2008 Honorees

Presented by Key Bank - Key4Women

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Women of Influence recognizes outstanding female leaders in the South Puget Sound. 2008 Honorees are:

• Cyndi Wikstrom, general manager of Tacoma's Click! Network
• Kim Farnes, executive director of Communities in Schools of Orting
• Rita Hutcheson fire chief of South East Thurston Fire and EMS
• Jill Kenly, director of Fund Development for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity

Rising Star awards for up-and-coming female business leaders:

• Cecelia Loveless, director for Resource Development at Clover Park Technical College
• Vicky Mohler for her work with Support America's Armed Forces

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Dawn Lucien, also a WOI alumnae from 2004

2008 Women of Influence nominees and company**:

• Lou-Ann Lauborough - Lou-Ann Lauborough, MSW, LICSW, CSW-G
• De Meyers - Rusty George Creative
• Kelly Smith - Visiting Angels of Tacoma
• Amy Hoyte - Rebuilding Together South Sound
• Radiant Kaikala - Hawaiian Airlines
• Bonnie Gantt - Discover Yourself with Bonnie
• Kawehilani Papalimu - Master Builders Association of Pierce County
• Christine Stevens - University of Washington Tacoma
• Laura Clark - John L Scott
• Nems Scarim - Three Chicks Catering, Inc
• Susan Russell Hall - Susan Russell Hall
• Leah Gutmann - BMWC Constructors, Inc
• Linda Remsberg - NoteWorld Servicing Center
• Colette Hadaller - Healthy Foundations, Inc.
• Rosemary Peterson - Cardiac Health Specialists
• Syd Bersante - Franciscan Helath System
• Linda Thomas - Wilcox Farms, Inc
• Lindsay O'Neal - Federal Way High School
• Keriann Cockrell - Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
• Heather Anderson - Anderson Household
• Lois Bernstein - MultiCare
• Mary Lynn Pannen - Sound Options, Inc.
• Robin Lester - WWEE
• Jill Kenly - Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
• Marnie Jackson - The Vault Catering Co.
• Rose Mednick - SIGNS BY TOMORROW
• Lisa Patterson - Premier Media Group
• Dee Coppola - WestSound Home & Garden Magazine
• Lorie Wood - Beaux Arts Studio
• Kim Wyman - Thurston County Auditor's Office
• Amanda Price - FIT4LIFE Personal Training
• Tracy Peacock - American Cancer Society

* South Puget Sound coverage area is Tukwilla WA south through King County, all of Pierce and Thurston County, Eastern Mason County, Northern Lewis County including Centralia / Chehalis.
** Company names are accurate at the time of nomination.

To be considered for honor, nominations were collected throughout South Puget Sound. A questionnaire and detailed application was sent to each woman to be completed.  The detailed questionnaire was reviewed by an independent panel of judges comprised of past alumnae, and it determined the honorees - those that have made the greatest impact in their businesses, industries and communities.


TELEVISION SHOW- The 2008 honorees were featured on South Sound Business Report.  Click on the following links below to view the new October show on "2008 Women of Influence" featuring footage and interviews from the following guests.

• Segment 1: 2008 Women of Influence Jill Kenly of Habitat for Humanity, Cyndi Wikstrom of Click! Network and Kim Farnes of Communities in Schools Orting

• Segment 2: 2008 Women of Influence Rising Star honorees Vicky Mohler of Support America's Armed Forces and Cecelia Loveless of CPTC Foundation

• Segment 3: 2008 Women of Influence Lifetime Achievement honoree Dawn Lucien

EVENT - More than 200 business and community members helped celebrate Women of Influence alumni, honorees and nominees at Clover Park Technical College's Sharon McGavick Student and Conference Center in Lakewood. 

Click here to view photos of the event photography courtesy of Dane Meyer Photography, DG Studio.

The event was a great success due in large part to the turn out of women leaders, business owners, professionals, executives, and political officials. 

All 2008 honorees and nominees in attendance received generous gifts from our event sponsors Mackay Restaurant Group - El Gaucho / Sea Grill and Savi Day Spa.


EVENT PUBLICATION - A special event publication supplement honoring the 2008 Women of Influence, including articles profiling each honoree, was distributed in the September 15, 2008 issue of the Business Examiner. Single copies are available in very limited quantities. Contact us for additional copies. 

OUR VALUED SPONSORS - This leadership program would not be possible without our valued business sponsors. If your company is interested in aligning yourself with the BE in a unique way reaching this niche demographic please contact us.

• PRESENTED BY: KeyBank - Key4Women® - small business services for women - is dedicated to helping women take advantage of every business opportunity that can be discovered, as well as creating new ones along the way. Key4Women offers fresh thinking and solutions to help you achieve business goals while balancing your personal ones. Join Key4Women and you will be a part of a nationwide network of entrepreneurial women who share your passion for business and your perspectives on success.

• Supporting Sponsors
• J Robbins Florist Jennifer Robbins has been designing inspired flowers for weddings and events for over a decade.
  Her fresh, fun outlook, boundless creativity and can-do attitude puts her clients at ease and provides the assurance that their special day will exceed all expectations.
• El Gaucho - A must for locals, this flagship Mackay restaurant offers guests a dining event that is, in a word, extraordinary, and in two words, Simply Legendary. Renowned for its table side preparations of Caesar salad, bananas foster, and 28-Day Dry-Aged Certified Angus Beef® Prime Steaks, and loved for its intimate ambiance.
• Sea Grill is beautifully appointed, with a warm atmosphere and elegant ambiance, Sea Grill brings downtown Tacoma its premier seafood restaurant.
• Savi Day Spa, Murano Hotel is one of Tacoma's premier day spas providing personal care and cosmetic services since 1988. Highly regarded treatments and impeccable customer care add celebrations at the spa. Express treatments serve the fast paced world especially business clients.
  
• Union Bank of California honors its 130 year history with a commitment to superior service for our customers, employees, shareholders, and the communities we serve. They provide personal, wealth managment, small business, and commercial banking services.
• Three Chicks Catering Inc makes fun of your parties! Excellent for corporate, social, boxed lunches, weddings, drop off, and full service From breakfast, lunch and dinner to BBQ and black tie Three Chicks Catering covers all your needs.
  

• Contributing Sponsors
• AA Party Rentals - is a premier party rental company of the Pacific Northwest for an intimate dinner party for two, business function, or a charity event. AA Party Rentals provides the highest quality merchandise, experienced, knowledgeable, and service oriented staff.
• Beverly McConaghy Financial Network - is an Investment Adviser with Financial Network Investment Corporation (FNIC). FNIC is a full service Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser providing financial planning, investment advice, and Broker services.
  
• Hardcastle Entertainment, Inc  The core of our company is providing quality disc jockey services. Entertain your guests! 20 - 20,000 people, whatever your event, we take care of you. Benefit Auctions, Company Parties, Seminars, and even School Dances. Our specialty is audio, visual, and disc jockey services. Talk to us about your wishes, needs, your budget, and we'll help you plan the most effective event for your budget.