RALEIGH, NC – Erin Cohen, President of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater Raleigh, announced the NAWBO Award Recipients for 2014.

The categories and award winners are as follows:

Woman Business Owner of the Year

Janice Cutler owns North Raleigh Florist, where she stays current with design trends and techniques through industry classes, design competitions and hands-on workshops. Her ideas, creativity, and beautiful arrangements have provided the impetus to grow into a thriving business. Janice has a great passion for the floral industry and strongly believes in long-term relationships. She encourages everyone to always keep learning and to share their knowledge and experience with one another.

Mary Diener Spirit Award (Member of the Year)

Pam Williams is no stranger to NAWBO Greater Raleigh and set a great example for the board for 2 years with her dedication and attention to Public Policy. She elected to “take a year off” for the 2013-14 year to spend more time with her daughter during her senior year of high school. Then, without missing a beat, stepped into an important role as committee chair to pull together our successful Volunteerism luncheon and Expo. Without her leadership, we would not have been able to pull all the elements together & have 125 attendees. She did this “while taking time off”.

Rising Star Award

Bianca Montes Jones arrived running into NAWBO. As a brand new member she took it upon herself to attend the national NAWBO meeting. When she returned, she gave the board of directors a complete report on the sessions she attended. After that, she partnered with our chapter Sponsorship chair to help gain more sponsors for us. Bianca has shown strong NAWBO passion as a new member, attending various NAWBO events and volunteering to assist whenever needed. She is a strong asset to our chapter. We look forward to her continued leadership.

Public Policy Advocate Award

Donna Cohen was an active committee member – participating in planning sessions, conference calls, helping to organize the February Hot Topics and Public Policy Luncheon event with Jane Pinsky, and serving as a sounding board for the Committee Chair and other committee members. We praise Donna for her longstanding commitment to and active involvement with the public policy committee.

Chapter Corporate Partner of the Year

Wendy Coulter and her team have provided a sponsorship that has re-elevated how we can better communicate our mission to others. Her team is tireless in providing press releases, offering suggestions for additional marketing, and going the extra mile to show NAWBO Greater Raleigh in the best possible light. All of our sponsors are cherished and Hummingbird Creative Group is a true standout this year for what they have provided in front and behind the scenes.

“Our association has a high-caliber mix of business professionals committed to expanding and improving the success of women business owners,” said Cohen. “We are honored to recognize these engaged leaders who ensure and assist in our efforts to contribute to the greater community,” says Cohen.