Women to Watch: 2018 Finalists

The annual WILMA’s Women to Watch Awards highlights the movers and shakers in our region. An impressive number of nominations were received and an incredible cadre of ladies were in the running — it was difficult to decide on just 35. But, after much deliberation by our judging panel, we are pleased to announce the following finalists:

Arts

Caroline Fisher – Co-Founder and Creative Director, Swahili Coast

Catherine Hawksworth – Owner, Modern Legend

Shirley Lebo – Orchestra Manager/Music Librarian/Violinist, Wilmington Symphony

Nancy McCurtin – Artist/Author, Topsey and Friends

Brooklyne Williamson-Moore – Owner/Instructor, Evolution Dance Complex

Business

Danielle Boisse – Owner, Port City Design Group

Terry Espy – President, MoMentum Companies

Tracey Jackson – Execution Coach, u-nex-o!

Cassidy Lamb – Senior Manager, Engineering, nCino

Christy Spivey – Administrator Regional Services, New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Education

Rebecca Daneff – Associate Director for Employer Development, UNCW

Elizabeth Felts – Honors Service Learning Course Instructor and Ninth-Grade Bridge Program Instructor, New Hanover High School

Valerie Melvin – CFCC Math Instructor, Wilmington Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Meet Up Group Organizer

Justine Reel – Associate Dean of Research and Innovation, UNCW

Susan Sellers – Supervisor of Certified Talent Management, New Hanover County Schools

Health Care

Lisa Edgerton – Pharmacy Residency Coordinator, New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Sara Rose Harcus – CEO, Dmanna

Elizabeth Harris – Director of Strategic Development, Coastal Children’s Services

Megan Rose – Deputy Director/Network Pharmacist, Community Care of the Lower Cape Fear

LeShonda Wallace – Executive Director, Seeds of Healing Inc.

Nonprofit/Volunteer

Frances Danner – Community Volunteer, Buck Creek Foundation/Girl Scouts/Paws-Ability

Charrise Hart – CEO, YWCA Lower Cape Fear

Jessica Jakaitis – Orphan Home Director, In His Hands Orphans Outreach

Bonnie Monteleone – Executive Director, Plastic Ocean Project

Katie Ridd – Missions Mobilization Coordinator, Port City Community Church

Public Service

Tonya Barber – Guardian/Housing Case Manager, Guardian Ad Litem/Coastal Horizons Center

Leslie Houston – Dental Assistant/Team Leader, New Hanover County Health Department Mobile Dental Unit

Lisa Brooks – Founder, Wilmington Thrive Tribes

Olivia Dawson – Coordinator/Tourism Assistant, NC Blueberry Festival/Pender County Tourism

Lyana Hunter – Assistant Public Defender, State of North Carolina

Rising Star (under 30)

Nydheri Brown – Artist

Kathryn Bruner – Real Estate Broker/Realtor, Intracoastal Realty Corporation

Marissa Bryant – Outreach Coordinator-Health Equity, New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Maria Speaks – Taproom Manager and Events Coordinator, Waterline Brewing Co.

Jordan Duhe Willetts – Attorney/Owner, Duhe Willetts Law

An awards celebration to honor the thirty-five finalists and seven category winners will take place on October 12 at Hotel Ballast.

The Women to Watch Awards are part of WILMA’s Leadership Initiative. For more information on the Initiative, click here.

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