hats off luncheon
І event
Hats Off Luncheon Honors 2009 Enterprising Woman of the Year
FROM LEFT: Rosalind Brewer, keynote speaker. Emcee Moe Clary moved the program along. Nolie Roundtree, winner of “prettiest hat award.” Joanne Gallinghouse, publisher of Sophisticated Woman, Dr. Dwan Mabry, Enterprising Woman of the Year; Byron Beck Walmart marketing manager
product development at Kimberly-Clark to overseeing strategic direction of growth for 1/3 of the entire U.S. for Walmart. She also cited statistics about how women in leadership roles positively impact the bottom line in major corporations as well as Walmart’s commitment to fostering diversity in leadership positions. The program ended with the announcement of the top three Enterprising Women for 2009: Dr. Dawn Mabry, OB/GYN (winner); Dr. Catherine Wilbert of Wellness Innovations (first runner-up); Donna Benfatti of N’Tini’s New Orleans Steak & Martinis (second runner-up). You can read their stories on our website, www.SophisticatedWomanMagazine.com.
Thanks to our generous sponsors
Walmart—Presenting Sponsor NOLA Lending—Gold Sponsor Thank you to all of our donors American Factory Direct Aquistapace’s Arigato About Face Bella Lucca Bra Genie Closetopia ~ Patty Beal Dr. G’s Mobile Vet Clinic Theresa DeMelo Cheri DiPiazza Sarah Dunn Arts
Professional Development Seminar Sophisticated Woman’s first seminar was held in conjunction with the Hats Off luncheon, and kicked off the day. The first presenter, Jeanine O’Neill-Blackwell, president and CEO of 4MAT 4Business, conducted an interactive component of her workshop that helped attendees determine their learning styles. Dr. Catherine Wilbert, author of a recently published book, Mending Your Metabolism, followed with a presentation on looking and feeling fabulous after 40. Thanks to both presenters for making our first ever seminar such a success.
Element Etcetera Flowers N Fancies by Carroll Fresh Market Ft. Isabel Gallery Joanne Gallinghouse Gordon’s Grapevine Heel 2 Toe Hope House Isis the Salon Elizabeth Kinsley, MD L’avantage Salon & Spa Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Madisonville Drugs Mandeville Dental Care Merle Norman Mandeville Mike’s Den Mode New Orleans Ballet Association
New Orleans Hornets New Orleans Saints Nonna Randazzo’s Bakery N’Tini’s Paisley Pelican Athletic Club Private Beach Purple Armadillo Rapture Redhead Lady Collection Rouse’s Saia’s Serenity Home & Gifts Shoeffle Shoelicious St. Charles Vision Tchefuncte Animal Hospital Turkoyz The Villa Wine Loft
Sophisticated Woman | May 2010
ON MARCH 26, eleven Enterprising Women and one brave Enterprising Man were honored at Sophisticated Woman’s fifth annual Hats Off luncheon. These Enterprising Women and Man graced the covers of our magazine last year, and provided readers with inspiring stories about their lives and insight into their businesses. Readers were asked to vote for their favorite at the beginning of the year, and the results were announced amidst great anticipation. Things got off to a great start as attendees sipped refreshing mimosas donated by Rouse’s and Saia’s while browsing the silent auction spaced around the main room of the elegant Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville. Local businesses were very generous this year, and the proceeds were donated to the Children’s Advocacy Center. Moe Clary, who recently stepped down as president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West to throw in her own hat for the mayor of Covington race, served as emcee. A proud graduate of the UNO School of Stand Up Comedy and 2007 Enterprising Woman of the Year, Moe amused the audience with her quick wit. Keynote speaker Rosalind Brewer, EVP and president of the Walmart South Business Unit, gave a fascinating speech about her own rise in the corporate world—starting with a B.S. in Chemistry and working in
Photography by Steve Randon
7