American Business Women's Association
Eastern Michigan Council
WOMEN OF THE YEAR, TOP 10 NOMINEES, & PROTÉGÉ RECIPIENTS
Eastern Michigan Council
Woman of the Year
2020-2021
Kelle Hruska
The EMC Woman of the Year is awarded to a council member who has contributed to the success of the council and/or also to the successes of all chapters within the council.
KELLE'S NOMINATION COMMENTS:
•She is serving on the 2020-2021 committee for the event honoring Cheryl Blair.
•She created the flyers for the EMC meetings and helped arrange speakers and EMC programs.
•She supported other chapters’ events and monthly meetings, in addition to participating in all EMC activities.
•She is always pleasant, helpful, and willing to serve. If a chapter needed something, they knew they could call on her and she would help out.
•She enthusiastically participated in the DVP event committee honoring Marilyn Lash as our DVP and co-chaired the educational portion of the event.
•She served the Council as VP in 2019 while also serving as Co-Chair for Marilyn Lash’s Campaign for National VP and serving as her Chapter’s President.
Top 10 Nominees
2021
Each year, ten members of the Association are recognized nationally for exceptional achievement in the areas of community engagement, professional development and contribution to their league and the National Association. These are known as the Top Ten Business Women of ABWA. Each chapter can nominate one member to be considered for this award as long as they meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the National organization.
MARILYN LASH
Greater Oakland Charter Chapter
Vice President of Talent, Accent Entertainment LLC
Retired from Early Childhood Education (19 years)
REBECCA CUNNINGHAM
Lake Shore Charter Chapter
Associate Broker with Keller Williams HOME, Farmington Hills
Former City of Detroit Division Head
KAREN REA
Novi Oaks Charter Chapter
Owner and President of Karen Rea Designs (26 years)
LINDA HAMILTON
Nu-Lite Chapter
Retired from U.S. Housing and Urban Development (Flint and Detroit)
BECKY SADOSKY
Suburban Connection Charter Chapter
Client Services Manager in the Financial Services Industry
KELLE HRUSKA
Tipacon Charter Chapter
Studio Manager for Next Level Dance Center in Troy (management and operations)
JANENE TERNES
Maia Chapter
Founder & CEO, Prayer in Motion, LLC
Women of the Year
2020
Annually, a Chapter recognizes a member for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the Chapter by selecting her as the Chapter Woman of the Year.
NADIE HOLMES
Primary Member Nu-Lite Chapter
Secondary Member Cass River Charter Chapter
Learning Support Teacher Grades 9-10 (Special Ed.), Flint Community Schools
TAMMY MURRAY
Greater Oakland Charter Chapter
Independent Boutique Partner with Style Dots Jewelry Company
(retired from the automotive industry)
REBECCA CUNNINGHAM
Lake Shore Charter Chapter
Associate Broker with Keller Williams HOME, Farmington Hills
Former City of Detroit Division Head
SHARON WALKER
Maia Chapter
Administrative Specialist in the Division of Nephrology, U of M Michigan Medicine (35 years)
PAT PLAMONDON
Novi Oaks Charter Chapter
Retired Human Resources Manager (25+ years automotive, healthcare, apparel, and retail)
LINDA KOZIANOWSKI
Suburban Connection Charter Chapter
Development Manager at Easterseals Michigan
SHERRI KARABELSKI
Tipacon Charter Chapter
Co-Owner, Vice President, Manager of Accent Entertainment
Protégé Recipients
2019-2020
The Protégé Award recognizes a deserving first year member for making a valuable contribution to her chapter in the first year of membership.
LISA FRENDBURG
Greater Oakland Charter Chapter
Previous clerical positions in various industries
WIEBKE HAGENDORF-SCHRÖTER
Maia Chapter
Founder & Chief Operating Officer, whs-consult, llc
VERONICA CRUZ
Novi Oaks Charter Chapter
AlphaUSA – HR Manager (automotive stamping)
Oh Snap! Booths - Owner (photo booths / flip books / green screen, etc.)
JANET DIETRICH
Novi Oaks Charter Chapter
D-Trek, Assistant (magnet supplier) / Writing a children’s book
REGINA HALL
Novi Oaks Charter Chapter
Enlighten Heart Services, Founder, Speaker, Trainer, Counselor; Licensed Professional Counselor by trade
JANICE JONES
Novi Oaks Charter Chapter
Writer, currently working as an instructional designer, editor, and copywriter
MAUREEN WALCZYK
Novi Oaks Charter Chapter
Physical Therapist, DMC Huron Valley - 31 years, and Independent Boutique Director, Style Dots (interchangeable jewelry)
SKYLAR KOZIANOWSKI
Suburban Connection Charter Chapter
Sales Associate, Party City (4 years)
Student at Walsh College
JACKIE BAENZIGER
Tipacon Charter Chapter
KUKA Systems North America, Assistant to the Director of Application Development and the Director of Project Management; Trim Chassis Final Division