"The breadth and depth of talent among greater Cincinnati's business women is amazing. When we shine a spotlight on these successful women, their stories and learnings empower other women to aspire to their level of success."
Vanessa Freytag, Executive Director, Women's Fund
The Greater Cincinnati FoundationWE Celebrate
Women's Business Awards
The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber presents WE Celebrate, an awards event honoring women and women-owned businesses for their achievement, innovation, social responsibility and mentoring. WE Celebrate provides women business owners the chance to come together with others who know what it’s like to honor the sacrifices and successes you’ve all been through.
There were 36 finalists in nine categories this year, including two new categories, “Marketing to Women: Best Campaign of the Year” and “Social Media Innovator of the Year.” All Winners, Runner Ups and Finalists are listed below.
Winner and Finalists for 2009 WE Celebrate Awards
Women-owned Business of the Year
Winner: Robin Wood Flowers - Robin Wood, owner
Runner Up: Abstract Displays Inc. - Carla Eng, president and CEO, owner
Finalists: Powers Agency - Lori Powers Graf, Focus Solutions Inc. - Zola Stewart & Barbara Walker Johnson
Best New Product or Service of the Year
Winner: Kolar Design - Kelly Kolar, president
Runner Up: Kimbers LLC - Kimberly Taylor, president and CEO
Finalists: i-do Boutique - Brigid Horne-Nestor, Myca Multimedia & Training Solutions - Patty Massey
Social Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner: Patty Brisben - Pure Romance
Runner Up: Peg Stookey - Legacy Connection, LLC
Finalists: Anne Chambers - Red212, Mary Ivers - 4th Street Boutique
Business Mentor of the Year
Winner: Icy Williams - National Sustainability Coalition
Runner Up: Debbie Simpson - Multi-Craft
Finalists: Monica Donath Kohnen - Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP, Karen Forgus, Cincinnati Reds
Marketing to Women: Best Campaign of the Year
Winner: Pink Ribbon Empowerment Program - Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund
Runner Up: Amy Scalia - Cincy Chic
Finalists: Patti Marshall - Bonneville Radio (WKRQ-Q102), Donna Eby and Lisa Sanger - Sanger & Eby
Social Media Innovator of the Year
Winner: Moira Weir - Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services
Runner Up: Alicia L. Stevens - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Finalists: Kendra Ramirez - Sales Konnect, Jackie Reau - Game Day Communications
Woman of the Year - Corporate
Winner: Charlotte R. Otto - The Procter & Gamble Company
Runner Up: Karen Bowman - Convergys Corporation
Finalists: Delores Hargrove-Young - XLC Services, LLC, Karen F. Maier - Frisch's Restaurants, Inc.
Woman of the Year - Entrepreneur
Winner: Kelly Mahan - Mahan Advertising, Inc.
Runner Up: Erin Schreyer - Sagestone Partners, LLC
Finalists: Linda Horn, MCEP, RFC, CSA - Capital Concepts, Karen Tate - The Griffin Tate Group, Inc.
Woman of the Year - Nonprofit
Winner: Mary Carol Melton - Cincinnati Union Bethel
Runner Up: Dr. Robin White - Great Oaks Career Campuses
Finalists: Lisa J. FitzGibbon - Easter Seals Work Resource Center, D. Lynn Meyers - Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati
Congratulations to all!
Questions? Contact Diana Long, Women Excel program manager, at 513.686.2946.
For a list of past WE Celebrate winners and finalists, click here.