2019 Finalists & Winners

The Advocate Award

BTSW Podcast

Founder & CEO
Intentionalist

Executive Director
WWIN

VP Community Engagement & Marketing, WTIA

Founder, iUrban Teen
Co-Founder, Black Women in STEM 2.0

The Company Award

Megan Ferland, CEO

Molly Moon Neitzel, CEO

Anika Lehde, CEO

& Force 10 Sports Management
Alisha Valavanis, CEO

Kieran Snyder, CEO

The Founder Award

Founder & CEO
Integris Software Inc.

CEO
Shift Lab

CEO and Co-Founder
Skilljar

Co-Founder
TONL

Founder & CEO
Armoire

The Investor Award

Managing Director
Madrona Ventures

Managing Director
Trilogy Equity Partners

Managing Director, M12
(Microsoft’s Venture Fund)

Angel investor
Founding member, Grubstakes

Founding Member
Grubstakes

The Role Model Award

CEO and Co-Founder
genneve

Head of Diversity & Inclusion
Fred Hutch

Venture Partner
Flying Fish Venture Fund

Medical Practice Manager
Puyallup Tribal Health Authority

State Representative
Washington State Legislature

The Sponsor Award

Founder
Young Professionals of Seattle

Director
Citi Private Bank

Managing Partner
Paladin Partners

Managing Partner
WXR Fund

Founder
Redefining You Foundation

An unforgettable gala that invites thousands of professional women and allies to nominate, vote for, award and celebrate the people that propel us forward. In today's polarized world of us vs. them, entrenchment and finger pointing, we believe it is more important than ever to recognize the companies, people and organizations who demonstrate behaviors we want to see more of. We want to shine the spotlight on women's allies; to celebrate those who have done right by us; to say thanks where thanks are due.

The Champion Awards are driven by professional women of all backgrounds and origins that live in the Pacific Northwest. We invite you to nominate YOUR champions and to vote for YOUR winners. Every single nominee will be notified and recognized. Through this process, you'll have the power to encourage more of the behavior you want to see. Imagine if we all do that, the change we can achieve together.

Read more about the 2019 Champion Award winners here.

The 2019 Selection Committee

Head of D&I
Fred Hutch

Managing Director
Trilogy Equity Partners

Co-lead
Lean In Seattle

Co-founder & CEO
Copacino+Fujikado

Director, PNW
WeWork Labs

Director
Microsoft

Co-founder, Lyfboat
FFA Founding Director

Chief Banking Officer
Seattle Bank

Market Executive
Bank of America

Founder & CEO
Female Founders Alliance

Founder & CEO
Simplicity Consulting

Vice President
Payscale

CEO
YWCA Seattle

Founder
F-Bomb Breakfast Club

CEO
WTIA

Founder & CEO
Reverb

Author
The Diversity Advantage

Founder & CEO
Fuel Talent

Reporter
Geekwire

The Awards

The Advocate

An advocate is an individual or organization who uses their public platform to promote and advance women’s causes.

2018 Winner: Megan McNally, Founder, F-Bomb Breakfast Club

The Company

New category! This organization has created a work culture that supports and advances women, forging meaningful outcomes for its employees that run counter to what’s typical in its industry as a whole.

The Founder

New category!

A founder has persevered in the face of adversity to launch and grow a business. This is a peer award that will ultimately be voted on by the members of the Female Founders Alliance.

The Investor

An investor has literally put “their money where their mouth is” when it comes to investing in women-led businesses and helping founders succeed.

2018 Winners: Angel Investors Sarah Imbach & Serena Glover

The Sponsor

A sponsor leverages their network and resources to help the women that they mentor advance and succeed in their career.

2018 Winner: Chaitra Vedullapalli, Meylah, Women in Cloud

The Role Model

A role model demonstrates what is possible for ambitious women. She is someone with a long trajectory, demonstrated integrity and leadership in her field, who inspires other women to strive for greatness.

2018 Winner: Sarah Bird, CEO Moz

The Unsung Hero

Unsung heroes don't get a lot of press but work hard to provide support and opportunities for women. 2018 Winners: Brandy Rhodes, Elizabeth Ringwald, Kalpana Viswanathan, Keita Williams, Melody Biringer, Michelle Goldberg, Rebekah Bastian, Sandy Anuras, Sue Borgman.