Pictured from left to right are: 2012 Supernova Finalists Dr. Gretchen Potts, Dr. Phyllis Miller, Denise Rice, Sheila Boyington and Dr. Anna George.
The Young Women’s Leadership Academy Foundation (YWLAF) announced the finalists for the 2nd annual Supernova Award, which honors local women for their contributions in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The winner will be announced at Odyssey 2012: Engineering a Dream Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 18 at noon at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
The Supernova Award recognizes a woman who has distinguished herself in her professional career and serves as a role model to the next generation of female STEM leaders. This year’s five finalists are Sheila Boyington, President of Thinking Media and Vice-President, Workforce Development Division at Act, Inc.; Dr. Anna George, Chief Research Scientist at the Tennessee Aquarium; Dr. Phyllis Miller, Gynecologist at the Women’s Institute for Specialized Health; Dr. Gretchen Potts, UC Foundation Associate Professor of Chemistry at UTC; and Denise Rice, Director of Cleveland Operations and Development, Cormetech, Inc. Environmental Technologies. The award ceremony will also recognize a female undergraduate student and a student from the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) for their outstanding academic accomplishments in STEM.
Odyssey is an annual fundraiser that benefits the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy. The event will include a keynote address from award-winning journalist and NPR host of “All Things Considered,” Michele Norris, along with special guest and American icon, Col. Eileen Collins, former NASA astronaut. WTVC News Channel 9’s, Karen Zatkulak, will serve as mistress of ceremonies” said Melonie Dalson, Director of Development of YWLAF.
Nominees and winners were selected by an independent panel of community leaders and CGLA students. For additional information on corporate tables and individual tickets, call YWLAF at 468-4105.
The review panel included the following community leaders who evaluated all of the entries for the 2012 Supernova Award: LuLu Copeland, Manager of Technical Training, Chattanooga State Community College; Gladys Pineda-Loher, Business Diversity Coordinator, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce; Jenny Whitener, CEO, Bridge Consulting International and Dr. Cecelia Wigal, UC Foundation Professor and Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs, College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.