The National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Detroit Chapter (NAWBO-GDC) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Top 10 Michigan Business Women Awards. The awards honor some of the state’s best women business owners and community leaders for their contribution and innovation in their respective business fields.
The recipients will be honored on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at The Laurel Manor, 39000 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia, MI 48150 at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme “Aspire to Inspire” is reflected in the event’s inspirational speaker for the evening Florine Mark, president and CEO of the WW Group Inc.—Weight Watchers’ largest franchise group. The emcee will be Paula Tutman, WDIV Local 4 reporter.
“This year’s honorees includes a janitorial supplier, communicator, a theatre entrepreneur and a newscaster,” said Monique Henderson, NAWBO-GDC event chairperson, “Our awardees are both diverse and inspiring”, she concludes. “It is with great pleasure that we celebrate the triumph of these women with an inspirational speaker like Florine Mark. Her passion and accomplishments for women in the business field have helped pave the way for all of us, including this year’s honorees.”
The 2015 Top 10 Michigan Business Women represent industries and women from throughout the region and include the fields of communications, medical, theatre and more. While some awardees have led businesses for decades others have become trailblazers in business regionally in less than five years.
The 2015 Top 10 Michigan Business Women award recipients are:
- Breakthrough Award:
Samantha White
Shakespeare in Detroit
Samantha White is the founder of Shakespeare in Detroit, a professional, site-specific theater company that began in 2012. To date, Shakespeare in the D has engaged with more than 3,000 Michiganders, and others, in venues that include Grand Circus Park, Recycle Here, New Center Park, The Whitney and YMCA Boll.
- Diversity Champion Award:
Siham Jaafar
3D Consulting and Communications /Images and Perceptions Diversity Conference
Siham Awada Jaafar is president and CEO of 3D Consulting and Communications, a company that specializes in corporate, educational and government diversity training. Sahim is also the founder and producer of the nationally acclaimed Images and Perceptions in Diversity Conference held in both Detroit and Chicago.
- Giving Spirit Award:
Renee Prewitt
The Prewitt Group
Renee Prewitt is the president of The Prewitt Group, a strategic communications firm in Detroit. Prewitt has been a volunteer at The Children’s Center for almost 15 years. She is currently chair of the Board of Directors where she continues to advocate for mental health and social services for more than 7,500 children and families that the agency serves annually.
- Global Business Award:
Kay Douglas
Douglas Marketing Group
Kay Douglas is president and CEO of Douglas Marketing Group, a relationship-based marketing firm founded in 1991. Her firm with offices in Detroit and Ontario, Canada is known for its unique approach of mixing art with advertisement.
- Pinnacle Award:
Barb Hendrickson
Visible Communication LLC
Barb Hendrickson is president of Visible Communication LLC. For the prior 28 years, Barb was president of Design Incentives, Inc., a 30+ year old Michigan-based company that worked with companies and organizations to develop marketing strategies.
- Rainmaker Award:
Belinda Jefferson
Hercules & Hercules, Inc
Belinda Jefferson is president of Hercules & Hercules, Inc., one of the leading suppliers of janitorial supplies and daily building maintenance supplies across Detroit, MI and the Great Lakes Region.
- Red Tape Buster Award:
Sheila Konanur
Naadee, LLC
Sheila Konanur is the president and CEO of Naadee LLC, a human talent management company. She serves as the chairman of Paskon Group and also sits on the boards of several technology and manufacturing companies.
- Up & Coming Award:
Robin Cole
Professional Medical Centers
Robin Cole is CEO of Professional Medical Centers which consists of four multi-specialty primary care clinics located throughout the city of Detroit. Cole works actively in the Detroit community with her staff promoting services to improve health care services for the disadvantaged.
- Warrior Award:
Cassaundra Sims
Universal Solutions Management, Inc.
Cassaundra Sims is president and CEO of Universal Solutions Management, a full-service facilities management company with over 25 years of janitorial experience alone in the commercial cleaning industry. Being a dedicated hands-on owner in the industry for over 7 years, she is involved in all aspects of customer service which has earned her the reputation of providing her customers with hassle-free services at fair prices.
- Words of Wisdom Award:
Melanie Duquesnel
Better Business Bureau (SE Michigan)
Melanie Duquesnel is the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Michigan. Her passion and responsibility is to inform, educate and keep communities safe from scams and fraudulent business practices.
- Greater Good Award:
In addition to the 10 women that will be honored at the NAWBO Top 10 Michigan Business Women Awards, the chapter president personally selects a recipient for an 11th award, the Greater Good Award. This year’s recipient is Rhonda Walker.
Rhonda Walker joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2003 and over the years held a dual position as evening co- anchor and health reporter, and noon news anchor. Walker is the founder and president of the Rhonda Walker Foundation, whose mission is to empower inner city teen girls toward becoming strong, confident, successful, and moral future leaders.
NAWBO- GDC’s Top 10 Awards will be held at The Laurel Manor, 39000 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia, MI 48150 at 6:30 p.m. NAWBO member tickets are $60.00 and non-member tickets are $80.00. For additional ticket options and to purchase visit www.nawbogdc.org
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