The American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) Emerald Coast Chapter announced Dawn Novy as their 2021 Woman of the Year. The chapter hosted the annual Woman of the Year celebration during their monthly meeting at The Event Room in Fort Walton Beach on March 2, 2021. Woman of the Year is a long-standing tradition in ABWA to recognize a member that has made a notable contribution to the success of her chapter, her business and her community.
Novy has served as the president for the Emerald Coast Chapter for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, the Women Empowering Women Symposium Committee Chair for 2019 and 2020 and Member At-Large for 2018 and 2019 in the Chapter. She has also participated in Best Practices, Membership, Hospitality, Fundraising, and Publicity and Promotions Committees during her three and a half-year membership.
“From a deep place in my heart I thank the Emerald Coast Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association for this honor. In the Chapter’s 38-year history there have been many dedicated women who earned this title, many of whom still out in the community putting their gifts to work. I’m proud to join this legacy.” said Novy.
Novy currently serves as the Director of Communications & Member Relations for the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce and the Vice Chair of the Multi-Cultural Business Committee for the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Past Women of the Year, Jeanne Rief (1990), Becky Belcher (1996), Sherry Smith (2005), Tammy McGee (2007), Barbara Britt (2018), Tracy McCreary (2019) and Lori Ogles (2020) were also in attendance for the Woman of the Year Celebration.
“Dawn’s commitment to our chapter has made such an impact. She puts her heart into intentionally creating a professional space for businesswomen to gather. She represents the mission of our organization through everything she does,” said Lori Ogles, 2020 Woman of the Year of the Emerald Coast Chapter.
The ABWA Emerald Coast Chapter will recognize Novy with opportunities such as speaking at their 5th annual Women Empowering Women Symposium and Expo, representing the Emerald Coast Chapter at national and regional conferences and working to build next year’s Woman of the Year program. As Woman of the Year, Novy will be invited by the national organization to be an ambassador for ABWA and recognized at the national conference.
The Emerald Coast Chapter meets the first Tuesday of the month, in-person at The Event Room in Fort Walton Beach and hosting hybrid meetings on Zoom. Meetings start at 5:30 p.m. and offer networking opportunities and excellent educational opportunities through guest speakers. If you are interested in becoming a member, or just learning more about the chapter, then visit www.abwa-ecc.org.
About ABWA: The mission of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) is to bring together women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help both themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition. This year, the National American Business Women’s Association celebrates 70 years in operation.