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MANDY GOETZE 21st CENTURY AWARD

Marian E. Goetze (or Mandy to all those that know her) was a part of the creation of TIAW from the beginning, planning sessions in 1979 through her association with the Baltimore Executive Women's Network. She was a founding board member when the organization was first created and named the “National Association of Professional & Executive Women’s Networks” in 1980. Mandy has been here throughout our evolution to where we are today as TIAW. She has been leading and guiding us ever onwards through her passion and her tireless efforts.

From 1984-85 when she coordinated the TIA Washington Briefing/Meetings to 1986 when she became the Executive Vice President of TIA,Mandy has been an inspiration and TIAW’s sage advisor. Some of the highlights of her term include coordination of ten White House briefings for The International Alliance, from 1984-1993, as well as four European meetings. As someone who represents the heart and soul of this organization it was only fitting that there be an award in her honor: the Mandy Goetze 21st Century Award; an award that is bestowed annually to a TIAW member who has made an outstanding contribution to TIAW, which may be a long-standing effort or an exceptional achievement in a specific area.

2009 Recipient
Lisa Mezzetti
Attorney at Law, Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC

The Mandy Goetze 21st Century Award is bestowed annually in honour of one of TIAW's dynamic founders and long-time Board Members Marian (Mandy) Goetze. This award is presented to a TIAW member who has made an outstanding contribution to TIAW, and personifies the TIAW mission. This may be a long-standing effort or an exceptional achievement in a specific area.

This year, that award goes to our dear friend and long time board member, Lisa Mezzetti. In her day job, Lisa is an Attorney at Law at Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC in Washington, D.C.

Lisa’s devotion to, and passion for TIAW is well known within the organization. Lisa first became involved through TIAW member Financial Women’s Association of New York (FWANY), of which she is an active member. Lisa’s willingness to get involved, her great ability as a legal advisor along with her calm demeanor and wonderful sense of humor served TIAW well for a great many years.

Lisa has served on the Board of Directors for 11 years in a variety of positions such as Treasurer as well as serving three Presidents as Vice President of Sponsorship and Resource Development; Co-Chair of the very successful 1999 Washington Briefing; committee member for other conferences, FWANY liaison to the TIAW Board of Directors for over 4 years. Lisa has also been a strong supporter of the TIAW Microenterprise Development Program and Village Banks. While a very busy litigation attorney, Lisa has long been an integral member of the TIAW “Old Girls Network”, comprised of past presidents and board members, always making sure to keep everyone fully informed on the latest activities at TIAW.

Lisa participated in many TIAW International Trips and Conferences, always working hard to contribute all she could in time, energy and devotion to ensured they were a great success.

TIAW is honored to recognize Lisa for all of her outstanding contributions to TIAW with The Mandy Goetze 21st Century Award for 2009.

2008 Recipient
Hannah Sorscher

This year's honouree, Hannah Sorscher, has been a truly invaluable contributor to TIAW's development in countless significant ways.

In her day job, Hannah is Chief Financial Officer for Citi Cards Canada business of Citigroup, capping a 27-year career with Citigroup that has included senior roles in New York, Sydney, Tokyo, London and now Toronto.

Hannah first became involved with TIAW through Foreign Executive Women (FEW) in Tokyo, Japan and was led, by its connection, to also become a member in 1994 of another TIAW organization, the Financial Women's Association.

Hannah's association with TIAW has been marked by her passion for the cause, her willingness to get involved, her great executive ability and energy.

A small, but telling example of her fierce dedication and efficiency saw Hannah serving on the TIAW board while posted in London, often flying to North America to attend board meetings on a weekend. As the secretary for TIAW she used her time on the long flights to prepare minutes so that they would be ready for circulation to the Board by the time she returned to London.

In addition to acting as the FWA representative to TIAW for several years, Hannah has served as its Secretary, Treasurer, 2nd Vice President and VP of Membership and as President in 2004 and 2005. During her term as President, TIAW celebrated its 25th anniversary, published a 25th Anniversary History Book and raised the funds for 25 Village Banks as part of its Microenterprise Program. From its inception, Hannah was a key member of the TIAW Microenterprise Program and served as the Treasurer for the program for several years.

In addition to her superhuman effort of donating her time and expertise so selflessly, Hannah and her husband Frank have also been strong financial supporters of TIAW over the years, including fully funding several Village Banks for women in developing countries.

Hannah participated in many TIAW International Trips and conferences, always working hard to contribute all she could in time, energy and devotion to ensure they were a great success.

2007 Recipient
Erlina Edwards

2006 Recipient
Donna Heivilin

Donna's vitality and professionalism are legendary. Over a lifetime of service, Donna has put her energy and talent to good uses. For over three decades, Donna worked tirelessly as an auditor and investigator for the U.S. Congress. Donna achieved the highest rank of federal career civil service, the Senior Executive Service in 1978. Her areas of expertise are budgeting and national defense. Donna was a rarity when she began her career -- a woman in a man's field. However, she quickly set about changing that by supporting and encouraging other accomplished women to join her in that important work. Many women in public service in the United States today owe their start or their early recognition to Donna's trailblazing.

Many people would have settled for a career of distinction, but not Donna. She earned her doctorate degree in public finance from George Washington University, and made it her business to use her connections to benefit women. Donna joined and soon became a leader of Executive Women in Government, a network of women who hold high managerial and executive positions in the Federal Government. While serving as President of that organization, she discovered TIAW, and brought Executive Women in Government in as a TIAW member network. Again, her willingness to get involved, her ability and energy shone out, and she was quickly tapped for leadership of TIAW.

Donna served TIAW admirably as Treasurer, 1st Vice President and President from 2000 to 2002. The motto of her Presidency was "High Tech and High Touch," and that epitomizes her approach to TIAW.

Perhaps closest to Donna's heart, though, is the Microenterprise Development Program. Looking for a way to leverage TIAW resources and involve our member networks in rewarding philanthropic activity, Donna brought together a team to envision and create a program relevant to TIAW and its’ members, and thus was born the TIAW Microenterprise program supporting Microcredit loans for women in developing countries. The team, including Maxine Westaway, Virginia Robinson and Patricia Foley Hinnen, remain committed to improving economic opportunities for women whose poverty or lack of formal education does not impede their talents, ambitions and dreams. Forty village banks in fifteen countries and hundreds of women and families whose lives are more secure because of a micro loan and hard work are a fitting testament to Donna’s dedication and that of the TIAW Microenterprise Group.

Donna would be the first to credit all the dedicated women whose contributions were instrumental in making these wonderful things happen for TIAW, our Associations and for women in far flung countries and less advantaged circumstances. Everyone in this room knows that TIAW is a powerful engine for connecting professional women and promoting women’s economic advancement. We all know, too, that every engine needs a spark plug. We are fortunate that for better part of the last decade, Donna has been that spark plug for TIAW. It is an honor to present Donna, the “Mother” and “Founder” of the TIAW Microenterprise Program with The Marion Goetze 21st Century Award for 2006 in recognition of her varied and outstanding contributions on behalf of women and TIAW.

2005 Recipient
TIAW Past Presidents

In honor of our 25th Anniversary, this award was presented to all of the past TIAW Presidents for their outstanding contribution to making TIAW what it is today.

2004 Recipient
Patricia Foley Hinnen

The winner of this year's award has personally embodied TIAW's mission of "Connection to Make All the Difference in the World." Patricia Foley Hinnen has been Chair of the Microenterprise program for the last four years, putting her formidable organizational and persuasive powers to work to establish village banks. These banks provide women in underdeveloped countries with access to capital with which to start or expand businesses. Even though the amounts being lent are miniscule by Western standards, often as low as $50, these extremely modest loans have the power to transform lives.

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2003 Recipient
Kay Leaumont

This year’s most deserving recipient is TIAW’s very own Kay Leaumont. A TIAW Board Member for over a decade: Treasurer, First Vice-President, and President (1998-1999), Kay worked to bring financial stability to then-TIA. As the founder and Chair of the TIAW Daughters Program, she worked tirelessly with other Daughters groups and has successfully run three full programs, providing value to many girls and their families.

On a personal basis, Kay is a partner in the accounting firm of Gifford, Hillegass & Ingwersen, P.C., one of Atlanta, Georgia's top accounting firms. A true example of a successful and deserving businesswoman: in addition to traditional accounting and tax work, her specialty is in small business start-up requirements and strategic planning, and she has served as Acting CFO to companies in transition or those developing their accounting departments. Through her hard work and caring, she continues to set an example for, and provides mentoring to, her colleagues.