Food, fun and good advice were on the menu at Cary Magazine’s second annual Women of Western Wake Luncheon, held Nov. 6 at the Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary.

More than 150 people attended the luncheon, which was co-sponsored by WakeMed Cary Hospital and Crescent State Bank, to celebrate these local achievers.

The 2009 Women of Western Wake are Sepideh Asefnia, founder of SEPI Engineering Group; Mary Henderson, director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources for the Town of Cary; Mary DePuew Kamm, Cary’s “volunteer extraordinaire”; and Billie Redmond, president of Coldwell Banker Commercial TradeMark Properties. 

Angela Hampton, ABC 11 Eyewitness News anchor, moderated a lively discussion on life and work with these accomplished women; below are some of the insights they shared. (Kamm was unable to attend, due to a family emergency.) 

On success: “Success is a moving target. It’s looking back and seeing your growth … that you made your mark, that your presence in the world has made a difference.” — Asefnia 

On challenges: “Work harder, ask the right questions, learn more. … I can’t be the expert in everything, so I have to know who to ask to get the job done.” — Henderson 

On balance: “Make the best of situations. You can’t control a lot of it, so let go. And hold other people responsible (for themselves).” — Asefnia

On inspiration: “My faith walk is a strong component in my life. The ability to love other people comes in helping them.” — Redmond 

The honorees also shared their favorite advice, such as, “When a door is shut, don’t try to pry it open,” from Redmond, Henderson’s “Take care of every little thing every day,” and Asefnia’s “Live with intention.”

Redmond called women to “Make sure your perspective is right and push forward,” and Asefnia encouraged them to “Keep pushing. You have two choices — sit down, or believe in yourself and keep going.”