Six women honored as Bend Chamber’s ‘Women of the Year’
The women of Central Oregon were honored at the second annual Women of the Year Awards, hosted by the Bend Chamber. More than 350 attendees gathered at the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend Wednesday night.
“Women deserve to be recognized. They deserve to take the stage and be honored for their impact in Central Oregon,” saidRachael Rees van den Berg of the Bend Chamber.
More than 50 nominees represented a diverse group of women of various ages and backgrounds who have done extraordinary things. Ten judges selected six award recipients.
Among the winners was young entrepreneur Sarah Pool, who founded Pacific Superfood Snacks in 2012 and has grown it into a multi-million dollar company with 60 employees in Bend.
“I’m in complete shock,” Pool said. ” Every single woman in the room is one of my heroes, and to be sitting in the crowd with them blows my mind.”
At the close of her remarks, Pool congratulated the other honored women for their achievements this year and challenged all in the audience to do even bigger things in the year ahead.
Other award winners include Sue Hollern, Kim Meeder, Madelyn Bowers and Hannah Birchem. The Woman of the Year Award went to Moe Carrick.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Sue Hollern
Lifetime Achievement Award winners have shown long-term active engagement in our community and have made significant positive economic impacts locally. This award allows us to recognize true pillars in our community.
Woman of the Year Award – Moe Carrick
This award recognizes women who have excelled in their career, field or passion and/or have made a significant achievement in a traditionally male-dominated arena in the past 12 -24 months. Nominees must be at least 18 years of age.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Sarah Pool
Through timely innovation, strategic thinking and smart execution, the recipients of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award have launched and built one or more successful companies with a track record of growth, profitability, industry leadership and breaking new ground. Nominees must be 18 years of age.
Community Hero Award – Kim Meeder
This award acknowledges women who are making outstanding contributions to their community. Community Heroes demonstrate how people with passion and determination can use their lives to make a difference in the community. Nominees must be over 21.
Young Hero Award (Age 14-17) – Madelynn Bowers
Young Hero Award (Age 18-21) – Hannah Birchem
Through this award, we are celebrating the power of local young ladies’ efforts that spark change and improve the world through passion and determination. Nominees are considered in two age groups: 14-17 and 18-21.
The nominees with the winners in Bold:
Lifetime Achievement Award
LilianChu
LauraCraskaCooper
Sandy Garner
SueHollern
?Martha McGinnis
CorkySenecal
?
Womanof the Year
Katie Anderson
RobinBaney
?Shawn Cannon
Moe Carrick
?LisaDobey
CarolynEagan
AndieEdmonds
Sue Fountain
Lisa Graham
Bryn Hazell
JasmineHelsley-Barnett
CindyMaricle
WendyMcGrane
KimMeeder
NaomiMozelle
CindiO’Neil
TonaRestine
CoreySchmid
?Sandra Titus
Entrepreneur of the Year
Kate Dunn
Anna Kramer
JenniO’Keefe
Sarah Pool
Lis Thomas
SarahTorcom
Tiffany West
Community Hero
Nita Belles
Trish Connolly
Erin Foote Marlowe
Sue Fountain
Dorothy Olsen
Alison Perry
JoanSteelhammer
Bo Stern
AmandaStuermer
?JudyTrego
?Charlotte VanValkenburg
?Dr. DanaWhitelaw
?SashaWolfe
GwennWysling
KimMeeder
Young Hero Award – Age 14-17
MadelynnBowers
Sage Hassell
Young Hero Award – Age 18-21
Merritt Allen
HannahBirchem
