CHSU Leaders Among Those Honored at Top Ten Professional Women Awards

Marjaree Mason Center, Inc., announced the honorees for the 32nd Annual Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards on August 19, 2015. We are proud that California Health Sciences University (CHSU) President, Florence T. Dunn, and Vice-Chair of the CHSU Board, Susan Abundis, were among this prestigious group of individuals honored this year! We want to congratulate these successful leaders for receiving this well-deserved award! Below is the official new release published by Marjaree Mason Center, Inc.
Marjaree Mason Center, Inc. Announces 32nd Annual Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards Honorees
After a call for community nominations and a thorough judging process, ten professional women and one deserving business have been selected for this year’s prestigious award.
FRESNO, CA (August 19, 2015) – Marjaree Mason Center, Inc., Fresno County’s only dedicated provider of domestic violence shelter and support services, including education for victims and youth, announced today that the ten women and one business honorees have been selected for the 32nd Annual Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards on Friday, October 16, 2015 at the Fresno Convention Center, New Exhibit Hall with “Rise with Robin” Meet & Greet from 9:00-11:00a and Awards Luncheon from 11:00a-1:00p.
The 32nd Annual Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards, a prestigious awards ceremony honoring local professionals, will bring approximately 1,200 attendees together with the goal of honoring these outstanding individuals in our community while also raising awareness for domestic violence. This event pays tribute to ten women who have served as role models and given back to their communities, all while making strides in their professions. One business is also honored as the Leading Business of the Year for its support of women and women’s issues. The Friday, October 16th featured keynote speaker, philanthropist, entrepreneur, television personality and two-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, Robin McGraw, has committed to sharing her mission to inspire women to live their best lives.
Each of the following honorees was nominated by a community member, as they felt them deserving and willing of such an achievement. Each of these nominations (received prior to July 24, 2015 at 5:00pm) was then presented to a committee of nominated judges who are also Fresno County community members and professionals. After the judges’ thorough review of criteria for each candidate, as presented in the nomination process, candidates’ average rankings were processed. As listed below, the nominees with the highest average rankings have been selected for this year’s prestigious MMC award.
2015 Top Ten Professional Women
(as listed in alphabetical order by last name):
• Susan Abundis, Managing Director, Bank of the West
• Pat R. Barr, Owner, Barr Consulting – Pathways to Work
• Debra A. Bekerian, Educator & Psychologist, Alliant University
• Lisa Bonadelle, Vice President, Bonadelle Neighborhoods
• Connie Clendenan, CEO, Valley Teen Ranch
• Jami Hamel De La Cerda, Founder/CEO, Diamond Learning Center
• Florence T. Dunn, President, California Health Sciences University
• Maureen Lewis, CFO, Manco Abbott
• Sue Mettee, Senior Mortgage Loan Officer, Banc Home Loans
• Mariam Stepanian, President and General Manager, Valley Public Radio
2015 Leading Business:
• Meathead Movers
“Marjaree Mason Center is honored to acknowledge these professional women and leading business that serve as role models in our community, and that are examples of empowerment for the women and children we serve,” said Genelle Taylor Kumpe, Marjaree Mason Center’s Executive Director.
Be sure to join us at the 32nd Annual Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards luncheon on Friday, October 16, 2015 from 9:00a-11:00a for the “Rise with Robin” Morning Meet & Greet and then from 11:00a-1:00p for the awards ceremony and featured keynote speaker. Tickets are $60.00 each or a table of 10 for $600.00. Diamond passes that provide access to “Rise with Robin” and Awards Luncheon are $100 each (with limited amount available). Sponsorship commitment deadline and the date that ticket price increases by $10.00 each is September 30, 2015.
To purchase tickets to the luncheon, visit www.mmcenter.edu/top-ten.
To sponsor the luncheon or for media inquiries, contact Rae Pardini, Marjaree Mason Center’s Director of Development and Communications, at rae@mmcenter.edu or 559.487.1313 (office) or 559.351.9958 (cell).
About Marjaree Mason Center
For over three decades, the Marjaree Mason Center has offered shelter and support services to victims of domestic violence in Fresno County. Currently, the Center operates Fresno County’s only dedicated provider of domestic violence shelter and support services, including education for victims and youth. And, MMC is one of the largest domestic violence shelters in the state of California.
The Center was founded in 1979 after the murder of Marjaree Mason, a native of Easton. A graduate of Washington High School and Reedley College, Marjaree lived in Fresno for 31 years and was well known in the community. The Marjaree Mason Center’s mission is to support and empower adults and their children affected by domestic violence, while striving to prevent and end the cycle of abuse through education and advocacy.
To contact MMC, call the business center at 559.237.4706, 24-hour confidential emergency hotline at 559.233.HELP (4357) or visit online at:
Website: mmcenter.edu
Facebook: facebook.com/marjareemasoncenter
Instagram: @marjareemasoncenter
Pinterest: pinterest.com/marjareemason
Twitter: @marjareemason
About Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards
The 32nd Annual Top Professional Women and Leading Business Awards, a prestigious awards ceremony honoring local professionals, will bring approximately 1,200 attendees together with the goal of honoring these outstanding individuals in our community, while also raising awareness for domestic violence. This event pays tribute to ten women who have served as role models and given back to their communities, all while making strides in their professions. One leading business is also honored for its support of women and women’s issues.
Sponsors:
• Presenting Sponsor: PrideStaff
• TV Media Sponsor: ABC 30
• Print Media Sponsors: The Business Journal, The Fresno Bee,
• Platinum Sponsors: CalViva Health, Granville Homes
• Gold Sponsors: Community Medical Centers, Eye-Q Vision Care, Fresno County Federal Credit Union, JP Lamborn Co.
• Silver Sponsors: Belmont Nursery, PELCO by Schneider Electric, Kaiser Permanente, Promesa Behavioral Health, JD Heiskell & Co, California Gastroenterology Associates
About Robin McGraw
Robin McGraw, philanthropist, entrepreneur, television personality and two-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, is committed to her mission to inspire women to live their best lives.
A daily presence on the Dr. Phil show since its inception, viewers worldwide have embraced Robin’s contributions to the show. She has also been a frequent guest on The Doctors, created and Executive- Produced by her son, Jay McGraw.
Robin has worked for many years with a variety of philanthropic causes that serve to improve the lives of women and children. She is a founding board member of The Dr. Phil Foundation, a national spokesperson for C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children), and a member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet. In September 2014, Robin was named the National Celebrity Spokesperson for Girl Scouts of the USA.
With the launch of her own charitable foundation, When Georgia Smiled, Robin set out to enact real change by creating and advancing programs that help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault live healthy, safe and joy-filled lives. The foundation launched in October 2013 with the introduction of its’ inaugural program, The Aspire Initiative, a domestic violence program which aims to reduce the level of intimate relationship violence in the US and instill the importance of bystander responsibility.
In February of 2014, Robin proudly announced the launch of Robin McGraw Revelation, a purpose-driven lifestyle brand that brings to live her unique life philosophy of self-care. The brand debuted with record-breaking success with a collection of skincare products and has already expanded to include fragrance, lipgloss and candles, among other lifestyle products. Robin McGraw Revelation supports When Georgia Smiled by donating 100% of the net profits from select products to the foundation.
Robin is a highly sought-after public speaker, whose notable appearances include being a featured speaker at Oprah Winfrey’s O You! event in 2012 and a year-long tour as headliner for the Women of Faith presentations. Robin has been featured multiple times on broadcast programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, Today, The Early Show, Entertainment Tonight and the Late Show with David Letterman.
Robin’s first book, Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestsellers list, a spot Robin claimed again with the release of What’s Age Got to Do With It?
Robin and Dr. Phil, whom she fondly refers to as “Phillip,” have been married for 38 years and have raised two sons, Jay Phillip and Jordan Stevens. Robin continues to make her family, which now includes daughter-in-law Erica, and two grandchildren, Avery Elizabeth and London Phillip, the priority in her life.