2007 Most Influential Women Honoree: Stephanie Ireland

Stephanie D. Ireland’s architecture skills go beyond designing brick-and-mortar structures. Her volunteer work has helped to craft the southwest Missouri community in several ways.

Ireland’s business and philanthropy endeavors collided last year when her seven-year-old company, Ireland and Associates Inc., donated renovation designs to the nonprofit medical clinic of The Kitchen Inc. Her giving encouraged similar acts by more than 20 construction professionals on the job.

“I believe in leading by doing,” Ireland said. “My proudest moment is when I began to see so many other people pitch in (construction services and materials to) The Kitchen Medical Clinic.”

Those efforts went a long way in producing a banner year for Ireland. She was named 2006 Architect of the Year by Springfield Contractors Association and 2006 Humanitarian of the Year by The Kitchen Inc.

Also in 2006, Ireland’s business more than doubled to approximately $15 million in the value of construction projects with which the firm is associated. She expects to close out 2007 with a hand in some $20 million in projects.

Ireland and Associates has built a niche in the medical field, completing many projects for St. John’s Health System, including its sports medicine facility addition and renovation, its women’s heart center and the Whiteside Medical Building addition.

Commercial projects include work for Steak and Ale, Bank of Crocker, Waynesville City Hall and Humansville Senior Center.

Ireland also has donated time and work in Humansville and Waynesville, to Springfield Public School’s Students Go To Work program and as a Girl Scout troupe speaker.

She is treasurer of Southwest Missouri Code Officials, which assists in continuing education for crafts and trades professionals, and a member of the American Institute of Architects, MSU Interior Design Advisory Committee and SCA.

One-on-one with Stephanie Ireland

What advice do you have for young women preparing to enter the work force?

Be sure you enjoy what you do and never believe anyone who says “you can’t do that.” If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen.

Beyond the Golden Rule, what philosophy guides you?

Be honest with yourself and others. Honesty is always the best policy – no one can ever fault you for being honest, and lying is never worth the cost. Being honest with yourself means to know who you really are when no one else is around. If find you don’t like who you are then change – you are the only one who can change you.

What’s something about you that most people don’t know

I danced in Kenny Rogers’ show when it was in Branson at the Grand Palace (which, ironically, I worked on the lobby design with Silver Dollar City while working my “real” job). It was only my partner and me, and he thought we did such a great job, he asked us to go to Myrtle Beach and dance in his show there, too.

Please tell us about your family.

I have an awesome husband, Ken Turner, and two great stepsons: Kyle, 12, and Cody, 16.

My family balances me. I tend to be a workaholic, and my husband reminds me why I work so hard: to enjoy life.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.