Our annual Women to Watch Awards celebrate the women making an impact on our community. The seven category winners are also announced at the event, which will be held on September 11, 2026, at the Wilmington Convention Center.

 

Nominations for 2026 are now closed.

 

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2026 Women to Watch Awards

Friday, September 11
5:30pm-10pm
Wilmington Convention Center

Click here to see images from the 2025 Women to Watch Awards!

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Women to Watch Awards categories:

Arts || Business || Education || Health || Nonprofit/Volunteer || Public Sector || Rising Star (Under 30)
And the WILMA Icon Award, recognizing a visionary woman with a lasting impact.

The rising star category is limited to women under 30. Nominee must turn 30 after September 11, 2026.

The public sector category recognizes women who work in the area’s public service sector – public safety agencies, local and state government, military, etc.

Individuals can nominate someone or apply themselves. The awards are open to those who live or work in New Hanover, Brunswick or Pender counties.

Meet the 2026 Finalists!

Icon Award Winner

Wilma Daniels

Arts

Jaya Kandasamy – Director of Youth Development, DREAMS Center for Arts Education
Marcy McAninch – Owner, Riverwalk Glass
Summer McPherson – Owner & Instructor, Wilmington Latin Dance
Erin Sullivan – Owner & Creative Director, Center Stage Studios
Lilli Summers – Lead Instructor, Shoot Like a Girl

Business

Mina Cary – CEO, Coastal Dental Health Staffing
Lauren Godwin – Head of AI Enablement, Vantaca
Kristin Peoples – Director of Member Relations & Engagement, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Megan Rowe – Founder, What’s Good
Laurie Whalin – President of Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Acute Care Operations, Novant Health

Education

Pamela Biggs – Principal, Codington Elementary School
Leneice Rice – Program Manager, Coastal Community Healthcare Fellows, CFCC/UNCW
Keisha Robinson – Special Programs Manager, Communities in School Cape Fear
Delia Stanley – Digital Literacy Specialist, Cape Fear Literacy Council
Anne Stohl – Violin Teacher & Performer, Stevenson Stohl Suzuki Studio & Wilmington Symphony Orchestra

Health

Elizabeth Buskirk – Pediatrician, Wilmington Health
Charin L. Hanlon – VP Medical Education, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Cary Ramsay – Licensed Counselor, Made Well Center for Wholeness
Kebrina Redd – Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Family Centered Treatment Coordinator, Coastal Horizons Center
Maria Sturchler – Sr. Medical Director for Inpatient Palliative Medicine & Hospice, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare

Nonprofit

Tanya Armour – Chief Philanthropy Officer, Novant Health Foundation
Karmen Custer – Executive Director, Hope Harbor Home Inc.
Emilie Hart – Regional Director, Catholic Charities of the Cape Fear Region
Mireya Lupercio – Staff Psychotherapist, Community Counseling Center
Margaret “Meg” McBride – Pastor/Executive Director, Hope Recovery UMC/The Warming Shelter ILM

Public Sector

Jane Horrell – Senior Budget Analyst, New Hanover County Government
Kameko Howell – Sergeant, Wilmington Police Department
Paige Lundberg – Nutrition Program Manager, New Hanover County Government – Senior Resource Center
Christie Schreckengost – Project Manager, Town of Leland
Hillary Taylor – Long-Range Planner, City of Wilmington

Rising Star

Katie Blackwell – Executive Administrator of Community Engagement, paws4people foundation
Jenna Cosentino – Marketing Coordinator, Thomas Construction Group
Gabriella de Souza – Consumer Horticulture Agent & Extension Master Gardener Program Coordinator, New Hanover County Cooperative Extension
Susannah Spratt – Mobile Market Manager, Feast Down East
Clelia Tufts – Children’s Library Associate, New Hanover County Public Library