Women in Business names finalists for 2019 APEX Awards

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Committee has named the top five finalists for its 14th annual APEX Awards, recently announced during the committee’s monthly networking program on June 5.

The five finalists are Kathleen O. Berkey, shareholder attorney and certified land planner, Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.; Kelly L. Fayer, attorney, Kelly L. Fayer, P.A.; Kerri A. Goldsmith, financial advisor, HBKS Wealth Advisors; Julie Koester, founder, managing partner, president, Dragon Horse Media LLC; and Karen L. Mosteller, business consulting and technology partner, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A.

Berkey is a shareholder attorney and a certified land planner at Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., a multi-practice commercial law firm. Berkey serves on the board of directors for Keep Lee County Beautiful, as co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Initiative of the Urban Land Institute of Southwest Florida, and serves on the Breastfeeding Accommodations Committee of MothersEsquire Inc. Berkey also exhibits a deep commitment to mentoring emerging professionals, making herself readily available to advise on resume and interview preparation, as well as career advancement and relationship building.

Fayer established The Law Offices of Kelly L. Fayer, P.A. in 2006. She is the founder of #KindLee, past president of the Lee County Bar Association, board member of the Lee County Bar Association Foundation, founding member and vice president of the Miguel C. Fernandez III Hispanic Bar Association, treasurer of CAMEO of Lee County, board member of Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida, honorary board member of the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, and master of Calusa Inn of Court. For over 10 years, Fayer has also represented victims of domestic violence as a grant attorney for Abuse Counseling & Treatment.

Goldsmith is a financial advisor at HBKS Wealth Advisors and has been with the firm since 2009. A native of Fort Myers, Goldsmith has served in leadership roles for industry associations and nonprofit organizations over the last several decades, and currently is the president-elect of Rotary Club of Fort Myers South.

Koester is the founder, managing partner and president of Dragon Horse Media LLC, and founded several other companies including Mr. Toad’s Toy Company, Life with Moxie, Moxie Creed and an organic skincare company. She has volunteered with the Conservancy, chaired the MS Walk, led the Columbia University Alumni Association, been a Guardian ad Litem and is the founding board chair of the Children’s Museum of Naples.

Mosteller has worked in public accounting since 1986 and was named a partner with Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A. in 2000. She is recognized for providing strategic business solutions to a wide variety of organizations. Mosteller is an experienced presenter and has been a speaker at several national conferences as well as local business groups, in addition to serving on several boards, committees and professional organizations. She also generously shares her knowledge and insight with aspiring entrepreneurs as an active volunteer and board member with the Small Business Development Center at FGCU.

Presented by Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, the APEX Awards recognize local women with outstanding reputations for professionalism, philanthropy and leadership. The five finalists will be honored and all nominees recognized during an evening gala on Friday, Aug. 16 at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral, when Women in Business will name the 2019 APEX Award recipient.

Part of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, the Women in Business committee is dedicated to helping women achieve their fullest professional and personal potential. A variety of networking and educational programs are offered throughout the year, typically the first Wednesday of every month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.