32nd Annual Women in Leadership Awards

Executive Women of the Palm Beaches

Event: 32nd Annual Women in Leadership Awards

When: May 1, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Cohen Pavilion of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, West Palm Beach

What: The highly distinguished Women in Leadership Awards are presented annually by Executive Women of the Palm Beaches in recognition of local women who have sustained outstanding accomplishments and displayed generosity of spirit, commitment to integrity and diversity, and genuine connectedness with others in the community. Three women will be honored for their outstanding accomplishments within the realms of volunteer, private and public/nonprofit sector service.

Highlights: EWPB is excited to have Jennifer Hyman as its keynote speaker. Hyman is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Rent the Runway, a revolutionary business that makes designer dress and accessory rentals a convenient and accessible luxury experience for millions of women.

Since Rent the Runway’s launch in November 2009, Hyman has managed all areas of the business, including technology, fashion, sales, marketing, operations, customer service and team management, while also serving as a company spokesperson. Hyman was named as the Chief Marketing Officer of Fortune’s “Executive Dream Team” and has been honored with numerous recognitions including Fortune’s “Trailblazers 2013,” “Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs,” and “40 Under 40”; Forbes’ “Disrupters 2013”; Crain’s New York Business “40 Under 40”; Inc. magazine’s “Top 30 Under 30”; Fast Company’s “Most Influential Women in Technology”; and Fashionista.com’s “Most Influential People in New York Fashion.” She has also appeared as a guest on NBC’s Today Show and ABC’s Good Morning America, among many others.

Hyman received her BA from Harvard University and MBA from Harvard Business School. She currently resides in New York City, where she is a Bloomberg Fellow, a TechStars mentor, and a member of both the Entrepreneurship Board at the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Women in Business Board at Harvard University.

Who: Representing the public/nonprofit, volunteer and private sectors, the following nominees for the 2015 WILA awards are examples of the strength and character of female leadership in Palm Beach County: Jennifer Sardone-Shiner, Dorritt Miller, Karis Engle, Mary M. Barnes, Gayle Pallesen, Annette Gray, Vicki Pugh, Ellen Joy Vahab, Dr. Jean Wihbey, Norma Williams, Dorothy Jacks, Connie Siskowski, Laurie Simmons, Denise Albritton, Yvonne Boice, Melody Spano, Nicole Hessen, Sharon Koskoff, Deborah Katz, Martha Ruth Reyes, Kerry Cavallo, Louise Lorraine Voltaire, Ashley Tripp, Pamela DuBose McIver, Ellen M. Liebovitch, Jestena Boughton, Amy Angelo, Sheila G. Mains, Jodie Petrone, Nicole Flier, Adrianne Weissman, Marti LaTour, Kelly M. Williams, Natalie Stolbach, and Salesia Smith-Gordon. Chair of the 2015 WILA event is Natalie Alvarez with Sandra Close Turnquest serving as co-chair. Frances Fisher will serve as Honorary Chair.

Sponsors: Presenting sponsor is Florida Power & Light. Additional sponsors include PNC Bank, Palm Beach Illustrated, The Palm Beach Post, Frances Fisher, Wilmington Trust, Florida Atlantic University, Braman Motorcars, The Geo Group, CEMEX, Pattie Light, Susan L. Petersen, Lisa Peterfreund and The Merrill G. and Emita E. Hasting Foundation, Comerica Wealth, Julie Kime, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Florida Community Bank, Gil Walsh Interiors, Virginia Spencer, Allied Capital & Development, Harbourside Place, Barefoot Productions, and Whole Foods.

Proceeds: Proceeds from the luncheon provide critically needed program grants which help girls and young women and provide scholarships to help talented young women pursue their dreams of a college education, via the EWPB’s nonprofit foundation.

Tickets: EWPB Members- $115; Guests – $130; Signature Sponsors (EWPB Member only) – $300; Signature Sponsors (Non-EWPB Member) – $350; Students – $75.

Info: For tickets or sponsorships, contact Jessica Clasby at (561) 868-7070 or info@ewpb.org.