NAWBO San Diego hosts the BRAVO! Awards every May to celebrate the accomplishments of women entrepreneurs throughout the region. We commemorate the achievements of all our nominees at this festive evening event, which features a dynamic keynote speaker, and present the awards “Oscar-style” to delighted recipients.
Our 2016 awards featured an inspirational and energetic keynote presentation from Penny Wing – founder and CEO of Brojure. Wing shared how she has successfully built and subsequently sold three companies prior to Brojure. A silent auction held during the festivities raised scholarship funds for women business students at San Diego City College.
Congratulations to our 2016 BRAVO! Award winners:
Woman Business Owner of the Year Award
Didi Discar, Carling Communications, Inc.
Didi Discar is principal and CEO of Carling Communications, a full-service medical communications agency, specializing in pharmaceutical and medical device industries worldwide. She has grown Carling Communications to over $12 million in annual revenue, creating over 80 careers in San Diego County, generating income from outside California and the US. Didi is a founding member of the Chula Vista Foundation, a position she holds dear given her roots in South Bay, and she's an active member of the Silayan Filipina Women's Organization.
Women's Advocate of the Year Award
Leslie Fishlock, Geek Girl
Leslie Fishlock is cultivating a new generation of women and men who openly embrace and support geeks! She founded Geek Girl in 2006 to empower women & girls (and dudes!) of all ages and all financial levels in technology, from beginner newbie to startup savant. The Geek Girl community is putting an end to an era of women who were either not allowed or dissuaded from areas of tech.
Trailblazer Award
Gulsum Rustemoglu, GEPermit and Kosu Dunyamiz
Gulsum Rustemoglu has created a new brand in her home country of Turkey named Kosu Dunyamiz (DUN-YA-MIZ), which translates to Running World. She has been able to attract a large community of runners, and the attention of brands like NIKE and Adidas, within 6 months of creating the brand. Gulsum encourages her female colleagues and friends to utilize their skills, start their own businesses, and not to limit their potential.
Signature Award
Linda Strand, Independent Energy Solutions
Linda Strand co-founded Independent Energy Solutions, Inc. in 1998 and has developed her company to an industry leader for renewable energy and solar electric systems. Linda empowers her employees to bring unique ideas to grow and/or improve the organization. She listens to her team, fosters discussion, encourages them to participate in seminars and trainings and invites them to bring their IES best practices for energy into their own homes.
Green Community Award
Pauline Martinson, I Love a Clean San Diego
Pauline Martinson has served as Executive Director of I Love A Clean San Diego since 2006. In that time, Pauline has over doubled its staff and budget size to expand the organization's reach further than ever before. Through her leadership, now 60,000 San Diegans each year are engaged through countywide cleanups, and environmental education to preserve and enhance San Diego's natural environment.
Rising Star Award
Elizabeth Wilson, Seed GC
Elizabeth Wilson has successfully entered areas that typically draw more men, and has carved her own voice and defined her own rules... and has been incredibly successful. Over her career, Elizabeth has worn many hats: Entrepreneur, Lawyer, Surface Warfare Officer (USS NAVY), Cheerleader, Women Business Owner, and Honors Graduate. Today, she advises other entrepreneurs, and leverages her leadership skills to help them be successful.
Click below to view past winners: (links coming soon)
2015 BRAVO! Award Winners
2014 BRAVO! Award Winners
2013 BRAVO! Award Winners
2012 BRAVO! Award Winners
2011 BRAVO! Award Winners
2010 BRAVO! Award Winners
2009 BRAVO! Award Winners
Special Thanks to Those Who Made the 2016 BRAVO! Awards Possible
BRAVO! Event Title Sponsor
BRAVO! Awards Premier Table Sponsor
BRAVO! Awards Corporate Table Sponsors
BRAVO! Awards Table Sponsors
Supporters
In-Kind Sponsors
