ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
SHINING ARTIST
JULIE WHEELER, Art by Julie Wheeler
Finalists: Rebecca Meixner, Betsy Douglass, Heidi Oates
SHINING AUTHOR
LORNA HOLLIFIELD
Finalists: Stacy Willingham, Christina Capri, Mary Alice Monroe
SHINING MUSICIAN OR SINGER
Finalist: Lauren Hall
SHINING NON-PROFIT VOLUNTEER/PHILANTHROPIST
JOANNA PELLETIER, Pachamama Preserve
Finalists: Elaine DeaKyne, Alissa Lietzow, Katie Blomquist, Kerianne Krause, Sara Abarno Skinner
SHINING PHOTOGRAPHER
STEPHANIE SELBY, Stephanie Selby Photography
Stephanie is driven by helping women see just how powerful and beautiful they are. Her work mixes creativity, emotion, and a lot of problem-solving behind the camera. The part she loves most is the moment a client really sees herself for who she is. Stephanie feels most herself when she’s creating and connecting. She believes every woman deserves to shine and she loves helping them get there. To learn more, visit stephanieselbyphotography.com.
Finalists: Margaret Wright, Kate Dye
FOOD + BEVERAGE
SHINING ARTIST
NIKI DUB, Mabel Mae’s Bakery
Finalists: Louise Chauncey, Ashley Brown, Courtney Colangelo
SHINING CATERER
Finalists: Candice Hudnall, Anja Stief
SHINING CHEF
MADI WIST, Salt & Savor
Finalist: Jill Mathias
SHINING MIXOLOGIST/BARTENDER
MEGAN DESCHAINE
Finalists: Koky Lopez, Morgan Coyne
SHINING RESTAURANTEUR
KAREN RAJU, SAVI Cucina + Wine Bar
Finalists: Bethany Heinze, Amy Pellegrini
BUSINESS
SHINING ARCHITECT
LESLIE NORTON, Norton Design Studios
Finalists: Heather A. Wilson, Anita King
SHINING BUSINESS COACH
MELISSA BARKER, Women Entrepreneurs Inc.
Finalists: Angel P. Holmes, Roberta Moore, Stacey Bailey Consulting
SHINING CPA/ACCOUNTANT
HRUSHIDA KAMTHE, Meadows Accounting & Tax Services
Finalists: Julia Vasquez, Amber Carper, Erica Olivier
SHINING DIGITAL MARKETING PROFESSIONAL
KIM RUSSO, On Brand Designs
Kim built her business, On Brand Designs, from a desire to create work that truly felt like her. After helping grow another company, she knew she wanted to do things differently. Now, she blends strategy with real care for her clients, helping women build brands that feel aligned. What lights her up most is that moment when it all clicks—and her clients finally see themselves clearly. To learn more, visit onbranddesigns.com.
Finalists: Alyssa Franco, Rebecca Collett, Charlotte Berger, Amanda Bunting Comen, Melissa Barker, Lauren Parker & Megan Edwards
SHINING EDUCATOR
Finalists: Liza Conrad, Gabby Sloan, Hannah Maxwell, Sara Abarno-Skinner, Michele Neskey, Sara Carey
SHINING ENTREPRENEUR
JAIME PARK, Stroll SI
Finalists: Hope Caldwell, Caroline McDavid, Kerianne Krause
SHINING FINANCIAL ADVISOR/INVESTOR
KAREN STAWICKI, Compass Financial
Finalists: Jenne Sevilla, Jenny Phillips
SHINING INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL
BRENNA LAWRENCE, Brown & Brown
Finalists: Jennifer Dasinger, Lindsay Berkey, Liza Ridpath, Rachel Davenport
SHINING LAWYER
CASEY SCHWARTZ, Schwartz Legacy Planning
Finalists: Emily Johnston, Sara Turner, ML Ramsdale, Morgan Insley
SHINING MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL
JENNIFER GIBSON, Atlantic Coast Mortgage
Jennifer built her business around making the process feel less overwhelming and more personal. When you visit The Grafton Group at Atlantic Coast Mortgage, she’s the one steady voice walking clients through big decisions, handling the details behind the scenes, and keeping things on track when it matters most. What she cares about most is that people feel supported, informed, and a little more at ease by the time they reach the closing table. To learn more, visit jenyourlender.com.
Finalists: Ellen Frazier, Brennan Gilmore
SHINING REALTOR
JENNIFER O’BRIEN, Dunes Properties
Finalists: Courtney Delfino, Carrie Rosen
SHINING SOCIAL MEDIA PROFESSIONAL
AMANDA BUNTING COMEN, Social ABCs
Amanda turned a leap of faith into a business built on heart. At Social ABCs, she helps small businesses and nonprofits tell their stories without feeling overwhelmed by social media. Behind every post is genuine care and connection. What lights her up most is watching her clients get the recognition they deserve and being right there, cheering them on like part of the team. To learn more, visit socialabcs.com.
Finalists: Jenny Gatch Cowan, Lauren Parker & Megan Edwards
SHINING WEDDING & EVENT PLANNING
CHARLOTTE GRACE, Charlotte Grace Wedding Design
Finalists: Linda Warner, Ashleigh Baker
SHINING YOUNG UP & COMING PROFESSIONAL
LAURA YOUNG, All 4 Paws Animal Rescue
Finalists: Caroline Roche, Jodi Lee
HOME + LIFESTYLE
SHINING HAIR STYLIST
CAITLYN ROSE MILLER, Strawberry Blonde Salon
Finalists: Rebecca Tallarico, Jamie Lynn Snider
SHINING INTERIOR DESIGNER
ANDREA DUSSAULT, Striped Lemon
Finalists: Mollie Bean, Megan Molten
SHINING JEWELRY DESIGNER
DEE RUEL, Dee Ruel Jewelry Design, & ELIZA LIMEHOUSE, Snafflebit Bracelet Co.
Finalists: Natalie Holst, Haley Holzworth, Katie Seidel Jewelry, Alice Colin Art, Brenna Lyden
SHINING LOCAL INFLUENCER
LAURIN COLLAR
Finalists: Caroline McDavid, Brenna Lawrence
SHINING RETAILER (Clothing Boutique/Jewelry)
MEDEA DUFFY, Local Love CHS
Medea started Local Love CHS on James Island to make shopping locally simple and fun. She spends hours connecting with over 200 local artisans and building relationships that make the shop feel like a true community. Creating displays that capture the unique, diverse and constantly changing beauty of Charleston and James Island keeps her passion alive and reminds her why she does what she does. To learn more, visit locallovechs.com.
Finalists: Renee Smith, Jennie Crosby & Jennifer Limehouse, Natalie Holst
SHINING RETAILER (Home Goods/Giftware)
KAREN MASSAROTTI, Modern Manor
When you head to Modern Manor, you’ll find that Karen is someone who truly leads with heart. She lights up in the little moments— like helping someone find a piece they didn’t expect but suddenly can’t live without. She feels most like herself when she is pulling together colors and textures. Karen brings a natural confidence that makes everything she touches feel thoughtful and personal through her creativity. To learn more, visit modern-manor.shop.
Finalists: Medea Duffy, Andrea Reece
BEAUTY + WELLNESS
SHINING AESTHETICS/SKIN CARE PROFESSIONAL
KRISTAL PROVENCHER, Daily Comfort by Kristal
Finalists: Emily Munday & Jenny Waterhouse, Sarah Baldoni
SHINING CHIROPRACTOR
KATE GLEBOCKI, Ivy Energetic Studio
Finalists: Molly Schulting, Lisette Dominguez, Carrie Stone, Alyssa Caponi, Jodi Kennedy, Tara Chellis
SHINING DENTIST
ELLEN PAULISICK WOLF, Longboard Dental
Ellen started her practice, Longboard Dental, to create a space where patients feel truly cared for, comfortable, and not rushed. She wanted a place she’d want her own family to visit. What lights her up most are the relationships she builds, watching nervous patients gain confidence, and celebrating small wins with families. For Ellen, dentistry is all about connection. To learn more, visit longboarddental.com.
Finalists: Kari Ryan Dentistry, Rebeca Zechmann
SHINING DERMATOLOGIST
MCLEAN SHEPERD, Sheperd Integrative Dermatology & MARGUERITE GERMAIN, Germain Dermatology
Finalists: Diana Antonovich, Cynthia Wilson, Julie Shaheen
SHINING EYE CARE PROFESSIONAL
BETSY FRASER, Compass Vision Care
Finalists: Jean Silecchia, Claire Cooper, Karyssa Davis, Leslie Kirk
SHINING FITNESS INSTRUCTOR Personal Trainer, Yoga, Pilates
LIZ WOOD, Liz Wood Collective
Finalists: Jessica Munday, Amanda Oberhaus, Katie Murphy, Heather Faas
SHINING HOLISTIC/FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE PROFESSIONAL
KRISTEN MORRELL
Kristen’s business slogan is “Elevating the Whole Woman” and she helps women truly listen to their bodies. What began as a nutrition practice evolved into guiding women to understand their own signals, make choices that work for them, and take back control of their health. She especially focuses on perimenopause, showing women that with support through food, sleep, and lifestyle, this transition can feel empowering—not something to just endure. To learn more, visit kristenmorrell.com.
Finalists: Erin Staughan, Kristin Query, Kelly Headley
SHINING HORMONE PROFESSIONAL
SARAH BALL, The Hormone Goddess
Finalists: Erin Staughan, Sarah Baldoni
SHINING MENTAL WELLNESS COUNSELOR/THERAPIST
KATIE BELT, Pursuing Peace
Finalists: Andrea Meier, Katie Smith
SHINING OB/GYN
DR. KATE WHITE, Recalibrate Health
Dr. Kate built Recalibrate Health, because it’s something she wished existed all along. After decades in medicine, she saw how often women’s care felt disconnected. Now, she’s creating a space where it all comes together. She’s balancing a full life behind the scenes, but what lights her up most is helping women finally make sense of their health— and maybe sneaking in a homemade cheese biscuit when she can. To learn more, visit recalibratehealthmd.com.
Finalists: Dr. Meghan Lynch, Dr. Angela Choi, Dr. Loren Frankel, Dr. Lynn Crymes, Dr. Susanne Bradford
SHINING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
LINDSAY KALE, Happy Hearts Therapy
Lindsay created Happy Hearts Therapy to give families a more personal and meaningful way to get support. Behind the scenes, her work takes patience, strategy, and plenty of heart. What she loves most is helping families feel confident and empowered. Lindsay feels most like herself when she’s building and leading with purpose, bringing bold, unstoppable energy to everything she does. To learn more, visit hhtherapysc.com.
Finalists: Paige Merrill, Heather Spann, Jenny Gieg
SHINING PEDIATRICIAN
Dr. Farrow Durant
DR. CAITLIN COJOCARU & DR. FARROW DURANT, Sweetgrass Pediatrics & LISA HUGHES, Mt. Pleasant Pediatrics
At Sweetgrass Pediatrics, you’ll find two women who were drawn to medicine by a shared passion for prevention and the powerful role early care plays in a child’s lifelong health. For them, the award reflects the deep trust families place in their hands. Through gentle, thoughtful care, they create space for children to feel safe and for parents to feel heard, supported, and reassured every step of the way. To learn more, visit sweetgrasspediatrics.com.
Finalists: Dr. Juliette Walker, Katie Ellis, Dr. Tory Caudle, Dr. Lauren Tipton, Dr. Nicole Rice, Dr. Kelli Johnston
SHINING PHYSICAL THERAPIST
DR. COURTNEY V. HARRIS, Recovery N Motion
Finalists: Dr. Amy Neville, Dr. Amy Seymour
SHINING PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR
DR. JESSICA HUND (MUSC)
Finalists: Dr. Cara Ferguson, Dr. Harriet Hansen, Dr. Alaina Payne