The Northern Kentucky Chamber hopes to remind the region of the power of dreams and the importance of conquering fears at its 13th Women’s Initiative Annual Breakfast.
“We all have been through some very challenging times over the course of the last two years, but despite the challenges we have seen many successes,” said Catrena Bowman-Thomas, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission Chair and WI Annual Breakfast Chair. “We are stronger, wiser and better because of everything we’ve endured in our personal lives and business. Our Annual Breakfast will be a time to reflect upon our successes and know that the best is truly yet to come.”
The breakfast, open to women and men, will be 8:30-10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, 1 West RiverCenter Blvd., in Covington. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. for networking; the program begins at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $60 for event pass holders; $65 for Chamber members; and $85 for future Chamber members. To register, visit https://bit.ly/WIbreakfast22.
The theme, Celebrate Your Now, is intended to encourage attendees to acknowledge the challenges and obstacles that they have overcome and recognize their accomplishments to embolden them to live in the now.
The WI Annual Breakfast is “an important opportunity for members of the business community to honor their accomplishments, no matter how big or small; as well as encourage them to grow and evolve personally and professionally,” Bowman-Thomas said.
This 2022 event will feature keynote speaker Christy Demetrakis, a seasoned business professional and president and founder of The Empowered Speaker. Demetrakis has more than 25 years of experience in a variety of fields including sales and management across several Fortune 500 companies.
“The Empowered Speaker teaches people the power of dreams and the importance of faith in conquering fear,” Bowman-Thomas said. “Christy is passionate about empowering others to achieve their ambitions and walk in their purpose.”
Demetrakis will present The A.R.T. of Conquering Fear – centered around overcoming fear and not letting the emotion paralyze individuals from celebrating their now.
The WI Annual Breakfast will also include the ninth presentation of the Debbie Simpson of Spirit Achievement Award. Named after founding WI member Debbie Simpson, the award is presented to a professional woman who has had a significant impact on the Women’s Initiative program, had career success and has been active in the community. The award is also presented to a local nonprofit.
The 2022 Nonprofit Recipient is Family Nurturing Center, a nonprofit social service agency located in Northern Kentucky and Hamilton County, Ohio dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse by promoting individual well-being and healthy family relationships. Services and programs focus on the education, prevention, and treatment of all forms of child abuse and neglect.
This year’s professional woman recipient is Melissa Lutz, a principal at Champlin Architecture and member of the firm’s Board of Directors.
Lutz said she was “overwhelmed with excitement” when she learned she’d receive this award.
“It means a lot to me to follow in the footsteps of so many amazing women who have led the WI over the years,” Lutz said. “It has been spectacular to be apart of the WI since it began and to see how much we have grown.”
The Northern Kentucky Chamber started WI in 2008 and it is the fastest growing area of the Chamber, according to Bowman-Thomas. WI is committed to helping area employers meet the rising professional development goals for their employees. It offers a vast away of programs and opportunities to women to grow, connect and achieve.
Bowman-Thomas called Lutz a “positive light and tireless advocate for the WI.”
“She is a critical part of the success of the Women’s Initiative and the events she has been involved with.,” Bowman-Thomas said. “Melissa is a servant leader and steps up to lead by example – arriving early to set up, staying late to tear down, going out of her way to check in with other committee members to ensure they feel included and engaged and going the extra mile to spread the word about various programming initiatives. She is the consummate volunteer and the woman that everyone wants on their team. You can depend on her to get the job done while bringing a smile to everyone around her.”