The 2014 Governor’s Trailblazer Awards for Women in Business were presented to 12 woman-owned Wisconsin businesses today.
Local recipients were: Daphne Jones, president of Milwaukee-based Malone’s Fine Sausage Inc., Lauren Schultz, owner of Milwaukee-based Purple Door Ice Cream LLC, Phyllis Mensh Brosthoff and Valerie Stefanich, co-founders of Stowell Associates Inc. in Milwaukee, Jean Johnson, chief executive officer, and Tina Madden, chief financial officer, of Caledonia-based Meetings and Incentives Worldwide, Rosemarie Zingale, president of Sheboygan-based A.J. Wholesale Produce, Gloria Henderson, president of Brookfield-based D&G Insulation, Judie Taylor, president, and Marikris Coryell, executive vice president of Waukesha-based DUECO Inc., Christine Toson Hentges, president of Hartland-based The Tribute Companies Inc. and Ellen Zilli, president of Waukesha-based Zilli Hospitality Group.
“Women-owned businesses are important to our economic recovery, and the talented, motivated women who run these businesses serve as role models to other potential job creators,” Walker said. “Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Trailblazer Awards; we look forward to your continued success in Wisconsin.”
The annual awards, established in 2007, honor trailblazers who display leadership, promote innovation and create jobs and economic impact in communities across the state. They were nominated through an open process, including business and professional associations, elected officials, friends, colleagues and employees.
“The successful women we celebrate here today are inspirations for the next generation of women to follow their dreams to become entrepreneurs and business leaders,” said Mary Jo Baas, chair of the Wisconsin Women’s Council.
