Outstanding Women of Myers and Stauffer: Celebrating Leadership and Impact
Each March, coinciding with Women’s History Month, the Women Inspiring Lifelong Leaders (WILL) employee resource group recognizes Outstanding Women of Myers and Stauffer. In 2026, WILL is carrying on the tradition, celebrating three women who are as extraordinary in the office as they are outside of it. Each of the women below were nominated by their peers and managers for their unique stories in three categories: Extraordinary Journey, Community Activism, and Life Reimagined.
Get to know the women in the Class of 2026 in the Q&As below:
Extraordinary Journey
Nickie Loparo (senior manager, Frankfort)
Nickie was nominated for her inspiring resilience and positive attitude in the wake of personal loss. Her family’s home was hit by a tornado in April 2024, not long after her family had suffered the loss of a loved one.
In the spring of 2024, your family was affected by a tornado that hit Kentucky. Can you share your story with us?
The tornado itself was a life-changing experience. My husband, our daughter, two nieces, a nephew, and myself were all at home the morning it hit. Fortunately, it was spring break, and we were all together. I could NEVER imagine any child going through that alone.
It was the most terrifying experience in both mine and my husband’s life. Our house was what most people know as a “barndominimum.” We didn’t have a basement or storm shelter, so under the stairs and into a closet we went. I stayed on the phone with dispatch and held on as tight as I could to the kids while my husband stood behind the door listening to what sounded like a train.
From the time we took cover to when we realized we got hit felt like the LONGEST five minutes of my life, but it all happened so fast. Within 30 minutes, every news station and the national weather station were on site.
We were the only house hit.
The tornado had completely torn the roof off and took out the entire shop side. Not only was it awful to lose the house to a tornado, but what made it even harder was that my husband and I built that house from the ground up.
There were no injuries to us or our animals — four dogs and all eight of our cattle survived. We built back — with a basement this time! The tornado may have taken our house, but it only made our family unit stronger. Not to mention we have a pretty amazing story now.
What advice do you have for someone who is navigating personal loss? How do you find positivity in challenging times?
Personal loss of any kind is tough. Between losing a very loved family member — my grandfather/best friend for whom I was a caretaker — and then losing our home to a tornado, I experienced a lot of loss within a year’s time. Having a support system, person, or group is advice I would recommend to anyone. Grief is hard, but don’t avoid it… embrace it.
For me, it starts with my faith in Jesus Christ, then my husband who has been my rock, and then my very supportive family. Both my father and my participation in sports have taught me how to handle adversity. My father personally taught me mental toughness, to always look at the positive in every situation, and to never become the victim.
The Loparos’ home before and after the tornado.
Nickie with her late grandfather “Pop.”
Loparo family photo.
Community Activism
Angela Link (manager, Richmond)
Angela was nominated for her dedication to community activism. As the treasurer of Viewpoint Services, a nonprofit organization based in Richmond, she works tirelessly to ensure that vital resources reach individuals in need.
Tell us about your work with Viewpoint Services. What does the organization do and what’s your role?
Viewpoint Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Richmond, VA. We provide food, clothes, emergency assistance, and other resources to low-income individuals throughout Richmond and the surrounding areas. While our community events are open to the public, our aim is to link those in need with the necessary resources and basic necessities needed to live healthy and productive lives. Viewpoint Services organizes community outreach events providing free clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and household items to those in need. We also manage a 90-day Transitional Living Program to assist homeless individuals making a transition to permanent housing. I am currently the treasurer of Viewpoint Services where I ensure all financial records are up-to-date and accurate.
What’s something you have learned or been inspired by in your work with Viewpoint Services?
My work with Viewpoint Services has taught me to have a different perspective of other people’s situations, be humble and grateful in serving others, and have empathy for others as you never know what someone else is battling. Life can be tough sometimes. I have heard many stories from community members who are thankful for what we do. That is enough to inspire me to keep working to make a further impact in the community.
What advice do you have for someone who’s looking to start volunteering in their community?
There are so many great organizations in Richmond, VA. It is best to do research on the organizations and follow them on social media. If they are having local events, reach out to ask how you can help. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and gain a better understanding of the community.
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” -Arthur Ashe
Pictures of Angela volunteering with Viewpoint Services.
Life Reimagined
Tina Wendling (marketing manager, Kansas City)
Tina was nominated for her unique path to Myers and Stauffer. After beginning her career as an educator, Tina reimagined her life, changed her career path, and eventually joined the Proposal Development team.
Tell us about your career path. What led you to Myers and Stauffer after starting as an educator?
Teaching was originally my “fall back plan,” but after one semester of student teaching, I was hooked. For most of my teaching career, I taught junior high and high school English, and while I loved my students, I found myself after 15 years or so, feeling burned out. I gave my all to teaching, routinely working evenings and weekends. I also found myself desiring to make a bigger impact beyond the four walls of my classroom.
Ultimately deciding to change course was difficult. Teaching was all I had known. Transitioning out of the classroom didn’t happen in one leap. I took several side steps that helped form my new identity.
These steps included Rockhurst University in Kansas City, where I served as the Assistant Director of Career Services. This role allowed me to grow my understanding of career exploration as an academic field and made it possible for me to earn my master’s degree in organizational leadership. That degree program expanded my horizons, allowing me to dream bigger than I ever knew I could.
Once I mustered up enough courage to take that bigger leap, I took a role as Chief of Staff at a small startup. While the job ended up not as advertised, the little bit of time spent there was valuable. All experiences can teach us something, and without that experience, I would not have landed at Myers and Stauffer.
My husband, David Wendling, had been at Myers and Stauffer for several years at that point and had told me how much he thought I would love the proposal development team. I dismissed this many times before finally taking him seriously when he showed me the ad for an open position, and the rest is history.
David was right — I DO love my team and the work we do. It is the perfect combination of all my English teacher word-nerdiness, project management skills, and competitive nature. The work is meaningful, challenging and complex in the best ways, exciting and rewarding, and every day I am grateful.
What advice do you have for someone who is navigating a period of transition or major life changes?
You get to write your own story. This may seem obvious, but when you feel stuck, it is not easy to remember that you get to choose. I felt incredibly stuck because I thought I was “supposed” to be a teacher. I had lost sight of my own self-efficacy to make a different decision. It was liberating once I did that, and suddenly, the world unfolds before you with possibility.
“Walk through open doors until there aren’t any.” One of my good friends used to say this, and it became my mantra during my career transition.
Wendling family photo.
Tina with her dog Wrigley.
Tina and her family enjoy spending time in the mountains.
