EVENT DETAILS
Thank you to all of our Panel sponsors and speakers for participating in this years virtual event! To view any of the panels click the links below.
Heroines of Washington Panel hosted by Perspecta : How Women in STEM Can Change the World
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- Panel Speakers: Zalenda Cyrille, Program Director, Perspecta, Gina Valentino, System Engineer, Perspecta, & Shanell Nero, System Engineering Manager, Perspecta
Heroines of Washington Real Estate Panel hosted by Boston Properties: The Impact of COVID-19 on Commercial Real Estate, Company Culture, and Wellness
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- Panel Speakers: Wendy Feldman Block, Senior Managing Director, Savills US, Sherry Cushman, Vice Chair, Cushman & Wakefield, Christine Espenshade, Vice Chairman, Newmark, Knight Frank
Heroines of Washington Public Sector Panel hosted by Carahsoft: Women Making a Difference: Navigating the Balance Between Your Career & Giving Back to Your Community
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- Anne Altman, Co-Founder, CEO Everyone Matters, Inc., Lisa Friedlander, Business Development Manager, Shulman Rogers, Terri Stagi, Owner & President, Stagi Group, Adrienne Somerville, President, Somerville Consulting Group, LLC
Heroines of Washington Corporate Panel hosted by KPMG: Leaning into a Culture and Values to Address Today's Challenges and Emerge Stronger
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- Panel Speakers: Nazzic Keene, CEO, SAIC, Kathy Albarado, CEO, Helios HR, Barbara Humpton, CEO, Seimens
Heroines of Washington Healthcare Panel hosted by MITRE: How Women are Managing through Crisis, As Leaders, Mothers, and Community Members. Resilience, Mental Health, Stability
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- Panel Speakers: Monica Schmude, President of Mid Atlantic Market, CIGNA, Lisa Tompkins- Brown, MITRE, Paulette Huckstep, MITRE, Sarah Kinling, MITRE, & Julie Gravallese, MITRE
Heroines of Washington Technology Panel hosted by ManTech: Driving Innovation- Importance, Improvements, Implications
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- Panel Speakers: Sandy Davis, Strategic Relationship Manager, Booz Allen Hamilton, Amy Caro, Partner, Deep Water Point, Seana McMoil, Sr. Executive Director National Cybersecurity Porgrams,ManTech & Moderator- Bonnie Cook,Business Services, ManTech
Heroines of Washington Professional Services Panel hosted by M&T Bank: Illuminating from Darkness to Recovery, Charting Your Path in Uncertain Times
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- Panel Speakers: Nancy Greene, Chairman, Miles and Stockbridge, Jodie McLean, CEO, Edens, Tamika Tremaglio, Deloitte, Cathy Merrill, Washington Magazine
Heroines of Washington Rising Panel hosted by ASRC Federal: The Importance of Diversity Among our Rising Stars and the Lasting Impacts in our Communities
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- Panel Speakers: Rebecca Geller, President & CEO, Geller Law Group, Nikki Jenkins, Director Implicit Bias, March of Dimes, Sarah C. Georgiades, Director Government Relations & Public Affairs, ASRC Federal
2020 marks the 20th Anniversary of Heroines of Washington, and although we are saddened that we will not be able to gather this year, we will still be celebrating the achievements of our past heroines for an exciting and unique virtual event. This year’s event will include a virtual celebration and a series of panel interviews featuring former Heroine award recipients. The new format will give top corporate sponsors an opportunity to meet and engage with high-profile community leaders and change-makers.
Moms and babies need you now more than ever.
Former Heroines, volunteers and sponsors who make up our Heroines of Washington community are coming together in new, innovative ways to support moms and babies this year.
Data show that the U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations in the world for childbirth. Over 700 women die each year from pregnancy-related causes, and the CDC reports that 60 percent are preventable. The preterm birth rate is on the rise. Two babies die every hour in the United States.
By joining our Heroines of Washington community you are making a big difference.
Your support of March of Dimes helps fund:
- Free virtual NICU support program for families
- Virtual prenatal programs for moms-to-be
- COVID-19 interventions and support for moms and babies
- Programs that promote health equity for moms and babies and directly combat racial disparities in maternal and child health
- Educational programs, including live Facebook panel discussions, to get info into the hands of moms and families
- Necessary supplies for expectant mothers including blood pressure cuffs and masks
- and so much more!
Complete List of past Heroines
Nominations
We are deferring this year's nominations to 2021. All nominations that have been started or submitted on the nominations website will be saved for next year.
Co- Chair Judy Bjornaas
Judy Bjornaas is an executive vice president and ManTech’s Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Bjornaas’s responsibilities include investor relations, M&A, financial planning and analysis, auditor and banking relationships, financial reporting, government compliance, facilities and procurement. Since joining ManTech, she has been instrumental in 16 acquisitions that have expanded ManTech’s customer base and offerings.
Ms. Bjornaas joined ManTech in December 2010 as the deputy chief financial officer and senior vice president of financial planning and analysis. Previously, she spent 15 years at NCI Information Systems, in Reston, Virginia, as executive vice president and chief financial officer and treasurer. While there, she helped lead that company through a successful initial public offering (IPO). She began her career at EDS.
In 2018, Ms. Bjornaas was honored as one of the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Tech 100 Executives. She also shares her expertise as a mentor and is a regular participant in government services panels and events. She is on the board of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and participates in the Women in Business committee.
Co-Chair Jennifer Felix
Jennifer Felix is ASRC Federal President and chief executive officer. Felix leads a family of companies which serve a diverse portfolio of federal government customers, with employees across the United States and overseas. She sets the vision and strategy for the business and is responsible for the financial performance and overall execution of the organization.
Felix joined ASRC Federal in 2019 as Executive vice president and chief operating officer, overseeing all customer facing organizations. In this role, she provided integral leadership in performing an enterprise wide capabilities and market strategic review, to ensure clear alignment across ASRC Federal with growth opportunities in the market. Felix has more than 25 years of industry experience in finance, business operations, organizational change management, M&A due diligence, integration and strategy. Before ASRC Federal, she served in executive leadership positions for multiple companies in the government services market, including SAIC, Vencore Inc., General Dynamics and American Management Systems. There she developed a strong track record for building successful growth-oriented organizations with a focus on outstanding customer service.
Most recently, Felix served as Senior vice president at SAIC where she led significant organizational and process changes as part of an integration of a $2 billion acquisition and the development of an updated strategic plan. Before SAIC Felix was Executive vice president and chief financial officer of Vencore, Inc. where she was responsible for many business functions including contracts, procurement, information technology and internal audit. Felix led Vencore through a period of significant growth resulting in the successful sale of the business in 2018 to form a newly created public company.
Felix holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park, is a certified public accountant and serves on the March of Dimes Greater Washington Chapter board of directors.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Through partnerships with companies, organizations and individuals, the March of Dimes is able to create unique moments for your clients, vendors and leadership teams. They participate in an exclusive dining event while supporting a critical cause. Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels for our events, providing you with brand recognition, civic engagement and an exclusive client entertainment opportunity within the event. We look forward to working with you to discuss your partnership with the March of Dimes. Please contact Bevan Bello at 571-257-2300 or [email protected].
Fund The Mission
Nearly half a million babies in the U.S. are born prematurely or with birth defects each year. Premature birth and its complications are the largest contributors to infant death in the United States and globally. Fund the Mission gifts are 100% tax deductible and direct contributions to help the March of Dimes advocate for policies that prioritize the health of moms and babies, fund scientific research at our Prematurity Research Centers, and provide resources and programs to help moms before, during and after pregnancy. During the program there will be an opportunity to make a Fund The Mission donation. Please join the March of Dimes in the fight for healthy moms and strong babies.
Former Heroine Testimonials
“Being recognized as a Heroine of Washington by the March of Dimes was a gift and an inspiration. I became profoundly appreciative of the mission of the March of Dimes to commit to the research that supports us when we are bringing our babies into the world. At the other end of the spectrum, being named a Heroine was a monumental encouragement to me to continue dedicating all my volunteer time to building systems to help our parents and grandparents age happily in the community.” -- Pat Williams, GraceFul Care
“Being a March of Dimes heroine is a tremendous honor. This recognition signifies my lifelong commitment to support my local community and make a positive difference in the lives of others. It’s also a terrific professional networking opportunity. I’ve been very fortunate to meet other local leaders who have a similar passion for voluntarism. While we come from various backgrounds and perspectives, we share similar core values to help change lives in a meaningful way. I consider myself very lucky to receive this award and to stand in the company of these amazing women!” -- Mimi Yeh, Accenture
“The March of Dimes’ mission to give “a fighting chance for every baby” is something near and dear to my heart, as I have personal experience with this. In fact, my own company’s corporate philanthropy mission is to support organizations that help children with illnesses. To be named a “Heroines of Washington” in acknowledgement of my community service is truly humbling, and I am proud to be in the company of other like-minded women executives and entrepreneurs who also have won the award.”
-- Kristina Bouweiri, Reston Limousine
“The impact of the March of Dimes has had for so many is inspiring of what is possible whem we are driven by a deep sense of purpose. The heriones award recognition provided me with the ability to share ideas and encourage others to also be driven by purpose both personally and professionally. I remain deeply in awe of those honored and proud to be part of an amazing group of leaders.”
-- Christina Frederick, Sapient
“I was introduced to Heroines as a nominee in 2011, and becoming a part of the Heroines of Washington community has been wonderful for me both personally and professionally. Through Heroines, I’ve made connections including teaming partners and service providers who support the growth and success of my company. Also, I’ve made new friends who are kindred spirits in their devotion to social responsibility, community outreach and charitable giving. Seeing the March of Dimes helping so many families and recognizing women for their community service is truly inspiring. I’m honored and grateful to support the March of Dimes and Heroines of Washington.”
-- Marta Wilson, Transformation Systems
“Being selected as a finalist and then winning as a heroine was truly an honor. The process was handled with such thoughtfulness and professionalism. I was made to feel very special for inclusion in this event, initially as a finalist and ultimately as a heroine. The community of women I came to know at the March of Dimes, fellow finalists and honorees as well as volunteers and past winners was an amazing group. I was continuingly inspired by the transformative work each one did and was truly humbled to be a part of it. Now that I’m a past winner, it is my privilege to help with the process. I’ve enjoyed being on the committee encouraging nominees and reviewing applications. I will be most excited to attend this year’s event and share in the great work we are doing to promote amazing women and support for a critical need in our world –helping raise awareness and funds for premature infants and their families.” -- Wendy Feldman Block, Savills Studley
View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.
