Every year we look forward to the Women's Issue because it gives us the chance to highlight the strong ladies that build our community, oftentimes from behind the scenes. Let's take a look at 10 local leading ladies of Destin and the surrounding areas whose impact has gone deep into the fiber of the community and changed the area for the better.
Velia Lala
An artist, a realtor and a community builder, Velia Lala is a woman of many talents. When she is not working on her newest art piece or designing a beautiful home to sell, you can find her volunteering her time with area nonprofits.
“I donate artwork to a lot of area non-profits such as Alaqua and Habitat for Humanity," she said. "When I was Honorary Commander at Eglin Air Force Base, I led an Art Team Building event. I’ve also hosted team buildings for other nonprofits and businesses.”
Art has also been a way for Velia to both serve and give back to the Destin community over the years, and Velia said she plans to continue that trend long into the future.
"Being such a transient area, you have the opportunity to meet people from around the country, I love that about our little area," she said.
Velia always says realty is her job but art is her passion, and she finds every opportunity possible to marry the two. She often incorporates her artwork into her furnished homes and even includes art as an appreciation gift to all of her realty clients.
Barbara Henderson Slocumb
Born and raised in Crestview, Barbara Henderson Slocumb knows the panhandle. She and her husband William traveled extensively due to his job as a commercial pilot, before settling into family property in Shalimar. The two have now been married for 50 years and have raised their two daughters locally.
Barbara has a huge heart for the local community and shares it often through speaking engagements in local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. As a Prearrangement Counselor and Family Services Director for Davis Watkins Funeral Home, Barbara said she wants to equip the community with the tools they need to lighten the extra burdens when grieving.
“I’ve been working since 2007 with people at the worst times of their lives, and I felt like there was a need for people to know what to do,” Barbara said. “It’s not a sad thing, we laugh and have great conversations. I help people prepare for things that they may never have thought about.”
Barbara was named a Woman of Honor by the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women in 2022. This honor is bestowed on women who have shown significant contributions to the status of women in Okaloosa county.
Jessie Orbovich
Owner of the wine brand Slay Rose', Jessie Orborvich is more than meets the eye. A strong woman of business, Jessie is passionate about people and shows it in all areas of her life. Jessie moved from Boston back to the Destin area three years ago to live near her mom and help raise her 8-year-old niece.
“We are two peas in a pod, she’s my little buddy,” Jessie said of her niece Pierce. “She does everything with me. She likes to cook, we travel together, she’s my favorite little date.”
Jessie also loves to give back by donating her wine to local charity fundraising events such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters and other local charity wine events. Now in her third year with Slay Rose’, Jessie said she is working to get into more local retail stores and restaurants.
“We are basically in every town in 30A, but this year I want to expand west and east in Destin and Panama City Beach,” she said.
When not working, Jessie can be found hanging out with her family, strength training or cooking.
“I’m a huge cook, that’s my biggest hobby,” she said. “My favorite thing to cook is ethnic foods."
Lindsay Fretina
Lindsay Fretina is the epitome of a successful local young professional. At 30 years old, Lindsay has proven her skills in the mortgage profession, and has delved into the world of investment properties, with three rental properties already under her belt.
“I graduated with a biology degree, but ended up being in the mortgage profession,” Lindsay said. “I played soccer my whole life, and grew up with a girl whose family were like family to me. When I graduated college, they called me to work for them in the mortgage field and I was excited to get a job right out of college.”
What started out as a post-college gig, has now turned into a profitable career. Lindsay works for Movement Mortgage and said she loves every aspect of serving the community through both her work and charitable events.
“I hosted a pickleball tournament in January for the Women’s Club,” Lindsay said. “Through the tournament, we raised money for the S3 Project, which provides help to homeless students. Through Movement Mortgage, I had the opportunity to be a volunteer on a mission trip last June in El Salvador. I was able to serve in many churches that Movement Mortgage supports."
Casey Posey
Women’s health is at the forefront of Casey Posey’s mind. It’s her focus, her career and her life. With a 16 year background as a nurse, Casey decided to open Glow Health and Wellness, a clinic focused on holistic care in the heart of Seacrest. With a focus on functional medicine, hormone replacement therapy and medically assisted weight loss, Casey said she hopes to bring health and personalized care into the Destin community.
“I was ready to focus more on keeping people healthy; on preventative care rather than caring for sick people,” Casey said. “I take a holistic approach, and look at the whole body and how it works together, then I offer individualized and personalized care plans for each person.”
Along with her son Eli and her dog Max, Casey moved from Alabama back to the Destin area this year to launch her new business and said she is excited to be back on the Emerald Coast.
“I’m ready to get to the beach to paddle board,” she said. “My mom and sister live in the area and I love the beach life and how everything is a bit slower paced, it’s nice.”
Anna Kline
Anna Kline has a way with hair. As a color specialist at Destin Blow Out Bar, Anna has a passion that matches her talent. From balayage to a full head of highlights, Anna can do it all; but said she owes her success to salon owner Brianna O’Brien.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without Bri because she has helped me grow so much in my career,” Anna said. “I have had my hair done by Bri ever since I was 16, and when she realized I was going to school for hair and she offered me a job and I’ve been here ever since.”
Hand in hand with her passion for hair, Anna also has an eye for fashion and said when not at the salon, you can find her shopping boutiques for new trends.
“I have an obsession with clothes, that’s another thing I like to do with my spare time is shopping,” she said. “One day I want to open up my own salon and I want to have a boutique inside the salon because I love clothes and making people feel good about themselves.”
Bridgett Hall
Bridgett Hall has always heart for helping animals and people. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian and said she has always had a soft spot for animals in need.
“I’m really passionate about animal welfare,” Bridgett said. “I have two rescue dogs, Sandy and Charlie. When I relocated to Panama City in 2010, I found Sandy behind a gas station, and she’s been my best friend ever since.”
Bridgett said her true calling is helping people. As a bilingual Realtor and founder of The Florida Living Team of A List Beach Realty, and most recently a partner in the new Clear Title & Escrow 30A in Alys Beach, Bridgett has found the incredible impact she's made in the lives of her clients coming from a place of genuine care, earning her trust in the community.
“I’ve always been an advocate for fairness, and I found that, in real estate, people need someone trustworthy because they are making some of the biggest investments of their lives. My true driving force for success is to lead as an example to my two stepson's, and three nieces showing them we can be a conduit of God's love by blessing others."
Diyana Nikolova
Diyana Nikolova has a passion for people. As an immigrant from Bulgaria, Diyana has learned how to achieve the American Dream, and said she wants to share that knowledge with others.
“I love to help people start out here in the United States. I also speak four languages, Bulgarian, English, Spanish and Russian, and have a bachelor's degree in management and economics so I’m good with money.”
As a realtor with EXP Realty, Diyana uses her profession and her degree to uplift others and help them learn how to manage their money in order to buy a house.
“Eighty percent of my clients are international first time home buyers and I am with them for the whole process,” she said. “I begin with the financial side, learning how to obtain a good credit score, manage their finances and finally, learn how to qualify for a mortgage loan.”
When she finds spare time, Diyana said she loves to spend time with her husband, three teenage children and her two year old grandchild.
Camerin Dixon
Camerin Dixon's illustrious career trajectory is marked by her dedication to justice and commitment to excellence in the legal arena. As the founder of her distinguished personal injury and wrongful death law firm in the heart of Walton County, Florida, Camerin brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her practice.
An alumna of Florida State University, Camerin earned her bachelor's, master's, and law degrees with high honors. Upon graduating from law school, Camerin made the decision to devote her practice exclusively to assisting individuals and families grappling with serious personal injuries and wrongful deaths caused by the negligence and deliberate actions of others.
Throughout her legal career, Camerin has litigated cases in both state and federal courts. Her track record speaks volumes, with millions of dollars secured for her clients in compensation for their injuries and losses. The National Trial Lawyers Association has honored her with their prestigious "Top 40 under 40" lawyers’ distinction, underscoring her exceptional skills and contributions to the field at a young age.
At the core of Camerin's practice are her values of client communication and efficiency. Camerin's dedication to her clients and relentless pursuit of justice embodies the highest standards of legal advocacy.
Stefania Tozzi
La Famiglia Italian Restaurant is truly that, a family, and Stefania Tozzi said that the tight knit Italian family of hers is what keeps the business successful. Stefania and her daughters Francesca, Michela and Valentina have kept the business together since her husband's passing last year.
“Our relationship is strong and great, and has become even stronger after my husband passed,” she said. “One sweet thing we do every morning is get together at my house for coffee or if we can’t meet in person we video call each other for it.”
When the Rella family moved to Destin in 2009, they came with amazing Italian recipes and a background of successful restaurants in Italy. And although some might think Stefania would miss her home country, she says her life is here now.
“We go back to Italy every year, but Destin is our home now,” she said. "My daughters are here, my grandkids are here, Destin is a really calm city, perfect for our family life.”
