2017 Business & Professional Women of the Year by Skagit Publishing

2017 Business & Professional

WOMEN OF THE YEAR

Germaine Kornegay

Teresa Pugh

Heidi Roy

Andrea Martin

Lifetime Achievement Honoree

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About Us CONNECTIONS ENCOURAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY

Skagit Women in Business (SWIB) provides members with the opportunity to make a difference in our community. Our core mission is to support local women who are returning to school after a break in their education. Through our scholarship program, SWIB has gifted more than $110,000 to deserving women since 1980. We host a meeting the first Tuesday of each month, featuring a delicious breakfast, guest speakers and networking. Learn more at SkagitWomenInBusiness.com.

OUR MEMBERS Annette Booth Melissa Beaton Ann Childs Bekki Cox Barbra Devries Laura Fletcher Yulia Garrison Danita Gilbert Cheryl Haas Elli Haddick Stephanie Hooper Jenifer Howson Lisa Janicki Debra Lancaster Lauri Lauritsen Danielle Martin Renata Maybruck

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Booth Insurance Agency Skagit County Superior Court Childs Company BC Accounting Sterling Touch Pharmacist Edward Jones Skagit County Public Works FuturePulled Blue Lake Property Management Bayside Specialties Skagit County District Court Skagit County Commissioners United Way of Skagit County Perfectly Posh Rodan + Fields Skagit Valley Family YMCA

Deanna McDougle Beth Meenaghan Rebecca Murray Jana Phillips Laura Riquelme Stacie Zinn Roberts Jan Roxstrom Elizabeth Scott Colleen Smiley Sherri Stites Becky Taft Tina Tate Kris Tully Steph Vervaart Diana Walker Jessica Welter-KolboJ

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Skagit Adult Programs Viva Farms Skagit Media Marketing American Cancer Society Skagit County Court What’s Your Avocado Cinderella’s Secret FuturePulled Creative Celebrations Sherri Stites CPA Skagit Bank Skagit Friendship House CPI Plumbing & Heating Burlington Chamber Sistership’s Crew Capitol City Press 1660757

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Skagit Valley Herald Publisher Heather Hernandez

I N S I D E

Skagit Valley Herald Assignment Editor Dan Ruthemeyer Contributing Writers Dan Ruthemeyer, Kera Wanielista, Brandon Stone, Craig Parrish

A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SKAGIT COUNTY

WOMEN OF THE YEAR

Photographers Scott Terrell, Charles Biles Advertising Director Duby Petit Display Advertising Manager Deb Bundy

SKAGIT PUBLISHING

Germaine Kornegay Teresa Pugh Heidi Roy

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

PAST WINNERS

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Andrea Martin

Congratulations to 2017 SWAN Woman of the Year Finalist

Cindy Verge Executive Director of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Thank you for all you do to put on an award-winning festival year after year. Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Board of Directors & Staff 1670655

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SWAN Celebrates By DAN RUTHEMEYER

WHAT 33rd SWAN Women of the Year Banquet

The Skagit Women’s Alliance and Network will honor four women Oct. 19 for the positive impacts they have made on the community.

WHEN 5:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 19

The four honorees — and the entire 16 who were nominated for SWAN awards — are a deserving group, SWAN President Laura Henderson said. “All the nominees are incredible women and have all worked very hard,” she said. Teresa Pugh, Heidi Roy and Germaine Kornegay will be honored at a banquet at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge as SWAN Women of the Year, while Andrea Martin will receive a SWAN Lifetime Achievement award. The three women of the year will be honored in the categories of professional achievement, mentorship of women, and community engagement, though the categories for which they are being honored won’t be revealed until the banquet.

WHERE Swinomish Casino & Lodge Anacortes

Henderson

Nominations for the 33rd annual SWAN awards were taken from mid-May through June.

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The SWAN board then came up with a list of finalists, which it financial analyst from the Seattle presented to a panel of three who area, who does inspirational made the final selections. speaking for women. “Every year we think, ‘What’s going to be here? Will it be as strong as last year?’” said Henderson, who has been on the SWAN board for four years. “Then we turn around and it’s not only as strong, but it’s more exciting.”

Oveson has worked to mentor women, Henderson said, and that’s the topic she’ll cover at the banquet.

Henderson has a longstanding relationship with SWAN as her mother, Carol Pritchard Poppe, was the first SWAN Woman of The SWAN Women of the Year the Year in 1985. “I think all three of them were picked by a panel made up show a great amount of passion Henderson is looking forward of 2014 SWAN Woman of the about what they’re working on,” Year Mary June Curtis, 2016 to the banquet. Henderson said. “They are all SWAN Lifetime Achievement “I’m always excited,” she incredibly strong in their fields, honoree Mariana Foliart and said. “It’s such an inspirational and they all direct boards or are Sedro-Woolley Police Chief Lin evening. I always walk away so on city councils where they are at Tucker. inspired and saying, ‘I just don’t a level of the highest professional The guest speaker at the SWAN do enough myself.’” steps.” banquet will be Laurie Oveson, a 4 SWAN 2017

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SWAN Women of the Year

GERMAINE KORNEGAY

Living an active life By KERA WANIELISTA

Whether running her own business, raising her 9-year-old foster child or working on the Sedro-Woolley City Council, Germaine Kornegay likes to stay busy. “I’m passionate about a lot of things,” Kornegay said. “I feel like somebody’s got to do it, and I really enjoy doing it.” It’s her dedication to building up those around her that earned her a SWAN nomination.

“Whether it is her support for the (Women’s Political Caucus) and our efforts to get more women into public office, providing support for domestic violence victims or taking time out of her busy schedule to doorbell and provide support for the candidates and social justice causes she cares about, Ms. Kornegay shows she is one of the warmest, most positive, most outspoken, most kind, most fierce, most un-angry (fighters) out there,” Marysville School District Communications

Coordinator Emily Wicks said in her nomination of Kornegay.

“I love inspiring young girls to get out and do stuff and to not take no for an answer and to get out there and do their thing and be amazing.” Four years ago, Kornegay was the only woman — and first See KORNEGAY, Page 6

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SWAN Women of the Year

GERMAINE KORNEGAY

KORNEGAY

Continued from Page 5 African-American — to serve on the Sedro-Woolley City Council. Now, as she runs unopposed for her second term, the council is the most diverse in the county, with four women serving on it. “If there is a crown for ‘queen of good causes’, Germaine should be wearing it,” SedroWoolley Mayor Keith Wagoner wrote to the SWAN committee. “Her activism throughout the state is legendary, and it brings great credit to the city of SedroWoolley and Skagit County.”

What she’s most proud of, she said, is the removal of a few overlooked words in an outdated Despite those accolades, Kornegay considers her proudest legislation — the removal of accomplishments to be those that which makes it a felony to rape a involve advocacy for women and spouse. children. The idea to rewrite the “I’m very much a women’s advocate and I consider myself a feminist,” Kornegay said. “Women are so amazing.”

legislation came from a local police officer, she said.

“He told me women aren’t getting a fair shake in the court system because when they’re

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Kornegay, who obtained her degree in human services from Western Washington University, has worked at Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services as well as with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County, Oasis Teen Shelter and Secret Harbor Foster Care Agency. Aside from raising her own daughter, Kornegay has been a foster parent for eight years, with a penchant for working with teens.

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raped by their spouses there’s nothing they can do in court because they’re married,” she said.

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“I love inspiring young girls to get out and do stuff and to not take no for an answer and to get out there and do their thing and be amazing,” she said. goskagit.com

SWAN Women of the Year

TERESA PUGH

Making dreams come true By BRANDON STONE

As a small-business owner, frequent volunteer and leader of a nonprofit, Teresa Pugh is known for her desire to help others live up to their dreams.

“As most volunteers know, you receive more than you give.” Pugh serves as executive director of Skagit Habitat for Humanity, where she works to give permanent, affordable housing to families that need a hand.

Pugh was contracting as Habitat’s bookkeeper until 2011, when she was asked to serve as the organization’s interim executive director. It was only a few months later that she was asked to stay on permanently. In the years since, Pugh has helped increase the number of houses Habitat builds annually, and has further developed the organization’s education programs. goskagit.com

When she isn’t working with Habitat for Humanity, she and her husband volunteer there,

helping to build the homes she See PUGH, Page 8

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“It’s just hard-working everyday people who we help,” she said. “Giving a chance to people that deserve a chance.”

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SWAN Women of the Year

TERESA PUGH

group’s scholarship committee, and said she believes strongly Continued from Page 7 in its mission of sponsoring Through these organizations, higher education for women who will eventually pass on to the Pugh participates in trips to other wouldn’t otherwise have the organization’s beneficiaries. countries to distribute these opportunity. glasses in poor communities. “If you’re passionate, it doesn’t “As most volunteers know, feel like a job,” she said. Also through the Lions Club, you receive more than you Pugh arranged for a medical Pugh also volunteers with give,” she said. “I just thrive on screening van to take part in the Mount Vernon Lions Club, (volunteering).” Project Homeless Connect, an the Mount Vernon Chamber event that allows the homeless to One of her greatest joys, she of Commerce and EyeWitness get services and supplies. said, is to see those helped by Missions. Habitat return to volunteer A former president of Specifically, she said she and themselves, thereby spreading the her husband are passionate about Skagit Women in Business, virtues of giving back. Pugh believes in fostering an collecting and donating used entrepreneurial spirit in women. “They now can teach their eyeglasses to people in need. children the importance of She was also a member of the “In our house, we have rooms volunteering,” she said.

PUGH

dedicated to the eyeglasses,” she said.

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SWAN Women of the Year

HEIDI ROY

Grateful for the honor By CRAIG PARRISH

Heidi Roy is pleased to be associated with the other SWAN Women of the Year — Teresa Pugh and Germaine Kornegay. “It’s a real honor to be included with the other ladies who were nominated,” she said. “They have done so much for the community.” Roy, the executive director of Skagit Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services, has served in several roles in the

nonprofit since her arrival in 2010.

writes grants. And those are only some of her responsibilities.

Roy has also been program “These awards are designed director, shelter manager and shelter advocate during her years to honor women, the with the nonprofit.

ones that are bettering the community. I’m honored to be a part of that.”

In her current position, she supervises a staff of 21, manages the budget, raises funds and

“Heidi is committed to the agency’s mission, which is to end violence in Skagit County,” Andrea Martin, this year’s SWAN Lifetime Achievement honoree said on a form to nominate Roy. See ROY, Page 10

Congratulations to the 2017 SWAN honorees Anne Clark

Vice President of College Advancement Executive Director SVC Foundation 2017 SWAN Nominee

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SWAN Women of the Year

HEIDI ROY

ROY

Continued from Page 9 “Heidi works tirelessly to coordinate services on behalf of clients with other agencies in the community. Heidi’s ability to collaborate and coordinate with so many different entities in order to successfully initiate the program at Skagit DVSAS is saving lives daily,” Martin wrote. “She has provided stability, guidance and excellent leadership to her staff,” Dr. L. Sloane Winkes, a board member of SDVSAS, wrote in nomination materials. “The agency is thriving under her leadership. “She has excelled at counseling victims seeking services, as well as managing staff in multiple capacities,” Winkes wrote. “Additionally, she has increased awareness of domestic violence and the work of our agency through the Skagit community.” Roy’s professional credentials are only part of why she is a

SWAN Woman of the Year. She has volunteered with such groups as Faith House, the Skagit

Congratulations SWAN Finalists!

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“These awards are designed to honor women, the ones that are bettering the community,” Roy said. “I’m honored to be a part of that.” goskagit.com

SWAN Lifetime Achievement

Lending a hand CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2017 SWAN NOMINEES and to all of the amazing women in the Skagit Valley!

By DAN RUTHEMEYER

Andrea Martin started seeking out volunteer opportunities because she thought doing so would be good for her career. She found she got more out of it than that.

being honored for her work with a Lifetime Achievement Award through the Skagit Women’s Alliance and Network. Martin knows about needing a little help. When she began her career in banking, she was a single mother of two with no college education.

“I thought it would be good for exposure, mentoring and networking, then you see the And though she had the support beautiful stories of people who of family, she also benefited are benefiting from the services,” from the services of groups such Martin said. as those with whom she now volunteers. Martin, who had a 43year career in banking while So she knows the impact that also volunteering with such volunteers can have. organizations as the United Way of Skagit County and Soroptimist See MARTIN, Page 12 International of Burlington, is goskagit.com

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SWAN Lifetime Achievement

MARTIN

Continued from Page 11 “I see women struggling who don’t have the same kind of family support to help them,” she said. “Organizations like Soroptimist and the United Way can give them the boost to overcome some of those challenges.” Martin has been with the United Way since 1979, Soroptimist International since 1987 and the BurlingtonEdison Alumni Foundation, which awards $80,000 a year in scholarships, since 1998.

She started her career in banking in 1974 with Seafirst Bank.

She moved up the career ladder by taking advantage of training opportunities, getting encouragement from co-workers and working hard.

Over the next 43 years, she

“I thought it would be good for exposure, mentoring and networking, then you see the beautiful stories of people who are benefiting from the services.” worked for a number of banks in a variety of roles — including as a commercial lender and a retail branch manager.

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Martin was nominated for the SWAN award by Sue Krienen, a 2009 SWAN winner. Krienen, who met Martin soon after moving to Skagit County to become general manager of Shell Puget Sound Refinery, said nominating Martin was an easy decision. “She is just a force to be reckoned with in our community,” Krienen said.

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“It was just through hard work and a desire to keep learning,” said Martin, who retired in June. “I was able to learn a lot.”

Martin and Krienen have served together on the United Way of Skagit County Board for the past 11 years, and Krienen has since joined Martin with Soroptimist International of Burlington. Krienen said while she can be outspoken at United Way board meetings, Martin tends to be more quiet. That is until there is something that needs to be said. Krienen said Martin is a quiet presence who gets things done.

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“That leadership, that caring, it really struck me what a tremendous person she is,” Krienen said. goskagit.com

SWAN Past Winners

2016 Bonnie Bowers Erin Long Rebecca Schlaht 2015 Erin Baldwin Janie Beasley Kari Ranten 2014 Kathryn Bennett Mary June Curtis Jeanne Youngquist 2013 Debbie Allen

2002 Debra Lancaster

1993 Judy Montoya

2001 Laurie Gere

1992 Nanette Hough

2000 Susan Cook

1991 Pat Hyatt

1999 Shirley Osborn

1990 Carol Kirkby

1998 Linda Freed

1989 B.J. Kendall

1997 Lola Lang

1988 Cheryl Bishop

1996 Maureen Dickson

1987 Geneva Sasnett

1995 Judi Knutzen

1986 Judy Menish

1994 Dorothy Bluhm Urbick

1985 Carol Pritchard Poppe

2012 Kristia Poppe

Congratulations

2011 Valerie Stafford

2017 SWAN Women of the Year Finalists!

2009 Sue Krienen 2008 Jan Ellingson 2007 Pam Nelson 2006 Maureen Harlan 2005 Laura Cailloux 2004 Lisa Janicki 2003 Mary Arendse goskagit.com

Your leadership inspires our community and we appreciate your proven commitment to betterment. Also a special Thank You, Kristen Keltz, for joining our team. We are lucky to have you with us at Hotel Services Group. Skagit Publishing LLC

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SWAN Scholarship Winners Nallely Carreon Carrillo “My short-term goal as of this moment would be to get through my ﬁrst year of grad school. Thinking about this journey that I’m about to embark on is pretty scary, and I know that I have to take it step by step, instead of thinking about it as a whole and overwhelming myself. This has been a goal for me and I know that in the end this journey will be worth it. “For my long-term goal I want to be able to get through the school counseling program at Seattle University and begin a lifelong career of being a school counselor. I have all the intentions of coming back to my high school — B-EHS — and beginning my career there if the opportunity presents itself. “I want to become their ﬁrst bilingual, bicultural counselor. I want to be able to continue to serve my community as a mentor for our diverse students.

support. I want to be there for those students. “The funding I receive from this scholarship would alleviate the stress of living paycheck to paycheck and the daunting knowledge that I will be in debt for a really long time.

“Returning to school was not simply about making myself relevant within the workplace after being a stay at home mother, but rather to fulfill a calling. I have a sincere passion for working with “I know that it will be worth it in young children, and being an active the end, and that it will be a positive participant in their emotional, social investment toward my future. I and academic growth. welcome any and all financial support I can receive that will assist “My ultimate goal is to have a with my educational expenses, like rewarding career as an effective books, gas since I don’t live in the educator, and the opportunity to area and will be commuting to and positively influence young minds. from Seattle, and tuition support.” “In order to realize my academic goals, I took out a student loan to Tara Jensen pay for tuition. Part of my loans “My short-term goals are to are accruing interest while I am successfully complete my BA still currently a student, and this in interdisciplinary studies for funding would allow me to pay elementary education, and obtain my toward that loan prior to graduating teaching certificate in Washington and obtaining a full-time teaching state. position.”

“I have worked diligently to balance my personal and academic “Being in a position of leadership, responsibilities, and to accelerate my like that of a counselor, I know I studies in order to meet and exceed can help students who often feel the goals I have set for myself. forgotten or fall through the cracks Earning my teaching certiﬁcate because they don’t have sufﬁcient will enable me to begin a long-

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Novelli Haddick “I am currently the development coordinator at the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. My main tasks include marketing, planning events and all aspects of membership. “I would like to continue to grow in my current position to better serve the members of the chamber. Long term I would like to become an executive director of a nonproﬁt.

to the 2017 SWAN Nominees!

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term career path as an elementary educator.

“Finishing my bachelor’s degree with a minor in business would help me better serve my current position and make me a better candidate to be promoted. These funds will push me closer to ﬁnishing my degree.” goskagit.com

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