Tampa Honors Remarkable Female Leaders at 2024 Women Who Win Awards

News Summary

The 2024 Women Who Win Awards held in Tampa celebrated the achievements of female leaders across numerous sectors. Nearly 600 attended the ceremony at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, showcasing incredible talent and resilience in the community. Winners included leaders from business services, diversity, healthcare, and nonprofits, with Dr. Sarah Combs being recognized as the overall winner. The event promoted mentorship and community efforts, highlighting the contributions of women in shaping society.

Tampa Celebrates Extraordinary Female Leaders at 2024 Women Who Win Awards

This past Friday, the vibrant city of Tampa was electric with excitement as it hosted the much-anticipated 2024 Women Who Win Awards ceremony at the fabulous Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. This year, nearly 600 guests gathered to celebrate phenomenal women leaders who are making waves in the Tampa Bay business community.

A Night to Remember

What a night it was! The event was well-attended, showcasing the incredible talents and achievements of women across various industries in our beloved Tampa Bay area. With an impressive lineup of nominees, it was truly a showcase of brilliance, resilience, and leadership that inspired everyone in the room.

The Women Who Win program, organized by a local business publication, is designed to honor female leaders who shine both in their careers and in their communities. Award categories included a vast range of sectors, such as Business Services, Nonprofits, Technology, and even Military/First Responders. This inclusivity was a testament to the diverse accomplishments women have in shaping our society. Nominations were carefully assessed by an outside panel to ensure fairness—maintaining integrity through the judging process.

Recognizing Various Fields

The evening was not just about individual winners, but also about recognizing the remarkable contributions women make in countless sectors. From Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leaders to Health and Wellness professionals, the awards highlighted female trailblazers who inspire others through their careers as well as their mentorship and philanthropic efforts.

This year’s winners in each category were as follows:

Business Services: Cristina Hale, Tax Practice Leader for Tampa and Orlando, BDO USA
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leaders: Dolly Ferraiuolo, CEO, SHARE Therapy & Wellness
Education: Dr. Jackie Skryd, St. Petersburg College
Entrepreneurs (Small Company): Lennise Germany, CEO, Livy O’s
Entrepreneurs (Large Company): Carrie Charles, CEO & Co-Founder, Broadstaff
Financial Services: Cami Gibertini, Hancock Whitney Bank
Health Care: Kate Sawa, St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation
Military, First Responders and Government: Valerie Lavin, Luminary
Nonprofits (Small): Dotti Groover-Skipper, HeartDance Foundation
Nonprofits (Medium): Dr. Kanika Tomalin, Foundation for Healthy St. Petersburg
Nonprofits (Large): Mary Pat King, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida
Real Estate and Development: Dr. Sarah Combs, University Area Community Development Corp.
Sports and Entertainment: Michelle M. Gervais, Blank Rome
Technology: Michele Evanson, MEvan International
Young (Under 40): Mercy Ameyaw Aston, Raymond James Financial

The Ultimate Champion

And the cherry on top? The overall winner of the 2024 Women Who Win Award was none other than Dr. Sarah Combs, making waves as the CEO of the University Area Community Development Corp. This recognition was well-deserved, and her hard work has undoubtedly made a significant impact in the community.

A Special Honor

Adding a new layer of excitement to the night, for the first time in the program’s history, one remarkable woman was honored as a TBBW Icon Winner. This accolade recognizes extraordinary contributions to the community, underscoring the importance of mentorship and leadership among women.

Supporting the Cause

The evening wasn’t just about awards; it also supported a local cause. The nonprofit partner for the event was Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, showcasing how the celebration tied back into community initiatives that seek to uplift and support those in need.

With presenting sponsors like Broadstaff, Morgan Auto Group, and TD Bank, the ceremony was made even more special, providing a platform for about 600 attendees to revel in the success of the honorees and discuss their future contributions to the community.

A Bright Future Ahead

This year’s Women Who Win Awards have not only celebrated the accomplishments of outstanding women but have also ignited motivation in countless others to dream big and achieve their goals. Here’s to the bright future of these magnificent women and all the adventures that lie ahead for them and the Tampa Bay community!