| News Back Boise businesswomen honored for leadership Awards based on excellence, innovation Melissa Chee - The Idaho Statesman As a successful businesswoman for over 20 years, Meg Carlson knew she had something to give back. Carlson and her partner Korri Hall founded the C&H Group two years ago. The company focuses on providing merger, acquisition and strategic advisory services to companies with revenues of $5 million to $150 million. Carlson is a former executive with Ore-Ida Foods Inc. and gained extensive corporate development experience in negotiating and executing acquisitions and divestitures during her long tenure with the H.J. Heinz Co. subsidiary. As one of the winners at the first Women Leadership Awards Ceremony held last night at the Owyhee Plaza in downtown Boise, Carlson wanted to mentor less experienced female business owners and "connect directly with other successful business women in a non-judgmental environment. "The Boise Area and Southern Idaho chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) hosted the local event, part of a nationwide effort to honor women business owners who exemplify excellence in business performance, innovation and contributions to their community, said Irish McCarthy, the NAWBO chapter's publicity chair. Winners were named in six categories. • Molly O'Leary: Bridge Builder • Meg Carlson: Rookie of the Year • Delta Holloway: Unsung Hero • Irish McCarthy: Pioneer • Teresa Prisbrey: Team Builder • Nicole Schneider: Rising Star The Bridge Builder who "creates energy" was O'Leary, partner at Richardson & O'Leary law firm in Eagle. She started a group called New Girls Network that is a legal resource for women, McCarthy said. "Molly is an individual who has taken her involvement in community and applied that same sense of strong commitment to NAWBO," said Beth Ann Reece, NAWBO chapter president. The Rookie of the Year who "jumped in feet first and became a visible, enthusiastic supporter" was Carlson, owner of the C&H Group in Boise. The local NAWBO chapter membership increased 60 percent with Carlson as the main motivator, McCarthy said. "She is a phenomenal individual who really worked hard to bring quality members into the organization — not just numbers, but people that were really appropriate," Reece said. The Unsung Hero who "helps others move up, supports and empowers them" was Holloway, chief operating officer at Western Health Care Corporation in Boise. McCarthy described Holloway as the quiet one in background that gives back to the community. "She's part of the solid backbone of the organization — without being asked — and she never wanted praise," added Reece. The Pioneer who "not only sees what is possible but also pursues it" was McCarthy, Success By Design owner. She just joined the NAWBO chapter in April, but McCarthy is not afraid to step out and try something new, Reece said. "I got us a free commercial," McCarthy said of a Channel 9 promotion. "It's called 'Ask the Experts,' and I reformatted the (promotion) to put a lot of NAWBO members in it to get them exposure. "The Team Builder who "recognizes the power of grass roots involvement" was Prisbrey, owner of First Impressions Marketing in Boise. Prisbrey streamlined the chapter's Web site for better communication, McCarthy said. "She's an incredible individual with the dynamic skill and ability to bring people together in a group situation to create something or solve a problem," Reece said. The Rising Star who "works behind the scenes in an innovative and creative way" was Schneider, owner of Schneider Photography in Boise. "She's our baby," McCarthy said. "She came in with no prior leadership experience in any organization, but she came in and stepped up as event and program chair and put on our Christmas gala. "The Women Leadership Awards Ceremony also featured guest speakers Ed Sangalli and Margaret Sangalli, business and personal coaches from the Success Group in Boise. Their presentation, "Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History... Empowered Women in the New Millennium," emphasized the seven characteristics of an empowered woman, said Margaret Sangalli. The local NAWBO chapter- just over two years old- currently has over 70 members. "It's been one of the most worthwhile and challenging things I've done in my life," said Reece, the chapter's founder. "It's very difficult to be a leader of leaders- all the women in this organization are leaders. "LeAnn Sannes, a certified public accountant at Balukoff, Lindstrom & Co., was inaugurated as the next chapter president and will assume her position immediately. "She's been with us since the beginning as president-elect," Reece said. Edition Date: 07-14-2004 Back |