Pam Maher, 35

By Elizabeth Davies

Just hours after giving birth, Pam Maher lay in a hospital bed and listened to a doctor tell her that her precious new baby had Down syndrome.

But rather than shrivel in the face of that overwhelming news,Maher pushed past the difficulties and threw herself into research so she could come up with a plan to face the challenge head on.

Now 35 years old and expecting her third child, Maher’s determination is evident in her professional life as well. Her advertising and marketing company, KMK Media Group, enjoyed a 30 percent increase in revenue last year and is reporting growth again so far in 2008.

Maher’s drive, innovation and sunny personality have helped this former television reporter keep KMK’s client list on the rise. To date, she’s done an impressive job with clients like Hamilton Sundstrand, Gruno’s Diamonds and Culver’s Restaurants.

“When I was out reporting stories, it was really just about talking to people,”Maher says. “It’s the same with sales. Talking to them and finding out what their needs are is a fact-finding mission, just like in an interview.”

And Maher’s work doesn’t stop at KMK. She’s long been a community booster, volunteering with everything from a Down syndrome support group she started, to sitting on the Riverside Community Bank board. In January, with a newborn baby at home, she’ll become the second woman ever to chair the Rockford Chamber of Commerce board.

“I didn’t realize how much it would benefit me and our company in the long run,” Maher says. “Several of the people I met in the community have become clients, friends and mentors.”