Meet Dr. Summer Kassmel
Built by a dentist who lived the chaos and figured out the framework.
As a dentist with over 23 years of experience, I know what it means to build a practice from the ground up. Early in my career, I faced the same challenges many women doctors experience: overwhelm, uncertainty in leadership, and the belief that success required personal sacrifice.
I followed the traditional playbook, but it never felt quite right. On paper, I was succeeding. In reality, I was burning out and drifting from the values and leadership style that felt authentic to me.
After years of trial, growth, and reinvention, I found what truly works. Women doctors don't need to conform to outdated models to lead powerfully and profitably. We need tools, systems, and strategies built for our strengths.
Where I am today
Empowering women in dentistry
Today, I'm the CEO and owner of two large, multi-doctor practices in Colorado, a Fortune 5000 recipient, and faculty for the Dental Success Network. I also lead the Lady Leaders of Dentistry Group, a community created to support and empower women doctors.
My greatest passion is Ladder5 Mentorship & Resources, where I help women dentists implement elite-level systems, reduce overhead, and make smart, data-driven decisions without losing themselves in the process. I created the 5 Pillars framework to change how women approach leadership, business growth, and personal fulfillment.
I also founded Dental Assistant Schools Delivered, which helps doctors train assistants inside their own practices.Ā Everything I teach is rooted in real-world experience.
The framework
The Ladder5 5 Pillars
Five pillars that give you the clarity, tools, and leadership to run the practice you meant to build.
01
Clearing the Chaos
Define what success looks like, short and long term, personally and professionally.
02
The Compound Effect
Understand and track your financials so data, not emotion, guides your strategy.
03
Leading With Impact
Lead from your values, communicate clearly, and build a team that carries the mission forward.
04
Rooted in Resilience
Shift from reactive to rooted leadership and learn to trust your own decisions.
05
Legacy in Motion
Build lasting impact into your everyday mindset and decisions, starting now.
The Ladder5 team
Mentors who have done the climb
Dr. Karley Schneider
Foundations Coach
Dr. Schneider owns a highly successful fee-for-service practice in Tucson, Arizona, built so she can practice the dentistry she loves while keeping overhead low and profit margins high. She has developed an exceptional leadership team and a culture of real accountability. Over her career she has purchased three practices, run two at once, and sold one, so she knows ownership from every angle. Sheā€™s also a Black Belt Coach for Dental Success Institute alongside Dr. Kassmel.
Dr. Monica Urda
Foundations Coach
Dr. Urda is the founder of a patient-centered practice in Chicago. She grew it from a $3M office with 4 operatories to a 12-operatory practice generating $6.5M in revenue, while keeping overhead under 50%. Sheā€™s known for teaching doctors to become exceptional treatment planners and to use their teams at the highest level. A former coach with Dental Success Institute, she brings a practice ownerā€™s hands-on perspective to Ladder5: how to build a thriving practice around exceptional care, personalized treatment, and a strong presence in the community.
Debbie Dodson
Mentor
With over 25 years in dentistry, Debbie began as a Registered Dental Hygienist and is now a respected office manager and coach, known for calm leadership, deep knowledge of dental insurance systems, and training front office teams to run with confidence.
Leisel Bailey
Mentor
With over a decade of management experience, Leisel guides dental leaders in strategic hiring, practice growth, and organizational efficiency, with a track record that includes overhead reduction and stronger productivity.
Giving back
Ladder5 Mentorship & Resources proudly supports organizations that empower women.
That includes Nomi Network and other charities creating opportunity, resilience, and leadership for women worldwide.
Ready to lead a practice that runs without you carrying all of it?
Gain clarity, build simple systems, and step confidently into your leadership.