40 powerhouse female business leaders to be recognized in SmartCEO’s Brava Awards program.
Washington, DC (May 6, 2016) — Washington SmartCEO and headline sponsor CBIZ MHM are pleased to announce the 2016 Brava Award winners. The Brava Awards celebrate the distinguished achievements of 40 of Greater Washington’s top women business leaders. This year’s class collectively generates more than $1.44 billion in annual revenue and employs 21,320 individuals. The winners will be profiled in the July/August issue of SmartCEO magazine and celebrated at an awards ceremony on July 7, 2016 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.
Please see below for a complete list of winners and for program details. To share in the excitement leading up to the event, follow us @SmartCEO #BravaAwards.
“Brava winners possess the hallmark qualities of successful leaders — vision, passion, compassion, dedication, perseverance. Each winner in this year’s class exhibits these qualities in all facets of her life, from running her business to tending to her family and donating time and resources to philanthropic initiatives,” says Jaime Nespor-Zawmon, president of SmartCEO. “We are honored to recognize a group of women who are truly making a difference in the world.”
The Washington Brava Awards ceremony on July 7, 2016, is an expected sell-out event where more than 350 local executives and guests will gather and celebrate their noteworthy achievements. Past Brava winners will also be in attendance to welcome the new class of winners into the Brava community. The event will kick off with a cocktail reception, followed by a video-packed awards ceremony and a final, inspirational toast to the female leaders of Greater Washington.
2016 Brava Awards
Date: Thursday, July 7, 2016
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102
Attire: Business Cocktail
2016 Brava Winners
Kathryn Freeland, A-TEK, Inc.
Lisa Marsh Ryerson (Nonprofit winner), AARP Foundation
Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D. (Nonprofit winner), American Humane Association
Sampriti Julie Ganguli, Arabella Advisors
Stephanie Alexander, BOOST and govmates
Carrie Fox, C. Fox Communications
Allison R. Kokkoros (Nonprofit winner), Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
Karen Herson, Concepts, Inc.
Dr. Madye Henson (Nonprofit winner), Covenant House
Snigdha Budhiraja, Cynet Systems Inc.
Sharon D. Virts, FCi Federal
Leah Nurik, Gabriel Marketing Group
Courtney B. Spaeth, growth[period]
Denise Garcia Van Wyngaardt, Indigo IT
Belen Ishizaki Arauz, Lets Clean LLC
Willow Marr, M2 Strategy
Amy Wright, Macro Solutions
Cari DeSantis (Nonprofit winner), Melwood
Gunilla Girardo, The Mentor Foundation
Amina Elgouacem, NEOSTEK, Inc.
Shelia S. Newman, New Editions Consulting, Inc.
Patrina M. Clark, Pivotal Practices Consulting LLC
Ann Ratner, Ratner Companies
Christianne Ricchi, Ristorante I Ricchi
Beth Johnson, RP3 Agency
Teresa Bozzelli, Sapient Government Services
Tanaia Parker, T. White Parker Associates, Incorporated
Dr. Emily Feistritzer, Teach-Now
Terry Scherling, TENICA and Associates LLC
Fran Craig, Unanet
2016 Brava Executive Category Winners
Laurie Freeman, American Cyber, Inc.
Tessa Edison, Answer Title
Kathy Curtis, Capital Bank N.A.
Tracey L. Gersh, Ph.D., Casey Health Institute
Shannon Murphy, Chapman Cubine Adams + Hussey
Glenda L. MacMullin, Consumer Technology Association
Kathy Cox, Harmony Crew
Mary C. Aldrich, PBMares, LLP
Lisa Alferieff, TCG, Inc.
Beth Hiatt, Unissant, Inc.
About the Brava Awards
The Brava Awards program celebrates high-impact female business leaders in three categories: CEOs, Executive Directors of Nonprofits, and C-suite executives. Brava award winners combine their irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for giving back to the community, and are exemplary leaders of both their companies and their communities. They encourage local philanthropy, mentor up-and-coming leaders and set their companies on the path to tremendous growth. Each year, an independent committee of local business leaders selects winners based on company growth, community impact and mentoring. SmartCEO shares their inspiring stories in SmartCEO magazine and celebrates their success at a high-energy awards gala.
About SmartCEO
SmartCEO’s mission is to educate and inspire the business community through its awardwinning magazine, connections at C-level events and access to valuable online resources. SmartCEO’s integrated media platforms reach decision makers in the Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Long Island, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, metropolitan areas.
For more information about the 2016 Brava Awards nomination process and sponsorship opportunities, email Heather Louise Finch at heatherlouise@smartceo.com.