THE 2020 TRIBUTE PRESENTED BY TO WOMEN AWARDS THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 7 PM - 8 PM 1 With special thanks to our sponsors Presenting Sponsor Partnering Sponsors Collaborating Sponsors Supporting Sponsors Mission Sponsors Media Sponsor Decor Sponsor Print Advertising Sponsor Beauty Sponsor Chamber Sponsor Adorn Beauty Center & Spa Share your thoughts and photos #YWCAtribute 2 YWCA Princeton’s toTribute Women Awards THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 7:00 - 8:00 PM PROGRAM OPENING REMARKS 7:00 - 7:15 PM INTRODUCTION OF THE 7:15 PM - 8:00 PM CLASS OF 2020 AND AWARDS CEREMONY 3 The YWCA Princeton celebrates National Women’s History Month with its Annual Tribute To Women Awards Every March, the YWCA Princeton celebrates a handful of women in honor of Women’s History Month through the Tribute to Women Awards. Although the 2020 Tribute to Women Awards are now virtual and held in May, the sentiment remains the same: honoring Mercer County women. First and foremost, Tribute to Women Honorees embody the mission of the YWCA, which is to eliminate racism and empower women. They also have exemplary professional and personal accomplishments as well as dedication to community service. The Class of 2020 will join an elite group of Tribute to Women Honorees, totaling over 600 women who have been honored since the event began in 1984. This also includes women honored through the former YWCA Trenton. A full listing is available in this book. Nominations for the 2021 Tribute to Women Awards will be open in Fall 2020. If you know a deserving woman, sign up for our e-newsletter by texting YWCAPRINCETON to 22828 or visit www.ywcaprinceton.org to learn when nominations open. About the Young Woman Award The Young Woman Award will be awarded for the first time at the 2020 Tribute to Women Awards. It was created to put a spotlight on rising stars in the Mercer County who demonstrate commit- ment and passion in advancing social equity. About the CommUNITY Award Created by YWCA Princeton’s Board of Directors in 2016, the CommUNITY award is granted to those whose service characterizes the mission of the YWCA to eliminate racism and empower women throughout our region and whose actions inspire others to serve as well. The award also commem- orates and celebrates the recent efforts of the YWCA Princeton to expand its service and mission throughout region. 4 YWCA Princeton Board of Directors Board Leadership Melanie Lowe Hoffman Megan Adams, President Katrina Homel Leslie Straut Ward, Vice President Donna Maywar Alice Small, Secretary Lorine Murray-Mechini Ann Strootman, Treasurer Aquatia Owens Kathleen Nash, VP at Large Fredi Pearlmutter Karen Delk, Chair of Nominations Lori Rabon Dr. Cheryl Rowe-Rendleman Directors Sandra Toussaint Toni-Anne M. Blake Anita Thomas Elizabeth Garber Eileen McCoy Whang Nell Talman Haughton Laila Wilson 2020 NEXT GEN Board of Directors Lauren Peck, Co-President Melissa Drift Sarah Kiely, Co-President Haley Gorda Shernelle Pringle, Co- Vice President RaElle Jackson Tatianna Sims, Co-Vice President Nicole Kato Sheila Desai, Secretary Nickita Naik Kelly Marker, Treasurer Melda Sezen-Edmonds Kasey Silva DeAna Smith 2020 Tribute to Women Committee Michele Siekerka, Co-Chair* Kathleen Maguire Morolda* Fern Spruill, Co-Chair* Pranav Naik Rochelle Calhoun Kapu Patel Daphne Elkes Sonali Patel Carol Golden* Lauren Peck Paula Gould Jigna Rao* Pat Hartpence* Stephanie Schaub Sarah Kiely Robin Walton* Paralee Knight *Former Tribute Honoree 5 The YWCA Princeton Board of Directors Congratulates the 2020 Class of Tribute to Women Award Honorees 6 7 Empowered Women Empower Women. Congratulations Tribute to Women Class of 2020! Adriana Abizadeh With deep interests in public policy Adriana has taken every opportunity to utilize her privileged position in order to speak out for what she believes in and to lift the voices of impacted community members. Taking the lead in various policy initiatives, she has facilitated community collaboration to highlight the intersectionality between immigration, housing, poverty, and race. Having served as a nonprofit executive, she has cultivated expertise in development, marketing and communications, sustainability and strategic planning. Adriana has a BA from Rutgers University in Political Science with a minor in Security Intelligence and Counter Terrorism. She also has an MS in Public Policy from Drexel University. She has committed herself to serving on several boards that reflect some of her deepest passions: immigration, racial and health equity, and youth development. When Adriana isn’t serving her community, she is at home with her two children, husband, and their two dogs. 8 Moriah Akrong YOUNG WOMAN AWARD Moriah Akrong is a native of Princeton, NJ. She received both her Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Industry Management and a Masters in Business Administration from Philadelphia University, and is now the proud founder of The Golden Lotus Project LLC. Founded in 2014, The Golden Lotus Project is a socially responsible brand dedicated to giving back, with a mission to help every woman and girl feel empowered by reminding them they were born Golden. As a socially responsible brand, it is supportive of its program goals of empowerment through the sale of unique merchandise, a yearly feminine hygiene product drive, back to school drives, participation in Princeton area community initiatives, and workshops on how to live a more positive life. Moriah is also a lifetime member of Mt. Pisgah A.M.E Church where she currently serves as President of the Steward board. She is also the 1st Vice President of the Asbury Area Women’s Missionary society. A scripture that continues to guide her and she uses to encourage others is Romans 5:3-5. Dr. Kemi Alli Dr. Alli has been the CEO of Henry J. Austin Health Center since 2015 where she previously served as Chief Medical Officer. She has been a Pediatrician with Henry J. Austin for over 21 years. Dr. Alli obtained her medical degree from Rutgers NJ and completed her pediatric residency from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School NJ. Dr. Alli has done countless webinars, speaking engagements and conference presentations across the country on various topics from Advanced Access, to Joy in the Workplace, to Integrated Care. She is continuing to lead this transformative re-design of the health care delivery process at Henry J. Austin. Dr. Alli is devoted to the Trenton community founding innovative organizations like the Trenton Health Team and serving on Boards like the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium, the New Jersey Primary Care Association, the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, and Thomas Edison State University. Throughout the years through all her work, Dr Alli’s sole goal has been and continues to be, to help improve the quality of life for the residents of Trenton. 9 Kimme Carlos Kimme is the Founder and Executive Director of the Urban Mental Health Alliance: Advocating for Healthy Minds in Urban Communi- ties; CEO and Founder of Kimme Carlos Motivational Consulting and Co-Founder and Lead Facilitator of Sister Wellness Retreats: Healing Spaces for Black Women. Kimme is also a certified health and wellness coach with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition; a certified instructor for Mental Health First Aid and author of the published book The Window of Grace: Living in Recovery through Christian Faith. Kimme has been a member of several nonprofit boards including Foundation Acad- emies, Children’s Futures, The Center for Family, Community, and Social Justice; and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Mercer County, where she is also a certified facilitator for the nationally known program, Family to Family. Kimme is a member of the vestry and Chair of the Mental Harmony ministry at Trinity Episcopal Cathe- dral Trenton. She is a graduate of Regent University with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and a minor in Psychology. As an advocate with lived experience, Kimme keynotes and facilitates on mental health, addiction & recovery and wellness & self-care. She has received numerous awards for her nonprofit and volunteer work. Kimme has two children, six grandchildren and lives in Pennsylvania. Mary Anne Haas CommUNITY AWARD Mary Anne Haas is a native of Seattle, Washington, but is truly a world citizen—she’s lived in New York, California, Rome, Greece, and for the past 23 years, Princeton. Mary Anne worked at the International Schools Services (ISS) for 19 years, where she worked as the Executive Assistant to the Presi- dent. During this time, she founded the ISS Women’s Symposium, established as an opportunity for growth and development for wom- en in international education and leadership roles. Before settling in Princeton, she and her husband, Stanley, lived abroad in Rome and Athens for 30 years, where they both worked in international education. Mary Anne served as President of the Amer- ican Women’s Club, and volunteered at the U.S Embassy in Greece. Mary Anne credits her parents, Hasidic Jews who emigrated from Russia, with teaching her pride in her heritage, and the importance of education and charity. She is the proud mother of Philip Haas and Leslie Haas Emanuel. 10 Dr. Merodie Hancock Dr. Merodie A. Hancock serves as the fourth president of Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, N.J. She is a nationally recognized leader in the administration and delivery of innovative education programs for non- traditional students. Access, success and completion are the mainstays of Hancock’s educational philosophy. She has dedicated her career to serving a multitude of underrepresented populations and advises regularly at the state, national and international levels. Prior to her election as president of Thomas Edison State University, Hancock served as president of State University of New York, Empire State College. Previously, she served as vice president at Central Michigan University Global Campus and held administrative leadership and teaching positions at the University of Maryland University College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.