Tana Poppino, Barrel Rodeo Rider

Raised on a ranch in southeast Colorado, Tana Poppino has spent her entire life around horses. That love and a competitive nature drew her to the world of rodeo at an early age.  She participated in the amateur rodeo ranks throughout high school and college but pursued a career at Grand River Dam Authority in their media and communications department which she enjoyed for 20+ years.

Tana worked for the GRDA in Vinita, Oklahoma, which is a state-owned public power producer. They operate 2 coal-fired generating plants, and three hydro plants which produced electricity for about 15 cities and towns in Oklahoma, as well as rural electric cooperatives. She worked for 20+ years in the Media/Marketing Department producing corporate videos, annual reports, company brochures/media and corporate photography. Tana also worked with many cities and civic organizations on their marketing efforts and although she enjoyed her job she never called it her career passion. [Read more...]

Kari DiFabio, Direcor of Sales & Marketing, Sodaro Estate Winery

Kari DiFabio had tears of joy in her eyes when she earned her Elementary Education degree and couldn’t wait to get started on her career as a teacher.  After teaching multiple grades in Arizona and Nevada she had a revelation that launched her personal career change. “Sitting in the teacher’s lounge one day, my life flashed before my eyes and I saw myself 20 years down the road, unhappy and bitter if I stayed in this career.”  Following her intuition, Kari quit teaching, moved to California and lived with her grandmother while she figured out what to do next. [Read more...]