Professional Woman of the Year Past Award Recipients
We have hosted the Professional Woman of the Year Event annually since 1981, missing only a few years. After missing 2020, we pivoted to include three women in the Professional Woman of the Year Award, and in 2023 we added the Community Legacy Award category.
We look forward to continuing to honor the outstanding women in our business community for many years to come.
2025 Alle Schene, Chief Executive Officer
YWCA Of Bellingham; Edie Hill, HR & Area Manager Timken Mounted Bearings; Kena Greer Brashear, Co-Owner, Designated Broker The Muljat Group
2025 *Community Legacy Award* Sarah Rothenbuhler, CEO and Owner of Birch Equipment
2024 Jamie Smeall, Co-Owner of Avenue Bread; Sarah Chan, Proprietor of Calypso Kitchen; Nadine van Niekerk, Co-Owner of Stones Throw Brewery
2024 *Community Legacy Award* Trudy Shuravloff, Executive Director, Whatcom Dream
2023 Harneet Kur Siohta, Co-founder/ VP of HR, Kam-Way Transportation; Rita Jefferson, COO, Silver Reef Casino Resort; Robin Robertson, Co-Owner ,Bellingham Training and Tennis Club
2023 *Comunity Legacy Award* Kirsten Barron, Partner, Barron Smith Daugert
*2022 missed*
2021 Anya Milton, Executive Director, Ferndale Chamber; Gabriel Miles, Owner, Gabriels Art Kids; Mary Elliot, Founder/ Executive Director, Makerspace
2021 *Comunity Legacy Award* Julia Bozzo, NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center
*2020 missed*
2019, Lynn Giuliani, Consultant, Progressions Inc.
2018 Ariana Lee, Co-founder, Bija Chocolates (now K'ul Chocolate)
2017 Moonwater, Executive Director, Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center
2016 Maluhia Vander Griend, Artistic Director, Dancing for Joy
2015 Emily O'Connor, Executive Director, Lydia Place
2014 Carolyn Saletto, Owner, Gym Star Sports Center
2013 Karen Barlean, CFO, Barlean’s, Organic Oils LLC
2012 Wendy DeFreest, Owner, Avenue Bread & Deli
2011 Gwyn Howat, Operations Manager, Mt. Baker Ski Area, Inc.
2010 Nancy Ivarinen, Northwest Justice Project.
2009 Debbie Gann, Director/Owner, Home Attendant Care
2008 Lynne Henifin, Henifin Const/NW Safety Signs/Complete Trade Services
2007 Alta McClellan, Hardware Sales (passed away 2010)
2006 Maureen Enegren, Executive Director of Mt. Baker Chapter of American Red Cross
2005 Kathy Cross, Laser Point Awards & Promotional
2002 Erin Baker, Bakers Breakfast Cookies
2001 Phyllis McKee, Sterling Real Estate Group
2000 Kay Moquin, il Fiasco
1999 Pat Rose, Rose Construction
1998 Judy McCoy, Camtec Precision, Inc.
1997 Debra Jones, Brown & Cole Stores
1996 Betty Vargas, Signs Plus / Tint Plus
1995 Anna Williams, Hawleys
1994 Betty Young, WWU
1993 Karen Hulford, Georgia Pacific Corp.
1992 Anita Jackson, Early Childhood Opportunities N.W.
1991 Vi Zurline, Bellingham Travel
1990 Karen Frederick, Limber Lady Body Wear
1989 Priscilla Sabin, Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
1988 Ann Gossage, Towne & Country
1987 Molly Malone, Molly Malone’s Service
1986 Dee Robinson, Village Books
1985 Kathy Wesley, AM/PM Mini Mart
1984 Orphalee Smith, CPA
1983 Eunice Cole, Star Surgical Supply
1982 Jody Bergsma, Bergsma Gallery
1981 Jeanne Smith, The Cellar