On Friday, November 17, The Women in Niagara (WIN) Council and the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) will be hosting the Women in Business Awards (WIBA) at the Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls – Fallsview with founding partners The St. Catharines Standard, The Welland Tribune, and The Niagara Falls Review.
“This annual event is an incredible celebration of Women’s accomplishments and contributions,” said Nicole Regehr, Chair of the WIN council. “WIN is proud to be able to highlight these remarkable women, and to express our gratitude for all the work they have done for our community and in advancing women in leadership roles.”
The Women in Business Awards (WIBA) is an annual event to recognize the leadership and success of women in our business community. The WIBAs aim to encourage more women to seek out and reach for leadership roles in business, non-profits, and politics. Join us as we celebrate their journeys and their achievements. The WIN council received over 60 nominations from around the region and 2 awards were added this year, the Young Professional Award and the Entrepreneurship Award. This year’s finalists are:
EMERGING BUSINESS AWARD
Ashley Brown, She Implements
Lisa Carlomusto, Dental Hygiene of Niagara
Gayle Hanlon, Coffee News – St. Catharines
Sarah McVanel, Greatness Magnified
COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD
Valerie Chalmers, Valerie Chalmers Social Media Marketing
Madi Fuller, Caddle Canada & ncTakeOff
Dawn Lagesten, KPMG LLP
Ann Mantini-Celima, Wellspring Niagara
Alex Pedersen, CAA Niagara
CULTURAL ARTS AWARDS
Bonnie Beres, Harmony on West
Annie Wilson, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
Monica Dufault, Essential Collective Theatre
Johann Munro, Shed Pottery
Natasha Pedros, Niagara Artists Centre
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Nadia Ali, Revel Realty
Tammy Conlon Carlomusto, Premiere Mortgage Centre
Brandy Gauthier, CIBC
N’ora Kalb, Innovate Niagara
Jody Vizza, PenFinancial Credit Union
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Meghan Chayka, Stathletes
Rachel Epp, Bare
Anna D’Amore, Truvi Beauty
Gina Collins Ramkissoon, Last Mile Wireless Internet
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD
Jolene Antle, Garden City Essentials
Vivienne Dineen, Moksha Yoga St. Catharines
Jacquelene Igel-Del Col, Tintern Road & Zooma Caters
Catherine O’Donnell, Willow Cakes and Pastries
April Mitchell-Boudreau, BeadQueen
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AWARD
Betty Ann Baker, Niagara Peninsula Homes
Leah Feor, Simply Sustainable
Renee Delaney, Niagara Farm Project
Jennifer Harper, Cheekbone Beauty
EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM AWARD
Jenny Crumb, Cycle-Logical Rentals
Emily Oriold, The Foster Festival
Angela Marotta & Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli, Two Sisters Winery
Anna Pierce, Niagara Helicopters
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL AWARD
Melanna Giannakis, Meridian Credit Union
Kristina Gottli, Form and Affect
Kelly Liddycoat, Bocchinfuso Funeral Home
Trina Rubino, Root Bissonnette Walker
Marcia Young, St. John Ambulance
The Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to Margie Spence of Royal LePage Niagara Real Estate. Over her three decades in the real estate business, Margie Spence has become a renowned leader in her field and in her community. She exemplifies what it means to be a leader in the workforce, overseeing the growth of Royal LePage Niagara into the largest real estate brokerage in the Niagara Region, with over 400 staff. Her contributions to her community go beyond work, giving back to charitable organizations such as Gillian’s Place, South Niagara Women’s Shelters, Habitat for Humanity, OneFoundation, and food banks across the region.
To register, visit www.gncc.ca or email amy@gncc.ca. The event takes place from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Crowne Plaza, Niagara Falls.
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) is the champion for the Niagara business community. With over 1,600 members representing more than 48,000 employees, it is the largest business organization in Niagara and the third largest Chamber in Ontario. The Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada has recognized the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce with its highest level of distinction. Women In Niagara is a business council of the GNCC representing 24,000 women in business in Niagara. Follow us on Twitter @The_GNCC @GNCC_WIN
For more information and interviews please contact:
Mishka Balsom
CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
905-684-2361 ext. 227 or mishka@gncc.ca
