Women Awards toWatch 2023

Introducing the Finalists

Meet the 2023 WILMA’s Women to Watch Awards finalists.

They represent leaders in their fields and community. Read more about the thirty-five women on the following pages to learn more about why the judges selected them out of nearly 300 nominations and applications that came in this year.

In this issue, we introduce this year’s finalists in arts, business, education, health, nonprofit/ volunteer, public sector, and rising star. The rising star category is the only one with an age description and is open to those under thirty.

The women will be honored at this year’s awards event September 8 where the winners also will be announced. For more on the finalists, go to our website at WILMAmag.com.

Congratulations to this year’s group.

The Judging Process

Each year, WILMA opens up the nominations process for the Women to Watch Awards during the summer. Our judging panel – made up of leaders who sit on the Women to Watch Leadership Initiative’s advisory board as well as outside guests – met to pick the finalists and winners in each of the seven categories.

WILMA would like to thank the judges for volunteering their time and expertise on the awards.

The Judges

Wanda Coley

Donna Esteves

Amy Grant

Pam Hardy

Kristy Hubard

Alexis Hunter

Sonya Johnson

Brandy Keck

Tammy Proctor

Ruth Ravitz Smith

Kelly Schaudt

Karen Weaver

Judges who were nominated for the awards did not sit in on deliberations for the categories in which they were nominated.

Credits

This year’s awards bracelet is by Lisa Brown/Little Blue Bungalow Handcrafts (read more about Brown, who is also a former Women to Watch Award winner, on page 96).

group photos:

Madeline Gray headshots:

Summer Lambert hair & makeup:

Anna Woodall Lee location: The Elia, 254 North Front Street, Suite 100 furniture:

White Birch Rentals florals: Mother of Wild

Flower House