It’s AMD Creative’s favorite time of the year – we’re celebrating our Women Making Waves Award winners! This is our 6th year highlighting inspiring women throughout Birmingham who are positively impacting, changing and uplifting their communities through their dedication, passion and selflessness. Whether their contributions are in business, wellness, media and more, each of these ladies showcase their own unique qualities, and we’re honored to recognize them!
In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re happy to introduce you to AMD’s 2025 Women Making Waves Award winners:
Savannah Hayes | Founder of Enableme Marketing, VP – Sales and Marketing
Savannah’s career has skyrocketed in less than a decade, propelling her to an executive role in a high-growth startup. She has excelled in sales and marketing roles at Fleetio (Account Manager), Landing (Regional Sales Manager), and now BuyOrBorrow Music as Vice President of Marketing and Sales. At BuyOrBorrow Music, she played a key role in surpassing 4th Quarter 2024 sales goals by over 24%, despite budget cuts—demonstrating her ability to drive exceptional results. Beyond her professional achievements, Savannah is a humble and inspiring leader who gives back generously. She previously served as President of the Kid One Transport Junior Board, dedicating her time to making a meaningful impact in the community.
NOMINATED BY: DAVE KARR
Astrid Jerez | Owner of Vivatia Plants
Astrid moved from Venezuela to the United States in 2021, fueled by her passion for exploring deeper botanical knowledge. She built her plant care business, Vivatia Plants, from the ground up, driven by her love for educating and helping others. Through her business, she builds community through hosting Botanical Workshops and sharing knowledge with consultations to keep indoor spaces thriving. Astrid has more than a decade of experience in tropical plant care and an enthusiasm for lush greenery, making her a valuable resource for those looking to enrich their spaces with healthy plants. She seamlessly weaves Latino and American cultures together through the power of plants, creating a business that is both meaningful and inspiring.
NOMINATED BY: GIRARD RIOS
Jess Leitch | Owner of The Little Red Print Shop
Jess is an incredibly talented and creative artist, bringing her passion for printmaking to life in unique ways. While she works with prints of all sizes, her “tiny” print shop, The Little Red Print Shop, pops up at local coffee shops, markets, and events – making art more accessible to the community. She also hosts seasonal workshops, sharing her craft and spreading joy wherever she goes.
NOMINATED BY: TORI TIDWELL
Brandi Lewis | Entrepreneur, Speaker, Writer, Human Resources Expert
Brandi is a resilient entrepreneur, advocate, and speaker dedicated to making a difference. As the founder of the nonprofit Brandi’s Blessings, she has served on multiple boards and authored a white paper to support patients with rare blood disorders, particularly Aplastic Anemia and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH). She has shared her journey in a TED Talk, turned her own health challenges into a mission to help others, and writes for PNH News. Currently, Brandi travels with a pharmaceutical company, educating patients and doctors about Aplastic Anemia & PNH, the diseases she bravely battled and overcame. Now in full remission, she claims her healing daily. Beyond her advocacy, Brandi is a loving sister, daughter, and proud dog mom to her Labradoodle, Milo. Her story is one of strength, perseverance, and impact.
NOMINATED BY: DENISE LEWIS
Melissa Lopez | Owner of LUNA, Local Restaurant Reviewer
Melissa started LUNA as a college pop-up, grew it into a storefront at The Galleria, and later found home at The Summit for five years. In 2025, she’s taking another bold step – relocating LUNA to Mountain Brook Village, one of Birmingham’s premier shopping destinations. A joyful and ambitious Latina entrepreneur, Melissa is making her mark in the city, inspiring others who are carving their own paths. Beyond LUNA, she curates SoGoodBHM, an emerging food review page spotlighting Birmingham’s best local restaurants. Her drive is deeply rooted in the example set by her mother, a successful home renovator abroad. She embodies the spirit of resilience and ambition, proving that Birmingham is a city for dreamers who put in the work to create lasting impact.
NOMINATED BY: PRASHANT UPADHYAY
Mitzi Lowe | Owner of Southland Training Solutions
Mitzi Lowe, owner of Southland Training Solutions LLC, has made a remarkable impact in the construction industry by providing essential trade training for Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, and Mechanical careers. In an industry historically dominated by men, Mitzi’s confidence and vision led her to build a training company that empowers professionals to earn their certifications and advance their careers. With over 20 years of experience in construction, she has worked with some of Alabama’s largest electrical contractors, developed online trade training programs, secured grants to reduce training costs, and expanded training opportunities to meet industry demands. When the Trade Training Group dissolved in 2023, Mitzi saw an opportunity and took the bold step to expand training for the HVAC and Plumbing sectors, ensuring the next generation of skilled workers is equipped for success. Her dedication, leadership, and commitment to education and workforce development make her a true wave-making woman in Birmingham.
NOMINATED BY: LUCKY LEWIS
Samra Michael | Creative Director & Brand Strategist, SHE WELL READ Co-Host
As the founder of Samra, The Curator, Samra has built a successful marketing agency as a Black woman in a competitive industry. Her career journey—from a UAB marketing graduate to working with brands like Oregon Lottery, Uncle Nearest Whiskey, Chevy, Cadillac, GMC, and Buick—is a testament to her talent and vision. A multihyphenate creative, Samra also runs the vintage brand Cross Dressin and co-hosts SHE WELL READ, a podcast that empowers women through reading. Her work has been recognized by She Podcasts (The Socialite Award, 2024), Black Girls Who Write, and the Black Podcasting Awards. She has cultivated a thriving community of listeners, securing partnerships with Bookshop.org, Tiny Rep Books, Be Rooted, Penguin Random House, and the Black Romance Book Festival. Samra is a champion for local creatives, a community builder, and a force for change.
NOMINATED BY: DYMON JOHNSTON
Dr. Lakisha Moore-Smith | Family Medicine Doctor
Dr. Lakisha Moore-Smith embodies compassionate, patient-centered care. As a family medicine physician at St. Vincent’s Hospital, she has dedicated over five years to serving her patients and community with empathy, excellence, and unwavering commitment. What sets Dr. Moore-Smith apart is her ability to make patients feel truly seen, heard, and valued. She goes beyond prescriptions and diagnoses, offering care that is deeply personal and heartfelt. Her warmth and kindness put even the most anxious patients at ease, making her a true healer in every sense. Beyond individual patient care, Dr. Moore-Smith is a pillar of support in the community, using her expertise to educate, uplift, and inspire those around her.
NOMINATED BY: JAMELLA STROUD
Kayla Stinnett | CEO of Ironcity Social, Multi-Business Owner
Kayla owns two businesses—one in marketing, Iron City Social, and the other a plus-size clothing brand, Quake—showcasing her versatility and drive. As a chapter co-lead in founding Birmingham’s Pink Boots Society, she is dedicated to empowering women and non-binary individuals in the fermented and alcoholic beverage industry, helping them advance through education. She is also a beloved leader in Beermingham Babes, a community she helped create to foster inclusion and camaraderie among women who share a passion for craft brews. Kayla is a true force in Birmingham, making waves through entrepreneurship, advocacy, and community building.
NOMINATED BY: SCOTTIE HUGHES
Erika E. Wade | Founder of Glenda’s Baby Productions, Emmy Award-Winning Voice Actor
Erika is a trailblazer in Birmingham’s creative community, using her talent and success to uplift others. This year, she won an EMMY for voice acting—the only nominee from Alabama in her category—and humbly returned to work, creating opportunities for the next generation. She has programmed film and television workshops for Birmingham City Schools, served as a writer-in-residence at the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA), and is collaborating on a student film festival with Woodlawn High School. As the PEN America Poets Across Lines Mentor, she helped shape two local poets into nationally published stars. In her EMMY acceptance speech, Erika honored the Africatown community, reminding us that “Black History is American History.” She constantly shows her dedication to equity, education, and representation.
NOMINATED BY: GLENDA BROWN-WADE
Rachael Welch | Owner of Chasm Co and Enjoyer Books
Rachael is an inspiring young business owner who leads with love, compassion, intelligence, drive, and grace. She creates handmade jewelry and sells gold-plated pieces at The Chasm Co., while also hosting monthly charm bars at Cahaba Brewing, collaborating with female-owned businesses to create a welcoming space for creativity and community. For her newest venture, she is turning a school bus into a mobile Indie bookstore called Enjoyer Books. Rachael has a rare gift for making everyone feel seen, valued, and included. Her dedication has provided countless women with an inclusive, in-person social outlet, fostering friendships and mental well-being.
NOMINATED BY: HANNAH THOMAS AND LILLA STJERNSTROM
Thank you to everyone who nominated these special women! We’re thankful for another year of recognizing their impact in our community.
