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Congratulation to
the Excellent Women chosen for 2009!
Business &
Entrepreneur - Gayle Williams BNI New Mexico,
Southwest Colorado & El Paso
Gayle helped start the first Business Networking International
chapter in New Mexico 15 years ago. During that first year, she
bought the franchise for the state, because she believed in its
value for small- and medium-size businesses. She has since purchased
three other franchises, running 24 chapters collectively with seven
more in development. As she grew her business, Gayle stayed involved
in the community, often holding officer or board positions in
organizations such as NM chapter of Association for Women In
Communications, NAWBO, Hispano Chamber, Albuquerque Chamber, Rio
Rancho Chamber, ABQ Convention & Visitor's Bureau, and Rio Grande
Minority Purchasing Council.
Science &
Technology - Nancy B. Jackson, Ph.D. Technical
Manager, Sandia National Laboratories
Nancy’s professional accomplishments in chemical engineering could
fill a book. But she receives this award for her dedication to the
advancement of women. She chairs Sandia Women's Action Network with
the mission of "creating and maintaining an environment where women
can succeed." She leads inreach activities including engaging and
mentoring new and prospective women employees, creating a welcoming
environment, and championing Sandia women's leadership. Her outreach
activities include “Keeping Girls Interested in Science, Math and
Technology” (focus on K-12) and engaging and mentoring women through
professional societies. Her international engagements provide
opportunities for her to promote the role of women in science and
technology in many foreign countries.
Non-Profit
& Community Service - Lynn Trojahn V.P. of
Advancement, ACCION NM ● AZ ● CO
Lynn’s life mission is to help worthy causes in New Mexico get the
resources they need. Since joining ACCION in 2005, she supported the
fundraising of more than $17 million. That has allowed ACCION to do
its work of providing credit lines and training to micro- and
small-business owners across the state. She has performed in similar
excellent fashion raising funds for Bosque School and the UNM
General Library system. Lynn gives of her time to the Center for
Nonprofit Excellence, Albuquerque Community Foundation, United Way,
and the National Jewish Respiratory Hospital, among many others. A
natural mentor, she helped found ACCION’s Women’s Entrepreneurial
Leadership Program – WELead – specifically to foster mentorship for
ACCION’s female clients.
Communications -
Bernadette Vadurro Speakers Live, Inc.
Bernadette is an author, a professional speaker, and president of
Speakers Live, Inc. Her most recent book – America's Conscience:
Facing Threats to Democracy, the Middle Class and Our World – won
the Independent Publishers’ prestigious Freedom Fighter bronze
award. She coordinated a ground-breaking “welfare to work”
conference for NM women in 2005 and just last year launched an
online forum for young mothers to work on issues important to them.
A past president of Capitol City Toastmasters and current president
of the NM chapter of National Speakers Association (NSA), Bernadette
also participates in organizations such as Business and Professional
Women, Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce, and Northern NM Human Resource Managers.
Health & Wellness -
Israela Garcia Baila! Baila!
Israela models health and wellness as she works with youth and
adults through her dance company and SalsaAerobics™ exercise
classes. Beginning with only 25 students 20 years ago, she now
teaches more than 200 young students through her academy and even
more through programs for the city’s public housing and for the
public school system. Baila! Baila! dance troupes have performed in
venues ranging from church fiestas to Carnegie Hall and Disney’s
Magic Kingdom. Israela has persevered through tight finances and
emotional near-burnout through the years, because she believes so
strongly in preserving her culture through the arts and in promoting
family involvement.
Professional -
Patricia L. Chavez PLC Enterprises
Through both paid and volunteer positions, Patricia has long focused
on youth and minority business development. Just one example is her
work as an advisor and coordinator with National Hispanic
University, where she had made it possible for several hundred
minority youth to participate in the “Comerciantes” or “Future
Business Leaders” program. She started her professional services
firm in 1986, specializing in corporate/community relations, youth
program development, legislative/government relations,
business/community development, and special event management. Widely
known as a passionate advocate, her community service includes PNM’s
Youth Scholarship Program, NAWBO’s economic development committee,
Institute of Flamenco, Women Impacting Politics, and New Mexico
Youth Entrepreneur Network.
Rising
Star - Jamie A. Tenorio Marketing Assistant, HDR
Engineering, Inc.
Jamie not only performs her daily duties in excellent fashion at HDR
Engineering, she has been integral in widening the company’s
participation in community service. She coordinates bowling teams to
raise money for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of New Mexico and
manages a friendly office competition called “Canstruction” wherein
teams build something with their food donations before sending the
bounty on to Roadrunner Food Bank. Jamie has been active in Youth
Leadership Sandoval since 2007, helping local teens develop and
reach personal and professional goals.
Special
Award - Emerging Entrepreneur
Keri Stewart Results 4 Business
Keri started her own
business consulting firm only one year ago, and she has exemplified
how to network through involvement in local business organizations.
With more than 20 years of experience in operational planning,
training and coaching, she will also teach others this fall by
offering a UNM Continuing Education class called “One-Page Business
Plans.”
The Original Excellent Woman - Diane Furie Diane Furie Event and Meeting Planner
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To be chosen as
one of the very first “Excellent Women”
was a highlight of
my career! There are
few higher honors
than being recognized
by ones’ peers and
I was humbled and
gratified to be
among that particular
group of very special,
hard-working women.
Martha Doster,
Owner, Martha's Body Bueno
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Celebration of Excellent
Women is one of my
favorite events of the
year. I have the chance
to meet new people,
make new contacts and
network with hard
working women that are
fabulous businesswomen.
Jill Duval,
Publisher, New Mexico
WOMAN Magazine
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