The nine finalists of NewRoads Automotive Group’s 2020 Women of Excellence program were announced Jan. 7 at a Newmarket event held to honour all 38 nominees from the York Region community.
The awards program is the brainchild of NewRoads marketing, communications and community manager Kelly Broome, and this year will see the dealership’s decade-long Girls Night Out fundraising event expanded to include a special component recognizing local women’s accomplishments.
“2020 marks the 10th anniversary of the Girls Night Out event and so far we’ve raised more than $100,000 for the programs and services delivered by the Women’s Centre of York Region,” said Broome, who is also a Newmarket councillor and vice-chairperson of the Newmarket-based women's centre. “This special edition will recognize women of excellence in celebration of International Women’s Day this year.”
The awards program is supported by primary sponsor Scotiabank, in partnership with the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, whose representatives have selected the finalists and will judge the winners.
The March 10 gala awards night will feature keynote speaker Barb Stegemann, the best-selling author of The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen, a woman’s guide to living and leading in an illogical world, whose pitch on CBC’s Dragons’ Den landed her a venture capital deal.
Stegemann has earned a reputation for awakening people to their purpose and providing strategies to advance socially conscious goals.
The finalists will participate in interviews with the chamber judging panel and complete personal videos to be shown at the awards night.
The winners of the inaugural 2020 Women of Excellence will be announced during a gala awards night on Tuesday, March 10 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre, 505 Pickering Cres., in Newmarket.
The NewRoads 2020 Women of Excellence finalists are:
Woman Entrepreneur Award finalists
- Jennifer McLachlan, Cachet Supper Club
- Sabine Schleese, Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd.
- Miriam Ekram, KOA Natural Foods
Woman in Philanthropy Award finalists
- Ellen Campbell, Abuse Hurts
- Jackie Playter, Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home
- Erin Cerenzia, Neighbourhood Network
Woman of Excellence Award finalists
- Juliane Goyette, HollisWealth and Newmarket Food Pantry board
- Sharon Bates, Tangles Hair Salon & Spa
- Jessica Rawlley, TIEIT
Tickets are $95 plus HST and can be booked here.
All proceeds go to the Women's Centre of York Region.
The award nominees, whose names were submitted by community members, included:
Woman Entrepreneur nominees
- Dr. Marcella Sanderson, Align Health Centre
- Anita Smeskal-Donato, Anita's Events
- Kelly & Anastasia, Artistica Ballroom Dance Studio
- Emily Chung, AutoNiche
- Melina Elliott & Erica Henderson, Body Measure
- Chantal Almeida, Chantal's Dance Academy
- Hollie Hoadley, Creative Solutions
- Gabie Ross, Gabie's Boutique
- Andrea Wetzel, HER Place
- Ashleigh Eldridge, Needham Promotions
- Morag Willcox, York Professional Pet Sitting
Woman in Philanthropy nominees
- Susan Manahan, DeafBlind Ontario Service
- Maria Ciarlandini, Vince's Market
- Liora Sobel, Women's Centre of York Region
Woman of Excellence nominees
- Anita Smeskel-Donato, Anita's Corporate Events
- Anne-Marie Million, Cardinal Golf Club
- Jennifer Walker, Carruthers Financial
- Gloria Franchi, century21.ca/gloria.franchi
- Debora Kelly, NewmarketToday
- Stephanie Dyriw, ENVI Network
- Dela Fotoohi, Flowers 'N' Things
- Kelly Punzo, Function Studios
- Gabie Ross, Gabie's Boutique
- Andrea Wetzel, HER Place
- Karen Dubeau
- Ria Tsangaris, RC Design Inc.
- Joanne Witt, Snapd Richmond Hill
- Allison Boyd, The Gibson Group
- Bri-Ann Stuart, (formerly) Upper Canada Mall
- Maria Ciarlandini, Vince’s Market, Newmarket
- Morag Willcox, York Professional Pet Sitting
