Gulf Coast’s most successful women celebrated for influence, impact at dazzling awards event

May 31, 2024June 5, 2024 By Ashley Prima Entertainment / Eventscommunity,events,gulf coast,Mississippi,women

Decorated in bounty and elegance to a sold-out crowd of hundreds of talented and accomplished women across South Mississippi, the Biloxi Civic Center was exquisitely transformed into this year’s hotspot for Gulf Coast Woman Magazine’s 100 Successful Women to Know.
The annual awards ceremony and luncheon event, which took place this year on May 28, 2024, celebrates some of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s most influential and impactful female leaders who represent areas that range from nonprofits and the arts to education and entrepreneurship.

Elegant plaques adorned with pink lilies, along with other prizes, were awarded to winners of this year’s Gulf Coast Woman Magazine 100 Successful Women to Know. This one went to WXXV News 25’s Ansley Brent. Pink lilies are generally sent as a gift to close female friends and family members, and they are intended to let someone know that one is thinking of them. Pink is a color that has long symbolized femininity, love, adoration and admiration.

   Gulf Coast Woman Magazine (GCW) empowers, informs, and connects women in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. According to the magazine’s publisher, Dorothy Wilson, that foundation carries over into the purpose and platform for the annual signature top 100 women event.
     “The purpose of the event is the same as the purpose of GCW as a whole: To celebrate, empower and showcase inspiring women,” Wilson said. “We particularly strive to elevate that woman who deserves recognition but may not seek the spotlight. When we name the 100 honorees, we are hoping to introduce you to some Coast women who are doing incredible things that you may not be aware of.”
     Wilson cited that since the event began in 2018, it has grown exponentially with last year’s campaign receiving a record 1,300 nominees.
     “The growth of the event is very gratifying for our whole team, as it signifies how much the women in our community value this honor,” Wilson said. “It also shows that more local women are becoming aware of it and seeing it as a goal they aspire to.”

All nominees received their very own Certificate of Achievement that gives deserving recognition for their elections to the honorary campaign widely known as Gulf Coast Woman Magazine’s 100 Successful Women to Know. Pictured is bestselling author and multimedia journalist Ashley Prima with nominee Amanda Compton-Ortiz, publisher of *Seaside Social News.*

     This year’s awards ceremony tasked seven judges with a challenge to narrow an outstanding pool of 820 nominees to just 100 women by measure of overall achievement and impact on business, career, and community.
     “Every year, we are impressed and amazed by the abundance of female talent and achievement here on the Coast, and the selection seems to get harder every time,” Wilson said.
     All nominees are invited to the event to receive an official certificate of recognition and to help applaud each winner as they are triumphantly revealed and called to stage, where they are showered with prizes including a personalized trophy plaque, a goody bag with generous gifts from area businesses, as well as a complimentary profile brief in the magazine’s special Success Showcase issue released every July. Winners are also given the opportunity to be featured on the cover and inside the popular edition.
     “This is no easy or short assignment,” said Wilson during the event. “All nominees are deserving of recognition which is why every nominee receives a certificate. We want to honor each one of you, and that is why you were all invited.”

A celebration luncheon hosted by Gulf Coast Woman Magazine to celebrate nominees and winners of its annual 100 Successful Women to Know gather at the Biloxi Civic Center on May 28, 2024. Attending is nominee Rachel Chandler, Moss Point; winner Dr. Shira Stallworth, Moss Point; Taylor Rhodes, Saucier; nominee Becky Hoggins, Saucier; nominee Courtney Cuevas, Long Beach; and winner Theresa Cuevas, Long Beach.

Wilson continued, “These awards are not about recognizing those who are at the top of their game. We decided to start this to shine a light on some of the deserving women who are not always seen. We wanted you to be seen. When you acknowledge your own achievement, it’s not just about you. You are inspiring others to be the best version of themselves and that is a benefit to our entire community.”

Gulf Coast Woman Magazine Publisher Dorothy Wilson, Gulfport, is with Sherry Moxley Seaman, Biloxi, Gulf Coast Woman Magazine new business/sales director-partner, during the publication’s annual celebration of 100 Successful Women to Know.

The event also included open networking, dazzling selfie booths and photo ops galore, entertainment by Mishee and DJ George Chuck, and lunch by Radish. Event and vendors sponsors assisted to create a wonderful experience for the nominees and included A Plan To Remember, Hancock Whitney, Southern Event Productions, Memorial Health System, Gather Gulf Coast, Party Girls, Alpha-Lit MS Gulf Coast, High Tide Celebrations: Events and Weddings, Allistons-Screen Printing, Embroidery, and Awards, along with Radish, Tilley Photography, Brian Pearse Photography, Nursing Management, Inc., The Blissful Leaf, All Things McArthur, and ABC Rental Centers.

An outstanding 820 nominees were recognized during this year’s Gulf Coast Woman Magazine’s 100 Successful Women to Know, an honorary campaign designed to celebrate, empower and showcase inspiring women. The event took place on May 28, 2024, at the Biloxi Civic Center.

     Nominee Noelle Vautour of Biloxi’s IP Casino Resort Spa attended with friend Yolanda Edwards, who noticed the event’s growth in popularity.
     “It’s amazing how much this event has grown since it first started,” Edwards said. “It is so nice to be able to gather with women in our community who are happy to be celebrating one another.”
     Vautour has been employed with the IP for the last 18 years and has worked her way up to a lead role as players services manager. She is also a personal trainer and spin dance instructor. “This is my first time to be nominated,” she said. “It is humbling and surprising that they thought of me to be one of the most accomplished women among so many in our community. It is an incredible feeling; the sky is the limit, and there are no glass ceilings!”

The Biloxi Civic Center ballroom was transformed with elegant, evening-inspired decor for a luncheon event hosted by Gulf Coast Woman staff for the magazine’s 100 Successful Women to Know nominees.

Winners of this year’s Gulf Coast Woman 100 Successful Women to Know were announced one-by-one with an on-screen visual and staged awards presentation.

Other nominees in attendance were Robin Killeen, Gulfport, founder and president of Women of Wisdom, Inc.; Katherine Sutton, Gulfport, founder and executive director of Mississippi Heroes, and realtor at Prestige Luxury Realty; and Liz Hoop, owner and CEO of Hoop Cares, LLC, Moss Point, all of which were chosen to be one of the 100 Successful Women to Know, Class of 2024.
“I was honored to attend this event,” said Killeen. “…It was amazing, beautifully decorated, and the energy in the room was electric! This was one of the best luncheons I have ever had the privilege to attend. Hats off to Gulf Coast Woman Magazine, Dorothy Wilson, and team, for demonstrating such a spirit of excellence.”

Nominee Kelly Devine, Gulfport, congratulates winner Denise Johnson, Ocean Springs, Victory Health Behavioral Center, for claiming her prize in this year’s Gulf Coast Woman 100 Successful Women to Know.

     Sutton said, “Events such as 100 Successful Women to Know gives an opportunity for women to come together to support, collaborate, and cheer each other on. It is also an opportunity to learn about what other amazing women are doing on the Gulf Coast, and man, there are a lot!
     “It was humbling to be awarded this achievement for 2024, and I am thankful to Gulf Coast Woman Magazine for all they do to bring support, awareness, and love to all of our Coastal Women.”
     Sutton also stated, “Together we lift each other up. Together we grow. Together we build a better Gulf Coast, and together we build a foundation for all women for years to come.”
     Speaker CeCe Shabazz, Gulfport, garnered the attention of luncheon guests with a motivational power talk during which she said, “If you don’t become the star in your own movie, you’ll end up an extra in somebody else’s.”

Winner Robin Killeen, W.O.W Women of Wisdom; guest Karen Gardner, and nominee Charlotte DiStefano, all of Gulfport, are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate friendship and community during 2024’s 100 Successful Women to Know awards luncheon hosted annually by Gulf Coast Woman Magazine.

     Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort was the partnering sponsor for the event. LuAnn Pappas, CEO of Scarlet Pearl, accepted a certificate of honor from Gulf Coast Woman Magazine on behalf of the Scarlet Pearl family and their efforts in supporting women on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Also recognized was Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence as the award ceremony’s nonprofit spotlight.
     The winners of the 2024 Gulf Coast Magazine 100 Successful Women to Know are:
     Kristen Allen, BloomBridge; Sandi Anderson, The Yoga Barre Pilates Studio; Dr. Frances Ann Bailey, Frances Bailey Enterprises, LLC/ Purpose Zeal Academy; Traci Barrientos, Lighthouse Academy for Dyslexia; Chassity Bilbo, City of Gautier; Meredith Billings, Gulfport School District; Theresa Blair, BAE Systems; Amy Bowman, Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance; Shelbi Bradley, Powerful Minds Counseling;

At left, the event’s spotlight speaker, CeCe Shabazz, Gulfport, garnered the attention of guests with a motivational power talk during which she said, “If you don’t become the star in your own movie, you’ll end up an extra in somebody else’s.” She is pictured with Cheryl Cooper, senior director of education and engagement at Navigator Credit Union.

Ansley Brent, WXXV News 25; Lauren Broussard, Broussard’s Barber Shop; Charlotte Brown, WAMP; Lynnise Brown, Farmer Browns Southern Farm CSA of Hope Foundation; Suze Brown, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; Sylvia Brown, Hancock Resource Center; Tomeka Bryant, The Juicy Caboosy;
Jennifer Cain, Generations Healthcare; Jessica Carter, Spot Therapy; Erinn Carty, Ingalls Shipbuilding; Sarah Crisler-Ruskey, Harrison County Library System; Theresa Cuevas, Forget Me Not Florist & 39560 Nutrition; Taja Cunningham, Girls ARE & Boys CAN; Katrina Currie, Beautiful The Meek/I AM Candy and Things, LLC; Tammie Dedeaux-Gray, The LAD Project; Tina Demoran, Seymour Law Firm, PLLC; Stephanie Dicharry, Gulf Coast NeuroSpa; Kelli Dickens, Kelli’s Steps School of Dance;

Latisha Price, Gulfport, a customer services representative at Gulf Coast Woman Magazine, joins nominee Tysheka Cephas, CRNP, Ocean Springs, Total Love and Care Health Licensed Family and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, for this year’s awards luncheon held for Gulf Coast Woman Magazine’s 100 Successful Women to Know.

Pamela Dowell, Ocean Springs Bootcamp; Charlene Dronet, Dronet Realty Group; Christen Duhe, Gulf Coast Community Foundation; Erica Dumas, Goodwill Industries of South Mississippi; Tiffani Dunklin, Pfizer; Diane Easley, Community Care Network; Terri Embry, CitusHealth; Nicole French, EXIT Magnolia Coast Realty; Allison Gates, REDITAX; Kimberly Gowdy, MSU Extension of Jackson County; Jada Green, Lottaburt Freight Academy; Caroline Haas, Haas & Haas Attorneys; Jennifer Henry, Singing River Hospital System; Alexis Higgins, Memorial Health System; Liz Hoop, Hoop Cares LLC;

Liz Hoop of Hoop Cares LLC accompanies Lynnise Finney Brown of Farmer Browns Southern Farm CSA of Hope Foundation, as they make their way to the stage to claim prizes after being named among this year’s 100 Successful Women to Know.

Lauren Joffrion, Field’s Steak and Oyster Bar; Denise Johnson, Victory Behavioral Center; Kenyetter Johnson, Beautiful Minds Childcare and Learning Center; Kristen Johnson, Jackson County Sherrif’s Department; Angel Jones, Gulf Coast Solutions; Katie Jones, March Forward Initiative; Savanna Jones, Little Lighthouse Productions, Savvy Snapshots Photo & Films; Rachel Kelly, Cornerstone Boutique; Shaya Kendrick, Century 21 Busch Realty Group; Robin Killeen, WOW Women of Wisdom Inc.; Carva King, The Literacy Lady, LLC; Jodi Klubnik, Graceful Pathways Inc.; Sikini Knight, HII; Nicki Kopp, Empowered Pathways, LLC; Robin Krohn David, Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum; Sandy Ladnier, St. Joseph Hospice; Kianna Lane, BEE Fearless Holistic; Tiffany Lott, Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Health Care System; Jessica Luce, Coast Aesthetics, Vital Anesthesia Services, LLC, and Coast Realty, LLC;

Nominee Noelle Vautour of Biloxi’s IP Casino Resort Spa joins friend Yolanda Edwards at this year’s 100 Successful Women to Know awards luncheon hosted annually by Gulf Coast Woman Magazine. Edwards commented on the magnificent growth of the event since its inception in 2018.

Haley Martin, The Law Offices of Haley S. Martin, The Capitol Group, & HSM Strategies; Charnell Martino, Cadence Bank; Nicole Martz, Gulf Coast Gal/ Mississippi Aquarium; Lori Massey, Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers; Stephanie Mathes, The Corps Network; Latrina McCarty, LGM Productions, LLC, and Destiny Elite Girls, Inc.; Frances McGill, Retired Educator/USO Volunteer; Jennifer “JJ” McMurtry, Epic Homes, LLC; Kay Miller, City of Biloxi; Nakia Miller, Century 21 Busch Realty Group;
Stefanie Moran, Keesler Federal Credit Union; Kim Morgan, Johnson & Johnson Innovated Medicine; Leanne Murray, Hancock Women’s Center; LaQuanta Nelson, The BOSS Educator, LLC; Jennifer Noles, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/Panoramic Properties; Anna Claire Perronne, Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce; Katelyn Perry, Crowns for a Cause; Stephanie Poole, WLOX TV; Lauren Ray, University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus; Kelleigh Reynolds Broussard, Long Beach School District; Melanie Robinson, Ms. Voluptuous Gulf Coast; Mollie Rockstad, Poolemerica (Express Employment Professionals); Gabrielle Rose, Chris Boudreaux Agency;

Winners Theresa Cuevas, Long Beach, Forget Me Not Florist and 39560 Nutrition; and Dr. Shira Stallworth, Moss Point, Creative Woman Enterprises, are proud to attend this year’s Gulf Coast Woman 100 Successful Women to Know awards luncheon held at the Biloxi Civic Center in May.

Kate Sawyer, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Michelle Sekul, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; Karen Seymour, A Path To Healing, PLLC; Susan Siemiontkowski, Susan Siemiontkowski-Keller Williams Realty; Kristen Sims, Caring Minds Consulting, LLC; Sherri Carr Smith, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; Peggy Sprayberry, Arts advocate/Entrepreneur; Dr. Shira Stallworth, Creative Woman Enterprises; Laura Sullivan Ethridge, Hancock Whitney Bank; Katherine Sutton, Mississippi Heroes, and Prestige Luxury Realty; Jada Vierling Hill, Coastal Family Health Center; Megan Wack, Rue Ridge Gifts; Monique Ward, A&W Associates Real Estate Services, Inc.; Rachael Ward, Hospice of Light; Ashira Windsor, Catalyst Counseling and Therapy Services; Angela Wingfield, The Dermatology Clinic, PLCC.

On the cover: Gulf Coast Woman Magazine 100 Successful Women to Know Class of 2024 includes Jennifer Henry, Singing River Hospital System; Ansley Brent, WXXV News 25; and Erica Dumas, Goodwill Industries of South Mississippi.