News

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will honor excellence in business at the AXA Advisors 2008 Businesswomen of the Year Awards on Friday, April 4, at 11:45 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, 50 Alhambra Plaza.

The AXA Advisors Businesswomen of the Year Awards were created to recognize women, living or working in Miami-Dade County or who are members of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, who demonstrate excellence in their business or profession as well as a commitment to serve as role models for other women. This year, the presentation has been expanded to honor one woman in each of five categories: Entrepreneur, Corporate, Philanthropy, Public Service/Non-Profit and International Business.

Two-time Emmy Award winner Laurie Jennings, Anchor, Reporter, WPLG-Local 10, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies, to acknowledge the outstanding women in the community.

The following are the finalists for the AXA Advisors 2008 Businesswomen of the Year Awards:

Entrepreneur Category

• Claudine Claus, President & Chief Executive Officer, Home Financing Center
• Dannaliz Segrera, President, Photo Offset and Impressions of Miami Company
• Jeannett Slesnick, President, Slesnick & Associates, LLC
• Patricia Thorp, President, Thorp & Company

Corporate Category

• Tere Benach, Senior Vice President and Marketing Manager, Mercantil Commercebank
• Kalpana Mistry, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, VITAS Healthcare Corp.
• Penny Shaffer, South Florida Market President, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida

Philanthropy Category

• Irela Bague, Owner & President, The Bague Group
• Linda Peterson, Co-owner, Peterson's Harley-Davidson of Miami
• Jami Reyes, Chief Executive Officer, Jami Reyes & Company

Public Service/ Non Profit Category

• Virginia Jacko, President & Chief Executive Officer, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind
• Vivian Sanchez, Chief Financial Officer & Senior Vice President of Administration, Florida International University
• Dr. Gemma Santos, Teacher, Miami Dade County Public School

International Business Category

• Dr. Joyce Elam, Executive Dean and James L. Knight Professor of Management Information Systems, College of Business Administration, Florida International University
• Dr. Vendulka Kubalkova, Professor of International Studies, Director of Master or Arts in international Administration Program, Assistant Provost for University-wide International Studies, University of Miami

The cost of the luncheon is $45 for Chamber Members who RSVP by 12 p.m., Monday, March 31, and $55 for Guests and On-site registration. Tables of 10 available for $500.

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce is a 1,600 member, not-for-profit business association whose mission is to foster and enhance the economic interests and quality of life in the Coral Gables community.