INDEvents

Women Who Mean Business Award Winners Announced for 2014

by Patrick Flanagan

IberiaBank and LHC Group are presenting co-sponsors of the popular luncheon.

**Women Who Mean Business Award Winners Announced for 2014
**IberiaBank and LHC Group are presenting co-sponsors of the popular luncheon.

Since 1999, the Women Who Mean Business Award has been presented to women of distinction who are active in their professions, including business, law, medicine, education, hospitality, retail, media, insurance, banking, non-profits, public service, oil and gas, and more. They are recognized for their entrepreneurship, professionalism, civic involvement and community leadership. To date, 115 women have received this award. In 2004, The Trailblazer Award was created to acknowledge retired or semi-retired women who paved the way for future generations. Since then, 14 women have been honored in this way.

Keith Myers

In 2014 more than four dozen outstanding WWMB nominees were submitted by previous honorees, and the staff and readers of ABiz and our sister publication IND Monthly. Eleven honorees have been selected, and this year's group includes two Trailblazers: community historian Sherry T. Broussard, founder of the non-profit Student Careers and Enrichment Program;

Jerry Vascocu

and Dr. Ann Brewster Dobie, retired professor emerita of English at UL-Lafayette. There are nine WWMB honorees: Lorna Bourg, president/executive director of Southern Mutual Help Association; visual artist Melissa Bonin; KATC-TV3 anchor Marcelle Fontenot; 15th Judicial District Assistant District Attorney Patsy Randall; Stephanie Bennett, director of the Academy of Finance at Acadiana High School; public policy advocate Marie DesOrmeaux Centanni; Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital CEO Buffy Domingue; Stuller Inc. Vice President Maren Rosen; and Sarah Berthelot, newly appointed president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of United Ways.

Each fall, the honorees are profiled in a special cover story of ABiz and invited to share their inspiring stories at a luncheon held in their honor. IberiaBank and LHC Group join forces as presenting sponsors for this celebration of success. "The dedicated business women of Acadiana make this region one of the best places in Louisiana to live and work," says Keith Myers, LHC Group chairman and CEO. "At LHC Group, women make up the largest segment of our workforce. From clinicians to executive leaders - they help us maintain focus and continue delivering quality care. Without their contribution, we would not be one of the nation's leading providers of post-acute care services."

Notes IberiaBank Acadiana President Jerry Vascocu: "Acadiana is known for its innovative and entrepreneurial business spirit, and we are fortunate to have many extraordinary women leading our community in that way. We are thankful to work alongside many inspiring women every day, both inside IberiaBank and across the Acadiana business community. Because of this gratitude, we are always proud to support this event that promotes the success and contributions of women in Acadiana."

Additional sponsor support for the WWMB luncheon comes from Courtesy Automotive Group, Paul Michael Company, Turnkey Title and Escrow and Ahrens Investment Partners. River Oaks Catering & Event Center is the venue sponsor, and Paul's Jewelry provides the awards for the honorees.

The 2014 WWMB profiles will be published in print and online on Monday, Sept. 15. The luncheon is slated for Thursday, Oct. 2, at 11:30 a.m. at River Oaks. A limited number of tickets are available for the luncheon, which is traditionally a sell-out event. Tickets are $40 per person of $350 for a reserved table of eight. For tickets or more information, contact Robin Hebert at (337) 769-8603 or by email at [email protected].

**2014 WWMB Honorees:
**Stephanie Bennett
Sarah Berthelot
Melissa Bonin
Lorna Bourg
Marie DesOrmeaux Centanni
Buffy Domingue
Marcelle Fontenot
Patsy A. Randall
Maren Rosen

Trailblazers:
Sherry T. Broussard
Dr. Ann Brewster Dobie

WWMB Luncheon:
Thursday, Oct. 2
11:30 a.m.
River Oaks Catering
& Event Center

Tickets:
$40 per person
$350 per table of eight

For information,
contact Robin Hebert
Ph:  337.769.8603 or
[email protected]