Here are the women honored on Thursday during the QCBJ's first Women of Influence awards ceremony. PHOTOS BY TODD WELVAERT
A group of local women was honored for helping the community, helping people and being “superheroes in disguise.” The 11 “superheroes, are the inaugural class of Quad Cities Regional Business Journal’s Women of Influence. They were honored during a Thursday, May 23 awards dinner at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center, Bettendorf, before a crowd […]
Already a subscriber? Log in
Want to Read More?
Get immediate, unlimited access to all subscriber content and much more. Learn more in our subscriber FAQ.
A group of local women was honored for helping the community, helping people and being “superheroes in disguise.”The 11 “superheroes, are the inaugural class of Quad Cities Regional Business Journal’s Women of Influence. They were honored during a Thursday, May 23 awards dinner at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center, Bettendorf, before a crowd of about 300 people.Event sponsors included American Bank & Trust, Royal Neighbors of America and Delta Dental.The evening event centered on learning about the women’s “passions and journeys” and inspiring others to get involved and help the community, said John Lohman, president and CEO of the Corridor Media Group, the QCBJ’s parent company.While this was the QCBJ’s first Women of Influence event, the Corridor Business Journal (the sister publication of the QCBJ) has been honoring Women of Influence in the Corridor since its opening days 20 years ago. Mr. Lohman called it his first and favorite event since he founded the company out of his home’s basement.
1 of 13
Here are some of the awards at the Women of Influence event. PHOTO BY DAVE THOMPSON
Jenni Swanson's husband, Kai, watches as she delivers her speech the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. PHOTOS BY TODD WELVAERT
Dr. Sue Rector was honored to be named one of the Women of Influence at the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Paula Sands thanked the community for embracing her and reminded everyone their reach doesn't end with retirement at the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Lynsey Engels thanked her husband and her father for being such supporters at the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Laura “Divot” Ekizian was overwhelmed by her co-workers at the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
LaDrina Wilson thanked her husband and family for helping her reach her dreams at the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Diane Nelson was overwhelmed by former Girl Scout leaders who turned out to support her at the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Haley DeGreve was honored as an emerging women of influence at the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Jenni Swanson delivers her comments at the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Debbie Anselm was honored at the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Cathy Edwards was honored at the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Argrow “Kit” Evans-Ford thanks her friends and family during her acceptance speech at the 2024 Quad Cities Business Journal Women of Influence award gala Thursday, May 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Most of Thursday’s event focused on honoring the 10 women who were presented with Women of Influence awards, and one woman presented with the Emerging Woman of Influence award. Each honoree was surprised by a video before they received their award. They often showed a friend or colleague, who shared how the honoree has helped people and the community in many ways. First up was honoree Debbie Anselm, former publisher of the Quad-City Times. Her video featured her friend Dave Heller, president and CEO of Main Street Baseball and majority owner of the Quad Cities River Bandits baseball team. In it, he called Ms. Anselm a “powerhouse of a person” who has helped many people and groups in the Quad Cities.In the video for Cathy Edwards, CEO of Edwards Creative Services, a friend and colleague called her a “superhero in disguise” because of all the good works she has performed in the community.Those videos and other messages of hope were a hit with the audience.“This was all just very inspiring to see. … I liked hearing the women’s stories and how they helped others,” Alyssa Streets of Moline said following the event.“It’s great to see so many of these women being recognized. … I know many of them,” said Tiffany Hogan of Rock Island, another audience member.In addition to hearing inspirational stories about the honorees, the event also featured calls to action from the honorees.LaDrina Wilson, Iman Consulting CEO and founder, called for the people in the audience to go out and be more inclusive in their places of work and help bring more people to the table.Honoree Paula Sands, a retired KWQC newswoman and former host of the TV program “Paula Sands Live,” said people can make a positive impact by doing even small acts of kindness. She encouraged the audience to engage with strangers, and look them in the eyes when having a conservation. “What it takes is just being a human being,” she added.Honoree Diane Nelson, Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois CEO, told the audience that it’s vital that they surround themselves with people who inspire them.Here is a brief look at the Women of Influence who were honored on Thursday.
Debbie Anselm, Iowa Newspaper Association executive director. She called the audience to help other women “get to the table” and help others. She added “We know our work is just a sample of the meaningful work being done in the Quad Cities,” she added.
Cathy Edwards, Edwards Creative Services CEO. She encouraged attendees to “support and lift each other up.” Sometimes, all it takes is listening to people and offering a helping hand, she added.
Laura “Divot” Ekizian, Quad City Bank & Trust president and chief relationship officer. She said a major theme with all the women being honored is “in service to others” as the women have done great things to help many people in the community. “I’m honored and a little overwhelmed by them all,” she said.
Lynsey Engels, Mel Foster Co., president, Real Estate Brokerage Division. She offered this advice to audience members: Find friends who will support you; surround yourself with supportive family members; and find men who will be supportive of women.
Argrow “Dr. Kit” Evans-Ford, Argrow’s House of Healing and Hope, founder, director, CEO. During the video message, she was called “an inspiration to all of us.” Ms. Evans-Ford said she was grateful to help other people in need in the community.
Diane Nelson, Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois CEO. She said her “passion” is to surround herself with people who inspire her. One of the most inspiring things is seeing girls who may be shy join the Girls Scouts and find confidence to do many things in life.
Dr. Susan Rector, Mississippi Valley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery PC, surgeon, president and co-owner. Dr. Rector was called the “true definition of a role model” in the video message. She asked the audience to “take a chance” and help people in need.
Paula Sands, retired anchor and host of “Paula Sands Live.” Ms. Sands said she hopes that the Women of Influence award will get rid of this myth: “When you’re retired, you’re done, you’re no longer in the game.” She said people, retired or not, can have a great and positive influence on the community.
Jenni Swanson, Lincoln Office, workplace consultant, City of Rock Island alderwoman. In the video, Ms. Swanson was called a “beacon of empowerment.” She offered this advice to the crowd: Be a mentor to others; be a positive influence on people; and “bring others along with you.”
LaDrina Wilson, Iman Consulting CEO and founder. During her presentation, Ms. Wilson asked the audience to help lift up the voices of others who might not have a voice in their company or organization. “Be that person who says ‘You have a great idea,’” she added.
Haley DeGreve, John Deere, communications manager, The Gray Matters Collective, founder. Ms. DeGreve was presented with the Emerging Woman of Influence award. She was called an “amazing role model” by a supporter in the QCBJ video. During her speech, she thanked those who said it was a bad idea to form The Gray Matters Collective, an organization that centers on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. She said she wanted to provide them wrong and that helped push her forward to form the group.