The Panhandle Business and Professional Women Recognized their 2024 Award Winners during a Wednesday luncheon.
This year’s Young Careerist award went to Dana Anderson-Cardwell of Community Christian School, while PPHD Executive Director Kim Engel was honored as Woman of the year.
Both Rural Radio’s Kendra Feather and Riverstone Bank’s Amanda Grubbs were dual winners of BPW’s Shirley Flack Members of the Year.
This year’s Employer of the Year is Webb Eyecare, whose 23 women total nearly 80 percent of their workforce, while Diana Acosta, Sarah Trook and Stacy Ring were 2024 scholarship recipients.
Dana Anderson-Cardwell – Young Careerist
The Young Careerist award recognizes the accomplishments of young, upcoming leaders and provides them with professional development opportunities. 2024’s Young Careerist is Dana Anderson-Cardwell, the Director of Instruction and prekindergarten teacher at Community Christian School (CCS) in Scottsbluff. Dana has taught at Community Christian School since 2015 and served on their leadership team for the past three years. In addition to her extensive volunteer work at CCS, she has volunteered with 4-H for 13 years and is active in several church ministries.
Kim Engel – Woman of the Year
The Woman of the Year award recognizes a woman with outstanding career achievement, notable assistance to current and aspiring professional business women, strong advocacy for business and professional women issues, and meaningful community service. 2024’s Woman of the Year is Kim Engel. Kim has served as the Director of Panhandle Public Health District for the past 21 years. Throughout her tenure at PPHD, Kim has strived to provide opportunities for advancement, development, and leadership. PPHD has expanded its services, grown to a staff of 37 women, and created a nurturing work environment that encourages creativity and cooperation. Kim serves on various national and state level boards. Her commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of all the residents of our panhandle is commendable.
Kendra Feather and Amanda Grubbs – Panhandle Business and Professional Women Shirley Flack Members of the Year
Panhandle BPW is honored to award the 2024 Shirley Flack Panhandle BPW Member of the Year awards to Kendra Feather and Amanda Grubbs. Kendra joined Panhandle BPW 16 years ago and has served diligently on the publicity committee for many years. Amanda joined BPW last year ago and has worked to create and host BPW events. Both Kendra and Amanda exemplify dedication to Panhandle BPW and its mission to empower and promote women in the workforce.
Diana Acosta, Sarah Trook, and Stacy Ring – Scholarship Recipients
Each year, Panhandle BPW holds a fundraiser for the specific purpose of awarding scholarships. With our mission of advocating for the support and advancement of working women, we make scholarships available specifically to women over the age of 25 who are attending school in the panhandle or are residents of the panhandle.
It can be difficult to make a career change, re-enter the workforce, or encounter other challenges that lead women on a non-traditional education path. This year, Diana Acosta, Sarah Trook, and Stacy Ring will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Diana is attending University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. Sarah is attending Western Nebraska Community College and Stacy will attend Chadron State College.
Webb Eyecare – Employer of the Year
Panhandle Business and Professional Women recognizes employers within the community demonstrating exceptional responsiveness to the personal and professional needs of female employees. Selection criteria includes championing advancement and professional development for women and supporting inclusive culture, policies, and benefits.
Webb Eyecare currently employs 23 women, totaling 79% of their workforce. Many of these women started as technicians and now serve in management and leadership roles. Webb Eyecare has worked diligently to provide equal opportunity in the workplace by strongly encouraging continuing education and advancement within their practice.
To learn more about upcoming Panhandle BPW events, scholarships, professional awards, and membership opportunities, visit www.panhandlebpw.org.
