Chattanooga, Tennesee -- The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce has announced finalists for the Chattanooga Nautilus Awards, a new series of awards celebrating the strength, leadership and courage that characterize women who succeed in the business world.
The Chattanooga Nautilus Awards will be presented, along with the ATHENA Award, on October 25 during ceremonies in the Chattanoogan Hotel Ballroom.
"The purpose of the Chattanooga Nautilus event is to honor organizations and individuals that are providing or advocating for increased opportunities for women in business," said Kristi Haulsee, Chamber vice president of member-investor services. "We are very pleased that more than 50 individuals and companies were nominated for this first presentation of our new awards."
Developed by Chamber staff and volunteers, the Nautilus Awards include the Corporate Compass, Navigator of Entrepreneurship, the Lightkeeper and the Pearl of Promise.
The Corporate Compass Award will be presented to a business or organization that assists women in achieving personal and career goals and in developing leadership skills. Finalists are EPB, G.R. Rush & Company, PLLC and Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough.
The Navigator of Entrepreneurship will be presented to a woman business owner who encourages work-life balance among employees, demonstrates a pioneering spirit of entrepreneurship and serves as a role model for other women. Finalists are Dr. Carol Berz, Private Dispute Resolution Services; Kary Klein, SmartHire HR; and Sheila Boyington, Thinking Media.
The Lightkeeper Award will honor an individual who has had an impact on issues affecting women and/or girls through grassroots efforts. Finalists are Sandi Brock, Southeast Women’s Development District; Lisa Crawford, Chattanoogan Hotel; Randall Hebert, Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough; and Marj Flemming, LaunchPoint Leadership.
The Pearl of Promise will be awarded to a female high school student with a strong aptitude in math and science and a career interest in a typically male-dominated field. Finalists are Priya C. Boyington, Girls Preparatory School; Elena Canler,Ooltewah High School; and Elizabeth Proctor, Red Bank High School.
The ATHENA Award, which has been presented for nine years, is bestowed upon an individual who encourages women to realize their leadership potential, enjoys a successful career and participates in community service. Finalists are Rae Bond, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society; Kary Klein, SmartHire HR; and Pam Ladd, Custom Custodial.
The name of the new awards derives from the chambered nautilus, the sea snail that forms chambers as it grows. During its development, the nautilus builds new, larger chambers and seals off the old.
"Oliver Wendell Holmes, who wrote the celebrated Chambered Nautilus poem, saw the growth of the mollusk and its spiral shell as representation of the intellectual growth of humans," Haulsee said. "The nautilus shell seems an appropriate symbol for the strength, leadership and courage that women must demonstrate for success in the business place."
