Professional Woman of the Year Awards

Friday, September 25, 2026

An evening honoring professional women of Whatcom County, held at beautiful Evergreen Gardens

Each autumn, Whatcom Women in Business proudly hosts an elegant celebration to present awards to esteemed women who are distinguished members of our community. This annual event honored the work of professional women in Whatcom County and draws attendees from a wide variety of industries. The evening included heavy appetizers, drinks for purchase, a raffle, and a presentation celebrating the achievements of the awardees.

WWIB recognizes the amazing accomplishments of 3-5 Professional Women of the Year each year who strive for and exemplify the areas that Whatcom Women in Business honors: Leadership, Professionalism, Business Acumen, Mentorship, and Community Involvement. We also give a Community Legacy Award in years when it is merited. If you know an outstanding woman in our community we encourage you to read below for more information on submitting a nomination to honor an influential woman deserving of these awards. Nominations are now closed 2026. 

Professional Women of the Year Award

The Professional Women of the Year (PWOTY) award is a unique recognition opportunity, honoring the incredible contributions of local women in business. These individuals develop future leaders, mentor our children and peers, and give back in ways that impact us all.

Finalists are selected by the Whatcom Women in Business Awards Committee and up to three winners are selected by the Board of Directors and unveiled at the Awards Celebration in the year following the nominations.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for consideration for Professional Women of the Year, individuals must:

  • Be a current Whatcom County resident.
  • Identify as a woman.
  • Be a business owner or manager.
  • Have been a manager or owner in their business for a minimum of three years.
  • Have exemplified the WWIB areas of Leadership, Professionalism, Business Acumen, Mentoring, and Community Involvement in such a way as to positively impact the community and inspire those around them to do the same.

Community Legacy Award

The Community Legacy Award (CLA) is a unique recognition opportunity, honoring a member of our community who stands out as having made a lifetime of exceptional contributions and a lasting impact on our community through decades of dedication.

If you know such a person, we encourage you to submit a nomination to honor an influential woman deserving of a Community Legacy Award (CLA).

All nominees will be invited to interview for consideration. The CLA recipient is selected by the Whatcom Women in Business Board of Directors and honored at the Awards Celebration in the year following the nominations.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for consideration of the Community Legacy Award, individuals must meet the following qualifications:

  • Current Whatcom County resident.
  • Identify as a woman.
  • Have worked in Whatcom County for a minimum of 20 years.
  • Have exemplified the WWIB areas of Leadership, Professionalism, Business Acumen, Mentoring, and Community Involvement in such a way as to leave a lasting and far-reaching positive impact on our Whatcom County community.

Professional Woman of the Year Awards

Friday, September 25, 2026

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Celebration Venue: Evergreen Gardens

We are thrilled to host our event again at the beautiful Evergreen Gardens. An outdoor venue located in the beautiful Ferndale farming area, Evergreen Gardens is dedicated to providing a tranquil and sustainable event space for your event with friends and family. Our 4 acres of lush, landscaped grounds offer an escape beneath the trees for a quintessential Pacific Northwest celebration. All are welcome!


2025 Professional Women of the Year

Please join us in congratulating 2025's Recipients:

Alle Schene, Edie Hill, and Kena Greer Brashear, for being recognized as the Whatcom Women in Business Professional Women of the Year, along with Sarah Rothenbuhler, our Community Legacy Award recipient! 

Alle Schene

Chief Executive Officer

YWCA Of Bellingham

Originally hailing from the East Coast, Alle has lived in Washington long enough to proudly call herself a PNW transplant—with rain boots, kayaks, and all ...

Edie Hill

HR & Area Manager
Timken Mounted Bearings

Edie Hill is the HR & Area Manager for Timken Mounted Bearings, a division of the global bearings manufacturer, Timken. Since joining in 2016, she has been ...

Kena Greer Brashear

Co-Owner, Designated Broker
The Muljat Group

Kena Greer Brashear is the co-owner of The Muljat Group and the first Black female Designated Broker in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. A single mom of five and breast cancer survivor, ...

Meet our 2025 Community Legacy Award Winner!

Sarah Rothenbuhler is the CEO and Owner of Birch Equipment, now the 78th largest equipment rental companies in the United States. In the 90’s Birch was in freefall—losing money, market share & staff. Sarah returned to Birch & worked around the clock to restructure operations, stabilize finances, build infrastructure & morale. Over time, she transformed the company—expanding in WA & AK, growing fleet by 3000% & revenue by 1200%.

Today, Birch offers a $65 million rental fleet, 12+ year employee retention ave & has been awarded top 100 Washington State Best Places to Work every year since 2018 & top 100 Philanthropic Businesses. Sarah credits Birch’s success to her co-workers, Kaizen, & culture rooted in dependability, trust, ingenuity, humor & shared ownership.

With a career extending far beyond Birch, Sarah is also a developer, owner of Furnishings Now & she fully underwrites & runs the Birch Golf Classic one of the largest charity tournaments in the state, which has raised & contributed over $2.4 million for nonprofits serving vulnerable communities. Sarah’s story is one of grit, intelligence, generosity & the belief that being a person, family member, co-worker & business that people can depend on is one of the most important things we can do. She connects & lifts communities & builds great buildings, teams & lasting legacies in the process.