Women to Watch Awards Finalists – Business
Meet the 2025 finalists
ALISON BARINGER
Executive Director, North Carolina Azalea Festival
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As executive director, I oversee every facet of the festival – from strategy to execution – guiding a team of board members, staff, and 187 volunteer chairs. I manage a $2 million budget across 60-plus events and programs, while cultivating key relationships with business, community, and political leaders. These efforts help secure over $1 million in sponsorships annually, ensuring the festival’s continued growth, impact, and celebration of culture throughout the region.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“Professional highlights include serving on the World Board of the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) and chairing both the IFEA Foundation and UNCW Alumni Boards. As Alumni Chair, I proudly spoke at over ten commencement ceremonies, inspiring future leaders. Within the festival, I’m especially proud of surpassing $1 million in sponsorship sales in 2025 and creating our International Blooms program — an initiative that celebrates global culture and strengthens community connections.”
How did you get to this point in your career?
“I carved my own path within the Festival, rising from Office Manager by creating new roles through initiative, perseverance, and earned trust. Committed to honoring the Festival’s legacy, I built strong ties with local and industry communities, expanded my influence through leadership programs, and actively engaged in professional organizations. Along the way, I immersed myself in business and relationship development, drawing insights from countless books and podcasts to strengthen both my leadership and impact.”
What have you learned about your leadership style?
“I lead with a relational approach, driven by a passion for understanding what inspires each person and helping channel that energy into meaningful work. I believe in the power of #FestivalFamily — embracing every individual fully, including their challenges, because our differences make us stronger together. I’m a firm advocate for lifelong learning, collaboration, and building a team culture rooted in connection, empathy, and shared purpose.”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
“As president of the Junior League of Wilmington (2014–15), I had the honor of leading and developing over one hundred dynamic women, an experience that helped shape my leadership style. Through both the Junior League and IFEA, I’ve traveled nationwide, participating in specialized training on leadership, volunteerism, and business strategy. These experiences have deepened my perspective and allowed me to build lasting relationships with inspiring leaders from across the country.”
LANNIN BRADDOCK
Owner & COO, The Braddock Group
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As co-founder, co-owner, and COO of The Braddock Group, I help lead strategic growth, operations, and brand development for our respected commercial real estate firm. I also serve as a hands-on commercial broker, guiding clients through acquisitions, leasing, and development with a focus on long-term value and regional impact.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“I have played a pivotal role in several high-impact commercial real estate transactions, including serving as development consultant on a $100 million-plus, 500,000-plus-square-foot, temperature-controlled industrial facility and a $45 million-plus Crowne Plaza Hotel, both under construction in Wilmington. I successfully represented Global Laser Enrichment in securing 67,520 square feet of industrial/office space and facilitated a $5.5 million acquisition for CIL Capital. My notable clients include FedUp Foods, IMS USA, and the New Hanover Community Endowment.”
How did you get to this point in your career?
“I began my career in 2007 as the assistant property manager at The Villages at Brunswick Forest, where I gained hands-on experience in leasing, sales, and property management. Over the next decade, I managed over 1 million square feet of commercial space and built strong community relationships. These experiences, combined with a passion for strategic growth and development, led me to co-found The Braddock Group in 2019.”
What have you learned about your leadership style?
“My leadership style is rooted in discipline, transparency, alignment, accountability, and inspiration. I believe in collaborative teamwork, where every voice is valued and heard. I strive to lead by example, fostering a culture that is both results-oriented and people-focused. I’ve found that honoring relationships and living by these core values – both professionally and personally – is the foundation for strong leadership and long-term success. These principles guide how I support and empower my team every day.”
LAURA BROGDON-PRIMAVERA
VP of Leadership Development, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I spearhead a suite of influential programs including Leadership Wilmington, the chamber’s forty-one-year-old flagship leadership program; the Leadership Wilmington Alumni Council; Encounter Wilmington, a talent retention program; Interns Encounter, a talent attraction and retention program; and the Career and Leadership Development Academy that starts in 7th grade and tracks through high school.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“My commitment to community impact and leadership excellence has earned accolades such as inclusion in the prestigious WilmingtonBiz 100 as a community Connector in 2024, 2023, 2021, and 2020. I was honored with a 40 Under 40 Award from the StarNews and the chamber in 2019 … My participation in the WILMA Leadership Institute in 2018 and recognition for Excellence in Community Engagement by UNCW in the same year further underscores my commitment to leadership and community enrichment. In 2024, my work with the Career and Leadership Development Academy was recognized by the Association of Leadership Programs with the Excellence in Innovation Award. In 2025, the nonprofit organization, Leading Into New Communities inducted me into the LINC Society, given my contributions to Leadership Wilmington through the Work on Wilmington service projects. Also in 2025, I earned the Association of Leadership Programs Certified Community Leadership Practitioner badge.”
How did you get to this point in your career?
“Passion driven by people and purpose. I love growing and learning and striving to be better than the day before and love even more watching others around me do the same. I’ve spent a lot of my career listening and observing to learn what to do and what not, what to say and what not, and picking up and leaving behind bits of those experiences along the way. I’ve also found myself in careers that are the good right fit to allow me to be creative and align my motivators with my daily work. I’ve had people see in me things I didn’t see in myself, pushing me to excel professionally, either where I was or encouraging me to take a leap of faith into something completely new.”
What have you learned about your leadership style?
“My Leadership Philosophy states: Managers manage assets; leaders manage people. Leadership, to me, means influencing our team — by providing a working compass (purpose, direction, and motivation) as we sail together to reach our destination of accomplishing our goals. I believe in clearly communicating expectations, accountability, and authenticity with team members, and building a foundation of trust, allowing us to have fun while making an impact on those we serve, including each other.”
HEATHER McWHORTER
Director, UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I lead efforts to support startups, grow the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, and foster innovation across sectors – including the blue economy. By connecting innovators with education, connections, and mentors, we are building the future of our region’s innovation economy. Through strategic programs, partnerships, and advocacy, I help transform vision into momentum – empowering innovators and advancing sustainable economic growth in Southeastern North Carolina.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“I’ve had the privilege of empowering thousands of entrepreneurs and students throughout my career …. A proud career highlight is receiving the national 2024 UEDA Award for Excellence in Community for engaging our region in the blue economy. Leading inclusive, impact-driven programs that spark ideas, build community, and drive sustainable growth continues to be the most rewarding part of my work.”
How did you get to this point in your career?
“I was raised with a strong work ethic that I learned from my grandfather, an entrepreneur who taught me the value of integrity, perseverance, and helping others. That foundation, combined with my deep belief that entrepreneurs can solve society’s toughest challenges, has guided my career. My passion for empowering people and building community through innovation has fueled every step — driving me to create programs, partnerships, and ecosystems that help others turn ideas into improving people’s lives.”
What have you learned about your leadership style?
“I’ve learned that my leadership style is rooted in recognizing and fostering the unique strengths — or superpowers — of others. I lead by listening, aligning passion with purpose, and empowering individuals to grow into strong, authentic leaders. I value transparency, lead with gratitude and purpose, and believe real innovation and community thrive when people feel seen, supported, and challenged to lead in their own way. That’s the legacy I hope to leave.”
EVONNE VARADY
Co-Founder, Clean Eatz
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I’m the co-founder of Clean Eatz, a healthy lifestyle franchise with over one hundred locations nationwide. I lead brand vision, innovation, and strategy while supporting franchisees and scaling our impact. From menu development to national campaigns, I’m involved in every layer of growth with my husband by my side.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“Scaling Clean Eatz from one café to over one hundred locations was a defining milestone – an achievement only 5.3% of franchises reach. We’ve been recognized on national platforms as one of the fastest-growing brands, ranked in the Top 500 Franchises for five consecutive years, and I was honored to be named one of the Women of Franchising in 2024. These moments reflect the fire, purpose, and passion driving everything we do at Clean Eatz.”
How did you get to this point in your career?
“I started as an X-ray tech with a dream and relentless drive. After battling cancer, I realized life was too short for ‘safe.’ My husband and I opened one café with a mission to make healthy eating accessible — and never looked back. Through failures, learning on the fly, and a refusal to follow the rules, we scaled Clean Eatz to 100-plus locations, proving that passion and purpose can build powerful businesses.”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
“Our mission to ‘Change Livez’ has grown into a nationally recognized movement rooted in wellness, education, and community. In 2023, Clean Eatz Foundation was launched to fight childhood obesity – one of my proudest accomplishments to date. I also created V&V Farms, a rustic wedding and event space designed to create moments that will be remembered a lifetime.”
To view the Women to Watch Awards Finalists main page, click here.
To view more of photographer Madeline Gray’s work, go to madelinegrayphoto.com.
To view more of photographer Sasha Sheldon’s work, go to sashasheldon.com.
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