Each year, the Woman’s Way Awards celebrates extraordinary women who are making a profound impact across various fields, from health and wellness to STEM, social impact, and beyond. These women embody resilience, innovation, and a commitment to excellence, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. This year’s finalists represent a diverse array of talents and achievements, each contributing to their communities in unique and meaningful ways.
Join us as we delve into the inspiring stories of these trailblazers.
Categories:
Rising Star (company must be less than three years old):
This business is fresh on the Austin scene, but is already making its mark. Over the next few years, we expect great things from this company, as it is on track to grow and become an influencer in its industry.
Tayrin “Ty” Cardenas Wittenstein
I am attorney Ty Cardenas Wittenstein and after 12 years as a Texas prosecutor, I launched my own criminal defense law firm in Austin, TX in January 2023. My law firm is heavily focused on providing fierce, compassionate and communicative legal representation to the Hispanic immigrant community who are arrested for a wide range of misdemeanors and felonies in central Texas. It is my priority to protect everyone’s (including immigrant’s) 6th amendment rights, allowing them to make informed decisions on their criminal cases and uncertain futures. Incorporating my Hispanic heritage into my defense work has allowed me to provide the “confianza” sought after by my community.
Learn more at www.cardenaswittlaw.com.
Neasel Conner
Neasel Conner is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Speaker and Owner of Beyond the Happy. In her private practice, she has supported hundreds of people as they navigate grief, anxiety, depression, and other life challenges. With over 15 years of experience working with business professionals and educators, she is passionate about helping people realize their potential while prioritizing their mental health and wellness. Neasel Conner has presented to over 4,000 people all over the world with her dynamic, interactive, and engaging Beyond the Happy Vision Board Experiences. Some of her clients include Google, The United States Air Force, Black Girls Do Engineer, Northside ISD, and Region 2 Education Service Centers.
Learn more at www.beyondthehappy.com.
Keocha LaFleur-Anders
Keocha (K.) LaFleur-Anders is a writer, creative wellness coach, and visionary entrepreneur, passionate about promoting creativity and inclusivity through the power of storytelling. As the CEO and Founder of Chestnut Publishing House, LLC, she has built a multi-media publishing platform that goes beyond the norm, breaking down barriers and fostering innovation. Her work as a creative wellness coach allows her to empower women leaders to explore their full creative potential through writing-for-wellness. Keocha is a speaker, panelist, and workshop facilitator who inspires others to approach creativity through a holistic and collaborative lens.
Learn more at www.chestnutbooks.com.
Winner: Neasel Conner
Social Impact
This is a company where social good is embedded in the core values, strategies and processes by which it operates and measures results. This business may be a nonprofit or a for-profit organization with a big idea that satisfies a social need and clearly articulated core values.
Jill Gonzalez
Jill Gonzalez is the Executive Director of Women’s Storybook Project of Texas. Her life’s work has been teaching, children’s books and family literacy. She leads a small staff and hundreds of volunteers connecting children to their incarcerated moms through the joy of literature. At prison, mothers are welcomed in, encouraged to read aloud to their children and recorded. Then, the recordings and books are sent to the child. This small act empowers women to embrace motherhood, reduces disciplinary instances and helps children feel the comfort of being read to by their mother – a crucial step toward reconnection and reducing recidivism.
Learn more at http://www.storybookproject.org.
Katrina Tolentino
Katrina is an award-winning CEO and Executive Director with an impressive history of transformation leadership and a proven track record driving big outcomes quickly for young organizations. She brings 20 years of experience and expertise in community building and engagement, program development, events, fundraising, and partnerships.
Katrina currently leads Naturally Network, the industry organization convening and supporting the natural, organic, and better-for-you CPG industry. In this role, she’s grown the organization to serve 23,000 unique companies and launched two key programs – the Minority-Owned Fellowship, a 6-month program that accelerates the success of diverse founders, and the Women in CPG Summit, an event that has brought together over 2,000+ Women for inspired content and connections. In the last two years, the Minority-Owned Fellowship has served and facilitated greater access to the industry for 115+ diverse Founders.
Learn more at https://www.naturallynetwork.org.
Winner: Jill Gonzalez
Health and Wellness
This business is leading the way in Austin’s ever-growing health-and-wellness industry with a product or service offering.
Neasel Conner
Neasel Conner is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Speaker and Owner of Beyond the Happy. In her private practice, she has supported hundreds of people as they navigate grief, anxiety, depression, and other life challenges. With over 15 years of experience working with business professionals and educators, she is passionate about helping people realize their potential while prioritizing their mental health and wellness. Neasel Conner has presented to over 4,000 people all over the world with her dynamic, interactive, and engaging Beyond the Happy Vision Board Experiences. Some of her clients include Google, The United States Air Force, Black Girls Do Engineer, Northside ISD, and Region 2 Education Service Centers.
Learn more at www.beyondthehappy.com.
Dr. Nicole Laird
Dr. Nicole Laird, founder of Hays County Physical Therapy and Wellness and doctor of physical therapy, has made it her mission to guide women through the journey of all of life’s changes to feel strong and in control of their bodies. She NEVER wants a woman to feel alone or as though she has to stop all activities she loves because of pain or discomfort. Nicole enjoys guiding women back to their health, fitness, and exercise routines safely. Nicole is a licensed physical therapist, weightlifting coach, certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and her practice specializes in women’s health physical therapy.
Learn more at www.hayscountypt.com.
Rosamaria Murillo, Ph.D., LMSW
Dr. Murillo joined El Buen as its Chief Executive Officer in July 2019. As a recognized public health advocate with extensive experience in public policy, higher education, nonprofit and government management, for more than 25 years she has led within different systems to develop, implement, and strengthen services for underserved communities. She holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from the School of Business at Our Lady of the Lake, a Master of Social Work degree from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. Murillo has served as a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at San Antonio, and Texas State where she has taught graduate and undergraduate courses focusing on social justice, policy, nonprofit management, program development, organizational leadership, public administration and child welfare.
Learn more at https://elbuen.org.
Winner: Rosamaria Murillo
STEM
This female-led business is breaking barriers in science, technology, engineering or math sectors.
Katie Bouchillon
Katie Bouchillon, Spero Rehab’s Owner, founded her clinics with the vision of providing patients and their families with innovative, research-based treatment facilities that balance state of the art equipment with personalized care.They provide physical, occupational, aquatic, and robotic assisted therapies as well as offering a wellness, sports training, and community gym program to patients, businesses, and the local community. Katie has been a licensed occupational therapist in the state of Texas since 2005. In order to meet the needs of her patients, she has received multiple certifications in the field and services on multiple non-profits boards relating to brain injury, spinal cord injury, and post 9/11 veterans.
Learn more at www.sperorehab.com.
Carina Coel, AIA – STEM
Carina Coel is the Founder and Principal Architect of residential architecture firm Restructure Studio and home plan provider Arbor Plans. A graduate of Rice University, she has worked in the architectural field in Austin since 2003 and launched Restructure Studio in 2010. Her work has been featured on two AIA Austin Homes Tours and in the pages of the Wall Street Journal. Carina is proud to have served as Chair for AIA Austin’s Women in Architecture committee, where she was invited to lead the “Call to Action” initiative which now provides an annual scholarship for minority women students at the UT School of Architecture.
Learn more at www.restructurestudio.com.
Mónica Talán
Mónica Talán is a dynamic entrepreneur and award-winning leader with over two decades of experience in strategic communications and public relations. She founded TechTranslators.ai, a B2B platform simplifying technology through expert-led workshops, and CryptoConexión, a Spanish-language platform promoting blockchain and AI awareness. Mónica has advised Google Launchpad and conducted workshops for Morgan Stanley’s Multicultural Innovation Lab. Mónica previously led communications teams at Vrio Corp, ADT, Univision, and served as Chief Mission Officer at Genius Plaza. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.
Learn more at techtranslators.ai.
Winner: Katie Bouchillon
Carina Coel, AIA
Carina Coel is the Founder and Principal Architect of residential architecture firm Restructure Studio and home plan provider Arbor Plans. A graduate of Rice University, she has worked in the architectural field in Austin since 2003 and launched Restructure Studio in 2010. Her work has been featured on two AIA Austin Homes Tours and in the pages of the Wall Street Journal. Carina is proud to have served as Chair for AIA Austin’s Women in Architecture committee, where she was invited to lead the “Call to Action” initiative which now provides an annual scholarship for minority women students at the UT School of Architecture.
Learn more at www.restructurestudio.com.
Professional Services
In the services industry, this business is at the top of its class, making a significant impact with the service it provides, including but not limited to marketing, event planning, PR, accounting, legal work, consulting or other professional services.
Marisel Ballard
Marisel Ballard, an immigrant from Lima, Peru, arrived in America on December 10, 2000, with just $0 in her pocket and a heart full of dreams. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles, like not having any family, not speaking English with a newborn on the arms, she persevered.
In 2004, she took a bold leap of faith and founded Trustworthy Cleaning Services in Austin, Texas. Armed with nothing but an old broom, a vacuum from her own home, and an abundance of energy and hope, Marisel set out to make her mark in the world of residential cleaning.
Since its inception, Trustworthy Cleaning Services (TWC) has been dedicated to providing happiness to thousands of customers. Marisel’s vision was not just about cleaning homes: it is about the power of hope, determination, and perseverance in the face of adversity. Marisel has been enabling her large clientele to live, love, play, dream, and create in beautiful spaces. With love and dedication, Marisel and her team have been serving faithfully tens of thousands of locals, building a reputation for reliability, integrity, and excellence.
Marisel Ballard’s journey from a young immigrant to the founder of a thriving cleaning company is a testament to the limitless possibilities that exist in America for those who dare to dream big and work hard to make those dreams a reality.
Learn more at https://trustworthycleaningserv.com.
Jessica Campos
Jessica Campos is the Forensic Marketer and the driving force behind The Greatness Agency. Her journey is one of resilience and reinvention. When her law practice in Puerto Rico was hit by the mortgage meltdown, Jessica pivoted, leveraging her skills in law, accounting, and litigation to thrive in the digital economy. This bold move led her to spearhead multi-million dollar product launches while balancing life as a work-from-home mom of four.
Named one of the top 10 digital marketers in the US, Jessica has scaled brands internationally through her Demand Generation strategies. Her forensic marketing approach, combining her legal and accounting expertise, has strengthened brands and boosted profits for hundreds of clients. Beyond her professional achievements, Jessica is a notable micro-influencer and community leader in Austin. She leads the 10,000-member Austin Professionals & Entrepreneurs network, HeyATX, and has been recognized as one of Austin’s influential Women to Watch and the recipient of the Top Service Firm of the Year award.
Learn more at https://thegreatnessagency.com.
Kana LiVolsi
Kana LiVolsi has worked with Fortune 100, A-List Celebrities, Luxury Brands, Pro-Athletes, & Disruptive Tech (ex: Google, Apple, Cole Haan, Conde Nast, CapitalOne, UberEats, Macallan Scotch, Activision Blizzard, HBO, BBC, Nike, Harper-Collins, Sony, & Amazon.) An expert in Biz Dev & Brand Strategy, her work infuses corporations with conscious capitalism, showing them how inclusivity boosts profit. As Co-Founder & CEO of Dos Mundos Creative, she is recognized locally & nationally— from Top 100 CMOs by the National Diversity Council (along with global leaders from PepsiCo & Intel) to Winner of Austin Women in Business Awards. In addition to her work with Dos Mundos, she, along with other business women in the Austin community spearheaded Worth of Women (formerly “End the War on Women”) focused on the angle of advocating for social equity from an economic perspective. She is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas & mentor for SXSW, SKU, MassChallenge.
Learn more at https://dosmundoscreative.com.
Winner: Marisel Ballard
Product Innovation
Innovation and creativity are at the root of all successful businesses, and this business has proven as such with its unmatched product development. *This company has developed a product and taken it to market. This can include a tangible/physical product or intangible product (ex: apps).
Shalou Barth
Shalou Barth is the Co-Founder and CEO of GhostLine Kitchens, revolutionizing the food industry with innovative shared-use commercial kitchens and event spaces. The company’s flexible offerings empower entrepreneurs and elevate their success rates. Under Barth’s leadership, GhostLine’s inaugural facility in Austin has supported over 200 food & beverage businesses within its first two years of operation. Barth’s entrepreneurial spirit has been evident throughout her career, from her roles at large companies like 3M in strategy and business development to ventures in commercial real estate development. Barth holds an MBA from McCombs and is a dedicated mother to two young boys.
Learn more at www.ghostline.kitchen.
Stephanie Houston
Stephanie Houston, a 25 year entrepreneur and 5x founder, is trailblazing in the distillery industry as the co-founder of Island Getaway Rum, America’s first Latina-owned production distillery located in Dripping Springs, Texas. Breaking barriers and challenging norms, Stephanie’s journey is a tale of both business triumph and cultural significance. Her commitment to diversity and advocacy shines through as Island Getaway Rum stands as a beacon of inclusivity in an industry traditionally dominated by males. Stephanie actively champions progressive legislative changes in Texas liquor laws and tirelessly supports BIPOC-owned brands. Her distillery presents a unique opportunity for collaborative support, bringing a fresh face to the industry.
Learn more at https://www.islandgetawayrum.com.
Michelle Marks
Michelle Marks is a third-generation Austinite. Although she grew up in Austin, she has also lived in places like Boston, Vermont, and New York City. Michelle has been the owner of Inviting Affairs Paperie for 19 years and also owns Pop Shop ATX for the last couple of years. Michelle’s entrepreneurial spirit has led her to start catering companies, work as an event planner, wedding invitation designer, and open a full-service retreat. She is a mom to three boys and two step-kids. Her true achievement is raising and building relationships with her kids. Michelle continues to be involved with her children’s schools and making a voice where change is needed.
Learn more at www.invitingaffairspaperie.com.
Jen Spall
Jen Spall is the Co-Founder and CEO of Dream City Dimes, a professional performing arts team based in Austin, Texas. With her entrepreneurial spirit, Jen sought to bring the world something new. Leveraging her background as a marketer, artist, athlete, and music industry professional, her approach to entertainment provides strategic value for event partners through on-brand designs, boosting ROI in sales, and curating fresh experiences. Notable clients include When Where What, Superstition, Emo Nite, and Capital Factory. Bridging the arts with athleticism, Austin has a new pro team in town to root for.
Learn more at www.dreamcitydimes.com.
Winner: Shalou Barth
Maker
This business was built by a female artisan who has reached a level of success that allows her to support other female artists. From jewelry and fashion to pottery and photography to music and art, this category is a celebration of all makers in all mediums.
Ibiye Anga
Ibiye Anga is the founder and CEO of Anga Haus, a leading creative technology agency. She brings artistic visions to life while simultaneously designing learning paths to bridge the digital divide.
Ibiye is a sought-after speaker and advocate for a sustainable planet. Her achievements include being recognized as a rising star by the Austin Business Journal’s 2023 Women in Business Awards and People’s Choice, Champion of Change by DivInc.
Ibiye serves on the Board for Austin’s community technology commission. Additionally, in 2024 she founded a non-profit organization focused on girls’ education.
Ibiye is also a mixed-media artist herself.
Learn more at https://www.anga.haus.
Agata Soldato
Agata Soldato is an entrepreneur who came from Brazil to Austin with just $300 in 2012. Through smart investments and networking, she opened her own Posh Studio, introducing cosmetic tattooing to Austin and helping over 8,000 women feel more confident.
Outside of business, Agata is dedicated to empowering women by mentoring young girls. With over 2,000 students, she hopes to expand their mentorship program nationally.
She sees the beauty industry as a way to empower and include everyone, believing that hard work can overcome any obstacle. As a mother and member of the Austin community, she inspires others to pursue their dreams.
In her philanthropic efforts, she supports NGOs helping single-parent women and children rescued from sex trafficking. She also leads a client referral project to raise funds for these important causes. Success, for Agata, is about using her influence for positive change, helping marginalized communities through business, mentorship, and philanthropy.
Learn more at https://www.poshpermanentmakeup.com.
Sarah Yant
Sarah Yant, founder and principal of Twistleaf, is a seventh-generation Texan whose passion for the land began while growing up on her family’s ranch in northeast Texas. Land stewardship and conservation are at the heart of her mission with Twistleaf. As an award-winning landscape architecture and construction firm, the women-led team specializes in creating inspiring public green spaces, vibrant commercial campuses, thriving master-planned communities and more. The company name comes from the twistleaf yucca, Yucca rupicola, a native Texas plant that exemplifies beauty and resiliency. The twistleaf inspires the innovative design and ecological approach the team brings to every land design project.
Learn more at www.twistleaf.com.
Winner: Sarah Yant
Business to Watch (between $1 million – $5 million)
From impressive fiscal success to excellent leadership, this business is making a noteworthy mark on Austin and its industry at large. A key factor defining success may include the ability for future growth, community impact and opportunity for women.
Business to Watch (over $5 million)
From impressive fiscal success to excellent leadership, this business is making a noteworthy mark on Austin and its industry at large. A key factor defining success may include the ability for future growth, community impact and opportunity for women.
Michelle Lapides
Michelle Lapides is a visionary entrepreneur and the spirited co-founder of dozanü innovations. With an exceptional all Deaf woman team, she has been at the forefront of disrupting the marketing industry since 2017. Certified as a Disability-Owned Business Enterprise, a Women’s Business Enterprise National Council-certified company, an LGBTQIA+ owned business, and a Woman-Owned Small Business, dozanü offers comprehensive marketing services. Crafting an inclusive narrative and setting a blazing trail of innovation, they serve clients spanning Fortune 1000 and Valuable 500 corporations. Fueled by resilience and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Michelle, with her partner-in-crime in both life and business, Katherine Lees, leads with passion.
Learn more at https://dozanu.com.
Ronnie Sheth, Founder & CEO, SENEN GROUP
Ronnie Sheth leads SENEN GROUP, an international strategic advisory firm focused on helping brands unlock the power of disruptive enablers & emerging technologies like data & AI. With experiences helping industry titans such as Nike, PepsiCo, IBM, etc, her passion is to help global brands create human-centric data & AI-enabled transformative experiences that drive unprecedented business growth and lasting societal impact.
She is an active voice in world-shaping communities such as World Economic Forum Davos and United Nations World Data Forum. She continues to help drive innovation through her involvement as an executive board member at Austin Technology Council, the Tech & Innovation Policy Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada, British-American Business Council, and advisory for UN-backed international NGOs. Her work and SENEN’s impact have been recognized internationally, receiving the title of “Woman of the Year” 2023 by Big Business Awards, Austin Woman Magazine’s “Tech Changemaker & Woman to Watch 2024″, “Tech CEO of the Year” by UK Technology Innovator Awards 2024. She has also been voted as finalist in the prestigious upcoming DataIQ Awards 2024.
Learn more at www.senengroup.com.
Sarah Yant
Sarah Yant, founder and principal of Twistleaf, is a seventh-generation Texan whose passion for the land began while growing up on her family’s ranch in northeast Texas. Land stewardship and conservation are at the heart of her mission with Twistleaf. As an award-winning landscape architecture and construction firm, the women-led team specializes in creating inspiring public green spaces, vibrant commercial campuses, thriving master-planned communities and more. The company name comes from the twistleaf yucca, Yucca rupicola, a native Texas plant that exemplifies beauty and resiliency. The twistleaf inspires the innovative design and ecological approach the team brings to every land design project.
Learn more at www.twistleaf.com.
Winner: Michelle Lapides
Tamara Atkinson
Tamara Atkinson is the CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board, the state-designated authority that focuses on human capital improvement, from childcare access to youth career exploration, to workplace advancement.
Ms. Atkinson is responsible for strategic planning, oversight, and evaluation of Austin/Travis County’s workforce ecosystem. She and her board of directors manage the community’s Hire Local Plan, through which thousands of job seekers, students, and employers receive optimized services.
At a time of disruption and opportunity in workforce development, Ms. Atkinson is raising awareness of key industries, connecting students to post-secondary education, and training local workers for career advancement.
Learn more at https://www.wfscapitalarea.com.
Barbara Cavness
Barbara Cavness, CEO of (un)Common Logic, has more than 12 years’ experience in digital marketing and account management. She joined (un)Common Logic in 2010 as Director of Client Operations, rising to CEO in 2014.
Before joining (un)Common Logic, Barbara was a senior client services manager at TIG Global, a Washington, DC-based interactive marketing agency, where she focused on marketing for the hospitality industry. Her duties at TIG also included marketing strategy development, website design and strategy coordination, email marketing strategy, and strategic partner development.
Barbara earned a B.A. in Psychology from Duke University, where she also captained the Duke women’s lacrosse team. When she’s not working, Barbara enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking, traveling, and participating in outdoor activities, including biking, hiking, running, and water sports.
Learn more at https://www.uncommonlogic.com.
Kassi Longoria
Kassi Longoria is the CEO for MAYA Consulting. Kassi is an equity and systems strategist with over 14 years of experience in early childhood education, family support, child welfare, and education, and is driven by her values of equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging. Kassi is inspired by liberatory design & believes the key to systems change is to authentically shift power to families and communities.
Kassi joined MAYA in 2019 and has held multiple roles in the company, including Principal Consultant, and most recently, Vice President of Early Childhood and Family Programs. She has championed MAYA’s purpose and has been instrumental in expanding MAYA’s support and impact. She has led and supported a variety of projects and engagements related to community-centered strategic planning, liberatory design, family economic well being, early learning and development, school-charter partnerships, collective impact, philanthropic advising and more. In her role as CEO, she leads MAYA’s strategic direction and supports the MAYA team in collaborating with schools, non-profit organizations, philanthropy, and public agencies to achieve equitable results for children, youth, and families.
Learn more at https://mayaconsultingllc.com.
Winner: Kassi Longoria
Beverage and Culinary Arts
From impressive leadership to innovative flavors and/or products, this business has left its mark on the Austin food & beverage scene.
Teresa Kwon
Teresa is the Founder and CEO of Bom Bakeshop, home of Austin’s first mochi donuts in over 100 flavors a year.
Integrating her values, heritage, and creativity with her 30 year background upleveling nonprofit and government organizations and tech startups along with a Master in Public Administration, Teresa is not only building a new sustainable model for food business that is devoted to their mission to spread joy in Austin, but also shares curious and dynamic flavors and colors of different cultures on top of an ancient Korean Royal Confection from the Goryeo Dynasty with Austin.
Teresa is a native Texan, a 30 year Austinite and Longhorn, a furmom to an adorable toy poodle, Blackjack, and loves to explore nature and globetravel to satisfy her foodie curiosities with husband, Chef Anthony, while promoting a message that goodness and truth always wins.
Learn more at bombakeshop.com.
Julie Myrtille
Julie Myrtille, dubbed The Golden Pastry Chef by French media, is an award-winning pastry chef founder of the eponymous bakery and The Rose Bakery in Austin. She has also authored several cookbooks, sharing her recipes and techniques with baking enthusiasts worldwide in her award-winning blog (Golden Blog Award 2015). Her work has inspired many aspiring pastry chefs and home bakers to explore the art of French pastry making.Chef Julie Myrtille is an essential figure in the Austin culinary scene as a long-time member of Austin’s farmers market.
The youngest woman of the Academy Culinaire de France, Julie Myrtille has become a cherished local Austin chef. Her bakery was named Best Bakery in Austin (Austin Monthly 2020), Best Pastry Chef (Girl scout 2024).
She holds a BA from Cambridge University UK, a Master Degree from a French Business School and an MBA from University of Laval in Canada.
Learn more at https://www.therosebakery.com.
Cristina Schneider – Favor Delivery
Cristina was born and raised in Austin, TX. She had a long career in various areas of HR and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. She launched award winning programs in public, private and non-profit sectors along the way. Cristina’s most recent focus has been leading people strategies for companies that are striving to expand their ecommerce businesses. After spending many years working overseas for global retailers, Cristina returned to her hometown to join H-E-B and Favor Delivery where she is the VP of People.
With strong Texas roots, both companies embody values that focus on community and the people their businesses are built on. Whether it’s helping seniors get their groceries during the pandemic or providing flexible opportunities for Texans to earn more money for their families, Favor Delivery is helping to shape the communities it serves.
Learn more at www.favordelivery.com.
Winner: Cristina Schneider
I Am Austin Woman:
This woman is beloved in the Austin community for her innate ability to engage, empower and inspire those around her. Throughout her lengthy career and avid community involvement, she has led with exceptional grace and finesse, her actions echoing the core mission of Austin Woman magazine. The impact she has made as a woman and for women is key.
Tamara Atkinson
Tamara Atkinson is the CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board, the state-designated authority that focuses on human capital improvement, from childcare access to youth career exploration, to workplace advancement.
Ms. Atkinson is responsible for strategic planning, oversight, and evaluation of Austin/Travis County’s workforce ecosystem. She and her board of directors manage the community’s Hire Local Plan, through which thousands of job seekers, students, and employers receive optimized services.
At a time of disruption and opportunity in workforce development, Ms. Atkinson is raising awareness of key industries, connecting students to post-secondary education, and training local workers for career advancement.
Learn more at https://www.wfscapitalarea.com.
Katherine McLane
Founded in 2013, Mach 1 Group, led by Katherine McLane, offers top-tier communication and crisis management services to high-profile brands and organizations. McLane’s background includes roles at the LIVESTRONG Foundation, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration, and the U.S. Department of Education. Recognized for her innovative approach, she has received numerous awards, including PR Professional of the Year and Female Entrepreneur of the Year. McLane is also active in community initiatives, serving as a pro-bono PR partner for Keep Austin Fed and contributing to various organizations. A Texas A&M University graduate, she lives in Austin with her husband and two sons.
Learn more at https://themach1group.com.
Heather Wagner Reed
Heather is the founder and CEO of Juice Consulting, a PR and marketing firm that specializes in music, film, tech, international government, nonprofit and more. Hailed by SPIN magazine as “Austin’s premier marketing & PR firm,” Heather is a heartfelt advocate for her clients and a deeply intuitive connector. Before launching Juice 17 years ago, she served as Senior Product Manager for Beyoncé, handling her day to day management and global marketing coordination, and worked for five years in The Netherlands for many international brands. She is an adjunct at ACC teaching “Marketing and PR for Creatives”, a long standing member of The Recording Academy Texas Chapter and Texas Lyceum, and serves on The Ann Richards Foundation Board. In 2023 she was a “Women in Business” award winner and is currently “40 Under 40 Mentor Award” nominee. She is a very proud mama to Livingston and Lotus, and sells funky vintage goods on the side.
Learn more at https://juiceconsulting.com.
Winner: Tamara Atkinson
**NEW** Corporate Champion for Women
This organization of 250 or more employees has built women’s empowerment into its DNA. It is based in Austin or has a presence of 250 employees or more in Austin. The organization uses its resources to support and advance women both inside the organization and in the broader community. This organization is forging meaningful outcomes and championing change in its industry as a whole by both initiating or aiding in the implementation of formal programs, working with networks, teaming with colleagues, and other imaginative actions.
Congratulations to all the Woman’s Way Awards Winners 2024
Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of this year’s event! Your hard work, dedication, and outstanding achievements have truly set you apart. Each of you has made an incredible impact, and it’s been an honor to recognize your contributions. Your stories inspire and empower us all, and we are thrilled to celebrate your success. Keep shining and breaking barriers—you are the true embodiment of excellence and leadership.
Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get all the updates!
Thanks to our Sponsors
A heartfelt thank you to all our incredible sponsors! Your generous support and unwavering commitment have made this event possible and successful. Your contributions have not only helped us create a memorable experience but also empowered us to celebrate and uplift remarkable individuals. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and belief in our mission. Together, we have made a significant impact, and we look forward to continuing this journey of excellence and community building with you. Thank you for being an integral part of our success!
Join Our Connects Club!
Are you ready to be part of a thriving community that empowers, inspires, and connects? Join our Connects Club and immerse yourself in a network of dynamic professionals, innovators, and leaders. Learn from exclusive events, gain access to invaluable resources, and create meaningful connections that can propel your career and personal growth. Discover the power of community and elevate your journey with us.
Don’t miss out—click here to join the Connects Club today and start connecting with like-minded individuals who can help you achieve your dreams!