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CHAPTER 161
Women to Watch
“It’s not easy to be a pioneer – but, oh, it is fascinating!” – Elizabeth Blackwell, Doctor
Baker Senior Center Naples recognized Carol Clarke as its fifth annual Volunteer of the Year. Clarke has logged an amazing 1,500 hours of service since 2017.
Pictured are Charlotte Arcadia, Kathryn Gallagher (District 12 Director), and Diane Cook.
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Diane Cook of The Bonita-Estero Woman’s Club received the Charlotte Arcadia Leadership Award at the Florida-District 12 meeting of the Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs for her exemplary work with the signature program of Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention.
Champions For Learning surprised and honored four outstanding Collier County educators with Golden Apple awards, highlighting these individuals’ high impact teaching practices and dedication to the profession: Ashleigh Dean, Pinecrest Elementary School; Elizabeth Draper, Oakridge Middle School; Erin Osborne, Golden Terrace Elementary School; and Oksana Tariche Pastor, Lely High School.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County honored Kaliyah Stephens, an eighth-grader at Crestwell School in Fort Myers, as its 2024 Youth of the Year.
NCH announced that Shona Velamakanni, MD, FACC, cardiologist, was named the 2024 Physician of the Year by vote of her physician peers.
Erin Otterbeck, Pace Center for Girls Executive Board Member and VP of Operations and Business Development for AlliKriste Custom Kitchen and Cabinetry, along with Cynthia Beauchamp of The Williams Group co-chaired the “Believing in Girls Empowerment” luncheon hosted by Pace Center for Girls Collier at Immokalee.
Elisa Bowersox, CPA, joined Valerie’s House Board of Directors as the Treasurer.
Lee County’s leading nonprofit business organization, the Horizon Foundation, set its slate of officers for 2024. Holly Smith, former Mayor of Sanibel and Sanibel hotelier, holds the position of Immediate Past President and Sandy Stilwell Youngquist of Stilwell Enterprises will act as Treasurer.
Collier Resource Center elected the following officers for 2024:
Kelly Saylor, Chair; Hallie Lundon, Secretary; and Liz Buemi, Treasurer.
Martina Faude opened CozyBox in The Shoppes of Vanderbilt, where she brings the wonders of European products to Naples.
Madisyn Goodman, from Dennis Goodman Photography & Printing, received her certification as a photo organizer. At age 19, she is the youngest person to receive this certification and to be a member of The Photo Managers educational community.
Dr. Daniela Burchhardt, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, is practicing out of the offices of the Woodruff Institute for Dermatology.
PROMOTION
Judith Irigoyen
Development Director
STARability Foundation
NEW HIRES
Marin Asher
Marketing and Communications Manager
Margaritaville Beach Resort
Laura Burns
Executive Director
Naples Therapeutic Riding Center
NEW HIRES
Paula DiGrigoli
Director of Community Impact
NCH
Aileen Fiallo, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Precision Healthcare Specialists
Maria Hayes
Chief Financial Officer
Better Together
Charlotte Herbert
Development Director
For the Love of Cats
Colleen Kofsky
Associate Director of Development
Lee Health Foundation
NEW HIRES
Rosemary Labarge
Senior Services Director
Collier Resource Center
Jaimee Marshall
Administrative Support
Lee Heath Foundation
Malaina Mote
Director of Development
Lee Health Foundation
Kateryna Pechorina
Social Media Content Creator
Screaming Fans Marketing
Krystal Velazquez
Associate Director of Development
Lee Health Foundation
For consideration in Women to Watch, email a recent success story of a woman you’d like to celebrate, along with her high-resolution photo, to inspireme@ebellamag.com. This might include a big accomplishment, award or honor received, appointment to a Board, educational achievement, etc.
