Founder and President of Becoming, Inc., developer of Oöna

Valerie Otto has long been involved in issues of women's health and well-being. In 1995, she founded Becoming, Inc., a mail order fashion house that answers the specific needs of women who've undergone cancer treatment, particularly breast cancer. Becoming is now the largest mail order company of its kind in America, offering clothing and intimate apparel specially designed to accommodate a prosthesis as well as hats, wigs and other items that allow women to retain a sense of dignity and empowerment.

Otto's interest in helping those in cancer treatment began when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Since its founding, Becoming has helped thousands of women.

Otto's latest effort has been to expand Becoming's mission to help women seeking a natural alternative to hormone "replacement" therapies to treat the painful, bothersome symptoms of menopause. The company's answer — Oöna — is, indeed, a natural extension of Becoming. Many studies indicate a relationship between some hormonal drug therapies and increased incidence of cancer. By contrast, Oöna provides a safe, effective way to get relief without the potential harm of drugs.

Otto began her career in marketing, advertising and production. Early in her career she worked with organizations as varied as the Environmental Defense Fund, National Financial Corporation and the National Basketball Association. She also worked on promotional campaigns for Condé Nast, Time-Life and McGraw-Hill magazines, resulting in a Gold Folio Award in 1990 for copy writing.

After graduating from Ithaca College in New York with a Bachelor of Science degree, Otto, 41, received an MBA from Columbia University.