By Wendy Coulter, NCWBOHOF — The North Carolina Women Business Owner’s Hall of Fame (NCWBOHOF) is proud to announce its 6th cohort of inductees.
In our 2023 class, we celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of nine outstanding women in North Carolina, all of whom have played pivotal roles in shaping our state’s entrepreneurial landscape:
- Amy Wright (Wilmington), Co-Founder, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
- Angelica Thacker (Durham), CEO, Pinam Construction
- Cameron Cruse (Southern Pines), Cofounder, R. Riveter
- Carol Lilly (Charlotte), Owner, Lil Associates II
- Denise Bennett (Raleigh), Executive Vice President & Triangle Market President, Encore Bank
- Gabi Angelini (Raleigh), Co-founder, Gabi’s Grounds
- Jan Davis (Cary), Co-Founder, RTP Angel Fund, Past-President, Triangle Angel Partners
- Judy Fourie (Cary), President of The Fourie Group and founder of Fourie Insurance
- Teresa Spangler (Boone), Founder & CEO, PlazaBridge Group
These trailblazers will be welcomed into the Hall of Fame alongside the 36 women named in previous years.
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“I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with the other Board members and the Selection Committee members since 2018,” said Johnny Bass, NCWBOHOF Board Treasurer and Chair of the Selection Committee. “Each year, the Selection Committee members are challenged to pick the inductees with so many deserving nominations.”
The NCWBOHOF stands as a tribute to North Carolina’s most accomplished female entrepreneurs and advocates, honoring the women who have left an indelible mark by driving significant and lasting advancements in women’s entrepreneurial development throughout the state. Founded in 2018, NCWBOHOF, the organization is helping to preserve and amplify stories of women entrepreneurs and advocates from across North Carolina.
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2023 Gala in Wilmington
The grand celebration of the 2023 inductees will take place during a gala event in Wilmington on Thursday, October 12th. This is the first time the NCWBOHOF has held its annual gala in Wilmington.
The induction gala will align with two significant milestones: October’s observance of National Small Business Month and “MED Week.”
The Cape Fear Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week is hosted by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and emphasizes the collective commitment to fostering enterprise and diversity.
The full calendar of events will include:
- Wednesday, October 11, 2 – 4pm at Cape Fear Community College Union Station: The “Amplify the Legacy” panel about sustaining women business enterprises, hosted by Tracey Newkirk, Co-Founder and President of Genesis Block, with panelist participation from former Hall of Fame inductees like Senator Sydney Batch (’21), Wendy Fletcher-Hardee (’21), Katie Gailes (’22), and Dr. Gloria Carney Shealey (’18).
- Thursday, October 12, 6:30 – 9:30pm at Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront: This formal evening event is a chance to applaud the success of honorees, provide visibility and recognition of their leadership and innovation, and recognize best practices in business.
- Friday, October 13, Group Outing in Wilmington: A networking and celebration event will be hosted Friday morning, with more information to be shared soon.
The NCWBOHOF Board has partnered with event planner Dr. Angie Arrington and her team at Evolve Consulting to execute this three-part event series.
For more information about the NCWBOHOF and its mission of preserving and amplifying the legacies of women entrepreneurs in North Carolina, visit ncwbohalloffame.org.
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Wendy Coulter is the founder and current Board Chair of NCWBOHOF. She is also the Founder and CEO of Hummingbird Creative Group and the current Chair of the Cary Chamber of Commerce.
About the North Carolina Women Business Owners Hall of Fame: The North Carolina Women Business Owners Hall of Fame (NCWBOHOF) is an independent 510(c)(3) nonprofit whose vision is to amplify and preserve the legacies North Carolina’s most successful female entrepreneurs and advocates who have made significant and enduring contributions to impact women’s entrepreneurial development in North Carolina.