And the Winners Are

WILMA Women to Watch winners announced at awards party

After a month of build up, the third annual WILMA Women to Watch winners were reveled October 24 during the magazine’s award party.

With about 400 people filling Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station, winners in the seven categories were introduced and received their Women to Watch award — a custom-designed bracelet from local glass artist and jewelry designer Perla Segovia. (Click here for party photos.)

A panel of judges chose the winners, as well as the thirty-five finalists, out of 300 nominations submitted this year for area women excelling in their fields and poised to have a leadership impact in the overall community during the coming years.

Also at the event, WILMA distributed scholarships to University of North Carolina Wilmington students Ana Eusse and Gabrielle Barnash and CFCC students Michelle Ridgeway and Hannah Simmons.

Congratulations to this year’s Women to Watch winners. Find out more about them in today’s and next Tuesday’s WILMA Weekly email newsletter.

Business: Pam Fasse, president/licensed general contractor, Fasse Construction & Development Inc. (Read a Q&A with Fasse here.)

Public Service: Ashley Loftis, finance officer, Town of Burgaw (Read a Q&A with Loftis here.)

Education: Lori Messinger, director of the School of Social Work, UNCW College of Health and Human Services (Read a Q&A with Messinger here.)

Health Care: Jennifer Buxton, deputy director of pharmacy services, Cape Fear Clinic Inc. (Read a Q&A with Buxton here.)

Nonprofit/Volunteer: Kyria Henry, founder and CEO, paws4people foundation (Read a Q&A with Henry here.)

Arts: Jen Iapalucci, director, Brunswick Little Theatre (Read a Q&A with Iapalucci here.)

Rising Star: Jenna Curry, partner, Little Wing Marketing (Read a Q&A with Curry here.)

To view more of photographer Chris Brehmer's work, go to www.chrisbrehmerphotography.com