Work With Purpose: Five Marquis Who’s Who Honorees Focused on Helping People Move Forward

Some careers revolve around a job title. Others are shaped by how a person shows up. For these five Marquis Who’s Who honorees, the work may happen in different fields, but the thread running through each story is steady and clear. They care about helping people, doing thoughtful work and staying grounded in values that last.

While some careers unfold in boardrooms and strategy sessions, others happen in exam rooms, where each decision carries immediate weight. At first glance, those paths may not have much in common.

Look a little closer, though, and a shared theme begins to emerge. Across these professions, and the others that follow, there is a consistent focus on helping people move forward, solving real problems and staying grounded in work that feels meaningful.

Caroline DeBerry Built Her Career Around Service, Strategy and Clear Principles

Caroline DeBerry has built a 20+ year career in leadership, government and public policy, with particular focus on health and defense. She is the founder and chief executive officer of Tenagrity Solutions, a consulting firm offering strategy, government affairs, communications, and operations. Before that, she served as an executive for two nonprofits and worked as a senior legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, a senior campaign finance analyst at the Federal Election Commission and in several campaign and volunteer roles.

Additionally, Ms. DeBerry’s professional life has included writing and editorial work, such as ghostwriting, publishing books and contributing as a columnist. She is an international bestselling author and has received several awards and recognitions such as those from IAOTP and MSN, including Empowered Woman, Top Trailblazer, and Top Fearless Leader. Ms. DeBerry’s background also includes years of civic and volunteer involvement.

The way she defines success is focused on helping others and finding practical solutions. “I really care about people and prioritize my time accordingly,” Ms. DeBerry says. She adds that tenacity and integrity remain “absolute guiding principles.” That perspective continues to shape how she leads and where she invests her time.

Lorna Sebring Learned That Strong Leadership Begins With Listening

Lorna Sebring’s career at Fastenal Company reflects steady growth and a deep investment in people. Over the years, she has served as a general sales manager, a district sales specialist and now a customer solutions consultant.

Ms. Sebring’s leadership approach developed over time. She recalls recognizing her ability to lead when she began mentoring others and saw how important it was to teach and guide rather than solve problems. For her, leadership became about helping others understand what they were doing and why it mattered.

That mindset shapes how she works with customers. “It is not a cookie-cutter system,” Ms. Sebring says. She focuses on understanding real needs before offering solutions, which helps build stronger relationships and better outcomes.

Ms. Sebring applies the same thinking to mentoring. Instead of giving answers, she encourages others to work through problems themselves. “What do you think I would say?” Ms. Sebring asks. “What do you think you should do?” That process helps people build confidence and trust their own instincts.

Ms. Sebring is also open about what she had to learn along the way. Early in her career, she struggled to delegate because it felt easier to handle everything herself. Over time, she realized that strong training makes delegation possible and helps teams grow.

Outside of work, Ms. Sebring has also remained involved in her community by serving as the board treasurer of the Dance LAB PAC Booster Club and volunteering with Feed My Starving Children. Her story reflects a leadership style grounded in patience, growth and a willingness to keep improving.

George Michael Cuesta Has Spent Decades Centering Service in His Work

George Michael Cuesta, PhD, has built a long career in psychology and neuropsychology, with work rooted in care and service. He is a licensed psychologist and has completed advanced graduate training in teaching and disability studies.

Throughout his career, Dr. Cuesta has worked in a range of clinical settings, including Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, the Manhattan Vet Center and the Manhattan Veterans Administration Medical Center. His work has focused on supporting individuals through rehabilitation, assessment and long-term care.

His background also includes military service. Dr. Cuesta served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and was deployed in 2003, with earlier service as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.

In addition to his professional work, Dr. Cuesta has volunteered in education and served on the board of Shantideva Center in Brooklyn. He has also contributed to Meals on Wheels America.

When asked what drives him, Dr. Cuesta’s answer is simple and consistent. “The first thing that comes to mind is being of service and benefit to others,” he says. He adds, “I have good ethics and a strong motivation to be of service to others.” Dr. Cuesta’s career reflects that principle through decades of steady, people-focused work.

Mickey Steffeny Helps People Find Clarity in Times of Change

Mickey Steffeny’s work focuses on helping individuals and organizations navigate change with clarity and confidence. Her background includes certifications in organizational change management and professional development, along with years of experience in corporate learning, leadership development and global transformation.

Ms. Steffeny’s career has featured significant contributions across the corporate, small business and nonprofit sectors. This includes her work with Archer Daniels Midland Company, where she helped lead large-scale transformation efforts and build internal capabilities across global teams. She has also advised entrepreneurial and mission-driven organizations, extending her expertise across diverse environments.

Today, Ms. Steffeny’s work centers on helping people gain clarity about their careers and next steps. As a career ownership coach with The Entrepreneur’s Source, she creates space for reflection. She helps clients plan their future by exploring traditional employment, investments or business ownership through franchising, offering a new lens that provides greater clarity and control.

She often points to fear as a major barrier. “F.E.A.R. is False Evidence Appearing Real,” Ms. Steffeny says. By encouraging clients to write down their concerns and work through them step by step, she helps them move forward with more confidence.

Ms. Steffeny also emphasizes the importance of slowing down and allowing space for thought. One of the hardest lessons she learned, she says, is that “you don’t always need to fill the space with words.” That insight now shapes how she approaches conversations and coaching.

Informed by the belief that clarity leads to confidence, Ms. Steffeny works to empower individuals to design futures aligned with their values, goals and aspirations. 

Dena Lodato Brings Skill and Care to Veterinary Surgery

Dena Lynn Lodato, DVM, MS, DACVS, CCRP, CHT-V, has built her career in veterinary medicine with a focus on surgical care and rehabilitation. She serves as a small-animal surgeon and medical director at Resurge Veterinary Surgical Specialists and Rehabilitation, a practice she opened in 2021. Her background includes earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University, completing advanced training through internships and residency programs and achieving diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Dr. Lodato cares for animals with a wide range of surgical needs. Her work centers on orthopedics, wound management and soft tissue surgery. In addition to performing procedures, she consults with pet owners. 

Even with that level of training, the way she talks about her work remains deeply personal. “I love what I do,” Dr. Lodato says. “I put my heart and soul into it, and I treat every patient like they’re mine.” She also points to the values that guide her approach. “It's about resilience and the drive to always do better while doing the right thing,” Dr. Lodato says.

Dr. Lodato’s clinic is also evolving to meet broader needs. “We’re doing a lot with more of the integrative medicine along with surgery,” she says, describing a shift toward a more total-body wellness approach for patients.

The work Dr. Lodato does extends beyond the clinic through involvement with rescue groups, humane societies and animal shelters. For her, success is not just about outcomes. It is about knowing she has given each patient the care they deserve.

Making a Meaningful Impact

These five professionals work in different fields, but their stories return to the same idea. Each one focuses on helping others in a meaningful way. Each one values growth, trust and responsibility. And each one approaches their work with a clear sense of purpose.

That consistency also appears in how they handle uncertainty, respond to change and stay responsible to those who depend on them. In various industries, their decisions are not only based on knowledge but also on an understanding of the long-term effects. This could mean leading a team, assisting a patient or helping a client make a better choice. This perspective reinforces the steady, people-focused approach evident in each of their stories over time.

Their careers show that impact does not come from one path. It comes from how you approach the work in front of you. Whether that work involves leadership, service, science, coaching or care, the common thread is a commitment to doing it well and doing it for others.

About Marquis Who’s Who^®:

Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America^®, Marquis Who’s Who^® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America^® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis^® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who^® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.