BWRT Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon

This Women's History Month, the Chamber Business Women's Round Table celebrated women's personal and professional excellence with the first ever Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon.

On March 16, 2023, at Hillsdale Conference Center, BWRT presented three awards:

BWRT Excellence Award: Nicole Hawker, Founder of Heart and Soul Fitness with Nicole

This award recognizes an extraordinary woman who has manifested a legacy that continues to inspire others.

Mentor of Excellence Award: Jessica A. Harris, Founder and CEO of Jessica A. Harris, LLC

This award recognizes a woman who has a powerful commitment to advising other women and helping them advance. Lyndele von Schill accepted the award on Jessica's behalf.

Emerging Professional Award: Nadirah Muhammad, Brand Storyteller for Story House Real Estate

This award recognizes an up-and-coming professional woman who makes an impact through her personal involvement in business, community projects, and volunteering.

Ashley Reynolds Marshall, the City of Charlottesville's Deputy City Manager for Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, shared a challenging and inspiring keynote, "On Ceilings and Cliffs." She described barriers to professional success that women often face in the workplace, noting how the "glass ceiling" can be a "concrete ceiling" for women of color. Ashley urged the audience to support women's career success by mentoring and sponsoring other women.