Wickedly good: Three women honored for commitments to their careers and community
CAMBRIDGE − As darkness fell over the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center on Thursday night, witches and warlocks made their way to the Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Witch's BREW to recognize local women.
The intention of this banquet and the awards is to create awareness and appreciation for the women who exceed expectations in their work, volunteerism, and service to the community. They are the wicked good women who do wicked good work in our community, according to the chamber.
The BREW (Bold Recognition of Exceptional Women) committee presented three awards during the evening.
Cassie Springer, the 2022 recipient of the BREW Award for Service presented the 2023 award to Billie Jo Yates. A volunteer for the Guernsey County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program since 2003, Yates has been serving and supporting children in the courts for 20 years. The chamber notes "Her role as a CASA is to represent the best interests of children and make recommendations to the court regarding the children. As a CASA, volunteers are specially trained community volunteers who speak up for abused and neglected children in court. CASA volunteers serve as a fact finder for the court by completely researching the background of child abuse, neglect and dependent cases. They speak for the child in the courtroom, focusing exclusively on the child’s best interest." Yates was nominated by Kayla Harron, Guernsey County CASA director.
Presenting the 2023 BREW Award for Emerging Leader was the 2022 recipient Ashley Davis. Receiving the 2023 award was Lane McCartney. McCarthy began her career as an intern with Rea & Associates and was hired as a full-time associate after her internship. She received her bachelor's degree in accounting and has continued to further her education, passing the CPA exam. After being promoted to supervisor, she mentored her staff and taught at Zane State as an adjunct professor. Davis noted, "Her hard work and dedication made her a role model for all staff that worked under her." McCartney works at the Hartley Company as their controller and has worked with numerous non-profits in the area. She was nominated by Kelly Leslie.
Michelle Wilkinson, the 2022 recipient of the Jo Sexton Business Leader BREW Award, presented this year's award to Lisa Brown. "She had the vision to transform a 10,000- square-foot tool and die shop into what is now called All for Kids Early Learning Center. Her foresight regarding the future of childcare and preschool education was ahead of its time. Over the past 28 years, she has served as a role model to not only students but also inspiring teachers and empowering teachers," Wilkinson said. Brown has worked with the Guernsey County Children Services and local schools. Wilkinson continued, "Her legacy will forever be the positive impact she has made on tens of thousands of children of Guernsey County while living out her dreams to the fullest." She was nominated by Justin Brown.
With more than 220 people in attendance, this year's banquet was the largest since its inception in 2017. "I just told someone yesterday how excited I get to be able to stand up here and honor these women. They are amazing" said Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Vincent.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce presents Witch's BREW awards
