Women are increasingly taking the lead in our communities, driving change and making significant decisions every day. They are not only leading initiatives but also serving as mentors, cheerleaders and confidants. From corporate offices to community engagement and family life, their inspiration is felt everywhere. Read on to discover more about the remarkable women who are making their mark in both business and the lives of those around them. Their contributions are shaping a brighter future for Northeast Ohio, and we’re excited to see how they continue to lead the way.
Tanya Andolsen
Argosy Risk Specialists, President
To gain a sense of who Tanya Andolsen is, look at the name of the company she started in 2019: Argosy Risk Specialists, a wholesale broker specializing in environmental insurance.
Owned by the same parent company, her previous employer, retail broker Armada Risk Partners name signifies a fleet of ships. When deciding on a name for the wholesale brokerage, it only seemed fitting to choose a name that complemented its mission. Argosy is defined as a large merchant ship typically carrying rich cargo.
“The name signifies that Argosy is a wealth of information or a rich supply of knowledge,” Andolsen says.
Andolsen, born and raised in Cleveland, also touts this sentiment by encouraging women in the workforce to build on their experience, focus on what they are good at and to not hesitate in becoming a specialist.
“Sharing your knowledge and helping others when you are good at something is a way to gain respect and make a name for yourself,” Andolsen says.
Despite her current success, the president of Argosy Risk Specialists didn’t study environmental science or insurance.
After graduating from John Carroll University with a bachelor’s in logistics and marketing followed by a master’s from Baldwin Wallace in international business, Andolsen was set for the logistics route.
But, like ships often change course, so did Andolsen when she joined AIG’s professional associate training program in 1994, where she learned the basis of underwriting environmental insurance. She worked there for nine years and then made the switch to a broker role as a national environmental resource for the following 13 years before joining Armada Risk Partners in 2016. Three years later she was presented with the opportunity to start Argosy to showcase her expertise and share her knowledge in a more suitable capacity.
After 28 years, what ultimately keeps her focused on environmental insurance is the ability to be creative and structure solutions that are rarely “off the shelf.” Andolsen uses her experience to bridge the gap of communication between a client, the retail broker and the carrier.
“It’s important that the insured’s stories are being relayed to the carrier accurately and that everyone is on the same page with regard to the end goal,” Andolsen says.
Outside of work, Andolsen likes to spend time with her two teenage boys and husband, being active in the community and supporting Avon Lake and Cleveland sports teams.
Kate Protsenko-Blake
Vice President-Principal, Tax Services, Meaden & Moore
At 16 years old, Kate Protsenko-Blake came to the U.S. from Ukraine as a high school exchange student.
She later attended Myers University on a full academic scholarship and decided to go into public accounting after realizing how challenging tax returns could be upon filing one of her own.
“I started doing my own research, filed amendments, got everything straightened out and thought, ‘I could do this,’” Protsenko-Blake says.
She’s worked at several firms, attaining her CPA license in the meanwhile, before starting at Meaden & Moore in 2023.
“I immigrated to the United States alone at a young age with very few resources, so securing a leadership position at a CPA firm and being able to help my family amid the ongoing war in Ukraine has been a significant accomplishment,” Protsenko-Blake says.
Courtney Smrdel
Director of Operations, USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation
Courtney Smrdel initially joined the Navy to help fund her college education, but she stayed for the camaraderie and deep sense of belonging. After retiring from service, she sought to continue serving her community and pursued a role in the nonprofit sector. This led her to become the Director of Operations for the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation (USSCLF), which is dedicated to commissioning the USS Cleveland (LCS 31) in early Fall, 2025, and supporting the sailors and ship throughout its service life and beyond.
Under Courtney’s leadership, the USSCLF has been instrumental in significant projects such as the unveiling of Cleveland’s Lone Sailor statue, now proudly standing at The Lone Sailor Plaza along the waterfront in Voinovich Bicentennial Park.
Kendra Philon
Vice President, Assurance Services, Meaden & Moore
A certified public accountant, Kendra Philon took accounting classes in high school, but a weeklong program through the Ohio Society of CPAs for minority high school students solidified her interest.
From there, she attained her accounting degree at the University of Akron and started at Meaden & Moore 20 years ago.
She commends the firm’s family atmosphere, particularly when she was a new employee dealing with her father’s leukemia diagnosis.
“They wanted me to take time to be with my family,” Philon says.
Having risen through the ranks at Meaden & Moore, Philon credits her ability to focus on her strengths of listening, assessing situations and being kind.
“I also pushed myself to live in my uncomfortableness of meeting new people and developed soft skills through my volunteer work,” Philon says.
Sonia Winner
President and CEO, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Sonia Winner’s father was in the United States Armed Forces, and she moved 14 times before high school. The president and CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History credits these experiences with her ability to adapt to many different situations.
“I believe those who adapt are those who survive,” says Winner, who attained her bachelor’s at Bowling Green State University, her law degree at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University, and additional schooling at Harvard Business School.
Winner chose to work at the museum beginning in 2017, in part, because it played an important role in her family’s experience.
“I aspire to have every family have that same magic at the museum,” Winner says. “It’s not just static exhibits — it’s a community trailhead where everyone feels welcome.”
