The Quad Cities Regional Business Journal is proud to present our first-ever Women of Influence awards. Through the awards – and the profiles that follow – we want to shine a spotlight on 11 women who are leaving their mark on the Quad Cities.
The Women of Influence awards, which will be presented at a May 23 awards dinner, recognize women who have made a difference as role models and leaders in their respective fields and in their communities. This year’s class represents a variety of public and business sectors and the nonprofit community. Although their career paths are varied, they all have reached for the stars and succeeded. For that, they deserve our recognition and gratitude.
They are company presidents and organization leaders, an elected official, a retired news anchor, and some have founded their own groups to meet a need they saw in the community. They are active in their workplaces and careers, give back to the community through service and support, and all want to ensure the Quad Cities is a better place to work and live.
In addition to our 10 Women of Influence winners, the QCBJ also is recognizing an Emerging Woman of Influence. This award recognizes the achievements of an up-and-coming female leader, age 35 and younger, who is poised to take on a larger community role in the future.
All 11 winners, selected from nominations by those who know and admire their influence, were chosen by a selection committee of community leaders. Beginning next year, winners of the previous class will choose the new year’s class.
As the QCBJ rolls out its inaugural Women of Influence awards, our parent company Corridor Media Group is celebrating both the 20th anniversary of the Corridor Business Journal, our sister publication, and of the CBJ’s Women of Influence awards. Nearly 200 women have been honored in the Corridor since the award began.
As you read through the QCBJ winners’ profiles, please consider joining us in celebrating these influential women. The QCBJ will host the 2024 Women of Influence awards event from 5:30-8 p.m., Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Women of Influence is sponsored by Platinum Sponsor American Bank & Trust, and Gold Sponsors, Royal Neighbors of America and Delta Dental.
Tickets are still available for the event, which includes networking, dinner, the awards presentation and remarks from the winners. Tickets are $95 for an individual or $760 for a table of 8. For more information and to register, visit quadcitiesbusiness.com and click on Events.
– Jennifer DeWitt, QCBJ editor
Our 2024 Women of Influence are:
- Debbie Anselm, Iowa Newspaper Association
- Cathy Edwards, Edwards Creative
- Laura “Divot” Ekizian, Quad City Bank & Trust
- Lynsey Engels, Mel Foster Co.
- Argrow “Dr. Kit” Evans-Ford, Argrow’s House of Healing and Hope
- Diane Nelson, Girls Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
- Dr. Sue Rector, Mississippi Valley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center
- Paula Sands, KWQC-TV6
- Jenni Swanson, Lincoln Office
- LaDrina Wilson, Iman Consulting
2024 Emerging Woman of Influence:
- Haley DeGreve, John Deere and The Gray Matters Collective
