Attend your First networking event Free!
Celebrating women in business
The Powerful Women Rising
Impact Awards
Celebrating Women making an impact in the world
How It Started
It was a simple idea - a way to recognize women in business who were making an impact, and celebrate them.
Here's how it works...
Nominations are open to the public through late October.
Voting is open to the public through mid-November.
The top three in each category are then submitted to the panel and winners are chosen in early December.
Please note:
You can nominate as many people as you want, in whatever categories you want! However, please only submit one form, per person, per category. You can submit the form as many times as you want though!
Also, whatever you submit under “why are you nominating them” is what will be submitted to the panel. The more specific you can be, the better your nominees chances are for being selected as a winner!
get to know the new PWR Impact Award winners
2025 Award Winners
Active Impact Award
Teresa Romain
"She actively looks for people to connect and gives really meaningful introductions."
Learn more about Teresa:
teresaromain.com
Business for Good Award
Ashley Sloan Anderson
"Ashley has always shown up for others, not expecting anything in return. Helping many families, over the years, while in hardships still celebrate life events. One to make sure moments in life are celebrated, even if it means having just a little sparkle attached. Making sure no one ever goes unnoticed. "
Learn more about Ashley:
Coach of the Year
Caitlin Durning
"Caitlin is a soul-led, compassionate, and loving coach, entrepreneur, and friend. She brings empathy and presence into every conversation, creating a space where people feel seen, supported, and safe - a skill many spend their whole lives cultivating."
Learn more about Caitlin:
Connector of the Year
Corina Carillo
"Corina knows everyone and she is always hosting events! She invites include all community members, doesn’t compete, always collaborates and roots for everybody!"
Learn more about Corina:
Empowerment Award
Emily Garcia
"Emily embodies what it means to lead with purpose, authenticity, and heart. As the Founder of Tribe Mind Body Wellness, she uplifts her team of 15 female therapists to create meaningful change in the world while consistently showing up with positivity and enthusiasm. She creates spaces where women can grow, belong, and thrive."
Learn more about Emily:
Podcast Host of the Year
Emily Aborn
"Emily’s podcast feels like chatting with your smartest, quirkiest, most encouraging business bestie — someone who genuinely wants to see you succeed without burning out. Her episodes are packed with immediately usable ideas, delivered with humor, heart, and a welcome sense of calm."
Learn more about Emily:
emilyaborn.com
PWR Podcast Guest of the Year
LaKisha Mosley
Listen to her featured Episode, Protect Your Peace: Why Mental Health is Your Business' Competitive Advantage
Learn more about LaKisha:
Resilience Award
Erica Valenzuela
"Erica is the definition of resilience in motion. She has turned her own challenges into a powerful source of inspiration for others. Erica’s journey has not been an easy one, yet she continues to rise with courage and authenticity."
Learn more about Erica:
Rising Star
Angela Witczak
"Angela started as a cottage Baker in her home to be able to support her husband’s dream of owning a food trunk. What she actually did was accidentally start a bakery and is now fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning a sweet shop. Not only has she worked diligently to build a dream, but also supported dozens of charities along the way with her cookie jar give back every week."
Learn more about Angela:
www.cordeliassweetshoppe.com
Speaker of the Year
KJ Blattenbauer
"She doesn’t just take the stage—she transforms it. Whether she’s addressing a ballroom of 350 women or mentoring creative founders through her workshops and podcast, KJ blends wit, wisdom, and real-world strategy in a way that makes every listener feel seen, capable, and ready to take action. Her talks aren’t theory, they’re movement-making. She has that rare ability to turn storytelling into strategy and confidence into momentum, leaving audiences clearer, braver, and more visible than when they arrived."
Learn more about KJ:
Check out KJ's new book, Pitchworthy
Virtual Assistant of the Year
Meredith Dewald
"She is truly more than a VA - she’s a trusted advisor, strategic partner, and the person who helps turn big ideas into reality. She takes initiative before she’s even asked, constantly improving systems, automations, and workflows that have given me back hours of time and made my entire business easier to run. Meredith is the type of VA who doesn’t just support a business — she transforms it."
Learn more about Meredith:
seaglassvirtual.com
Join the Conversation
hear what the 2025 winners haVE to say on the Powerful Women rising Podcast
What if the goal isn’t more… but enough?
So many business owners are exhausted - not because they’re failing but because they’re chasing growth that doesn’t actually feel good or sustainable.
In this episode, I’m joined by three 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners who approach business growth from very different angles, but land in the same place: calmer momentum beats constant pressure.
Caitlin Durning, Coach of the Year, Teresa Romain, winner of the Active Impact Award, and Meredith Dewald, VA of the Year, share how mindset, systems, and values-first strategy work together to create steady growth you can actually sustain.
The fastest way to grow your business might be helping someone else win.
So many business owners feel pressure to chase visibility, revenue, and recognition - often at the expense of community, connection, and even themselves.
In this episode, I’m joined by three more of the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners who prove that relationships, generosity, and service aren’t just feel-good ideas, they’re powerful growth strategies.
Corina Carrillo, Connector of the Year, Ashley Anderson, winner of the Business for Good Award, and Emily Garcia, Empowerment Award winner, share how they’ve built thriving businesses by putting other people first — and backing that philosophy up with simple, sustainable systems.
Leadership that ignores mental and emotional health is expensive -personally and professionally.
In this episode, I’m joined by two 2025 PWR Impact Award winners who are redefining what strength, resilience and sustainable growth look like for women in busness.
Erica Valenzuela, winner of the Resilience Award, is the creator of E-Motion, a space that blends rage, release, movement, and reflection to support emotional health.
LaKisha Mosely, PWR Podcast Guest of the Year, is known as the Soft Simple CEO and helps women build profitable businesses without sacrificing their mental health.
I BELIEVE THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE WHEN WOMEN OWN BUSINESSES
2024 Award Winners
Active Impact Award
Aleta Wagner
As the founder of Mountain Mama Pelvic Health, she turned her expertise as an OT into a thriving wellness practice while homeschooling three kids.
Learn more about Aleta Wagner:
Business for Good Award
Talisa Caldwell
Founder of Freedom Creators Co. What began as a personal solution to a skincare problem became a purpose-driven brand that not only creates clean, non-toxic products but also funds education for children around the world.
Learn more about Talisa and Freedom Creators Co:
Coach of the Year
Jess Thompson
Jess helps entrepreneurs cut through overwhelm and build thriving businesses.
Learn more about Jess Thompson:
Connector of the Year
Jenn Grubb
Creator of The Buzzy B, a go-to parenting resource, Jenn connects families with the information, support, and local events they need to navigate parenting with confidence.
Learn more about Jenn Grubb:
Empowerment Award
Kate Laviolette
A yoga therapist, energy worker, aerial coach and circus artist who helps people break through physical and mental limitations, turning movement into empowerment.
Learn more about Kate Laviolette:
Podcast Host of the Year
Megs Crawford
Professional Organizer Coach for Women with ADHD
Learn more about Megs Crawford:
PWR Podcast Guest of the Year
Jessica Millhiser
Business Consultant/Strategist for coaches, consultants and other service-based professionals
Learn more about Jessica Millhiser:
Resilience Award
Kim Munsch
An event planner and single mother of five, Kim shares how she built a successful business while navigating divorce, job loss, and even stalking.
Learn more about Kim Munsch:
https://www.facebook.com/kimlouisexp
Rising Star
Nmasichi Chukwemeka
Founder of Tribesand History, an African storytelling platform, Nmasichi is on a mission to preserve and share authentic African narratives through games, books, and media.
Learn more about Nmasichi Chukwuemeka:
Speaker of the Year
Alexandria Agresta
MADE4MAGIC, the world's first DJing speaker!
Learn more about Alexandria Agresta:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandriaagresta
Virtual Assistant of the Year
Jenn Wayboer Hart
Jenn brings entrepreneur's visions to life through creative strategy.
Learn more about Jenn Hartt:
Join the Conversation
hear what the 2024 winners haVE to say on the Powerful Women rising Podcast
Your business can do more than generate revenue - it can change lives. In this episode, we discuss what it really means to build a business with impact - one that aligns with your values, serves a greater mission, and creates lasting change.
In the second episode of the Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners series, 2024 Coach of the Year Jess Thompson and 2024 Business Support Person of the Year Jenn Wayboer Hart explain that success isn't just about having the right strategies - it’s about having the right support.
Your voice is your most powerful business tool—are you using it to its full potential?
Overnight success is a myth. Entrepreneurship is often glamorized, but the truth is that building a business that truly matters is hard. It takes resilience, community, and a willingness to keep going, even when life throws everything it has at you. In the fourth episode of our 2024 Powerful Women Rising Award winners series, you'll hear from two extraordinary women who know this journey firsthand.
Forget the cookie-cutter approach - these entrepreneurs prove success comes from embracing what makes you different.
In the final episode of our five part 2024 PWR Impact Awards Winner Series, you'll hear from three incredible women who are proving that there’s no one way to build a successful business.
Keynote Speaker. Teacher. Trainer.
"Melissa is a wonderfully engaging and impactful speaker"
Are you looking for an engaging and entertaining keynote speaker that will leave your audience feeling empowered and inspired to take action? With over 20 years of experience in business and personal development, I’ve seen the power of relationship marketing firsthand. I’ve used it to grow three successful businesses, and now, as the founder and CEO of Powerful Women Rising, I love sharing my knowledge with other business owners.
I’m on a mission to change the face of networking by showing entrepreneurs how to connect, nurture, and leverage authentic relationships in a way that still turns a profit. Whether speaking on stage, facilitating workshops or guesting on podcasts, I love to share entertaining stories, inspirational statistics and actionable steps your audience can start implementing right away. Let me show your audience what’s possible when you lead with authenticity, integrity, and a desire for genuine connection.
stay in touch
Get My Newsletter
I know, just what you needed—another email! But hear me out: if you’re looking for a front-row seat to the latest at Powerful Women Rising (and trust me, you are), you’ll want to sign up. Be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, upcoming virtual speed networking events, and much more!
JOIN A TRIBE OF INCREDIBLE WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Become Part of the Powerful Women Rising Community
Female entrepreneurs don’t have to fit into a box to be successful – being your authentic self is MORE than enough, and the women in the Powerful Women Rising Community are proof of that! Join forces with other brilliant female entrepreneurs and expand your business in a meaningful way. By joining the Powerful Women Rising Community, you’ll find new ideas, cheerleaders, collaborations, resources, opportunities, and referral partners that will help you grow your business in a way that’s true to YOU. Plus, there’s never a dull moment. We have a LOT of fun along the way!
Welcome to a different kind of networking and business growth where female entrepreneurs find genuine connections, actionable advice, and a supportive community to thrive. Let’s redefine success on your terms.
