en-tre-pre-neur

noun: one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise

This issue of TRINITY magazine celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of Trinity alumnae.  Over the years, many Trinity graduates have ventured out on their own, taking on great risk, overcoming significant obstacles, and building successful businesses and organizations.

In past issues of the TRINITY magazine, we have focused on several entrepreneurs who have launched companies that have flourished at the national and international level.  Joan Payden ’53 founded her investment firm, Payden & Rygel, in Los Angeles in 1983 with four employees.  Today, as president and CEO, Payden manages one of the largest, privately-owned global investment firms with more than $50 billion in assets under management and offices in Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Frankfurt and Hong Kong.  In 1995, Kellyanne Fitzpatrick Conway ’89, founded THE POLLING COMPANY, INC., a full-service public opinion and market research firm that has become a highly regarded polling organization with offices in New York and Washington. As the CEO and president of her company, Conway has provided primary research and advice for clients in 46 of the 50 states and has directed hundreds of demographic and attitudinal survey projects for statewide and congressional political races, trade associations, and Fortune 100 companies.

In this issue of TRINITY, we focus on entrepreneurs who are making a significant impact on a local level, from Vermont to Florida.  These women offer different perspectives on what inspired them to launch a new venture and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.  Claire Lamborne Walker ’64 opened her restaurant just a few years ago, giving readers insight on what it takes to launch a new enterprise. Debbie Salerno Moran ’90 created a company that provides health and wellness services to cancer survivors after her own battle with breast cancer.  Gerianne Smart ’82 has built a public relations firm that is part of Vermont’s expanding creative economy.  Susan Widmayer ’68 brings an entrepreneurial spirit to the nonprofit sector, as the founder and executive director of a major health care organization in Ft. Lauderdale.

Each Trinity woman profiled has pursued very different paths, but collectively, they share a passion for their work, a clear vision for their organizations and confidence in their ability to achieve their dreams.