NAWBO Charlotte
& NC WBO Hall of Fame
Awards Gala

Three great awards, one great night!

Each year NAWBO Charlotte awards two women business owners with prestigious awards. These women are nominated by you, and a panel of judges interviews each finalist to choose the final winners.

The Woman Business Owner Award is presented to a member who has demonstrated strong leadership skills in growing and managing a successful business that is more than five years old.

The Rising Star Award is presented to a member who has demonstrated entrepreneurial creativity and determination in successfully managing a business that is less than five years old.

NC Women Busines Owners Hall of Fame Charlotte is host city for the NC Hall of Fame award this year. Launched in 2018, the North Carolina Women Business Owners Hall of Fame honors North Carolina’s most successful female entrepreneurs and advocates who have made significant and enduring contributions to impact women’s entrepreneurial development in North Carolina. This initiative is in coordination with NAWBO-Raleigh, the Small Business Administration and many other North Carolina organizations. Keep in mind, nominees for the Hall of Fame do NOT need to be a NAWBO member, and they can be living or deceased.

34th Annual NAWBO Charlotte Gala Award Winners

WOMAN BUSINESS OWNER
Christine Roper

Roper Physical Therapy

Christine opened Roper Physical Therapy in 2003, offering individualized treatment plans incorporating myofascial release. In 2012, she joined forces with her friend and colleague adding a medical-based, bio-mechanically sound yoga program to their physical therapy practice. Christine and her dynamic team of therapists have found success in helping their patients heal and achieve better quality of life by combining their expertise in myofascial release, physical therapy and knowledge of medical-based yoga. Christine has been a guest speaker covering topics surrounding medical-based yoga and myofascial release at several colleges and universities. Currently Christine is a committee member for the Gold Award Committee at Hornet’s Nest Girl Scouts and is a board member of the non-profit organization, Brave Step. Christine resides in Charlotte with her husband of 22 years and their 3 children.

RISING STAR
Melisa Galasso

Galasso Learning Solutions

Melisa Galasso, CPA, is the founder of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC, where she designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics. She also supports essential professional development, public speaking, and business skills. She is fortunate to work with clients motivated to invest in high-quality custom training for their staff. Melisa’s passion for instructional design is one of the differentiators that sets her apart from other CPE providers. She was honored as one of the 50 Most Influential Women by the Mecklenburg Times and has earned several awards for public speaking and technical training. Melisa enjoys traveling, watching her daughter ride her horse, and spending quality time with family. She finds balance through yoga, reading, and frequents local performing arts shows.

34th Annual NAWBO Charlotte Gala Award Finalists

The Woman Business Owner of the Year Award

Julie Bee

Bee Smart Social Media

Michelle O’Connor

O’Connor Insurance Associates

Christine Roper

Roper Physical Therapy

The Rising Star of the Year Award

Melisa Galasso

Galasso Learning Solutions

Mindy Hinson

M3 Real Estate

Nicole Reina

Amaze Clean

NAWBO Charlotte Business Owner of the Year Finalists

NAWBO Charlotte Rising Star Finalists

The 2019 NC Woman Business Owner Hall of Fame Award Finalists

Congratulations to all our finalists!

Ann Bailey, Bailey Fine Jewelry
Diane Bower, CruzDiva Travel, LLC.
Ashley Christiansen, AC Restaurants
Carrie Cox, Humacyte, Inc.
Wilma Daniels, Daniels Development Company, LLC and the William Hooper Apartment Complex
Cindy Eckert, The Pink Ceiling
Andrea Harris, NC Institute of Minority Economic Development
Elaine Lyerly, The Lyerly Agency
Nancy McFarlane, Mayor of Raleigh, NC: Advocacy Finalist
Barbara Mulkey, Mulkey Engineers & Consultants
Fabi Presslar, SPARK Publications
Ashley Thomas, Bridge to Sports

NC Hall of Fame Finalists

2019 Gala Sponsors

PREMIER SPONSOR

PACESETTER SPONSORS

FRIENDS OF NAWBO CHARLOTTE

IN-KIND SPONSORS

Thank you to all our sponsors and corporate partners for your support of NAWBO Charlotte, NAWBO Greater Raleigh, and our women business owners across North Carolina.

2019 NC Hall of Fame Sponsors

Women Business Owner Past Winners

2022

Lena Lumelsky

Woland Web

2021

Carolina Aponte

Caja Holdings

2020

Shirley Vincent

Netrocon Digital

2019

Christine Roper

Roper Physical Therapy

2018

Debbie Peterson

Money Counts

2017

Fabi Preslar

SPARK Publications

2016

Julie Ayers

LBA Haynes Strand PLLC

2015

Ellen Linares

HF Financial

2014

LeeAnn Shattuck

The Car Chick

2013

Amanda Carroll

Sage Jewelry Arts

2012

Delaine Mead

Valuebiz Business Furnishings

2011

Sara Garces

Roselli Red F Marketing

2010

Angela Key

Premier Resources

2009

Elaine Creasser

Tile Collection, Inc.

2008

Roberta Farnum

Home Instead Senior Care

2007

Sandra Feldman

Costa Rica Tours, Ltd.

2006

Frances Queen

Queen Associates, Inc.

2005

Jane Boston

Motivations, Inc.

2004

Jennifer Pippin

Pippin Home Designs

2003

Suzanne Bumgarner

Resources Employment Services

2002

Helen-Marie Berthold

Ehren-Haus Industries, Inc.

2001

Dr. Mimi Vollum

Independent Distributor Shaklee Corp.

2000

Sherry Barretta

Vision-Cor, Inc.

1999

Linda Chapman-Capron

Charlotte Outdoor Adventure Center, Inc.

1998

Ann Allen Adams

Adams & Associates

1997

Sherre’ DeMao

SLD Unlimited Marketing/PR, Inc.

1996

Pam Boileau

The Marketing Consortium

1995

Dr. Margurette M. Staley

Freedom Animal Hospital

1994

Elaine Lyerly

The Lyerly Agency

1993

Melanie G. Boone

Melanie G. Boone, Ltd.

1992

Katie Tyler

Tyler 2 Construction

1991

Sherry Smith

Resources Employment Services

1990

Vickie Fresh

Carriage House-Ethan Allen Gallery

1989

Dr. Patricia

Kyle FacFind, Inc.

1988

Barbara Miller

Court Reporting Services

1987

Angie DeVivo

Secretaries Plus/ Conventions Plus

1986

Gail Marshall

Auctions by Marshall, Inc.

Rising Star Past Winners

2022

Alison Eddings

Top Dog Tax & Accounting

2021

Nikki Laub

Premiere Concrete Supply

2020

Nicole Reina

Amaze Clean

2019

Melisa Galasso

Galasso Learning Solutions

2018

Crystal Cliff

Phoenix Moon Acupuncture & Apothecary

2017

Carolina Aponte

Caja Holdings

2016

Penny Benkeser

SERVPRO of NW Charlotte, Lincoln & Gaston Counties

2015

Lisa Woodie

Homemade Fresh Chef Service

2014

Nicole Odom

Dogtopia of Charlotte

2013

Wendy Laxton

Laxton CFO Services

2012

Karen Bennetts

Little Red Bird

2011

Dr. Vicki Parker

The Brain Trainer

2010

Jessica Babinski

New American Mortgage

2009

Barbara Jones

Allegra Print & Imaging

2008

Sara Garces

Roselli Red F Marketing

2007

Darcey Walraven

Walraven Chiropractic

2006

Memuna Williams

Avantgarde Translations

2005

Betsey Macholz

Baskets of Yarn

2004

Roberta Farnum

Home Instead Senior Care

2003

Frances Queen

Queen Associates, Inc.

2002

Sandie Ridings

Signs Now

2001

Carole McLeod

New South Waste, Inc.

2000

Julie Garella

Carnegie Capital Advisors

1998

Monique L. Abner

MD Medical Doctor, Plastic Surgeon

1997

Marcia Grier

Marcia A. Grier & Co.

1996

Lindsay Daniel

Lindsay Daniel Architectural Services

1995

Jean Griswold

Metrolina Outreach Mammography

1994

Dutch Stamey

Summit Training & Development Institute

1993

Sherry Barretta

Training Visions, Inc.

1992

Sally Moorehead

The Firing Point

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