Distinguished Advocate There are many people and organizations that strongly support women business owners, and who actively work to further women in their pursuits. Our Distinguished Advocate award is presented to an individual, or organization, who has demonstrated outstanding support of women business owners in a public forum, enabling them to have a stronger voice and be a viable force in the business world.

Media Leadership Obtaining accurate information is one of the key factors that drive a successful business. The Media can provide us with that information, as well as providing the publicity that is essential to promoting women business owners and the issues they face on a daily basis. Our Media Leadership award is presented to an individual, or organization, who has shown outstanding support for women business owners through the power of the Press.

Women’s Health Women face many health challenges with varying degrees of impact. As business owners, wives, mothers, and caregivers good health is vital to our success. Our Women’s Health Award is presented to an individual, or organization, who has been instrumental in the betterment of women’s health, through research, support, and awareness.

Women’s Empowerment Women business owners face many challenges, both financial and strategic, with varying degrees of impact. As business owners, accessing financing is an important key to our success. Our Women’s Empowerment Award is presented to an individual, or organization, who has been instrumental in Women’s Economic Independence through avenues of support and public awareness.

Women in Sports Women have made great advances in the sports world, and we believe the role of women in sports is vital to the success of women in all areas. Our Women in Sports Award is presented to an individual, or organization, which has made significant contributions in enabling women to achieve those advances.

Community Service We are all connected to our communities is a variety of ways. We may seek out our community in times of need, or we may contribute our time and efforts to others in need. Our Community Service Award is presented to an individual, or organization, who has taken community service to a higher level, demonstrating outstanding service to the community through deeds and support.

Unsung Hero This person is critical to the growth and health of the organization, but may not always be visible. This person helps others move up, supports and empowers them, leading from the middle. The person is a stabilizer and can lead through rough spots. The person gives back, works behind the scenes and doesn’t look for credit. People look to this person for guidance and are comfortable approaching her. No organization can survive without the Unsung Heroes.

Member of the Year This award is given to recognize the accomplishments of one outstanding NAWBO member who has worked to practice, innovate, and effective changes by supporting and establishing presence for NAWBO. This person supports and strengthens NAWBO’s vision and mission statement, strengthens the image of NAWBO in the Public and Private Sectors, and creates innovative and effective changes in NAWBO.

Bridge Builder This person clearly builds alliances and forms coalitions. This person is involved in community outreach and is adept at pulling groups together. It is often a mystery how she has the energy to do everything she does. This person frequently helps resolve conflict and perceives links for potential partnerships and pursues them. The Bridge Builder creates energy and is clearly a leader within NAWBO, but equally is a leader outside of NAWBO. The Bridge Builder helps ensure the continuity and future growth of the organization.

Rookie of the Year This is a new member who jumped in feet first and became a visible, enthusiastic supporter of NAWBO. This person typically participates in committee work soon after joining, attends all meetings and special functions, and promotes NAWBO in other venues. She quickly becomes a resource for other new members. It is the new members that bring new energy and thinking to all organizations.

Emerging Business Women business owners have consistently shown innovation and persistence in launching and growing new businesses. The Emerging Business Award is presented to a business that is less than three years old, has seen rapid growth since its inception and demonstrates the potential for greater growth in the future.

Business Owner of the Year This prestigious annual award recognizes the accomplishments of one outstanding woman entrepreneur who has used creative initiatives to overcome obstacles, create jobs, grow a successful business, and help her community.

Distinguished Advocate: Representative Rush Holt (12th District of New Jersey)
Women’s Health: Rosemarie Poverman, MSW, LCSW
Women’s Empowerment: Nell Merlino
Women’s Sports: Coach C. Vivian Stringer (Rutgers University)
Charity of the Year: Ocean’s Harbor House
Community Service: Dawn Nakash
Business Owner of the Year: Barbara Davis
Member of the Year: Elizabeth Milio
Rookie of the Year: Jean Coomber
Emerging Business Woman of the Year: Marcia Blackwell

2004 Platinum Star Awards

Extraordinary Individuals Making Significant Contributions to Women and Women Business Owners


Women’s Health	Dr Beth M. Deutch, Herspace Breast Imaging
Media Leadership	Karyn D. Collins, Asbury Park Press
Distinquished Advocate	George Taber, NJBIZ
Community Service	Coastal Habitat for Humanity Women Build
Member of the Year	Melinda Salzer, Advanced Information Services, Inc
Business Woman of the Year	Donna Cardillo, Cardillo & Associates
Unsung Hero	Catherine Tansey, ISIS Group International
Gillian Rudd	Diahann Lassus, Lassus & Wherley & Associates,PC
Teambuilder	Donna Domenicali, Blue Heron Designs, Inc.
Public Policy Advocate	Amy Mallet, Personals by Design

2004 Platinum Star Award Dinner Sponsors

Gold Sponsors
Ampersand Graphics
CentraState Healthcare System

Silver Sponsors
Mayrac Company, Inc.
Personals by Design
Lassus & Wherley & Associates,PC
Little Hat Marketing & Design

2004 Chapter Award Recipients
• Donna Cardillo, NAWBO® Central Jersey Business Woman of the Year,
• Melinda Salzer, NAWBO® Central Jersey Member of the Year
• Catherine Tansey, NAWBO® Central Jersey Unsung Hero
• Donna Domenicali, NAWBO® Central Jersey Team Builder AND recipient of National Team Builder Award
• Diahann W. Lassus, NAWBO® Central Jersey Gillian Rudd Award

Donna Cardillo received the 2004 NAWBO® Central Jersey Business Woman of the Year Award. Donna received her award at the 2004 Installation Dinner of the NAWBO® Central Jersey Chapter. Pictured above are Donna Cardillo (left) receiving her award from A. Lorraine Jones, Awards Chair (right).	Donna Domenicali received the National Team Builder Award at the Leadership Luncheon during the NAWBO® Annual Conference 2004 (June 3) in Dallas, TX	Melinda Salzer received the 2004 NAWBO® Central Jersey Member of the Year Award. Melinda received her award at the 2004 Installation Dinner of the NAWBO® Central Jersey Chapter. Pictured above are Melinda Salzer (right) receiving her award from A. Lorraine Jones, Awards Chair (left).
Catherine Tansey received the 2004 NAWBO® Central Jersey Unsung Hero Award. Cathe received her award at the 2004 Installation Dinner of the NAWBO® Central Jersey Chapter.		Diahann W. Lassus received the 2004 NAWBO® Central Jersey Gillian Rudd Award.

Candy Bennett received the EPOXY Award at the April 2004 meeting. The EPOXY award was created to honor Candy as a special member without whom the Central Jersey Chapter could not have been formed.	A. Lorraine Jones (right) presents the EPOXY Award to Candy Bennett (left).

National Awards: Each year, NAWBO® honors outstanding volunteer achievement through its awards program. The awards include Gillian Rudd Vanguard Award, National Public Policy Advocate of the Year, Chapter Public Policy Advocate of the Year, Woman Business Owner of the Year, Member of the Year, Corporate Partner of the Year, and Chapter Corporate Partner of the Year.

The NAWBO®/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award celebrates the innovations of women in business by recognizing several finalists and selecting one exceptional women business owner awardee. The NAWBO®/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award recognizes a woman business owner that has successfully implemented an innovation to create: a new market; a new way of doing business; competitive advantage in an existing market; or an improved customer experience.

NAWBO® also honors its volunteer leaders through the annual Leadership Awards. Such awards include: Unsung Hero, Pioneer, Teambuilder, Bridge Builder, and Rookie of the Year.

Gillian Rudd Vanguard Award: To recognize the accomplishments of one outstanding woman who exemplifies Gillian Rudd. The nominee is an active businesswoman and leading advocate for women business owners around the world for more than 10 years. Through her efforts, she improves the business climate for women; and enables women to fulfill the potential of their economic and social contributions. This person does not have to be a chapter member.

Teambuilder: When there is work to be done, she finds the people, motivates them, and gets them involved. She is exuberant, enthusiastic, and inspires others to participate. Teambuilders recognize the power of grassroots involvement and are crucial to the growth and vitality of any organization.