The Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards celebrates its 41st 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 and 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 250 women have been recognized for blazing trails, opening doors, or demonstrating leadership in their homes, their professions, their communities, or the Commonwealth.
A Word from the Title Sponsor, St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Vera Hall, Executive Director & COO, St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Lunch Service
Program Begins
Scholarship Recipients
Education Partners:
Gateway Community and Technical College
Northern Kentucky University
Thomas More University
OWNK Honorees
Sponsored by C-Forward
Helen Carroll Champion of Education Honoree
Sponsored by altafiber
Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Honoree
Sponsored by St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Sponsored by NKY Tribune
Closing Remarks
1:15 PM
Event Concludes
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 award-winning news anchor and reporter with experience in 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 and - even as a transplant from Memphis - is one of NKY’s biggest fans.
Celebrating those who make our community shine brilliantly.
PNC is proud to live and work among the people and organizations that dedicate themselves to making our community brilliant. That is why we sponsor the Northern Kentucky Chamber Women's Initiative and recognize the 2025 Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky honorees.
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 effects 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.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Scan to learn more about the honorees
Carolann Ashcraft
Elementary Education Pre-Major / Special Education Pre-Major
Amy Carder Human Services
Claire Veirs
Double Major in Philosophy and English / Creative Writing
dith
nrietta
OUTSTANDING WOMEN OF NKY 2025 AWARD HONOREES
Jane
Herms President & CEO
Julie
Kirkpatrick President & CEO
Melissa Lutz, FSMPS, CPSM Principal
Natalie Ruppert Manager of Career & Job Services Division
HELEN CARROLL CHAMPION OF EDUCATION HONOREE
Sr. Marla Mohahan Vicar for Religious
JUDITH CLABES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE
Mackey McNeill Founder & CEO
HENRIETTA CLEVELAND INSPIRING WOMEN HONOREE
Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award Sponsored by:
Debbie Simpson Founder & CEO, Retired
Scan to learn more about the honorees.
Helen Carroll Champion of Education Sponsored by:
ST. ELIZABETH FP AD
OUR PAST RECIPIENTS
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
(no awards given)
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
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 Tapke
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
Helen Carroll Champion of Education Award
Stacie Strotman
Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award
Kathy Jennings
2 0 2 3
Christy Burch
Sarah Giolando-Matlin
Vickie Henderson
Ash Norton
Emerging Leader Award Farduwsa Hassan
Henrietta Cleveland
Inspiring Women Award
Carolyn Thomas Thompson
Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award
Lisa Desmarais
2 0 2 4
Angie Cain
Catrena Bowman
Shannon Starkey-Taylor
Tara Johnson-Noem
Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award
Marsha Croxton
Helen Carroll Champion of Education Award
Julia Pile
Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award
Michelle Snodgrass
PAST SCHOLARSHIP
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 University
2023
Terrie Frasure-Brierly
Gateway Community & Technical College
Jenna E Dunham
Northern Kentucky University
E. Holly Jenkins
Thomas More University
2024
Kelsey Browning
Gateway Community & Technical College
LeaAnn King
Northern Kentucky University
Jazmine Saunders
Thomas More University
Powered by:
Because we provide opportunities when we Connect, Grow, & Achieve.
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.
WeComplete the Women’s Initiative interest form and get more engaged. Complete the Women’s Initiative interest form and get more engaged.
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 Northern Kentucky
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.
Follow us on social media: Facebook: Facebook.com/NKYWI LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/NKYWI
Connect with Women’s Initiative:
Regional Summit
Held annually, the premier day-long conference for professional women in the Tri-state area.
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.
For all things WI, including the Mentor Application, Mentee Application, Roundtable Application, WI Interest Form and more, visit nkychamber.com/womensinitiative and connect today.
For more information contact Holly Nibert at hnibert@nkychamber.com or (859) 426-3651.
