Women Who Lead: The Businesswomen Shaping North Pinellas County, Florida

If you live or have lived in North Pinellas County for any length of time, you already know something special is happening here.

From the brick-lined charm of downtown Tarpon Springs to the waterfront neighborhoods of Palm Harbor and the growing energy of Oldsmar, this community feels connected. It feels local. It feels personal.

And behind many of the businesses, schools, medical practices, nonprofits, and creative spaces that shape our everyday lives… are women.

Women who are building legacies.
Women who are leading.
Women who are actively shaping our community.

The Power of Women in Business — Right Here at Home

For decades, women have been reshaping what leadership looks like. We’ve moved beyond old systems that told us to compete quietly, stay small, or wait for permission.

Today, women are:

• Launching companies after life-altering transitions

• Expanding into industries traditionally led by men

• Creating nonprofits that strengthen local connection

• Building practices centered on compassion and excellence

• Redefining success to include both ambition and family
  

And what’s especially powerful in North Pinellas County is this: the tone is collaborative, not competitive.

You see it at networking events. You feel it in local chambers. You witness it in the way referrals are passed, advice is shared, and encouragement flows freely.

Success here doesn’t feel like a solo climb. It feels collective.

Let’s meet the women helping define the future of North Pinellas County.

Heidi Baker — Reinvention, Risk, and Community Impact

Heidi Baker’s story is one of bold reinvention.

Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, business wasn’t something she “discovered” later in life — it was part of her upbringing. After earning a master’s degree and living internationally while supporting her husband’s professional basketball career, she built a 15-year career as a hairstylist.

Then life shifted.

After an unexpected divorce, Heidi chose not to shrink — but to rebuild.

In 2024, she opened Uptown Cheapskate in Palm Harbor, bringing a fashion-forward resale concept to the community. Her store offers an alternative to fast fashion while giving customers the opportunity to earn cash for gently used items. Items not purchased can be donated to support local causes like Feeding the Fosters.

Her impact goes beyond retail. She’s modeling independence, resilience, and financial courage — especially for women navigating unexpected life transitions.

Her message is clear: It’s never too late to start again. And starting again can be the best decision you ever make.

Michelle Dinsmore — Real Estate with Heart

Real estate is often viewed as transactional. For Michelle Dinsmore, it’s relational.

As an agent with Keller Williams Realty serving Tarpon Springs and the greater Tampa Bay area, Michelle has built her business around stability — because she understands firsthand how much home matters.

Before launching her real estate career, she spent years learning the operational side of the industry. That foundation, combined with her empathy as a mother raising two sons with Fragile X syndrome, shaped her people-first approach.

But Michelle didn’t stop at real estate.

She founded Cartin’ Tarpon, a nonprofit that brings the community together through fun, golf-cart-friendly events that support local families. If real estate helps people find a home, Cartin’ Tarpon helps them feel like they belong once they’re here.

Her leadership reminds us that success isn’t about volume — it’s about impact.

Dr. Darienne Hidalgo — Compassionate Pediatric Leadership

For more than two decades, Dr. Darienne Hidalgo has been caring for children through Tarpon Springs Pediatrics.

Since 2000, her practice has grown from a solo operation into a team of six providers — all while maintaining a deeply personal approach to care.

Dr. Hidalgo believes pediatric medicine isn’t just about treating illness. It’s about supporting the emotional, developmental, and physical growth of every child — and walking alongside parents with compassion and clarity.

In an industry constantly evolving, she has embraced change rather than resisted it. Her leadership style — grounded in empathy — proves that strength and compassion are not opposites.

They are partners.

Amanda Gatto — Beauty, Creativity, and Community Connection

In the heart of downtown Tarpon Springs, inside the iconic Arcade Building, Amanda Gatto stepped into ownership of Ambiance Hair Salon in 2024.

Her vision? Create more than a salon.

Under her leadership, Ambiance has become a bright, modern space that blends elevated beauty services with artistic collaboration. The salon showcases local artists, hosts educational classes, and fosters a sense of creative connection.

Amanda’s approach to business reflects something many women are prioritizing today: beauty with intention, growth with education, and business with community at its core.

Katerina Kamenicky — Trust First, Always

Born and raised in the Czech Republic, Katerina Kamenicky moved to the U.S. at 21 — an experience that shaped her resilience and adaptability.

Today, as a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty, she has built a referral-based business grounded in trust.

Her background in psychology and massage therapy gives her an intuitive understanding of people. For Katerina, real estate is never just about contracts — it’s about guiding families through major life transitions with care and clarity.

Her European roots, strong preparation, and consistent integrity have allowed her to build a business based not on shortcuts — but on relationships.

Penny Finney — Connecting Neighbors, One Story at a Time

If you’ve flipped through Oldsmar Neighbors, Lake Tarpon Living, or Tarpon Springs Living, you’ve experienced Penny Finney’s work.

Through her community publications, Penny highlights local businesses, families, students, and leaders — not as advertisements, but as neighbors.

In 2024 alone, she successfully launched and expanded three local magazines, proving that community-centered media still matters.

Her mission is simple but powerful: When people know each other’s stories, communities grow stronger.

And in North Pinellas County, that ripple effect is tangible.

Kim Adams — Real Estate with a Servant’s Heart

As a Realtor with RE/MAX Elite, Kim Adams approaches every transaction with one foundational belief: everyone deserves respect and dedication.

Her background — from growing up as the daughter of ministers to co-owning a contracting business — shaped her deep commitment to service.

She’s the top-selling agent in her office and a recipient of the Good Neighbor Award from the Board of Realtors. But what matters most to her isn’t accolades.

It’s impact.

Her well-known tagline — “Buying or selling your castle or your shack, Kim Adams has your back” — reflects her belief that every client deserves excellence.

Sandra Hopkins — Educating the Next Generation of Leaders

Sandra Hopkins didn’t just step into school leadership — she built her own vision.

As Founder and Head of School at Christian Way Academy, she created a learning environment rooted in faith, experiential education, and entrepreneurship.

With over 27 years in education, Sandra integrates STEAM learning, multi-age classrooms, and character development into a model that equips children not just academically — but personally.

Her work reminds us that shaping the future begins in the classroom.

And leadership often starts with nurturing curiosity.

Krystle Daniels — Faith-Driven Growth in a Male-Dominated Industry

Co-owner of K2 Green Works, Krystle Daniels operates in a traditionally male-dominated industry: landscaping and commercial lawn care.

But her leadership isn’t defined by industry norms — it’s defined by faith, operational excellence, and long-term relationship building.

With a background in finance and healthcare operations, Krystle brings strategy and structure to a business that has grown steadily since 2020.

Her commitment to family, faith, and community involvement shows young women that leadership can exist in any field — especially the ones where it’s least expected.

Dr. Seema Amin — Precision, Care, and Lifelong Learning

Owner of Tarpon Dental, Dr. Seema Amin has built her practice on clinical excellence and patient-centered care.

After graduating from the University of Florida and completing advanced training, she opened her own practice to create a space where dentistry could be practiced with intention — free from outside pressure.

Her focus on continuing education and community service (including volunteering with the Homeless Empowerment Program) reflects a broader philosophy: learning never stops, and service never ends.

Barbara Engdahl — Design, Strategy, and Growth

As President and CEO of Palm Harbor Kitchens LLC, Barbara Engdahl has grown her company from a $6,000 startup to a $4 million business.

Specializing in cabinet design and sales, she balances creativity with operational precision. Her leadership proves that empathy and decisiveness can coexist.

She believes strong women don’t need to choose between ambition and kindness.

They can build both.

Lilia Pereira — Visibility, Legacy, and the Power of Being Seen

Last — but deeply rooted in this community — is me, Lilia.

Born and raised in Brazil, I built my early career in corporate pharmacy before stepping fully into entrepreneurship in 2020 with Lilia Pereira Photography.

I work focuses on motherhood and brand photography — but at its core, it’s about something bigger: visibility.

I believe women are not meant to build quietly.

Through intentional, elevated imagery, I help mothers preserve legacy and women in business step into their leadership with clarity and confidence. For me, branding photography isn’t about headshots — it’s about identity, positioning, and presence.

Balancing motherhood and ambition, I embrace alignment rather than perfection. My vision is to become the go-to brand photographer for empowered women across Tampa Bay — helping them walk into rooms already owning their presence.

My message is simple:

Your story matters.
Your leadership matters.
And you deserve to be seen.

The Bigger Picture: Women Changing the System

When you zoom out, something becomes clear.

These women are in different industries — retail, real estate, education, healthcare, landscaping, publishing, beauty, dentistry, design, photography.

But they share a common thread:

• They lead with intention.
• They value relationships.
• They invest in community.
• They lift others as they rise.

This is how systems change.

Not through noise — but through consistency.
Not through competition — but collaboration.
Not through ego — but service.

North Pinellas County is stronger because these women chose to build here.

Because they chose courage over comfort.
Because they chose community over isolation.
Because they chose purpose over pressure.

And when women support women — momentum multiplies.

An Invitation to Our Community

If you live in Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, or anywhere across North Pinellas County, here’s the truth:

You are surrounded by powerful women leaders.

Support them.
Refer them.
Collaborate with them.
Celebrate them.

And if you are a woman quietly building something of your own — let this be your reminder:

You don’t have to wait.
You don’t have to shrink.
You don’t have to do it alone.

There is room for you here.

Final Inspiration

When women lead with clarity and courage, families grow stronger.
When women build businesses with heart, communities feel closer.
When women choose collaboration over competition, possibilities expand.

The future of North Pinellas County isn’t just bright.

It’s being shaped — right now — by women who show up fully, lead boldly, and make space for others to rise beside them.

And if this community is any indication…

The best is still ahead.

If this story inspired you, share it with a local woman business owner who deserves to be recognized.

Tag a leader in the comments.
Support a local business this week.
Start the idea you’ve been sitting on.

And if you’re a woman in business ready to elevate your presence, connect with one of the incredible leaders featured here — because together, we don’t just grow businesses.

We grow community.

This blog post was inspired by and expands upon the beautiful feature written by Valerie Gentry, Content Coordinator for Tarpon Springs Magazine. Her original piece captured the heart of a January gathering of women business leaders at Let’sCo in Oldsmar — a morning filled with connection, collaboration, and genuine encouragement. What you’ll read here builds on that foundation, highlighting not only the spirit of that gathering, but the individual stories and lasting impact of the remarkable women shaping North Pinellas County.