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2014 Most Influential Women Honoree: Stephanie Hein

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Stephanie Hein isn’t one to back down from a challenge. She prefers to face it head on. As hospitality and restaurant administration department head at Missouri State University, Hein says leadership is a critical component to her success.

“To me, leadership is about the actions you take, not the promises you make,” she says. “Quite often, the opportunities I have been given have occurred because others avoided the challenge.”

From student, to professor, to department head at MSU, Hein says she’s most proud of the path her career has taken, saying it’s a rare opportunity to lead, influence and give back to the university.

Hein currently is helping spearhead $4.5 million in renovations to the department’s soon-to-be new home in Pummill Hall.

“Stephanie has been instrumental in helping take the vision … into reality,” says Tamera Jahnke, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, noting Hein led discussions with faculty, students, alumni and architects.

“She has made significant strides in raising private dollars for this project.”

Hein also is a leader in the classroom, creating the curriculum for an advanced hospitality leadership course. She tests those skills through community service, with about 86 percent of seniors in the course lending a hand to area nonprofits such as Children’s Miracle Network and Ozarks Food Harvest.

After earning her bachelor’s degree and MBA from MSU, Hein furthered her education at University of Missouri, earning a doctorate in education, and has used her working knowledge to help others.

Hein’s research work in the industry following the Joplin tornado has been read nationwide, leading to radio interviews about her studies. Hein also has co-authored and presented papers discussing her process used in curriculum development and has shared her experience at workshops and international conferences.

Her wealth of knowledge combined with MSU’s public affairs mission led to a 2013 appointment by Mayor Bob Stephens to serve on the Springfield Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Board of Directors, where she currently serves as assistant treasurer and treasurer for affiliated not-for-profit Destination Springfield.

“My involvement with the CVB enables me to participate in conversations that guide, develop and promote tourism in our region,” she says, of the organization working to promote Springfield’s “Birthplace of Route 66” status internationally.

Hein also is actively involved with the International Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education, where she leads efforts to safeguard the organization fiscally, helping create an investment portfolio as the group’s treasurer.

Personally, Hein works with Convoy of Hope and contributes to the Children’s Miracle Network and Ozarks Food Harvest.[[In-content Ad]]

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