NEWS RELEASE
GREATER NIAGARA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) and Women in Niagara (WIN) presented the 2024 Women in Business Awards, powered by RBC, in a ceremony held at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel in Niagara Falls, attended by over 500 people.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have all of our finalists working to make our community better,” said N’ora Kalb, Chair of WIN. “We are so grateful to them all for everything they do every day.”
“It’s a privilege to recognize these outstanding women today,” said Mishka Balsom, CEO of the GNCC. “But it is a greater privilege to witness and to benefit from their work. We hope that these awards will shine a light on their achievements and inspire women and girls in Niagara follow their example.”
The Women in Business Awards (WIBA) is an annual event to recognize the leadership and success of women in our business community. The WIBAs aim to encourage more women to seek out and reach for leadership roles in business, non-profits, and in their community.
This year’s recipients are:
- Cultural Arts Award, sponsored by CAA Niagara
- Barbara Worthy, Niagara-on-the-Lake/Niagara-wide
- Excellence in Environmental Leadership Award, sponsored by Walker Industries
- Bobbie Armstrong, Niagara Falls/New York, NY
- Community Impact Award, sponsored by Anchor Niagara
- Bonnie Watts, Fort Erie/Niagara-wide
- Young Professional Award, sponsored by Ridley College
- Brittany Davy, St. Catharines/Niagara-wide
- Emerging Business Award, sponsored by Niagara Region Economic Development
- Harlee Barfknecht-Zuber, Welland
- Entrepreneurship Award, sponsored by Fedcap Canada
- Melissa Achal, Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Health Care Hero Award
- Leah Jeffery, St. Catharines/Niagara-wide
- Equity Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by Niagara College
- Lilian Lum Mbah, Niagara Falls/Niagara-wide
- Excellence in the Public Sector Award, sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
- Lina DeChellis, Welland
- Excellence in the Not-for-Profit Sector Award, sponsored by Niagara Pen Centre
- Lori Gill, West Lincoln/St. Catharines
- Corporate Leadership Award, sponsored by Hatch
- Marrianne Wilson, Stoney Creek/Thorold
- Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award, sponsored by DDL & Co.
- Melissa Achal, Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Award, sponsored by MNP
- Nattaly Gerena Romero
- Excellence in Trades Award, sponsored by Kraun Electric
- Sabrina Frechette, St. Catharines
At the awards, Michele O’Keefe was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Michele is the Director of Athletics and Student Engagement at Niagara College and a highly respected figure in the world of sports. Formerly the CEO and president of Canada Basketball, she joined Niagara College in 2018, the same year she received the prestigious Leadership in Sport Award at the Canadian Sport Awards. Michele’s leadership and dedication to empowering athletes, particularly women, have garnered her several accolades, including the CICan Leadership Excellence Award in 2024. She is known for her role in fostering inclusive, empowering environments for students and staff alike. A visionary leader, Michele has also served on the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) boards and chaired the Ontario Sport Network. Her achievements extend to community initiatives like the Girls Sport Day in Welland, which inspires young girls to engage in sports. Michele's contributions continue to shape sports policy locally and internationally, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence and empowerment.
Stephanie Thompson was given the Ruth Unrau Legacy Award. The Ruth Unrau Legacy Award is given in the name of Women in Niagara founder Ruth Unrau to a woman who shares her spirit and dedication to advocacy for women in business. The recipient will have a reputation as an advocate and champion for women in commerce and leadership roles, and may be a campaigner, a mentor, or one who undertakes other significant work that advances the cause and the interests of female entrepreneurship.
As an Engineering Manager, Stephanie Thompson puts her heart into the technical world of engineering, empowering women and students to break down technology barriers and explore new possibilities. As a Professional Engineer of Ontario, she excels in Project Management for and Manufacturing Engineering, committed to guiding others on their path to success and innovation.
The GNCC is the voice of business in Niagara, the largest business organization in the region and the third-largest Chamber of Commerce in Ontario, with 1,300 members representing 50,000 employees. More information on the GNCC is available at gncc.ca.
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