Women & Business Awards Program
For more than 20 years, Pittsburgh Magazine’s Women & Business Awards program has celebrated the leadership, innovation, and impact of women across the region. Four times a year, we honor four exceptional women who are making a difference in businesses, organizations, and communities of all sizes. Each honoree is featured in Pittsburgh Magazine and recognized at an exclusive quarterly networking event attended by peers, colleagues, and community leaders.
Each quarterly event also gives back to the community. We partner with a nonprofit beneficiary, which receives 50% of that event’s ticket proceeds — extending the program’s impact beyond recognition and networking to directly support meaningful causes in Pittsburgh.
2025 Year Review
Thank You for an Incredible Year!
It was a great year for Pittsburgh Magazine’s Women & Business Awards presented by S&T Bank.
We met 16 extraordinary women, we were inspired by 4 powerful keynote speakers, and we gathered throughout the year to celebrate leadership, community and success in business.
Here are the highlights:
January/February Awards
February 13, 2025
Alloy 26
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Christine Herring, CEO & Co-Founder, Herring Seminars & Consulting and Flex-Comm
Topic: Remix, Rewind and Reflect: Unpacking the Powerful Playlists of “Mind Jukebox”
Honorees:
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Maggie Gibson Peck, Gibson Stainless & Specialty Inc.
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Monica Grunick & Kelly Sanders, love, Pittsburgh
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Trina DeMarco Preffer, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group
Benefiting UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation of Pittsburgh
May Awards
May 20, 2025
National Aviary
Keynote Speaker: Ki Ki B. Jones, Media Personality, Businesswoman, DEI Advocate
Topic: How I Got Here: 5 Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way
Honorees:
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Bobbie Loesch, iheartmedia
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Jessica Minkus, Bookminders
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Maria T. Bernardo-Brady, Marakae Marketing
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Shaquala Swinton-Betts, Pair Charcuterie, SDB Realty and Moody’s
Benefiting UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation of Pittsburgh
July Awards
July 9, 2025
CityLine Event Center
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lisa Klein, Educator, Author and Mindfulness Expert
Topic: Want Power? Leverage Your Energy with These 3 Strategies
Honorees:
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Cat Burton, MuseumLab and Create Art Together
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Anna F. Nesbit, Soxman Funeral Homes LTD
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Hannah Olsen, Aycho Melange and Batches Bakehouse
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Michelle Senko, REALTORS® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh and REMAX Select Realty
Benefiting Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
September Awards
September 17, 2025
Rivers Club
Keynote Speaker: Caroline Fitzgerald, Women’s Sports Business Expert, Founder of GOALS, Host of The Business Case for Women’s Sports Podcast
Topic: Girls Who Play Sports Become Women Who Lead
Honorees:
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Hannah Balash, Bridal Maven
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Mary Hester, LifeVenture Real Estate Solutions, LifeVenture Buy Choice Homes and Black Excellence in Real Estate
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Myah Moore Irick, The Irick Group
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Jenna McLaughlin, Velum Fermentation
