The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce honored excellence in business by celebrating eight outstanding women at the 2015 AXA Advisors Businesswomen of the Year Awards on Friday, Mar. 6.
This signature awards program of the chamber annually recognizes women who achieve success in their business or profession, as well as exhibit a commitment to serve as role models for other women.
“We are very proud and honored to once again present and sponsor the Businesswomen of the Year Awards,” said Luis Chiappy, executive vice president of AXAAdvisors LLC. “Our company works towards recognizing the particular financial planning needs of businesswomen, and women in general. With that goal in mind, we have designed a series of programs and specialized financial plans to help women take control of their finances and their financial future.”
Michele Gillen, investigative reporter and anchor for CBS4/ WFOR-TV, served as the emcee and profiled the finalists in each of the eight categories: Entrepreneur, Corporate Leader, Philanthropist, Non- Profit Professional, Retailer, Global Business Leader, Health Care Professional and Hospitality Leader, along with a special recognition of CREW-Miami as the Chamber’s Outstanding Partner of the Year.
The following women were honored as winners at the 2015 AXA Advisors Businesswomen of Year Awards:
Outstanding Non-Profit Professional Award sponsored by Credomatic Merchant Services, Catherine Penrod, Switchboard of Miami Inc.;
Outstanding Retailer Award sponsored by Frames USA + Art Gallery, Jill Hornik, Jae’s Jewelers;
Outstanding Global Business Leader Award presented by the Organization of Women in Trade (OWIT), Jennifer Diaz, Becker & Poliakoff PA;
Outstanding Health Care Professional sponsored by AXA Advisors LLC, Kimberly Juanico, Holtz Children’s Hospital;
Outstanding Hospitality Professional Award sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida, Peggy Benua, Dream South Beach;
Outstanding Entrepreneur Award presented by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Victoria Villalba, Victoria & Associates Career Services;
Outstanding Corporate Leader Award presented by the Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA), Nancy Baretto-Hogan, Avatar Real Estate Services, and
Outstanding Philanthropist Award sponsored by AXA Advisors LLC, Julia Bianchi, American Red Cross.
This year’s lineup of sponsors include: AXAAdvisors LLC, Credomatic Merchant Services, Baptist Health South Florida, Pete de la Torre Enterprise, Coral Gables Country Club, Frames USA + Art Gallery, Blooming Gardens and Sir Speedy.
The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce represents more than 1,500 members and is the second largest business association in Miami-Dade County. The mission is to foster and enhance the economic interests of the Coral Gables community, while advancing the quality of life of our members, partners, neighbors and visitors. For more information on the chamber, visit www.coralgableschamber.org or follow on Facebook at www.facebook/coralgableschamber.
