TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – We are continuing to share the stories of our nominees for Nexstar’s 2022 Remarkable Women contest.
Here on MyWabashValley.com, we received many nominations for Nexstar Digital’s 2022 “Remarkable Women Contest”. We have it narrowed down to four women, whose stories we will be sharing over the next several weeks.
Last week you heard Betty Lankford’s story, and this week we are introducing you to Lori Carpenter.
Carpenter was born and raised in Terre Haute and graduated from North Vigo High School. From teaching music to elementary students, and later on becoming a tax advisor, she truly does it all.
Carpenter is described as someone who is extremely involved in her community and makes the Wabash Valley proud. She said when all is said and done, she just loves to help people.
After 13 years of teaching, Carpenter took a part-time job with Stadler and Company for tax season, and her career took a complete 180.
“I enjoyed it. When I got done with that first season as a tax intern, it was one of those like, I loved it. It just felt right for me like, this is the thing I’m supposed to be doing,” Carpenter said.
“Lori Carpenter is a very remarkable woman in Terre Haute. Born and raised in Terre Haute, Lori attended Terre Haute schools, graduating from North Vigo High School, then Indiana State University. She raised a family of four boys and one girl who enjoy open positive communication with their mother. She once learned how to make peanut butter because her youngest son told her supermom’s knew how. Always active in her church, she has volunteered time with worship teams, Upward Sports and summer camps, including special needs camps,”
Tony Smiley, Nominator
The job she took on a whim, very quickly turned into a passion.
“That’s kind of how I felt. I’ve just stepped into someone else’s life for a few minutes here and I’ve settled in past that now but it’s really neat and I guess I’ve learned so much about myself as I’ve grown and learned more about leadership and management,” Carpenter said.
Eventually, Carpenter took on a management position within the company, and now, she’s buying the business.
Carpenter said at times, she really wasn’t sure how she was going to make it all work. Between taking on a new role in a field that was still new to her, and trying to balance everything else that life has to offer, she said she definitely had doubts.
“I just know there were times when I would call my mom and I would be like, ‘I don’t know how to do all this. And she’d be like ‘you’re capable of doing any of this’ she’s like, you’ve managed a classroom, you’ve managed your household, and really just trying to do my best to keep a good balance between life and work,” Carpenter said.
When all is said and done, Carpenter said she understands that taxes can be extremely intimidating and scary for some.
“She earned the distinction of Enrolled Agent – a highly trained expert in tax law with rights of representation for clients before the IRS. Clients often comment about Lori’s passion for helping with their tax problems. Lori soon became the President of the Indiana Society of Enrolled Agents, and a Director on the Board for the National Association of Enrolled Agents where she earned many distinguished awards, including the President’s Award and Emerging Leader Award,”
Tony Smiley, Nominator
No matter what career field she is in, she said she hopes she is able to provide some sort of help and relief to her community.
“The number one thing I would say that I really like is that I am able to help people. You know, I have built the knowledge and information that I need to help people not only with their tax situation but dealing with the IRS,” Carpenter said.
Carpenter said she does not take this nomination lightly, but is happy to be a positive light in her community.
“I can’t even believe it. There’s no words to just say who would have thought that? It’s really an honor and whoever it is, I hope I can live up to whatever they said,” Carpenter said.
We will continue to post about the nominees for the next two weeks. The winner of Nexstar’s 2022 Remarkable Women Contest will be announced after all nominees are posted.
