At the 2018 WomanUP Celebration and Award Ceremony on Nov. 8th, we will be presenting awards to four outstanding women in the greater Asheville business community. Below are the women who were nominated for this year’s awards. This list represents outstanding business women who excel in their work, serve as strong role models and display commitment to the Asheville community. Our congratulations to all of them on their nominations.
Outstanding Woman in Non-Profit Leadership
Sponsored by TD Bank, this award recognizes a woman who has distinguished herself in her non-profit organization, her profession, and her community. The recipient epitomizes the spirit of the WomanUP initiative by utilizing her abilities to develop or improve a program or service that significantly advances women in the non-profit workplace.
2018 Nominees:
Ali Climo, Buncombe County
Amanda Edwards, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Carla S. Willis, UNC Asheville
Carolyn Ward, Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
Catherine McClain, Hanger Hall
Dawn Chavez, Asheville GreenWorks
Emily Jackson, Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project
Greta Byrd, Liberty Corner Enterprises, Inc.
Kathy Jackson, Diana Wortham Theatre
Lisa Adkins, Buncombe County Schools Foundation
Michele Louzon, Arms Around ASD
April Burgess-Johnson, Helpmate
Shannon Spencer, 12 Baskets Café
Rising Star Award
Sponsored by Western Carolina University, this award recognizes a young woman under the age of 35 who has distinguished herself as a leader and role model to other young women.
2018 Nominees:
Alanna Nappi, Wicked Weed Brewing
Ann Sitler, Hickory Nut Gap Meats
Brittany Ballinger, Montreat College
Courtney King, Hi-Wire Brewing
Glynna Slater, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Hannah Martin, Asheville Tourists
Katie Schafer, GE Aviation
Marci Anderson, Biltmore Farms Hotels
Sarah Malutich, Reich LLC
Woman Entrepreneur, Best in Business
This award, sponsored by Webb Investment Services, recognizes a woman who demonstrates the transformation of her dream into the reality of a product or service and who exhibits the traits of an entrepreneur.
2018 Nominees:
Angela Hind, You, MD
Brandy Mills, Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery
Cat Ford-Coates, Studio 828 Photography
Catherine Campbell, Bright Planning
Corinna Wood, Southeast Wise Women
Emily Breedlove, Hatch AVL Foundation
Jennifer Pharr Davis, Blue Ridge Hiking Company
Kristy Elliott, Sunshine Chevrolet
Lynn Michelle Smith, Che’ Beautiful and Che’ Biz Consulting
Mary Palermo, Rainbow International of Asheville
Molly de Mattos, The Matt & Molly Team – Keller Williams
Murphy Funkhouser Capps, Kudzu Brands
Terri King, Coldwell Banker King
Woman Executive of the Year
Sponsored by Mission Health, this award recognizes a woman who has distinguished herself in her workplace, her profession, and her community. The recipient epitomizes the spirit of the WomanUP initiative by utilizing her abilities to develop or improve a program or service that significantly advances women in the corporate workplace.
2018 Nominees:
Amy Bibby, Dixon Hughes Goodman
Carla Maddux, Asheville Fence
Carol Steen, MAHEC
Carole Martin, Northwestern Mutual-Asheville
Deidre Cotterill, Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville
Harli Palme, Parsec Financial
Jackie Dula, Capstone Health Alliance
Jeannie Hargis, Bolton Construction and Service of WNC
Jennifer Duran, Moore Funeral Home at Forest Lawn
JoAnn Yoder, Brumit Restaurant Group
Lori Morris, White Insurance Agency, Inc.
Marie Sales, Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville
Paula Salgado, Holiday Inn Biltmore East
Ruth Summers, Grove Arcade
Sandra Grace, WNC Woman Magazine
Sandy McDonald, A-B Emblem
Tonia Sheppard, Alan’s Jewelry & Pawn and Finkelstein’s Pawn
About WomanUP
WomanUP is an initiative from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce focused on women in business who wish to build a strong network of women intent on inspiring one another to achieve individual potential; supporting each other in business endeavors; and creating a legacy through mentorship.