The Central Penn Business Journal Women of Influence awards recognize high-achieving women who are making a positive impact through leadership, community service and mentoring. This year CPBJ also will recognize Women to Watch –  honoring women leaders, age 35 or younger, who are stepping up to help shape the Central Pennsylvania of tomorrow through professional success and a commitment to making a positive impact on the community.

Circle of Excellence honorees are women of longstanding, notable success in the community who are leading the way for other women. These women are selected by the CPBJ editorial board and have been selected three times.

Who should be nominated?

You know and admire her. She’s the woman who never fails to exceed expectations – at work and beyond. No matter how many tasks she juggles, she makes it look easy. She always makes time to mentor others and creates a picture of what’s possible by leading by example.

The same woman can be nominated every other year but she will not be selected for back-to-back years.

Don’t miss this chance to recognize her for her inspirational leadership and extraordinary accomplishments – nominate her for CPBJ Women of Influence or Women to Watch! 

For questions about nominations, please contact our events team at cpbjevents@bridgetowermedia.com.

Nomination deadline: Friday, March 19, 2021

How can I be considered for the Women of Influence award?

Nominations can be made by anyone, including yourself. An application is automatically emailed to all nominees and must be completed in order to be considered for this award. A letter of recommendation is not required, but is strongly encouraged to assist the judges in making their decision.

To be eligible, applicants must live in or work in one of the following counties Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry at the time of judging.

How often can I be considered? 

Women can be honored every other year but not two consecutive years. If a woman is awarded for the third time, (which would take six years) they have the opportunity to be inducted into the Circle of Excellence.

Can I save the nomination or application forms while I’m working on them?

Yes. 

Who are the judges and what are they looking for when selecting the Top 100 Women?

A panel of judges consisting of business professionals and past winners from across central Pennsylvania select the Women of Influence. It is essential that the candidate prove a combination of excelling at all three levels–professionally, in the community and with mentoring. It is helpful to have at least one letter of recommendation from someone that can speak to all three of these achievements.

Do the judges evaluate differently for the Circle of Excellence?

The Circle of Excellence is awarded for sustained achievement and those women who have won two times prior are eligible. The judges are asked to be extremely selective at this stage and look for continued involvement in all key areas with a demonstration that they are still actively involved and proactive.

Should I have a letter of recommendation sent?

Past judges have told us that the letter(s) of recommendation is helpful particularly when they are not familiar with the candidate. Up to 3 letters of recommendations can be emailed to cpbjevents@bridgetowermedia.com. Please save all letters of recommendation as PDFs labeled with your name (or organization) led by the category or event you are being nominated for. The letter will be paired to your application when it is received.

Do the winners have to say something?

Winners do not speak live during the event, but will be contacted to be profiled in a multi-media video that will be aired during the event. 

I’m a Women of Influence award winner, what now? 

Sit tight, a member of our team will contact you soon with any additional details.

If I’m a winner, do I need to purchase a ticket?

You do not need to purchase a ticket for yourself as an honoree. All other attendees must purchase a ticket. Sponsorship packages are available to purchase for those wanting large groups of tickets and additional benefits.

Can I buy an ad in the publication?

The Women of Influence program is supported through sponsorships. The ads you see in the magazine are part of the sponsorship packages. Please email shuettner@bridgetowermedia.com.

I bought a ticket but I don’t see it? 

Remember, tickets can only be opened on one device, if you open it on your phone but then try to open it on your computer it will not work. 

Remember, tickets can only be opened on one device, if you open it on your phone but then try to open it on your computer it will not work.

Contact cpbjevents@bridgetowermedia.com if you have any questions or issues. 

Abeer Srouji Allen Eye Candy Family, LLC

Denise DesGroseilliers Britton Shalom House

Linnie S. Carter, Ph.D., APR HACC & HACC Foundation

Meghan Clark Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts

Stephanie G. Clay, P.E. ARRO Consulting, Inc.

Nicole Deary Leadership Cumberland

Erin P. Deller Assemble; Andculture

Betsy Hamm Duck Donuts Franchising

Jessica Hughes Viscul

Kandice Kerwin Hull McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC

Sharice Johnson Milton Hershey School

Stephanie Kessler RKL LLP

Ellen Kyzer PNC

Janeen M. Latin UCP Central PA

Michelle Latta Feeser’s, Inc.

Michelle Lisk Mid Penn Home Care LLC / Synergy HomeCare of Mid Penn

Shelly Matter HB McClure Company

Jeshanah McLeod Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz

Regina Bilotta McLeod Ace Distributing

Tracy Pawelski PPO&S Integrated Marketing

Robin K. Rohrbaugh Community Progress Council

Brooke E. D. Say Stock and Leader

Kristine C. Saylor Keystone Human Services

Stephanie Schmidt Poole Anderson Construction

Joelle Shea Gannett Fleming

Debra Kohr Sheppard PCN

Ruth Katherine Shiffler Wilmington Trust, N.A. 

Traci Shughart Premier Wealth Management

Patty Sibbach Precision Training Concepts, LLC

Natalie M. Wech M&T Bank

Jessica L. Whitmyer Members 1st Federal Credit Union

Leigh Ann Wilson MANTEC

Amy M. Young Wagman Construction, Inc.

Karen Young Hr Resolutions

Woman to Watch

Katie Roering Fontana Candle Company, LLC

Circle of Excellence

To be considered for the Central Penn Business Journal’s Circle of Excellence recognition, women honorees have sustained leadership roles in their choice of profession, through mentorship and in their community. They are at the pinnacle of their careers and true icons of their industry.

Victoria Connor York County Bar Association/York County Bar Foundation

Susan Graham Susan Graham Consulting

Una Martone Leadership Harrisburg Area

Lisa Myers Boyer & Ritter

Tina L. Nixon UPMC Pinnacle

Letters of recommendation are highly encouraged due to the number of applicants for this award. Please send any supporting materials to cpbjevents@bridgetowermedia.com. Up to 3 letters of recommendation are encouraged.

Applications are completed by the person nominated and completed applications must be submitted for the candidate to participate in this program. Information provided on this form may be used by Central Penn Business Journal in the corresponding event publication.

Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.