At NAWBO, we believe in the power of elevation. For 50 years, we’ve elevated the voices, ambitions and achievements of women business owners across the country. We’ve opened doors, created opportunities and championed change that lifts not just one woman, but millions. Today, as we stand at the milestone of our 50th anniversary, we celebrate how far we’ve come and how much more we will accomplish together in the next 50 years.
To elevate means to raise, lift up and shine a spotlight. It’s what we do every day through NAWBO’s advocacy, community, education and leadership. One of the most visible ways we elevate our members is through our awards that recognize overall business excellence as well as NAWBO legacy and advocacy. Our 2025 awards program includes the Woman Business Owner of the Year Award as well as the Susan Hager and Gillian Rudd Awards.
Our Woman Business Owner of the Year Award, sponsored by Bank of America, is one of our most prestigious. It honors a NAWBO Premier member who exemplifies overall business excellence and serves as an inspiring role model to others. We are thrilled to celebrate the Top 3 Finalists for 2025:
- Dr. Allison Key of 3:16 Healthcare, a NAWBO Virtual member out of rural Georgia
- Christine E.B. Howard of E.B. Howard Consulting, from our Buffalo Niagara chapter
- Aquila Mendez-Valdez of Haute in Texas and Haute in Network Agencies, representing our San Antonio chapter
Each of these remarkable women has a unique story of building a thriving business, overcoming obstacles and giving back to her community. You’ll find feature articles on each of them in this month’s NAWBO ONE—and I invite you to take a moment to get to know them. Their journeys are powerful reminders of what women can accomplish with vision, perseverance and of course, NAWBO’s community of support.
“These finalists are outstanding examples of the strength, innovation and leadership women business owners bring to our economy every day,” says Jill Calabrese Bain, Managing Director, Business Banking at Bank of America. “Bank of America is proud to support NAWBO and help shine a light on business owners who are excelling while also uplifting others through their example and impact.”
We’ll hear from all three finalists during a special panel before announcing the 2025 award recipient at our Awards Gala on Sunday, June 8th, which closes out NAWBO’s 50th anniversary conference in Washington, DC. It will be a night to elevate not only this outstanding woman, but our entire community of women business owners who are changing the face of entrepreneurship in America.
At our Awards Gala, we will also announce and honor the recipients of the Susan Hager and Gillian Rudd Awards. These coveted awards are named after two NAWBO trailblazers—our founding president as well as a past president who led the way for the passage of H.R. 5050, one of the most critical pieces of legislation for the success of women business owners then and now. We can’t wait to honor two current NAWBO members for their NAWBO legacy and advocacy and championing women business owners across the country.
Tickets are still available here and I invite you to join us at our nation’s capital to elevate with us. Come to be inspired, connect, grow and honor the extraordinary women who make our organization and our economy stronger every day. Our women business owners have and will continue to change the world.
Much Aloha and appreciation for all of you!
