2023 Outstanding Women of NKY Awards

Women’s Initiative

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Turfway Racing & Gaming Event Center

Florence, Kentucky

Title Sponsor

St. Elizabeth is proud to congratulate the following honorees who have been honored with Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards for 2023:

Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Honoree: Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award:

We thank all of today's honorees for their notable achievements and outstanding service to our health system and the communities we serve.

stelizabeth.com

Sarah Giolando-Matlin Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Carolyn Thomas Thompson St. Elizabeth Foundation Volunteer

OUR HISTORY

The Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards celebrates its 39th year of honoring women who exemplify notable achievements; outstanding service in their professions or to the Northern Kentucky community; and the qualities of personal integrity, perseverance, and leadership.

These women—who live, work, or volunteer in Northern Kentucky—represent the great diversity and extraordinary accomplishments of today’s women. All honorees represent ideal role models for the young women who follow in their footsteps.

The Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards were established in the fall of 1984, when the late Nancy Janes Boothe, wife of then-NKU President Leon E. Boothe, invited several faculty and staff members to a luncheon for a discussion of ways to involve more women from the Northern Kentucky area in the University community. In the spring of the following year, the first Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards luncheon was held with The Kentucky Post acting as a co-sponsor. Thomas More University (formerly Thomas More College) and Gateway Community Technical College later joined as education partners. After the newspaper closed in 2008, Toyota became the major sponsor, assumed responsibility for event production, and supported the scholarship program. With the 2014 announcement of Toyota’s headquarters consolidation and eventual relocation to Texas, the program was again in need of a champion to carry the torch. The NKY Chamber of Commerce Women’s Initiative has adopted this program and will continue its remarkable legacy. At the first award celebration, five women were honored. Since then, more than 200 women have been recognized for blazing trails, opening doors, or demonstrating leadership in their homes, their professions, their communities, or their state.

EMCEE KATHRINE NERO

Kathrine Nero is the Director of Media at Game Day Communications, a local public relations and marketing firm that handles some of the area’s biggest events and most familiar businesses. She has 25 years of experience on the other side of media, as an awardwinning news anchor and reporter with experience on television, radio, digital, sports, social media, print and podcasting. She’s also a camera coach, content creator and media trainer who shares the lessons learned in 12,000+ hours on camera to make sure you look good for that next Zoom call or media interview.

She lives in Covington with her husband and two daughters andeven as a transplant from Memphis - is one of NKY’s biggest fans.

2023 EVENT COMMITTEE

Katie Meyer - Chair altafiber

Laura Berkemeier

Life Learning Center

Mary Lynn Brunemann

Retired

Blanche Gaynor

Writing Enhancement Services

Brooke Hiltz

University of Kentucky

Yuliya Johanningmeier

United Way of Greater Cincinnati

Julia Keister

Roebling Books

Mindy Kershner

Cincinnati/NKY International Airport

Catherine Manabat

New Riff Distilling

Holly Nibert

NKY Chamber of Commerce

Amy Quinn Dye Republic Bank

Lisa Raterman

LARaterman Associates

Sharmili Reddy

Planning & Development Services of Kenton County

Catherine Salzman

Heartwood Strategies

Julie Tapke

Robert W. Baird & Co.

Janice Way

Leadership Kentucky

Caroline Weltzer

Viox & Viox, Inc.

THE NANCY JANES BOOTHE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The education partners for the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky are Toyota, Gateway Community & Technical College, Northern Kentucky University, and Thomas More University.

Each year, Toyota and the three colleges fund one $2,000 scholarship for each school. These scholarships are designated for a deserving female college student who exhibits the same qualities as the Outstanding Women honorees.

The three financial awards constitute the Nancy Janes Boothe Scholarship program, named posthumously in honor of Nancy Janes Boothe, the founder of the awards program and wife of former Northern Kentucky University president, Dr. Leon Boothe.

Nancy was a lovely person and a pillar of the community. As “first lady” of Northern Kentucky University, she worked tirelessly alongside her husband to build the fledgling institution, championing education, and contributing to the community.

Though not native to Northern Kentucky, Nancy and her husband established deep roots in their adopted region. At NKU, her involvement and leadership was beyond measure. Off campus, she served on the boards of the Northern Kentucky Salvation Army, Northern Kentucky Heart Association, Northern Kentucky United Way and Community Chest, and Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church. She was devoted to raising the couple’s three daughters: Cheri, Diana, and Cynthia. She was a great lady and exceptionally hard worker, with a naturally generous spirit. Shortly before the Boothes moved to Northern Kentucky, Nancy was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. For many years she felt no affects of the disease, but as her symptoms mounted, she was open about her diagnosis. She never let it slow her down. Her goal, according to her husband, was to ‘’to live life to its fullest and to be with people.’’ Like so many of her other goals, it was one she met with seeming ease.

Nancy Janes Boothe: a determined leader, a phenomenal volunteer, a gracious friend. Outstanding indeed.

2023 NANCY JANES BOOTHE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Funded by:

Terrie Frasure-Brierly

Gateway Community & Technical College

Jenna E. Dunham

Northern Kentucky University

E. Holly Jenkins

Thomas More University

Terrie Frasure-Brierly

Terrie Lee Frasure has overcome adversity at many turns on her way to being honored as this year’s Gateway Community and Technical College scholarship award recipient. Raised solely by her grandmother, Terrie recalls years of seeing her grandparent struggle to provide the bare necessities for her and her sister. Despite rebelling and balking at authority by her own admission, she graduated high school, the first in her family to do so, “only through God’s grace and mercy” by “the skin of her teeth.”

However, upon entering her 30s, Terrie says she found herself wanting more in life, both personally and professionally, prompting her to return to school after years of college not being on the proverbial radar. Around this time, she also discovered her passion for human services, leading to former roles as a caseworker at the Brighton Recovery Center and a residential supervisor role at Transitions Drug Rehabilitation and Immediate Care.

Currently, Terrie is a full-time healthcare employee at a behavioral health hospital where she enjoys working one-on-one with patients, doing everything from discharging and planning, to helping them apply for Medicaid.

“I want to thank everyone from my husband to my kids for understanding and pushing me to be better,” said Terrie. “I also want to thank my advisor and social work professor, Meredith Ramler, for pushing me to apply for this scholarship. Lastly, I wish to thank Gateway Community & Technical College and my teachers who push me to be a better human daily.”

Gateway Community & Technical College is proud to recognize Allison Jayne Reynolds as the 2023 Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Nancy Janes Boothe Scholarship recipient.

Jenna E. Dunham

Jenna Dunham is currently enrolled at NKU, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. She plans to further her studies and pursue her Ph.D. in the field, focusing on research in the realms of addiction, stress, obesity and mood disorders. This builds upon more than two decades work with individuals to improve health and fitness, an outgrowth of her personal passion for studying habits and promoting behavior change leading to improved health outcomes.

Jenna is a Research Assistant for the Telehealth Assessment and Skill-Building Intervention for stroke family caregiver team within the University of Cincinnati’s College of Nursing. At NKU, she serves as a student researcher for Dr. Lauren Williamson’s lab, focusing on behavioral neuroimmunology and, in the lab of Dr. Ty Brumback, studying the effects of early substance abuse on the autonomic nervous system plus factors that influence and initiate substance use.

A lifelong resident of Northern Kentucky, Jenna is married to her husband, Nick, with whom she has four children between the ages of 8 and 21. A competitive athlete in her youth, she now enjoys watching her children participate in sports and is an active member of Florence Methodist Church.

“I want to thank my family for their unwavering support of my goals. Returning to school as a parent is challenging, and I couldn’t do any of this without the help of my husband, my amazing parents and my friends,” said Jenna. “I am grateful to work alongside brilliant researchers, and I want to thank my mentors, faculty advisors and the talented professors of NKU for providing me with learning and growth opportunities. I am honored to be recognized among such outstanding women and am in awe of what women who lift each other up can accomplish.”

Northern Kentucky University is proud to recognize Rachel Elizabeth Gateley as the 2023 Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Nancy Janes Boothe Scholarship recipient.

E. Holly Jenkins

E. Holly Jenkins is a 2020 graduate of Thomas More University (TMU) where she earned her degree in business management, she received her BA in Ethical Leadership in 2022. She is now studying for her master’s in Ethical Leadership at the university.

She is also the CEO of Restart Your Life, Inc., a coaching firm specializing in personal and professional development. Her passion for her work reflects the incredible journey that has led her to this point, which shines through in each project she pours her energy into.

Under Jade Six Media, a division of Restart Your Life, Inc, E. Holly is both an accomplished, award-winning author and filmmaker. She has appeared as the subject matter expert on overcoming childhood sexual abuse on both national TV and radio; her documentary film “Empty Closets – In Honor of Those Left Behind” highlights the long-lasting devastation homicide has on both families and our communities at large. Reading nearly 40 to 50 books annually as her favorite pastime, E. Holly shares her love of reading by serving as a tutor for kindergarteners all the way up to college students. Also, a certified English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor, she edits and helps other aspiring authors by guiding them through the self-publishing process. An active member in her church where she both cooks and volunteers, she also practices transcendental meditation as a way to maintain work-life balance.

“I am honored to be selected for this award a second time and wish to thank Thomas More University’s staff and faculty for their unwavering support and guidance,” said E. Holly. “My family and friends have all been outstanding cheerleaders. No amount of thanks can express how profoundly grateful I am to each one individually and collectively for their love and motivation.”

Thomas More University is proud to recognize Shannon Swikert as the 2023 Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Nancy Janes Boothe Scholarship recipient.

2023 AWARD HONOREES

2023 Emerging Leader Honoree

Farduwsa Hassan

2023 Outstanding Women of NKY Honorees

Christy Burch

Sarah Giolando-Matlin

Vickie Henderson

Ash Norton

2023 Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Honoree Carolyn Thomas Thompson

2023 Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Honoree

Lisa Desmarais

Farduwsa Hassan

Farduwsa Hassan is a nurse practitioner specialist primarily operating out of Northern Kentucky. As the owner of Lelia Urgent Care in Hebron, KY, she strives to help the community with the various medical hardships they may face – a fact that was never more evident than during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her company provides numerous medical services including treatment of common ailments such as flu and respiratory issues as well as sprains, providing physicals for work and/or school, allergy treatments and even telehealth services.

Always putting her patients first, she selflessly provides excellent care for individuals that may have difficulty seeking out medical services due to a language barrier or because they lack the financial means to do so otherwise.

“Any honor that I achieve is truly the result of teamwork and collaboration, and I can’t say thank you enough to my team,” said Amanda. “My mentor, Dr. Francis O’Hara, who always helps me move forward. Dr. Henry Webb, thank you for your mentorship, innovation, and belief in our team. Dr. Winona Landis, thank you for always being my co-creator of experiences for those students we serve. Thanks to my mom, Beth Owens, for always being my role model for female leadership, and to the guys at my house: Geoff, Ian, and Crosby—being your wife and mom will always be the best role I have.”

Emerging Leader Award Sponsored By:

Christy Burch

Christy Burch is the CEO of the Ion Center for Violence Prevention, an organization that was founded in 1976 with the “intention to provide services to survivors of power-based personal violence” in the Northern Kentucky, Buffalo Trace and Greater Cincinnati areas. Christy has helped The Ion Center further that mission over the course of her 26 years with the organization.

This is evident in her clemency work for wrongfully incarcerated victims, resulting in the pardon of 10 women. During her time at the University of Kentucky, she utilized the power of art and activism, co-writing six original plays while simultaneously co-creating the nationally acclaimed and research-proven Green Dot violence prevention strategy.

Her leadership style focuses on mentoring and bringing people with her, using a deep understanding of how to create environments full of possibilities that lead to lasting change. Christy has also provided thousands of powerful trainings nationwide, making her a highly sought-after consultant and speaker.

In addition to her work at The Ion Center, Christy is the founder of Your Story is My Story, Inc., a consulting company dedicated to creating social change through art, advocacy and activism. She is the mother of Honor, life partner to Vince, a proud aunt to her niece, Addy, and nephew, McKenna, and daughter of her parents, Diana and Greg.

“Thank you to the NKY Chamber and the Women’s Initiative for this incredible honor. Thank you to my colleagues at Ion Center and the many women who mentored me throughout the years - they saw a spark and flamed it,” said Christy. “Thank you to my family for your love and support. Thank you to the thousands of survivors of violence who allowed me to walk alongside them in their pain, suffering, and resiliency as they reclaimed their power. Every single day I wake up and work from a place of loving service knowing it only takes a spark!”

Outstanding Women Award Sponsored By:

Sarah Giolando-Matlin

Sarah Giolando-Matlin is a Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for St. Elizabeth Healthcare, a five-hospital system in Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. She is responsible for system-wide strategic planning, marketing, public relations, communications, government relations, community relations, volunteer services and auxiliary departments across the $1.2 billion healthcare system.

She is also an active member of her community, serving on the board of several organizations. This includes serving as the Chair of the Board for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University’s Institute for Health Innovation External Advisory Board and the board of the Cincinnati Women’s Executive Forum.

A Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives, Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in international business from James Madison University. She has also completed Harvard Business School’s course on Disruptive Innovation. Additionally, Sarah earned her MBA from the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management in Belgium.

She was selected for the 43rd class of Leadership Cincinnati and was named one of 20 Professional Women to Watch in 2012 by the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Today, Sarah lives in Clifton with her husband, Reid, and her daughter, Sabrina. Her son, Sal, is a junior at Ohio State University and her daughter, Sophia, is a freshman at the University of Cincinnati. Her son, Brayden Matlin, works at CVG and lives in Hartwell.

“I am honored to share this distinction with so many former honorees who have mentored me along the way and provided inspiration through their dedication and service to this community,” said Sarah. “I am grateful to St. Elizabeth for encouraging me to serve outside of our organization and to my husband and family who have supported my many evenings occupied by board meetings and other events. Northern Kentucky is truly a special place!”

Outstanding Women Award Sponsored By:

Vickie Henderson

Vickie Henderson is the Executive Director of the Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center, a role which is the culmination of over 30 years of service as an advocate for children. Under her leadership, Northern Kentucky established the first child advocacy center in the Commonwealth. In addition to being the first forensic interviewer in Kentucky, Vickie was one of the founding members and first President of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky.

Vickie is a witness to the challenges and the overwhelming emotions that the multidisciplinary team members face every day and throughout the years has recognized the reality of compassion fatigue. It has become a priority to support her staff and colleagues as they investigate, prosecute and protect the children in Northern Kentucky.

Vickie has drafted children’s advocacy center-related legislation and has lobbied and testified before the state legislature. She has been the safe person for over 6,000 children to share their stories of sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence and trafficking. She considers it a sacred honor when children put their trust in her. A firm believer that “life is a dance filled with building relationships, finding balance and giving back,” she cites her faith as her foundation and is grateful for “The courage to have said ‘yes’ to an incredible opportunity to join the children’s advocacy movement 32 years ago.”

“What an honor it is to be selected as one of the 2023 Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky, but I have not taken one step in this journey alone,” said Vickie. “I have been surrounded by strong women who mentor and support me, my parents who modeled the importance of giving back, my children who reminded me every day of what was truly important and my wife who has supported my crazy ideas and loves me unconditionally.”

Outstanding Women Award Sponsored By:

Ash Norton

Ash Norton has sought to positively impact the world from a young age, overcoming instability in her childhood to become a first-generation college graduate earning her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Business Administration from Thomas More University. Over nearly 19 years, Ash has held various engineering and leadership roles at Duke Energy. Now, she serves as the General Manager of Major Projects at Duke Energy, leading a team of over 75 leaders, engineers and project managers responsible for the planning and execution of large electric distribution projects throughout the Midwest.

With a passion for mentoring, Ash coaches and encourages others. Her career advice is featured in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Inc., and Fast Company. She is also the co-host of LinkedIn Local Cincinnati – with the goal of meeting the people behind the profiles. Ash serves on the Regional Board of Directors for Kentucky Educational Television (KET) and is the Executive Sponsor for Duke Energy’s Cincinnati Business Women’s Network.

When she’s not working, Ash enjoys hiking, playing poker, watching reality competition shows, traveling and cheering on her children at their soccer games.

“I am humbled to be named among the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky. God has provided me with more than I could have ever imagined and surrounded me with people who love and support me,” said Ash. “Thank you to my Duke Energy friends for challenging me and believing in me. I am grateful to make an impact with you every day! To the BA Ladies of WE Lead 14, you are incredibly talented and unconditionally encouraging. I am lucky to have you in my life. To my friends and family - your love and laughter make me smile every day! And my husband, Ryan, who works daily to take care of our family.”

Outstanding Women Award Sponsored By:

Carolyn Thomas Thompson

Carolyn Thomas Thompson is an insurance agent for State Farm Insurance. Her title, however, is not just reflective of her job, but a family legacy of serving the community across two generations. Working with State Farm for over 30 years, she has spent the last 25 as the company’s agent in Williamstown, KY.

Born and raised in Grant County where her father was the town’s State Farm agent, Carolyn returned to Williamstown 25 years later to take over her father’s business upon his retirement. This also led to her getting involved in the community– with roles at the Williamstown Kiwanis Club and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

One of her biggest honors, however, was being asked to be part of the St. Elizabeth Grant County Foundation. The Grant County Hospital has played a vital part in the healthcare of her hometown for 70+ years. She has spent seven years serving as the chair of the foundation’s Community Relations Committee, which is heavily involved in fundraising for various projects. Carolyn also serves on the Grant County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and as the Chair for the Grant County Schools Foundation. Additionally, she has served 11 years on the Grant County Extension District Board.

Married to her husband, Steve, for 38 years, Carolyn is the mother of two children. Her daughter Meghan is an attorney and her son, Alex, works for a State Farm agent in Omaha, Nebraska.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award. When you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. That is truly how I feel about my life,” said Carolyn. “I am thankful my State Farm career has given me the opportunity to serve and give back to the community and working with the St. Elizabeth Foundation has truly been a blessing in my life. I hope I can continue to serve the community as Henrietta Cleveland did when she started the St. Elizabeth Hospital.”

Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award Sponsored By:

Lisa Desmarais

Lisa Desmarais is a technology, finance and operations professional whose career has seen her work in many roles with different organizations and companies, providing excellent service along the way. Her professional roles included employment with the Kenton County Fiscal Court, the City of Covington and serving as an adjunct professor in the Master of Public Administration graduate degree program at Northern Kentucky University (NKU).

In 2016, Lisa was appointed by then-Kentucky governor, Matt Bevin, to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s Board of Regents which oversees 16 such institutions throughout the Commonwealth. In 2021, she was elected as the Board of Regents Chair, making her the first Northern Kentuckian to serve in that role.

Before making the move to public service via a government role and nonprofit work, Lisa spent 16 years working for Ernst & Young, Fidelity Investments and American Express. Her recognition for community service includes the Behringer-Crawford Two-Headed Calf Award, Friends of Covington Award and Gateway Community and Technical College “Gateway to Greatness” award. She is also a previous winner of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Community Award and a Kenton County Service Recognition award for her work toward providing broadband internet access to all citizens of Kenton County.

“When asked who has inspired me over the years, I say my paternal grandmother. She was a woman of great conviction and strength,” said Lisa. “As a 4th grade educated Italian immigrant, she survived World War II as a mother to her son while her husband was held as a prisoner of war for seven years. When she arrived in the US, she blazed a trail of success; working, owning her own home, and learning to speak English. She believed in hard work but knew that education was the key to success. I learned so much from her and understand the value of hard work, education, and women blazing trails.”

Outstanding Women Award Sponsored By:

1985

Sandra Easton

Vanda Langham

Mary Miller

Vesta Moore

Naomi Turner

1986

Betty Daniels

Garnet Grant

Karen Malott

Cheryl McDaniel

Pat Sommerkamp

1987

Nancy Barone

Sister Alice Gerdeman

Dale Meyer

Marie Weber

Judy Moberly West

1988

Rita Bardo

Kim Brooks

Angela Casanova

Patricia Fann

Jan Gerding

1988 Woman of Distinction Award

Governor Martha Layne Collins

1989

Martha Bunch

Kathleen Finck

Arlene Gibeau

Pamela Mullins

Betty Zimmer

1990

Sister W. Burkhard

Helen Ernst

Linda Verst

Edwina Walker

Fran Zaniello

1991

Kathleen Collins

Elizabeth Herald

Alice Lambert

Tina Moore

Ann Richards

1992

Claudia Branham

Michelle Budzek

Bennie Doggett

Patricia Deanna Skees

Carol L. Woodyard

1993

Mary B. Blake

Marie Cannon

Sister Mary Dorgan

Lois Jean Lambers

Rosalie Rothfuss

1994

Dr. Julia Hudson Carter

Beth Fennell

Elizabeth Grause

Esther Johnson

Mary Middleton

1994 Founders Award

Nancy Janes Boothe

1995

Virginia Clare

Katherine Meyer

Jayne Morgenthal

Gayle Payne

Mary Ann Plummer

1996

Dr. Susan K. Cook

Betty Cottingham

Helen Cummins

Bert Huff

Cathy Kunkel-Mains

1997

Linda S. Allen

Ann Haegele

Sister Juanita

Nadicksbernd

Margo Otto

Laura Thomson

1998

Elizabeth “Betty” Bernard

Barbara Black

Juanita Mills

Patricia Summe

Dianne B. Yelton

1999

Lauren Abel

Barbara J. Martin

Irene Patrick

Alice Sparks

Janice Way

2000

Dr. Joyce J. Fortney

Bari L. Joslyn

Dr. Rosetta J. Mauldin

Charlene R. Palmer, P.E.

2001

Barbara Dahlenburg Bonar

Mary A. Hemmer

Mary Northington

Ginger O. Paul

Martha Snider

2002

Ruth Bauman

Kit Hammons

Alice Kennelly Roberts

Dr. Angela Taylor

Nancy J. Tretter

2003

Karen L. Collins

Brenda J. Sparks

Sandra J.H. Strauss

Gail W. Wells

Nancy Ziegler

Trailblazer Award

Rosana Aydt & Mary Beth Beimesch

2004

Judith G. Clabes

Dr. Terri Cox-Cruey

Mary Jo Davis

Judith G. Gibbons

Sara L. Sidebottom

Lifetime Advocate Award

Hannah Hume Baird

2005

Sister Mary Luann Bender

Helen Marie Carroll

Betty Timon

Rosa Weaver

Diane Ewing Whalen

Humanitarian Award

Julie Geisen Scheper

2006

Kimberly Banta

Julie Boudousquie

Jane Meier

Cheryl Rushing

Grace Wilson

Emerging Leader Award

Donna Bloemer

2007

Ruth Eger

Nancy Kinman

Rebecca Moening

Chris Vissman

Rachel Votruba

Emerging Leader Award

Carri Chandler

2008

Sherry Carran

Laura Cook

Beth Penn

Kelly Schoening

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Judy Clements

S.O.A.R. Emerging Leader Award

Johnna Reeder

2009

25th Year Celebration

Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards

2010

Sister Janet Bucher

Karen Finan

Sister Jean Marie Hoffman

Judge Joy Moore

Lisa Raterman

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Nancy Winstel

Emerging Leader Award

Peggy Casey

2011

Jill Bailey

Sarah Hughes

Leshia Lyman

Marianne Schmidt Hurtt

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Judi Gerding

Emerging Leader Award

Kara Clark Williams

2012

Lisa Cooney Henderson

Justice Michelle Keller

Rhonda Whitaker

Shelli Wilson

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Charlotte Wethington

Emerging Leader Award

Amber Decker

2013

Barbara Moran Johnson

Janet Roessler Scanlon

Dale J. Silver

Judge Karen A. Thomas

Rachael Winters

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Sister Margaret Stallmeyer, CDP

Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award

Mary Bunning

2014

30th Year Celebration

Cindy Carris

Jeanne Schroer

Debbie Simpson

Jeanne-Marie Tapke, PhD

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Bennie Doggett

Emerging Leader Award

Crystal Gibson

Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award

Christina Rust, MSN

Helen Carroll Lifetime Leader in Education Award

Polly Lusk Page

2015

Karen Cheser

Candace S. McGraw

Kristi P. Nelson

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Donna Salyers

Emerging Leader Award

Claire E. Parsons

Sharmili Reddy

Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award

Lynne Saddler, MD, MPH

HONORING OUR PAST RECIPIENTS

2016

Kim Halbauer

Laurie Risch

Stacy Tapke

Wonda Winkler

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Molly Navin

Emerging Leader Award

Serena Owen

Helen Carroll Champion of Education Award

Sue Sorrell

Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award

Julie Dusing

2017

Maryanne McGowan

Gabrielle Summe

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Linda M. Young

Helen Carroll Champion of Education Award

Kathleen Burkhardt, Ed.D.

Emerging Leader Award

Katie Meyer

Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award

Joan Tepe Wurtenberger

2018

Dr. Julie M. Aubuchon, O.D.

Florence Tandy

Alecia Webb-Edgington

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Sr. Mary Ethel Parrott, SND

Helen Carroll Champion of Education Award

Kathleen Reutman Bryant

Emerging Leader Award

Kristen Smitherman-Voltaire

Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award

Representative

Kimberly Poore Moser

2 0 1 9

Geralyn Isler

Barbara Stewart

Jessica Taylor

Caroline Weltzer

Emerging Leader Award

Holly Mazzocca

Helen Carroll Champion of Education Award

Laura Koehl

Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award

Eva G. Farris

2 0 2 0

Lisa Cooper

Wafa Nasser, M.D.

Teri VonHandorf, Ed.D.

Kim M. Webb

Emerging Leader Award

Laura S. Menge

Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award

Kristi P. Nelson

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Tammy Weidinger

2 0 2 1

Danielle Amrine

Nancy Grayson

Emerging Leader Award

Rachel DesRochers

Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award

Lee Ann Ernst

Helen Carroll Champion of Education Award

Irene Encarnación

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Susan McDonald

2 0 2 2

Sylvia Buxton

Julia Keister

Amy Quinn Dye

Jennifer Steele

Emerging Leader Award

Amanda Dempsey, Ed.D.

Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award

Amy Beck & Martha Barnes

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award

Kathy Jennings

PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

2008

Teri Meyer

Gateway Community & Technical College

Lori Knapp Cromer

Northern Kentucky University

Jeannie Yates Voges

Thomas More College

2009

Tracy Shirden

Gateway Community & Technical College

Glenda Faye Cromer Jordan

Northern Kentucky University

Rebecca Rae Burton

Thomas More College

2010

Julie Elbert

Gateway Community & Technical College

Heidi Glaub

Northern Kentucky University

Paula Lynn Rudicill-Vaske

Thomas More College

2011

Christy Booth

Gateway Community & Technical College

Betty Jo Cope

Northern Kentucky University

Michele Joyce Beier

Thomas More College

2012

Melissa Anne Howell

Gateway Community & Technical College

Jennifer Lee Klein

Northern Kentucky University

Margaret Perrino

Thomas More College

2013

Sara Marie Foster

Gateway Community & Technical College

Jeanne Coyle

Northern Kentucky University

Tamara Pitts

Thomas More College

2014

Betty Pack

Gateway Community & Technical College

Melissa Tatum

Northern Kentucky University

Melisa AlJamal

Thomas More College

2015

Christina Hicks

Gateway Community & Technical College

Shannon Lackey

Northern Kentucky University

Tonya Hash

Thomas More College

2016

Lora Jones

Gateway Community & Technical College

Kathleen Durchholz-Biggs

Northern Kentucky University

Melanie Johnson

Thomas More College

2017

Leigh Ann Hoskins

Gateway Community & Technical College

Victoria Boerger

Northern Kentucky University

Laura Berkemeier

Thomas More College

2018

Marsha White

Gateway Community & Technical College

Kimberly Masco

Northern Kentucky University

Mirtha Vasallo

Thomas More College

2 0 1 9

Rebecca Wolfe

Gateway Community & Technical College

Emily Lowe

Northern Kentucky University

Patti Watters

Thomas More University

2 0 2 0

Savannah Bucks

Gateway Community & Technical College

Barbie Watkins

Northern Kentucky University

Holly Jenkins

Thomas More University

2 0 2 1

Jean Schirtzinger

Gateway Community & Technical College

Chandra Huff

Northern Kentucky University

Anissa Bradley

Thomas More University

2022

Allison Jayne Reynolds

Gateway Community & Technical College

Rachel Elizabeth Gateley

Northern Kentucky University

Shannon Swikert

Thomas More College

The Women’s Initiative, sponsored by PNC, is the leading organization in NKY and the Greater Cincinnati region for women of all career stages, working toward business and professional success.

WI Mission: Provide the opportunities for women of all career stages to Connect, Grow, and Achieve in business.

WI Vision: To be the premier organization in NKY and Greater Cincinnati for professional women.

Annual Breakfast

Women’s Initiative’s largest event featuring a keynote speaker who shares her story of professional achievement.

Connect Hour

This women’s networking event is held the last Monday of every month.

Mentoring Program

Enables a pair to meet for a one-on-one relationship for career growth over the period of one year.

Outstanding Women of NKY

This program recognizes and awards women who work, live or volunteer in NKY and show outstanding service to their communities.

Professional Series

Events held twice a year featuring various business related topics. Open to women and men.

Regional Summit

The premier day-long conference for professional women in the Tri-state area to be held in the fall each year.

Roundtables

Groups of 8-10 women from different industries and career status, meet once a month to support each other in a productive, confidential setting.

Follow us on social media:

Facebook: Facebook.com/NKYWI

LinkedIn: NKYChamber.com/WILinkedIn

Important Links:

Mentor Application: NKYChamber.com/WIMentor

Mentee Application: : NKYChamber.com/WIMentee

Roundtable Application: NKYChamber.com/WIRoundtable

WI Interest Form: NKYChamber.com/WIConnectGrowAchieve

For more information contact Holly Nibert at hnibert@nkychamber.com or (859) 426-3651.

Because we provide opportunities when we Connect, Grow, & Achieve.

WeComplete the Women’s Initiative interest form and get more engaged.

Complete the Women’s Initiative interest form and get more engaged.

OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

Title Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor

Host Sponsor

Outstanding Women of NKY Award Sponsor

Emgering Leader Award Sponsor

Event Sponsors

Media Partner

Education Partners

Corporate Sponsors

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

Duke Energy

Fidant Wealth

Interact for Health

Ion Center

McGohan Brabender

OneNKY Aliance

Republic Bank

R.W. Baird

Thomas More University

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