Celebrating Women Profiles 2026: The Woman of Let’s Role

Dr. Sherin Johnson, DDS, FAACA

Dr. Sherin Johnson has transformed Great Smiles of La Mesa into the embodiment of “Doing Dentistry Differently.” She has curated a bold, modern space that combines advanced technology, exceptional five-star service, and positive energy. Patients are treated to thoughtful touches like heated blankets, headphones, Netflix, lavender towels, a claw machine, and even a floss vending machine because exceptional dentistry should feel as good as it looks.

Dr. Johnson is a multi-time Invisalign Diamond Provider, a San Diego Magazine Top Doctor, and an AACA Fellow. Great Smiles of La Mesa is proudly led by an all-female team of board-certified specialists who bring expertise, compassion, and collaboration to every patient.

An entrepreneur, clinician, and mother with only sisters and daughters, Dr. Johnson is deeply passionate about uplifting women. She leads her all-female team by creating opportunities for them to grow and recognize their strengths. Her journey demonstrates that when women lead with excellence, authenticity, and purpose, they do more than succeed—they redefine what success looks like.

8893 La Mesa Boulevard, Suite A, La Mesa, California 91942 | 619-466-4448
@greatsmilesoflamesa_ca | greatsmileslamesa.com

Tori Rosay, Founder and Owner

At Dexter’s Deli, community, healthy pet food, dogs, and a few opinionated cats are the heart of every one of our stores. Often mistaken for a sandwich shop, Dexter’s Deli was actually San Diego’s first natural pet food store. Founder Tori Rosay opened the first location in Del Mar in 1996 when the internet was barely a thing and natural pet food was far from mainstream.

Thirty years later, Dexter’s has three neighborhood stores while remaining proudly independent, fiercely local, and the kind of place where the team knows your dog’s name—and their favorite treat.

Tori still leads Dexter’s Deli with curiosity, humor, and a willingness to question what’s in our pets’ bowls. In today’s dog-eat-dog world of big-box stores and online shopping, she still believes there’s something special about a community neighborhood pet store: It’s a place to ask questions, discover healthier choices, bring your dog to pick a favorite toy—or celebrate with a doggy-birthday cake.

1229 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, California 92014 | 858-792-3707
2508 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, California 92008 | 760-720-7507
3773 30th Street, San Diego, California 92104 | 619-738-8677
dextersdeli.com

Regan Schneider, Owner and Winemaker

“Corbeaux is a reflection of our talented team, as well as my style, taste, passions, and whimsy,” says Regan Schneider, owner of the French-Asian style restaurant, wine bar, and tea house, Corbeaux. “We try to provide something unique while still leaving room for spontaneity.”

Corbeaux is a tasting room for Matin Du Bois Vintners, the family-owned winery where Schneider took over as winemaker at just 22 and started incorporating natural winemaking. At Corbeaux, you can taste Schneider’s wines along with others from small natural wineries, and experience afternoon tea, flagship tea and wine cocktails, or a daily prix fixe dinner menu. At its heart, Corbeaux is about discovery, bringing together food, wine, tea, and thoughtful details in a setting designed to inspire curiosity, conversation, and connection.

Schneider will soon have more to share. A new retail apothecary concept, The Naturalist, will feature her own phytofermented, bioactive skincare products, while the back room will house a cocktail lounge and restaurant, Ducks in a Row.

41923 Second Street, Suite 105, Temecula, California 92590 | 951-240-7134
@corbeauxwineandteahouse | corbeauxwineandtea.com

Dori Kaufman, Owner; Lorena Velasquez, Baker; Jamaica James, GM; Cassidy Nelson, Assistant GM

When Dori Kaufman and her husband opened Bread & Cie in 1994, the artisan bread craze was just beginning to hit the United States. “We wanted to be part of that excitement and become the first bakery in San Diego to offer these wonderful breads,” Kaufman recalls.

Today the café is a cornerstone of the San Diego community, offering a vast array of European breads, pastries, quiches, sandwiches, and salads. It is a repository for people’s memories, traditions, and connections: Challah for Friday night Shabbat, rosemary olive oil vines for Thanksgiving, and a place for kids to come to with their parents after soccer practice and to continue returning to with their own babies years later.

“We thank everybody for welcoming Bread & Cie when we first opened our doors three decades ago and for continuing to embrace us today!” Kaufman says.

350 University Avenue, San Diego, California 92103
619-683-9322 | breadandcie.com

At any given time, there are roughly 200 research investigations and clinical trials being conducted at Scripps Health in as many as 25 medical specialties. Research and patient care go hand-in-hand at Scripps. Those studies can be categorized as clinical trials of a medication or device that are conducted by Scripps physicians and studies designed by Scripps’ physicians and clinicians. Click here to learn about three exciting studies underway at Scripps and the benefits to patients. 

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