What makes a woman excellent? The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) defines a “woman of excellence” as one who has achieved success in her own right, then shown courage and compassion in helping others. The top honor among the 2010 NAFE Women of Excellence named today by the nation’s largest association of women in business—Woman of Achievement—went to Dr. Jennifer Howse, President of the March of Dimes Foundation, whose lifetime of service was recently crowned by the March of Dimes’ reversal of a 30-year national trend in premature births.
NAFE annually honors outstanding members, often who have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their lives and their work, who then have worked tirelessly to serve their communities and other women. This year, NAFE will award 12 such individuals at a celebratory breakfast December 2 to be hosted by HSBC USA.
“Our Women of Excellence winners, all NAFE members, have wowed us with their commitment to service as well as self, having reached notable goals in their own careers and in serving the well-being of others,” says Dr. Betty Spence, NAFE President. This outstanding roster includes Children’s Health Advocate winner Dr. Linda J. Addonizio, who started a pediatric heart transplant program; Susan Chapman of American Express, Community Service winner for her dedication to educational goals for disadvantaged young mothers and young people in Harlem; Mentorship winner Pamela Craig, Chief Financial Officer at Accenture, who has taken time to advise and support hundreds of women in their careers; and Health Care Champion Johnna G. Torsone, EVP at Pitney Bowes, who initiated onsite medical clinics to improve employee health.
“We are deeply proud of the Women of Excellence winners and awed by their achievements,” says Carol Evans, President of Working Mother Media, NAFE’s parent. “Each one demonstrates the NAFE qualities of leadership, innovation and standing for other women. I salute the 2010 winners, and look forward to celebrating their achievements.” Other winners include the following:
- Activist Award: Stephanie Miller, Director, Office of Women’s Policy, U.S. Navy, for fighting for sabbaticals and parental leave for service men and women.
- Creative Star: Barbara Kobren, for launching the company bobbysue’s nuts! and donating a portion of the proceeds to rebuild and support a no-kill animal shelter, the SPCA of Westchester.
- Global Awareness: Lisa Gable, former Program Director of Global Initiatives at IBM, for her international work with women engineers.
- Outstanding Entrepreneur: Valerie Cooper, President and Art Advisor, Picture That, whose art consulting firm features under-represented minority artists.
- Rising Star: Janet Malzone, Partner and Mid-Atlantic International Business Center Director, Grant Thornton, Charlotte, NC, for her rapid career success.
- Service to New York City: Oraia Reid, for founding RightRides for Women’s Safety to ensure that women arrive home unharmed at night.
- Social Media Star: Rita Henley Jensen, for founding and editing Women’s eNews to get out stories the mainstream media misses.
The breakfast will take place December 2 at 8 a.m. at HSBC Bank USA offices, 452 5th Avenue, New York City. Sponsors for the event include Accenture, Geico, Grant Thornton, HSBC USA, IBM, The New York Times, Office Depot, Pitney Bowes, Unites States Navy, and WellPoint.
About NAFE
The National Association for Female Executives and Entrepreneurs (NAFE), founded in 1972, serves 10,000 members nationwide and advocates for their careers and business success. NAFE annually names the NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women and publishes them in the quarterly publication NAFE Magazine. NAFE is a division of Working Mother Media and Bonnier Corporation.