Woman of the Year Honorees

Upper Keys BPW Woman of the Year recipients are members who have inspired and empowered other working women through their personal and professional accomplishments, their support of the BPW mission and contributions to our organization, and their positive impact on the broader Upper Keys community.

Learn more about this annual awards program and the 2023 recipient here

SEE 2024 NOMINEES


2022 Woman of the Year: Margie Smith

Through her work at the Florida Small Business Development Center at FIU and her involvement in BPW and many other local organizations, Margie is well-known throughout our community as a 'master connector.' As one nominator put it, "The first time you meet Margie, you can see her wheels turning as she asks a few key questions to help her quickly home in on how she can help you solve a challenge - whether it be about local schools and kids' activities, entrepreneurial resources or introductions to fellow BPW members."

Margie serves on the Upper Keys Board of Directors and plays an active role in our Public Policy activities, including planning and acting as moderator for the BPW Political Forum. She has also served BPW at the state level, most recently as chair of the BPW Florida Membership Committee.



2021 Woman of the Year: Suzi Youngberg

Other membership organizations foundered during the COVID pandemic, but not Upper Keys BPW! Under Suzi's leadership, we managed to grow our membership and win several state awards on the strength of our local organization. As one nominator pointed out, much of this success was due to Suzi's "nimble and agile" leadership style, which she applied throughout her tenure as Upper Keys BPW President. Seemingly without effort, Suzi was able to keep our group together and thriving, and we managed to emerge from the pandemic even stronger. In addition to her dedication to BPW and her full-time role as Director of MarrVelous Pet Rescues, Suzi serves on the Upper Keys Advisory Council for the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys.


Previous Woman of the Year Honorees

2020:  Jill Kuehnert

2019:  Jackie Harder

2018: Suzi Youngberg

2017: Ilja Chapman

2016: Laura Maupin

2015: Lee Ann Holroyd & Theresa Sutter

2014: Gina Boilini

2013: Ashley Arrabal

2012: Lauren Hoefert Dunn

2011: Gina Boilini

2010: Audra Hill

2009: Holly Merrill Raschein

2007: Della Wheaton

2006: Pam Martin

2005: Brandy Horton

2004: Ana Zalesky

2003: Jamie Hyman

2002: Jill Miranda Baker

2001: Ana Zalesky

2000: Joy McIntosh

1999: Carol Cimkowski

1998: Patty Murphy

1997: Penny Mason

1995: Lisa Maurer & Patricia Mull

1991: Joan Mowery

1990: Sheila Schmadebeck

1989: Dorianne Albury

1988: Ruth Ackerman

1985: Mary Kay Reich

1974/75: Julia Pranschke

1972: Ruth Ivens


Upper Keys Business and Professional Women's Club is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization.  P.O. Box 231, Tavernier, FL 33070 

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