Last night the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce announced its list of nominees for the 2018 Women in Business Awards.
The GBCC offices at 121 Commerce Park Dr. Unit A was the site of the event that saw the announcement of 15 local business women in four different categories become one step closer to winning awards honouring hard-working women in their fields. Patricia Dent is the President of the GBCC and was on-hand for the event. Dent believes that despite the strides made for women in the business world, there is a long way to go and that is why these awards are crucial.
“Only 23 per cent of women in our region lead or own businesses,” said Dent. “We may be behind most buying decisions in our families and homes, we may juggle more hats than is humanly possible to understand but I think this is too low a figure. But this can be changed by celebrating women of all ages who are stepping up to challenge the status quo.”
The awards will be handed out on Thursday March 8 which is also International Women’s Day; a fact that was not lost on Dent.
“It is no accident that the selections will be made on March 8,” said Dent. “I urge you to be part of the celebration at the Barrie Country Club. What better way to honour International Women’s Day than by supporting inspiring women in our very own city.”
The categories and nominees announced yesterday are:
Woman of the Year - Entrepreneur
• Jill Dyck, BOHEMIA
• Krista LaRiviere, gShift
• Dawn Mucci, Lice Squad.com
• Cait Patrick, Homestead Artisan Bakery
• Lyndsey Stevenato, Children’s Therapy Services
• Teresa Woolard, Swirleez Frozen Yogurt Inc. and Chillz Dessert Lounge
Woman of the Year - Corporate
• Cathy Buckingham, TNR Industrial Doors
• Kelly Hubbard, Hospice Simcoe
• Carolyn McGoey Garvey, Prodomax Automation Ltd.
Woman of the Year - Young Entrepreneur
• Ainsley Drake, Alliance Pet Care and MEAT HEADS Raw
• Brittany Gallagher, Splash On Water Park
• Hunter Markle, Georgian College Student Advocate
• Woman of the Year - Heart and Soul
• Michelle Cellucci, United Way Volunteer
• Linda Reid, Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie
• Barbara White, Jeff White Property Maintenance
Tickets for the Women In Business Awards Luncheon are $65 plus HST (per person) and will be held at the Barrie Country Club at 635 St. Vincent S. Registration and networking starts at 11 a.m. with lunch and the festivities getting underway at 12 p.m. and the conclusion of the day at 2 p.m.
For more information check out the GBCC website at www.barriechamber.com
