Awards

2021 Business Champion Award

Eric Seabrook, Ohio Department of Development, Deputy Director, Minority Business Development Division

2020 Business Champion Award

Rachel Winder, NAWBO Columbus Public Policy Advisor, Government Relations Manager with Benesch

2019 Business Champion Award

Frank LaRose, Secretary of State

 

2018 Business Champion Award

Mary McCarthy, Owner and President of YMT Consultants

Mary was instrumental in the Chapter’s efforts to get approval of the Women’s Microbusiness Legislation, HB5. She has over 20 years of experience as a business owner and consultant, she is actively involved in NAWBO’s public policy committee and is an advocate for women business owners. In addition to YMT, Mary is Co-Founder of the Women’s Small Business Accelerator (WSBA), helping many women to start and grow their businesses across Columbus.

Past Winners:

2017: The Honorable Dorothy Pelanda, Ohio House of Representatives – 86^th District
2016: Sheila A Mixon, Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council (ORV-WBC)
2015: Sharon DeLay, GO-HR
2014: Barb Smoot, Women for Economic and Leadership Development (WELD)

2023 Visionary Award Honorees

Alice Foeller, CEO, SiteInSight

Alice Foeller, a powerhouse professional and dynamic speaker, is a business owner, marketing expert and community leader in Columbus, Ohio.

She makes her living running SiteInSight, a company that improves the web presence of organizations and businesses through design, content and efficient workflow. Her communication skills make her a master manager of client relationships, and enable her to relay her clients’ core message to their customers. Her company specializes in website design, search engine optimization (SEO) and automated digital marketing.

Alice has a bachelor of science degree from Northwestern University; recently completed a year-long advanced communications program focused on managing teams and developing leadership through integrity, responsibility and generosity; and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program.

She helped found Elevate Northland, a nonprofit project building an international shopping and dining hub in the Northland community of Columbus, so that profits from adventurous eaters will support the community of immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs that most need them.

Independence, health and strength are important values for Alice, who has completed multiple marathons and three Ironman triathlons. She is a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do.

Sylvia A. Garrett, CEO & President, Sylvia A. Garrett & Associates Agency, LLC

With more than 30 years of entrepreneurial, corporate, and public sector experience, Sylvia has proven her ability to conceptualize and execute an organizational mission, provide the business and strategic acumen to lead through change, and perhaps, most importantly, build a mission-driven organization committed to empowerment and change.

Following foundational positions where Sylvia served as a Mayoral Consultant for the first United Nations World Trade Summit held outside of New York City, as a Research Director for a gubernatorial campaign, and as a Research and Analysis Administrator for the Ohio Board of Regents, Sylvia and her husband co-founded Nadarbis Group, Inc. Meaning “strength in unity,” Sylvia played an integral role in leading the business and management consulting firm from ideation and building a robust portfolio of clients she and her team served that spanned corporate, nonprofit, educational institutions, and government agencies. Named a top- ranked consulting firm by Business First, the firm also earned the Blue Chip Award from the Columbus Dispatch, and Sylvia was named a “Forty Under 40” Honoree.

Sought out by Nationwide Insurance as a Delivery Services Consultant through her firm, Sylvia began a dedicated consulting journey with the industry leader, driving enterprise technology implementations and capturing multimillion-dollar cost savings. At the forefront of the Voice of the Customer movement, Sylvia and her team led the establishment of the customer information management tool, shaping customer-centered business decisions by providing access to unprecedented insights and analytics. Read Sylvia’s full bio HERE

2021-22 Visionary Award Honorees

 

SHARON DELAY, GO-HR

Sharon DeLay, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CPCC, HR consultant, business owner, national HR speaker, and
trainer, is the owner and President of GO-HR, an HR consultancy working almost exclusively with small and micro businesses across five areas: HR strategy and compliance, recruiting and on-boarding, training and development, non-traditional benefits and consulting, and career and corporate outplacement. The company also provides HR project work for larger companies, with their biggest client being a $1B oil and transportation company with 1,500 employees. GO-HR has clients in OH, CA, NY, IN, PA, GA, VA, AZ, WA, MI, and the District of Columbia.  To read more about Sharon click HERE.

 

MATINA ZENIOS, ARTINA PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

Matina Zenios is the President and Co-Owner of Artina Promotional Products. Artina is a family-owned business of 55 years and in the top 3% of promotional products companies nationally. They are also a part of the largest buying group within the industry (Facilisgroup).  To read more about Matina click HERE

 

2020 Visionary Award Honorees

 

Theresa Harris, TMH Solutions

Theresa Harris, President and Founder of TMH Solutions, has more than 30 years of progressively responsible experience in Management and Information Technology. TMH Solutions, LLC is a certified women and minority owned and managed company working to collaborate with her customers and strategic partners to deliver high quality, cost effective solutions.

Prior to establishing TMH Solutions, Theresa was Application Sales Manager for Public Sector for Oracle in the States of Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. During her years in the IT field, she’s proven to be a top performer in sales, sales management and professional services with companies such as: Blackwell Consulting Services of Ohio, LLC, Compuware, Computer Associates, Digital Equipment Corporation, Unisys and Xerox. Theresa has led these companies either through start-up, survival, turnaround and growth modes. To read more about Theresa click HERE

Crystal Hughey, Corporate Cleaning Inc.

Crystal Hughey is the Founder and CEO of Corporate Cleaning Inc. Originally created in 1997 as a way to stay home with her son, Corporate Cleaning has grown to a multi-dimensional commercial and construction cleaning company providing services within Central Ohio.

Crystal Hughey has more than 30 years of project management experience and the heart of an entrepreneur. Earning a bachelor’s degree in 1990 from The Ohio State University in Fashion Merchandising, a bachelor’s degree in 2007 from DeVry University in IT Technology, and a master’s degree from Ohio Christian University in Theology. She understands how to motivate people, improve processes, connect resources, and accomplish project-based goals. To read more about Crystal click HERE

Lori Kaiser, Kaiser Consulting 

Lori Kaiser is a chief executive, corporate leader, and business strategist with a proven track record in assessing risk and creating solutions for Fortune 500 Company C-Level Executives and Boards. As CEO of Kaiser Consulting an international professional services firm specializing in accounting, finance and IT consulting with 80 finance and accounting professionals, Ms. Kaiser provides clients’ value-based services that allow firms to navigate transitions and successfully execute critical projects. She is considered a trusted advisor to executive management on issues of risk identification and mitigation, mergers, acquisitions and integrations. She combines strong business judgment, financial acumen, global perspective and a team approach to implement innovative solutions to complex business challenges. She meets all the criteria and currently functions as an SEC Audit Committee Financial Expert.

She has founded and led the firm to 20 years of successive revenue growth achieving multi-million-dollar revenues. With the foresight to capitalized upon a niche market the firm partners finance and accounting professionals with Fortune 500 companies, through a unique, flexible staffing business model, that provides high level consulting and business solutions. Ms. Kaiser established and continues to grow long-term client relationships by providing accomplished financial, technical and project management with staffing consistency on client engagements. To read more about Ms. Kaiser click HERE.

Lacey Picazo, ZoCo Design 

As the founder of ZoCo Design, Lacey guides her team to design products and experiences people love. Since 2013, ZoCo has been delivering brands and digital products that improve lives and connect people, all by prioritizing an understanding of the human experience. They help their clients identify with the people they serve and the problems they face to uncover opportunities, inform design decisions, and launch products that solve complex problems.

Furthermore, Lacey and ZoCo have built a reputation preparing companies for what’s next—inciting transformation and growth for innovation teams at global companies, to highly impactful nonprofits in their own backyard. Though their clients are diverse, what ties ZoCo’s work together is a bold vision for the future and a passion for improving customer experience through human-centered design. To read more about Lacey click HERE

Kimmi Wernli, Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter Company 

Kimmi Wernli is the first female owner of one of the oldest natural food companies in America. When Kimmi assumed the reigns as the second generation owner of her family’s historic peanut butter business, she took Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter Company into the 21st century by disruptive product innovation, brand exposure and elevation and positioning.

With Kimmi’s leadership and vision, Crazy Richard’s revenue has increased by 20%. Kimmi recently received a Nexty Award for Product Innovation and has led Crazy Richard’s to be environmentally aware and incorporate sustainable practices achieving the highly esteemed Benefit Corporation Certification (B-corp) status. She credits this success to her amazing team, company culture and values and tapping into a savvy young socia media audience of Crazy Richard’s fanatics.  To read more about Kimmi click HERE.

2019 Visionary Award Honorees

NAWBO Visionary Video

Denise Doczy- DeLong, President & Owner, Singleton Construction, LLC 

Denise Doczy-DeLong is the President and majority owner of Singleton Construction LLC, which was founded in 1995 and has grown into a leading Commercial Construction General Contractor focusing on transforming retail spaces.  The company was founded by Ms. Doczy-DeLong’s mother, Nancy Doczy and partner Chris Singleton.  In 2006, Ms. Doczy-DeLong joined Singleton Construction LLC as the Managing Director of the business and has significantly expanded Singleton’s customer base and geographic footprint.  Today the company is headquartered in Canal Winchester Ohio and operates in 39 states.  Singleton is excited about the opportunities in the construction industry to help retailers physically transform their brands.     

Ms. Doczy-DeLong is an active member of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Retail Contractor’s Association, the Builder’s Exchange of Central Ohio and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.  This past year Ms. Doczy-DeLong was selected for a year long mentorship by the Maria Sharapova Women’s Entrepreneur Program and the National Association of Women Business Owners.  She was also elected to the Columbus Chamber’s Small Business Council. 

 

Eleanor Alvarez, Founder & President, The Ganzhorn Suites & LeaderStat, LLC 

Eleanor N. Alvarez, BA, MAT, MAgS is Founder & President of The Ganzhorn Suites and LeaderStat, LLC. She has more than 30 years of management experience in the post-acute and senior living fields as a provider and a consultant. Her areas of expertise include skilled nursing, assisted living operations, facility analysis and acquisitions, start-ups and turn-arounds. During her years working for national corporations, Eleanor was responsible for the operational management of more than 25 facilities. She opened skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, developed numerous high acuity specialty units and stabilized troubled centers. She gained entrepreneurial experience when she opened LeaderStat, an interim management, recruiting and consulting firm which grew from a small start-up into one of the top healthcare recruiting and consulting firms in the country.  

Beyond LeaderStat, Eleanor is very proud of her most recent accomplishment, the launch of The Ganzhorn Suites, a specialized memory care center in Powell, Ohio (2016). The Ganzhorn Suites promotes a resident-centered, evidence-based approach for caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. 

2018 Visionary Award Honorees

NAWBO Visionary Video

Abigail S. David and Erin K. Nealy, Co-Executive Directors, Bridgeway Academy

Abby and Erin founded Bridgeway Academy in 2005, while searching for meaningful and effective ways to serve children with autism and developmental disabilities. Today, Bridgeway Academy inspires the potential and celebrates the ability of every child, while serving 180 children, preK-12th grade from 9 counties in central Ohio through outstanding school day, summer camp, and psychological services; plus speech, music, physical, and occupational therapies.

Bhakti Bania, CEO, BBCO Design

Bhakti is an architect and CEO of BBCO DESIGN, which she founded with her husband in 2009. Originally from Mumbai, India, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Mumbai. After moving to Columbus for graduate school, she received a Masters of Architecture from The Ohio State University (OSU). Bhakti is very involved in the community and is passionate about sharing her experience as an immigrant and a woman business owner. Being in a male dominated industry, she thinks it is important to encourage women to fulfill their career potentials and raise important issues such as pay equity and work life balance.

Dr. Carol Clinton, Founder, CEO and Medical Director, Timeless Skin Solutions

Dr. Clinton built Timeless after spending 15 years practicing medicine in a complex, high-pressure environment where medical changes occur unexpectedly. Her compassion, attention to detail and high standards for patient care has translated into all aspects of Timeless Skin Solutions. Today, Timeless is recognized as a groundbreaking, physician-directed skin care practice helping men, women, and teens achieve healthy and vibrant skin.

Nominated by their peers, the nominees and the selection process remain confidential until the finalists are announced in early May. The award is presented at the annual Visionary Leadership Conference in June.

Past Honorees:

2023:

• Alice Foeller, CEO, SiteInSight
• Sylvia A. Garrett, CEO & President, Sylvia A. Garrett & Associates Agency, LLC

2021-22:

• Sharon DeLay GO-HR
• Matina Zenios, ARTINA PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

2020:

• Theresa Harris, TMH Solutions
• Crystal Hughey, Corporate Cleaning Inc.
• Lori Kaiser, Kaiser Consulting
• Lacey Picazo, ZoCo Design
• Kimmi Wernli, Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter Company

2019:

• Denise Doczy- DeLong, Singleton Construction, LLC
• Eleanor Alvarez, The Ganzhorn Suites & LeaderStat, LLC

2018:

• Abigail S. David and Erin K. Nealy, Bridgeway Academy
• Bhakti Bania, BBCO Design
• Dr. Carol Clinton, Timeless Skin Solutions

2017: Heather Whaling, Geben Communications
2016: Elizabeth Blount McCormick, UNIGLOBE Travel Designers
2015: Kristen Harris, Portfolio Creative
2014: Sally Hughes, Caster Connection
2013: Darla King, King Business Interiors
2012: Michelle Kerr, Lightwell
2011: Zoe Guirlinger, Ultimate U Total Health
2010: Merry Korn, Pearl Interactive Network
2009: Shaune Skinner, ASC Group Inc.
2008: Lynn Elliott, Columbus Window Cleaning
2007: Sharon Tackett, Delta Energy, LLC
2006:
Jennifer Kuntz, Greenleaf Job Training Services, Inc.
Kara Trott, Quantum Health FNC
2005:
Kelly Borth, GREENCREST
Janis Mitchell, Precise Resource Inc.
Thuy Bowyer, M T Wellness Clinic
Tammy Troilo-Krings, Travel Solutions
2004:
Cookie McIntyre, The McIntyre Company
Mindy Hedges, Media Solutions
Tricia Smith, Wheeler Secure Check
2003:
Lisa Griffin, Griffin Communications
Sue Reninger, RMD Advertising
2002:
Lisa Cini, Mosaic Design Studio
Jamie Parman, Mary Kay Cosmetics Inc.
Sandy Fekete, Fekete + Co.
2001:
Sue Doody, Lindey’s
Wendy Goldstein, Costume Specialists,
Lynda Bryant, LG Trucking Company
2000:
Tara Abraham, Accel Inc.
Elizabeth Rossetti, AmeriCheer, Inc.
JoAnn Martin/Vicki Hutchins, Gooseberry Patch
Betty Jane Nyrop/Erin Nyrop Glasgow, Sterling Electric
1999:
Farah Majidzadeh, Resource International, Inc.
Renee’ Claxton, Sort & Pack, Inc.
Lois Fisher, Lois J Fisher & Associates
Paula Inniss, Full Court Press II
Rhonda DeMuth, TDCI, INC
1998:
Cheryl Krueger, Cheryl’s Cookies
Mary Held, Old Trail Printing
Roberta Ruch, Acloche
Nancy Kramer, Resource Interactive