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For the second year, the Summit Credit Union Fellowship for Women Entrepreneurs, in partnership with Madison startup hub StartingBlock, is providing women the opportunity to grow their business and financial confidence. As the leading Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in Wisconsin among credit unions, we’re excited to partner with entrepreneurs who help our communities thrive.

Get To Know Our 2025 Fellows

From an autobody shop owner to healthcare and wellness advocates, get to know the twelve hard-working, inspiring women who make up our 2025 cohort. During the program, each fellow will be given the opportunity to expand their network and receive goal-focused training from Summit business experts. These women bring unique talents and perspectives to the program, and we can't wait to see what they'll achieve!
Since 2012, Taysheedra Allen has been dedicated to supporting underserved and underrepresented women and girls in their mental health and wellness journeys. As a nurse and instructor, she found joy in mentoring others, which inspired her to create her coaching and training business, Taysheedra, LLC. Taysheedra gets great joy from helping others shine and grow and loves to learn and share knowledge. Through the fellowship, Taysheedra aspires to build confidence, forge lasting relationships and develop strategies to take her business to the next level. Rukmini Banerjee is the founder of CuroNow. Moved by the caregiving struggles of friends and family with aging loved ones, Rukmini created this comprehensive, digital platform to help them manage health, finances and living spaces. The platform includes a mobile app, a secure and stable administrative system and the ability to share information between users — tools that give caregivers real peace of mind. Through the fellowship, Rukmini hopes to build entrepreneurship skills and explore financial strategies to grow her business. Sarah Branch is the founder of Crash Box Therapy, a stress-relief business just launched in March 2025. Crash Box Therapy gives clients a place to practice smash therapy — a technique where users break objects to release frustration. Already the owner of another wellness-oriented business, Earthly Temptation, Sarah was inspired by her clients’ need for an immediate emotional outlet, and built a unique, therapeutic experience to deliver it. She hopes the fellowship will equip her with financial management skills and connect her with a network of like-minded entrepreneurs. Casey Foxen plans to open a family-owned autobody shop that delivers high-quality, affordable and customer-friendly service. In short, car repairs without the stress. With a marketing background, a passion for customer-first service and a vision for a better repair experience — all backed by her husband’s 20+ years of industry experience — Casey is well-positioned to redefine the repair process. She hopes the fellowship will provide her with the business knowledge, confidence and local connections she needs to bring her vision to life. Marissa Holmes is the owner of Marie’s Soul Food, a takeout restaurant serving up comfort food, including fried chicken, collared greens, catfish and much more. Unhappy at her corporate job, Marissa credits her significant other for giving her the encouragement she needed to open up her own business. Marie’s Soul Food officially opened in 2019, and Marissa’s been cooking everything on the menu from scratch ever since. She’s looking forward to gaining financial education and networking confidence through the fellowship. A former surgeon and intensive-care doctor, Angie Ingraham recently established an independent patient advocacy business to help people navigate our country’s complex healthcare system. Her passion for advocacy stems from her experience supporting her father during his battle with brain cancer, which also inspired her to serve on the board of HealthAdvocateX, a national health advocacy non-profit. Through her business, Angie will leverage her medical background to empower clients with the knowledge and support they need to receive coordinated, compassionate healthcare. Angie sees the fellowship as an invaluable way to gain new skills and shift her thinking toward an entrepreneurial mindset. Tashayanna Mixson is the founder of Eva Gene Publishing, LLC, a platform empowering authors to create authentic, multicultural children's books. Established in 2022, Eva Gene Publishing helps diverse storytellers reach young readers. Their inaugural series focuses on food sustainability while highlighting contributions of women and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) figures, complemented by a global seed distribution initiative. Through the fellowship, Tashayanna looks forward to gaining financial literacy, access to mentorship and a supportive network. An extra perk? A dedicated workspace where she can focus on building a platform that educates and empowers the next generation of readers and authors alike. Kari Mysker is the founder of Ether Wellness, LLC, a holistic health and fitness studio dedicated to empowering women through functional fitness, yoga, meditation and nutritional guidance. Inspired by her own personal wellness journey, Kari left her corporate career to pursue a path dedicated to helping women achieve their wellness goals. After working in other studios, she soon realized she had a specific and purpose-driven vision for holistic women's health and Ether Wellness was born. Recently opened in March 2025, the studio reflects Kari’s mission to create a space where women can reconnect with their strength, balance and inner wisdom. Through the fellowship, Kari hopes to gain business insights, strengthen her leadership skills and build a sustainable, impactful wellness brand. Nyima Sanyang is the CEO and founder of Barako Home Care LLC, a company dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate home care services that enhance the well-being and independence of clients. With a strong passion for personalized and professional caregiving, Nyima leads the company with a commitment to excellence, innovation and community impact. Through Barako Home Care, caretakers help with running errands, taking care of house chores, scheduling appointments, cooking and much more. During the fellowship, Nyima hopes to learn from other entrepreneurs and work towards her next big business goal. Amanda Thomas is the visionary behind Pint Sized Parties, a business specializing in custom balloon décor and activities for children's parties. With a background in event planning and nonprofit educational programs, she saw Pint Sized Parties as a way to merge her dual loves of event planning and working with kids. Amanda's long-term goal is to establish a dedicated event space that also serves as a hub for children's educational pop-ups. She hopes the fellowship will enhance her financial knowledge and give her the tools and insights to successfully expand her business.

Resources To Start and Grow Your Business

Become part of a community that's rooting for your financial goals and the success of your business. Browse through our collection of free financial education materials, designed to help you no matter where you are in your journey. Get expert advice from the Summit business team, plus access to our convenient cash management tools.
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