September 13, 2010
Contact: Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR
gayle@falconvalleygroup.com or 619-997-2495
Finalists Selected for 2010 “Women Changing the World” Awards
(San Diego) - The Speak for Success Women’s Leadership Institute has selected an impressive list of 17 finalists for the 2010 “Women Changing the World” Awards. Entering its second year, this program recognizes San Diego area women leaders who have made significant contributions encouraging, supporting, and empowering women and families in their organizations and communities.
Winners in the three categories of Transformation, Inspiration and Empowerment will be announced in ceremonies on Saturday, September 25, at 7 p.m. at the Celebration Center in San Diego.
This year's finalists represent some of the finest examples of leadership, inspiration and community service across the diverse sectors and industries of San Diego including community, business, nonprofit services, science, medicine, law, arts, media, academia, philanthropy, and family.
Each of the extraordinary finalists has these attributes in common:
- Has achieved personal and career goals.
- Has overcome adversity in her life.
- Is an inspiring role model.
- Is a leader in the community and/or her organization.
- Empowers other women to reach their full potential.
- Gives back to the community in a significant way.
The “Women Changing the World” Award is sponsored by the Speak for Success Women’s Leadership Institute, an extraordinary program that provides an enriching empowerment and leadership program to women overcoming serious adversities including domestic violence, homelessness, addiction, and mental illness. Graduates of the Women’s Leadership Institute go on to become inspirational leaders in the community, helping others as they themselves succeed.
For more information about the 2010 Women Changing the World event and to purchase tickets, please visit http://speakforsuccesswomenleaders.org/wcw.html
Women Changing the World Categories and Finalists
Category: Transformation
These amazing women leaders have turned personal adversity into a transformative experience for themselves and others. Because of the experience/tragedy/circumstance they have experienced they have become a leader and are helping countless others. Finalists
Dilkhwaz Ahmed
Executive Director, License to Freedom
Lesia Cartelli
Founder and Director, Angel Faces
Vivian Glyck
Founder/Executive Director, Just Like My Child Foundation
Michelle Renee
Author, Speaker, Coach
Honorable Mentions
Linda Calloway
Certified Addiction Specialist, Providence Community Services
Erica Davis
Challenged Athlete
Janet Lapp, Ph.D.
CEO, Speaker/Author
Beverly Weurding
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Wheelchair Dancers
Category: Inspiration
These dynamic women are a founder or leader of an organization and they also provide significant community service. They make a large scale impact. They are advocates and/or activists for causes and change agents. Their personal passion guides them. Finalists
Kathryn Cloward
President/CEO of Guardian Foods, Natural Kidz, Kandon Unlimited
Gini Craig
Founder/President of Girlfriends Care, Inc. and Good Ol' Gals Business Connections
Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson
President & CEO, Planned Parenthood of San Diego & Riverside Counties
Laura Mustari
CEO, Home Start Inc.
Evelyn Thomas
Executive Director, The Sanctuary Project
Andrea Villa
LGBT Community Leader and Social/Political Activist
Honorable Mentions
Shaney Jo Darden
Co-Founder, Executive Director, The Keep A Breast Foundation
Cari Jenkins
Founder, The 11:29 Project
Kathy Kinane
Founder, Kinane Events
Danielle LoPresti
Producer, San Diego IndieFest
Category: Empowerment
These powerful women bring people together. They have started women’s associations, networking groups, and other ways for women to collaborate and support each other. They provide tools and also serve as mentors, coaches, and guides.
Finalists
Michelle Bergquist
CEO/Co-Founder, Connected Women of Influence
Lea Fields-Bernard
Owner/Trial Attorney, Trial Dogs
Judy Foster
Founder, Shared Vision Network and Women's Wisdom
Maureen Orey
President/CEO, Workplace Learning and Performance Group
Karen Possemato
Sr. Director of Corporate Marketing, Illumina
Barbara Sanfilippo
Motivational Speaker, Author and Consultant
April Wahlrab
Director of Operations and Support, Altium
Honorable Mentions
Linda Amaro, Founder, Nextwork Services
Victoria Cabot
Director of Field Operations, Vistage International
Sarah Hardwick
CEO, Zenzi Communications
Rebecca Lee
Therapist/ Counselor, YWCA
Adria Manary
Vice President of Operations, The Women's Information Network
Darlynne Menkin
Vice President, Where You Want To Be Tours, Inc
Amy Parish, Biological Anthropologist, Primatologist, and Darwinian Feminist UCSD, USC, San Diego Zoo, Up the River Endeavors
Celia Sciacca
President, Laughing Pony Rescue
