Westmoreland County Winners' Circle Awards Recipients Announced
The 13th Annual Westmoreland County Winners' Circle event proudly recognized its four winners for 2008 at a luncheon and awards ceremony on May 14. Recognized as one of the largest ATHENA® recognition programs in the country, the Westmoreland County-based event showcased exceptional business pioneers and honored individuals for inspiring others to do great things in the area.
Jennifer Miele, the Westmoreland County Bureau Chief for WTAE-TV, served as the emcee for the afternoon’s event at the Four Points Sheraton in Greensburg.
Awards included the international ATHENA Award®, the Seton Hill University Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, the Award for Community Service, and the YWCA "Rising Star" award.
Outstanding passion and leadership are two of the main reasons that Yvonne Campos was the recipient of the 2008 Seton Hill University Entrepreneurial Excellence Award.
The honor is awarded to an individual, organization or business that is an advocate for growth and success of women-owned businesses. The honoree is also creative in promoting and supporting women to be valuable contributors to the Westmoreland County economy.
Yvonne is a nationally known group moderator with group dynamic skills that encompass one-on-one interviews, moderator training sessions, panel presentations, and guest lecturing. She is also the founder and facilitator of the Women Presidents’ Organization Pittsburgh and Seton Hill University Chapters.
Yvonne’s many awards include Enterprising Woman of the Year (2006), Junior Achievement’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Pennsylvania Chamber Small Business Leadership Award and the Western Pennsylvania Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Molly Robb Shimko, the Seton Hill University Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement, received the 2008 Award for Community Service.
The Award for Community Service is presented to the woman who has contributed her time, resources and efforts to community organizations and community growth and also contributes personal influence and involvement beyond job expectations.
"I'm so happy to have the opportunity to not only share something so special with my family and friends, but to also have the opportunity to think about and reflect on my parents and their impact on my life," Robb Shimko said. "I feel truly blessed to have gotten so many things from my parents, things that truly help me every day of my life."
Molly’s duties with the university include capital and annual fund raising, professional staff management and outreach to alumni, friends of Seton Hill, and the media. Molly also serves as a member of the board of directors of the Mental Health Association of Westmoreland County, the Saint Vincent College Alumni Council, the Endowed Scholarship Committee, and the Easter Ball Committee.
The 2008 Athena Award was presented to Ruth R. Tolbert. Ruth is the Assistant Corporate Secretary for Allegheny Energy, Inc. where she has worked since 1982.
The ATHENA Award® is given to the woman or man who devotes time and energy to improve quality of life for others, mentors other women to reach full leadership potential, and demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession.
Ruth is also serving her fourth two-year term as President of the Greensburg/Jeannette Branch of the NAACP where she has played an integral role in helping the organization’s growth. She is active in the YWCA of Westmoreland County and currently holds the office of president.
The 2008 YWCA Rising Star Award was presented to Karen Struble Myers. Karen is the Development Division Director for accessAbilities, Inc.
The Rising Star Award is given to a woman 30 years of age and under who exhibits early professional success and potential to obtain marked achievement. The person also demonstrates a willingness to help others - especially females.
"It is such an incredible honor to be chosen for this award," Struble Myers said. "Typically people don't think of younger folks as being active in the community. It's great to receive this recognition and to be able to share it with my family and friends."
Prior to working at accessAbilities, Inc., Karen worked as a manager of the annual fund at the Sisters of Charity Seton Hill and as an executive director with the Nittany Valley Symphony, Inc. in State College, Pennsylvania. She was also a part of the development team that won two National Catholic Development Conference Lumen Awards.
