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VANCOUVER, Wash. – A record number of nominees will help Washington State University Vancouver celebrate its fifth annual Women of Distinction event at 6 p.m. March 28 in the Firstenburg Student Commons. Lara Hoffmans, managing editor of MarketMinder.com and vice president of content at Fisher Investments, will deliver the keynote. The event is free and open to registered guests on a first-come, first-served basis. To RSVP, visit .

Hoffmans will draw on her wealth of experience as a research analyst, private banker and stockbroker to advocate that women embrace their fearlessness and accept their “weirdness” as an empowering trait in their daily lives.

Hoffmans has co-authored five national bestsellers with Fisher Investments CEO Ken Fisher: “The Only Three Questions That Count,” “The Ten Roads to Riches,” “How to Smell a Rat,” “Debunkery” and “Markets Never Forget.” She also led the development of the “Fisher Investments On” series, a collection of educational guides covering the primary investment sectors—from consumer staples to health care—with in-depth analysis on the economic, political and sentiment forces influencing each.

Following Hoffmans’ keynote, the event will honor the 29 nominees and reveal the Distinguished Woman of the Year award recipients in the categories of high school student, 91�ԹϺ����� student and community member.

High School Nominees

Zoe Hall – Hall presented a volunteer engagement proposal, Project Youth, to help clean the Old City Cemetery over the next two years.

McKenna Smith – Smith volunteers with the Humane Society as a teen mentor, helping train and coordinate new teens in the program.

91�ԹϺ����� Student Nominees

Ashley Ann Day – Day works in a veterinary office and has come through many adversities and struggles to be at 91�ԹϺ�����.

Leslie Dolence – Dolence has been an outstanding leader and mentor to other students through her work as the vice president of database and reporting for IMA/Beta Alpha Psi student chapter at 91�ԹϺ�����.

Stephanie Holt – Holt volunteers helping children who are victims of abuse, sending stuffed animals to children in crisis in the United States and India.

Christina Jensen – Jensen has volunteered with such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society and Clark County Food Bank.

Cyndie Meyer – Meyer transformed the campus newspaper, The VanCougar, into an award-winning newspaper through her compassionate nature and inclusive environment in the workplace and the community.

Catherine "Cassie" Peckels – Peckels mentors and empowers stroke survivors through her volunteer efforts at community hospitals and local support groups.

Jayme Shoun – Shoun works hard to empower fellow students by encouraging them to be involved and grow as leaders in the classroom.

Janae Teal – Teal has expanded the definitions of diversity and community, redefining what it means to be a woman at 91�ԹϺ�����.

Community Member Nominees

Bobbi Bellomy – Bellomy is a Women Helping Women mentor, assisting previously incarcerated women start a new life, providing parenting classes and giving anti-bullying presentations.

Constance “Connie” Brown – Brown is an active member of the American Dental Association and helped the association provide more than $100,000 worth of free dental services as part of the annual Children’s Dental Health Day.

Galina Burley – Burley has been involvement with the European Coalition and Annual Russian Speaking Youth Leadership Conference where she has shown great creativity and originality in designing the programs and in leading workshop sessions.

Jody Campbell – Campbell has help improved the lives of at-risk and vulnerable populations in the community through championing education and arts programs and health and social services.

Kari Duffy – Duffy works with hundreds of young men and women every year in helping them find purpose and direction in their lives.

Nancy Funk – Funk gives freely with her time and has dedicated herself to educating the community on how to grow sustainable crops and protect the earth for future generations.

Deanna Green – Green has helped more than 300 students as part of the “I Have a Dream” project. Through her efforts, more than 85 percent of these students have earned a high school degree or equivalent, with many going on to pursue a higher education degree.

Heather Grotte – Grotte teaches women’s studies at La Center High School and was instrumental in creating a sex trafficking awareness forum that more than 250 community members attended.

Kris Henriksen – As the program coordinator for Teen Talk, Henriksen guides a teen-to-teen support group that comforts, supports and provides resources to teenagers living in Clark Country and across the country.

Abolade Majekobaje – Majekobaje volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters—in addition to a multitude of other community organizations—and has continually served 91�ԹϺ����� through her role as assistant director of Student Diversity.

Jacky L. McCarthy – Through her role as a mentor with the Washington State Juvenile Justice and Rehabilitation Administration, McCarthy has demonstrated that she is not afraid to give the life training and love necessary for the rehabilitation of a young man.

Sherri McMillan – McMillan cares about people and works diligently to inspire others to improve their fitness level, their health and their lives.

Sue Peabody – Peabody is a knowledgeable and passionate professor whose integrity makes her a valuable addition to the 91�ԹϺ����� history department and to the community as a whole.

Diana Perez – Perez restarted the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens Council and has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for Latino families in Southwest Washington through education, youth empowerment, health services and immigration rights.

Charlene Shea – Shea teaches in the AVID program at Gaiser Middle School and strives to promote science education among low-income females.

Rekah Strong – As chief diversity officer for Clark County, Strong led the way in the county’s efforts to integrate diversity and inclusion measures into policy and practice.

Susan M.G. Tissot – Tissot became the executive director of the Clark County Historical Society and Museum in 2003 and has since brought the past into the present through creating museum exhibits and public programs that attract and involve the entire community.

Alishia Topper – Topper succeeded in securing and managing seven locals stars for the Dancing with the Local Stars event, which raised $115,000 for the Fort Vancouver National Trust.

Julie Williams – Williams is committed to providing education on the issues facing our communities due to the upcoming ‘Age Wave’ and continues to inspire and engage when brainstorming with community leaders on topics of eldercare and aging.

Women of Distinction is held annually in March with the purpose of recognizing women in Southwest Washington who have made a difference in the lives of others. Held in concordance with Women’s History Month, the event honors women who have inspired, mentored and empowered others. Nominations are accepted for women in three categories: high school students, 91�ԹϺ����� students and community members. Distinguished Woman of the Year award recipients are determined by a committee comprised of 91�ԹϺ����� staff, faculty, students and community members. The event is co-sponsored by Unitus Community Credit Union.

91�ԹϺ����� is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205 and is accessible via C-Tran bus service. Free parking will be available to guests in Orange lots beginning at 4:30 p.m.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Nikki Hinshaw, Office of Student Involvement, 360-546-9465, nikki_hinshaw@vancouver.wsu.edu

Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu