," she said. "But performing on stage has always made me nervous. Stage managing allows me to stay close to the art while working behind the scenes; ensuring the cast is supported, safe, and set up for success, and collaborating with the crew to see a production come together smoothly."

What All That Juggling Has Taught Her

Working across so many different roles and backgrounds has been complex, but exactly why she keeps growing.

"Those interactions constantly push me to think outside the box, stay curious, and see situations from new angles," Lee said. "I wouldn't change that experience for anything."

Her outlook on failure, shaped by years of building three careers at once, is refreshingly simple.

"Everyone's path looks different, so there's no reason to compare yourself to others," she said. "You are going to fail, and that's okay."

Every experience, whether success or setback, is still moving you closer to where you're meant to be, she said.

Her Grandmother's Voice

Lee credits her grandmother as her greatest influence, both personally and professionally.

"My grandmother was my light, my best friend, and my greatest role model," Lee said. "Even when she didn't agree with the choices people made, she understood that those choices were part of what made them who they were. She never judged. She asked questions to understand.

"Above all, she led with unconditional love and support, and that is something I strive to emulate every day."

No Room for Comparison

Lee's philosophy on women supporting women is rooted in that same lesson.

"Life is too short to be judgmental or unkind," she said. "I truly believe that creating space for others starts with kindness and acceptance. Letting people be who they are, without comparison or competition is key. I don't believe women need to compete with one another. For me, there's nothing better than watching other women grow, shine, and succeed."

As benefits season, health coaching clients, and a new theater season all converge this time of year, Lee remains proof that you don't have to pick just one calling.

You just have to know why each one matters to you.

Presence, not position, in triplicate.

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