Melinda Garvey
Publisher & Co-Founder
Melinda Maine Garvey is regarded one of the most dynamic women in the greater Austin area for her work as a successful female entrepreneur and community philanthropist.
As founder and publisher of austinwoman magazine, she has led one of the fastest-growing niche publications in Central Texas dedicated to celebrating great women in Austin and all they love to do. As a community leader, she contributes to many Austin organizations and serves as a mentor for young organizations and businesses.
Garvey launched austinwoman magazine in 2002 shortly after arriving in Austin from the Washington, D.C. area. There she enjoyed an eight-year career with the well-known, award-winning Journal Newspapers. During her company tenure, she launched several specialty publications.
With proven publishing and marketing expertise, Garvey has guided austinwoman magazine to become the first successful women’s publication recognized for its in-depth profiles of distinguished, educated and interesting women. The content of the magazine also speaks to Garvey’s passion for recognizing women’s accomplishments and contributions, as well as exploring women’s interests in wine, books, travel, food and relationships.
Garvey has also helped many organizations in greater Austin achieve success. She helped develop a teen publication for the Girl Scouts, has been part of a team for the Department of Labor to evaluate flexible workplace policies, and serves on the board of directors of Wonders & Worries, an organization that helps children cope when a parent has a life-threatening illness. Garvey has led austinwoman magazine to sponsor events for The Junior League, First Night Austin, Caswell House, Women’s Advocacy Project, Susan G. Komen and many others.
In 2006, she was one of nine women nationwide selected to receive Office Depot’s “Businesswoman of the Year” Award. She is also the 2006 winner of BIG Austin’s “Most Creative Company Award” and the Greater Austin Business “Community Advocate Award.”
Garvey graduated from DePauw University and holds a Masters from the University of Maryland, University College. When she’s not selling the publication or buzzing about the community, she enjoys spending time with her wonderful New Zealander husband Christopher and son Beck, boating on Lake LBJ or walking her beloved Wheaton Terrier, Finnegan.
Samantha Stevens
Co-Founder
The daughter of a military officer, Samantha Stevens spent her childhood meeting new people and adapting to changing surroundings. In 1999, after a 20-year career in commercial real estate leasing and management in the Washington, DC area, Stevens moved with her family to Austin and decided to give “retirement” a try. By 2002, she’d once again adapted to a new city – making a lot of friends and toying with plans to start a small business. Then, her childhood friend, publishing expert Melinda Maine Garvey, moved into town and the idea for austinwoman was born. She is married to John Stevens, owner of Horizon Film and Video and daughter Lindsay attends Texas Christian University while son Tom attends Westlake High School.
Mary Anne Connolly
Editor
Born in Alexandria, VA and raised on Air Force bases in Hawaii and Texas, Mary Anne Connolly left for the Big Apple shortly after graduating from The University of Texas with degrees in art history and English. In New York, she worked in public relations for a design firm with Wall Street and Madison Avenue clients. At 27, she moved to TV, working for ABC Daytime, then 20/20 and John Stossel Specials at ABC News. She joined newsmagazine Fox Files as an associate producer at Fox News where she worked with such current stars as Chris Cuomo, Bill O’Reilly and Greta Van Susteren. In 2002, she co-produced a documentary for Bravo.
In 2003, Connolly returned to Texas to be closer to her family and achieve a healthier quality of life. She worked as the managing editor for a statewide luxury lifestyle publication and joined austinwoman as its editor in July 2005. When not working for the magazine, Connolly runs her own publicity and media consulting business, M.A.Communications. She enjoys all Austin has to offer, especially live music and outdoor pursuits like cycling, hiking and sailing. She volunteers, singing with the Grammy-nominated group Conspirare, is a board member for ReelWomen, (a networking group for women seeking careers in film and television) and has been a senior lecturer at UT’s Journalism school.
Emily Codding
Account Executive
Emily Codding is originally from Borger, a small town in the Texas Panhandle. She moved to Austin in 2000 to attend The University of Texas, where she studied chemistry and never left. She is, of course, a die-hard Longhorn football fan, but football season can be rough at her house since her husband is a Sooner. Codding spent 5 years working in the dental field before joining austinwoman in July 2008. She also worked at Nordstrom during the store’s Austin opening in 2003. She holds valuable professional experience in marketing, event planning, customer service and retail sales.
Katie Lesnick
Account Executive
Katie was born and raised in Monroe, MI, just south of Detroit. She attended Central Michigan University concentrating on Broadcast Journalism and Cinematic Arts. Later she moved to Los Angeles, where she interned with major record label in promotions through Santa Monica College while studying at Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Studio in Santa Monica, California. After her experience in L.A. she moved to Austin where, before coming to AW, she landed a position at Kendra Scott Jewelry as a Shipping and Logistics Coordinator and later a Manager/Head of Customer Service role. Katie enjoys singing, acting, free writing, red wine, sushi, human expression and broadcasting. She spends a lot of free time at Blackswan yoga and being involved with Lifeworks.
Jane Rash
Account Executive
Jane was born in Croatia and moved to Mansfield, Ohio at age 5. She graduated from Ohio State University in the School of Journalism where she studied Public Relations, Marketing/Advertising. After which Jane moved to Dallas, where she spent 10 years working in promotions for the Dallas Times Herald. She started ADvantage ADvertising and was written up on the cover of AdWEEK she also started the first AD CLUB in the Mid-Cities to unite advertising professionals. Jane then moved to Houston for 8 years where she was Regional Director for the national Computer Currents Magazine and the Guest Informant. After which she moved to Austin, where she has been instrumental in the successful launch of TouchScreen Marketing in Hotels and lobbies, Elegant TEXAN, as well as GoLocal Austin. Jane is a fashion enthusiast and enjoys hiking, walking Town Lake, traveling, Pomeranians, charities/volunteer opportunities, swimming and reading.
Ketan Patel
Art Director
Ketan Patel was born and raised in London and moved to Texas with his family when he was 15. He studied psychology at The University of Texas where he focused on visual stimulation and consumer behavior. As a student, he spent time at the UT Psychology Lab working on color theory and is still inspired by Monet’s quote: “Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.” He’s worked in advertising design, retail and entertainment marketing, including a stint as marketing director for a San Francisco bay-area pizza chain in 2006. With five years experience in advertising, brand identity, retail and entertainment marketing, he signed on as austinwoman’s art director in July 2008. His responsibilities include, advertising design, website design, e-marketing, austinwoman marketing collateral and page layout assistance.
Adrienne Rosales
Ad Designer
Adrienne was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas and left to pursue her academic dreams at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Rosales had initially been interested in Architecture/Engineering, but after a few semesters realized that her passions lied towards more creative endeavors. Adrienne then left San Antonio to pursue a degree in Graphic Design at Texas Sate University in San Marcos. After graduating in 2008 Adrienne interned at a local Austin publication before joining the austinwoman staff as Advertising Designer. Adrienne enjoys listening to music and loves to go back home to Fort Worth to spend time with her family and friends.
Kevin Ashbeck
Office Manager
Kevin was born and raised in Algonac, MI, and moved to the suburbs of Detroit in his 20's to work for a window and door retailer. There he became the top salesperson in his showroom. Kevin studied business and psychology in Michigan. His interests include poker, kayaking, creative writing, and travelling.
Photography by Korey Howell Photography