A REMINDER: Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky event details
The 2016 Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky luncheon and awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 21, from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Receptions, 1379 Donaldson Highway, in Erlanger, Ky. Tickets are $30 per person or $300 for a table of 10. Advance reservations are required. Checks should be made payable to LARaterman Associates and mailed to OWNK, c/o LARaterman Associates, 412 Pickett Ct., Ft. Wright, KY 41011. For reservations you may also call 859-578-9720 or email LARaterman@aol.com.
We all know who grabs the headlines, especially nowadays, but do you know who makes a difference? Who leads, educates, collaborates, inspires and helps create better tomorrows?
In my 24 years in our region and my extended career in external affairs at Toyota, I consider myself fortunate to witness true leadership first-hand in our community. Not always the headline-grabbing kind, but the real making-a-difference kind. And often, these exceptional, dedicated leaders don’t receive the kind of attention they deserve.
This is why I bring to your attention the annual Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky awards program. For more than three decades, outstanding women leaders have been honored in an event that does more than single out individuals for recognition. It gathers together people in our region ‒ both men and women ‒ who appreciate service and it inspires them to reach higher, do more, serve others and lead with integrity.
This year’s honorees, like those who came before them, are strong, giving and inspiring leaders. Their accomplishments arise from different spheres of service and have touched many people in our region. Their professional achievements, outstanding community service, personal integrity and leadership make them powerful role models for us all.
Molly Navin opened doors and inspired others by feeding the hungry as the longtime director of Parish Kitchen; we will honor her with the Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sue Sorrell motivated children to find a fulfilling path to a successful adulthood in her career as an educator; she will be honored with the Helen Carroll Champion of Education Award.
Some women, in the midst of active careers, are enriching our community with their leadership and volunteer engagement. For their service, we are honoring as 2016 Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky: Kim Halbauer, senior VP of Fifth Third Bank; Laurie Risch, executive director of Behringer-Crawford Museum; Stacy Tapke, Kenton County Attorney; and Wonda Winkler, executive VP of Brighton Center. Serena Owen, who serves as a volunteer and instructor for the Bowles Center for Diversity Outreach, is being recognized as an Emerging Leader.
St. Elizabeth Healthcare will join us in recognizing Julie Dusing, who has served as a volunteer leader for the St. Elizabeth Foundation and is a financial advisor with R.W. Baird & Co. She will be presented the Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award.
We are helping other women achieve through the Nancy Janes Boothe Scholarship program. The college women being honored in 2016 are all non-traditional students, juggling college classes with their busy lives. Chosen for scholarships this year are Lora Jones, of Gateway Community and Technical College; Kathleen Durchholz-Biggs, of Northern Kentucky University; and Melanie Johnson, of Thomas More College.
Does that seem like a long list?
Since its inception in 1984, the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards have honored nearly 150 women. We never run out of sources of inspiration or individuals deserving of recognition. Many have overcome significant challenges to succeed. Toyota is proud to carry on this tradition of honoring our community’s servant leaders. Please join us in giving these women the applause and attention they deserve. For more details, visit www.ownk.org.
Carri Chandler is in external affairs at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America in Erlanger.