Women of Excellence identifies high-achieving women for their tremendous career accomplishments. The women are selected based on their professional experience, community involvement, leadership and sustained commitment to mentoring.

The Circle of Excellence honorees are prior Women of Excellence honorees who show longstanding, notable professional success, community impact and are leading the way for the next generation of women leaders.

Sponsorship benefits include a table for your guests, the right to use the event logo, multimedia marketing opportunities and much more depending on the sponsorship level you choose. This event is limited attendance. If seats are available after the sponsorship deadline, a limited number of individual tickets will go on sale. Tables are only available with sponsorship.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and benefits please contact your account manager or email [email protected]

if you have questions about this awards event, please email [email protected]

FAQ

What is the nomination process and the steps to take?

Once the online nomination form is completed an automated email will be sent to the individual nominated (the email address entered in the “Nominee Email” field) and a submission receipt will be sent to the email placed in the “Nominator’s Email” field.

In order for the nominee to continue with the process they must fill out the application form by the application deadline listed in the automated email and on the corresponding event landing page.

We also recommend submitting up to three letters of recommendation to https://rbj.net/letters-of-recommendation-submission-form/ by the application deadline to be included in the nominee’s judging packet as supporting materials. This is not a requirement, but an added benefit.

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

In order to be considered, candidates:

● Must demonstrate significant professional accomplishment within their career, strong leadership and mentoring skills as well as strong civic commitment in our community;
● Must be employed in Greater Rochester (Counties to include: Monroe, Ontario, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wayne); and
● May be self-nominated or nominated by another person.

While anyone can nominate, we recommend nominations come from a senior leader in the candidate’s organization. It is then required that the nominee go through the entire application process, please see above response for more details on that.

Who are the judges and what are they looking for when selecting the Women of Excellence honorees?

A panel of judges consisting of prior year Circle of Excellence honorees and RBJ’s editorial team select the Women of Excellence honorees. It is essential that the candidate prove their professional experience, community involvement, leadership and sustained commitment to mentoring and the Rochester community. It is helpful to have at least one letter of recommendation from someone that can speak to these achievements.

What is the Circle of Excellence award?

The Circle of Excellence award are for women who have been honored as Women of Excellence in prior years and are eligible to be nominated for the Circle of Excellence. Circle of Excellence honorees are women whom other women want to emulate, women who broke the glass ceiling and women whose success has impacted the next generation and the Rochester community. Circle of Excellence nominees must follow the same nomination and application process as the above.

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

Yes, you can. Please reach out if you encounter any issues.

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

You do not need to purchase a ticket for yourself if you are an honoree. All other attendees must purchase a ticket. Please, note that all RBJ events are limited attendance based on location. Honorees and sponsors are guaranteed tickets. Individual tickets will only go on sale if space is available after sponsorship deadlines.

What is included in sponsorship packages?

Sponsorship opportunities to include a table for your guests, multimedia marketing, logo usage and much more depending on the level your company selects. For more sponsorship information and benefits please contact your account manager or email [email protected].

Can I buy an ad in the publication?

Please contact Suzanne Fischer-Huettner to place an add or purchase a sponsorship package.

Congratulations to the 2026 Honorees!

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE 2026

Stephanie Fowler Benson, Edgemere Development, Inc.

Bridgette Jones-Waters, Cafe Dreamers Brewing Institute, Inc.

Dr. Heidi Macpherson, SUNY Brockport

Gail Morelle, Christa Construction

Carla M. Palumbo, The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY

Audrey Patrone Peartree, Harris Beach Murtha

Marcy Tiberio, Professional Notary Services, Inc

Women of Excellence Honorees

Jennifer Aronson, Hodgson Russ LLP

Michelle Ashby, Tipping Point Communications

Pam Ayers, Empreinte Consulting LLC

Emily Bennett, Paws and Claws Pet Care, Inc.

Sarah Billings, Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship

Donna Burnette, Rochester Institute of Technology

Kara Calabro, Roc Integrated Health LLC & Rooted in Roc LLC

Melisza Campos, Wegmans Food Markets

Soyeon Caruso, Bank of America, Private Bank

Nancy Catarisano, Insero Advisors, LLC

Florence Clemmons, Foodlink

Christin M. Cornetta, Lippes Mathias LLP

Erica Dayton, The Golisano Foundation

Stephanie Dickman, Stephanie Dickman Consulting, LLC

Stacy Ercan, Stacy K Floral

Erica Fee, Rochester Fringe Festival

Pamela Ferranti, Brenntag

Theodora Finn, Greater Rochester Housing Partnership

Maureen Finney, Nazareth University

Annette Jiménez Gleason, Rochester Area Community Foundation

Jill Halterman, M.D., MPH, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Golisano Children’s Hospital

Nikki Hamblin, High Probability Advisors, LLC

Jenny L. Holmes, Nixon Peabody LLP

Susie Huss, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

Anika Simone Johnson, University of Rochester, Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development

Aimee Jozic, The Bonadio Group

Dawn Kellogg, The Summit Federal Credit Union

Wende Knapp, Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Jackie Lee, MMB+CO

Patricia Leva, Junior Achievement of Central Upstate New York, Inc.

Lisa Lewis, Catholic Charities Family & Community Services

Ana Liss, Monroe County

Melissa Lord, Accelerate Media

Lynn M. Lubecki, Empire State University

Kimberly Mitchell, Ujoozi

Esther Neal, Empowering People’s Independence

Patricia Nilsen, Avangrid NYSEG / RG&E

Julie Owen, Heritage Christian Services

CaTyra Polland, Love for Words

Gerianne Puskas, Mission Advancement Group, LLC

Ghislaine Radegonde-Eison, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester

Kelly Reed, Huther Doyle

Danielle Renodin-Mead, Oak Orchard Health

Iveth Reynolds, Tri-Mar Consulting Inc

Hazel Robertshaw, UR Medicine Thompson Health

Arline Bayó Santiago, ESL Federal Credit Union

Allison Shannon, AIA, SWBR

Mercedes Vazquez Simmons, Latino Youth Development and Resource Center Inc

Mazie Tai, Hillside

Anna Valeria, Open Door Mission

Sandy Waters, Audacy Rochester / 98.9 The Buzz

Tiffany Welch-Piddisi, Willow Domestic Violence Center

Jessica Wilson, Trillium Health, Inc.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND PURCHASE PHOTOS FROM THE 2026 EVENT

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