From left: Mary Lou Sole and Barbara Walters-Phillips

Mary Lou Sole, PhD, RN

Dean of Nursing at the University of Central Florida (UCF)

Mary Lou Sole comes from a long line of strong women. Both her late grandmother and mother were nurses and influenced her career.

“There is no greater profession in my opinion,” says Sole. “Nursing offers so many different opportunities and trajectories to follow your passion. But no matter what nursing path you choose, you will touch countless lives and make a positive impact.”

As dean of UCF’s College of Nursing, Sole wears many hats—educator, mentor, leader, role model and researcher. For the past three decades, her research has focused on preventing complications and improving outcomes for ventilated critically ill patients. 

“My research has influenced the standard of nursing care in the U.S. and around the world and has [appeared in] more than 100 peer-reviewed publications,” says Sole. “As dean, I have championed simulation and innovation, increased research funding, expanded faculty experts and earned UCF recognition among the nation’s best nursing programs.”

She is passionate about community health and mentoring future generations.

“I am involved with the American Heart Association, serving with the Heart Walk and am a Circle of Red member. I am also a board member of Legacy Point at UCF,” says Sole. “In the last 25 years, I have mentored more than 80 students in their research—many are now faculty. Recently, I have spoken about the nursing shortage to local organizations and media outlets. It has been rewarding to begin to see the results of these efforts, although more work is needed.”

She encourages those starting out in her field to take advantage of all opportunities. 

“If someone taps you on the shoulder and says, ‘I think you should,’ or ‘I would like to appoint your for,’ consider taking the risk and making that leap. I would not be where I am today in my career if it weren’t for the people along the way who tapped me and believed in me. If they believe in you, believe in yourself.”

Barbara Walters-Phillips

President, Orlando Youth Aviation Center  i  math and science coach, little river elementary

“A child is a person who is going to carry on what you started. He is going to sit where you are sitting, and when you are gone, attend to those things which you think are important. You may adopt all the policies you please, but how they are carried out depends on him … the fate of humanity is in his hands.”

These words by Abraham express Barbara Walters-Phillips’ personal beliefs about teaching. 

“The classroom setting has to be an exciting and inviting place for our students,” says Walters-Phillips. “Each day I have the gift of at least seven hours to influence these children and make a difference in their lives. I have a real passion for leading them to success.”

A self-described “airport kid,” Walters-Phillips spent the Sunday afternoons of her youth at the local airport, where her father kept a Cessna 172. She had the opportunity to combine her love of education and aviation when the former 5th grade teacher became president of the Orlando Youth Aviation Center, where she writes the curriculum and registers students for the Introduction to Aviation program.

“We have taught hundreds of students for over 20 years, and many have become pilots or gone into other aviation-related careers,” says Walters-Phillips. “We must be driven to be our best so that our teaching will enable our students to be their best.”

Among Walters-Phillips’ accolades are the Scott Crossfield National Aerospace Teacher of the Year Award and the Katharine Wright Trophy for her work in teaching young people about aviation. She has also been honored with the National Christa McAuliffe Teacher of the Year Award from the Air Force Association.

A special moment came when Walters-Phillips earned her private pilot’s license.

“It built my confidence and opened the door for me in both my vocation and my community service organizations,” she says.  
   “Whether I’m teaching in a traditional classroom, the science lab or a hangar at the airport, my goal is the same. I am filled with an intrinsic drive to be the best teacher that I can possibly be. It is what keeps me motivated, inspired and always reaching for the stars.”

From left: Tricia Hage and Sierra Rainge-Jones

Tricia Hage

Owner and operator, Charlie’s Bakery & Creamery

In September 2021, Tricia Hage’s journey into the bakery world began unexpectedly when she and her husband stumbled upon a listing for a 50-year-old bakery for sale. They had initially planned to launch their own ice cream shop, but decided to merge their dreams with an established business. Charlie’s Bakery & Creamery cemented its status as a must-visit destination last year when it won the highest-scoring strawberry ice cream award from the North American Ice Cream Association’s Conecon.

It’s a testament to Hage’s personal philosophy: To always be prepared for every conceivable situation.

“I believe in having a plan and viewing setbacks as valuable lessons rather than failures, and never ever giving up in the face of challenges,” says Hage. “Where there is a will there is a way.”

Hage’s drive is fueled by the belief that when people uplift each other, both professionally and through service, they cultivate an environment where success becomes a shared achievement. Success, she says, “hinges on hard work, dedication, financial discipline and self-belief.”

Her most recent accomplishment came when Charlie’s was named one of two grand prize winners in the 2024 Foodies and Fairways Small Business Marketplace, sponsored by Mastercard & Capital One. Charlie’s won a $10,000 grant and a coveted spot as a vendor at the recent Arnold Palmer Invitational in Bay Hill, Florida.

“Continuing the legacy of Charlie’s means more than just baked goods and ice cream,” says Hage. “It is about honoring the generations before us and ensuring that their grandchildren and future generations will still enjoy the same cherished treats long after they’re gone.”

Hage takes pride in actively supporting local schools through fundraising, product donation and volunteering, while sponsoring local events such as the Pioneer Days Pie-Eating Contest.

Sierra Rainge-Jones

Founder and CEO, Live Limitless Media Group

Sierra Rainge-Jones’ personal philosophy is deeply rooted in the ethos of her brand, mission and motto: Live Limitless.

“This philosophy embodies the belief that personal success is not bound by limitations but fueled by resilience, vision and a relentless pursuit of opportunity,” says Rainge-Jones. “At its core, the Live Limitless motto is a call to action. It’s about embracing life’s journey with courage, curiosity and determination, knowing that every obstacle overcome and lesson learned brings us closer to our fullest potential.”

Rainge-Jones owns and operates a full-service, book, brand and talent management agency for which she has received many accolades, such as the Black Women in Media Trailblazer Award in 2021 and Adopting Courage Foundation’s Courage Award in 2023. She’s also a community advocate; her Limitless Cares Inc. has aided in serving more than four million meals to Central Florida families in need.

“Through my nonprofit, I am driven by a mission to disrupt the cycle of poverty and challenge the underlying structures that perpetuate it,” says Rainge-Jones. “I firmly believe that poverty is not just a matter of individual circumstance but often a result of systemic injustices and institutional neglect. As such, our approach is not simply to provide temporary relief but to implement long-term strategies backed by resources aimed at dismantling these barriers, one community at a time.”

Rainge-Jones is motivated by a deeply held belief in the power of opportunity and the conviction that everyone deserves a chance to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.

“As a first-generation college graduate and entrepreneur, I’ve personally experienced the challenges posed by environmental, socioeconomic and systemic barriers. These experiences have not only shaped my professional journey but also ignited a passion for creating meaningful change in communities affected by generational poverty.”

The Limitless mission is what drives her every day.

“Through collective action and unwavering determination, we can break the chains of poverty and create a more equitable and just society for all,” says Rainge-Jones. “It’s a mission fueled by hope, resilience and a commitment to leaving a positive legacy that transcends borders and transforms lives.”

Back to Orlando Magazine’s 2024 Women of the Year Honorees ➥