Since 1993, the Greater Chattanooga area has celebrated the achievements of extraordinary women through the Woman of Distinction Award. This prestigious honor recognizes women who exemplify excellence in their diverse fields and who selflessly serve their community.
Each year, Women of Distinction of Greater Chattanooga pays tribute to women who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a lasting impact—locally and beyond.
A Woman of Distinction is a visionary leader and tireless volunteer helping to improve the quality of life for others. She establishes standards that inspire and encourage other women to achieve their full potential, paves the way for future generations, provides leadership, and influences decisions that shape and define our community.
Organizers announced the 2025 Women of Distinction Honorees—remarkable individuals whose lives reflect the very spirit of this award:
LEE ANN ADAMS
Attorney, Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon
VALORIA ARMSTRONG
Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, Vice President, UNUM
CALLIE BURNETTE
Partnerships Director, Chattanooga Tourism
APRIL CAMERON
CEO, Chattanooga Airport Authority
BEVERLY EDGE
COO, General Counsel& Partner, HHM, CPAs
DARDE LONG
President & CEO, Chattanooga Zoo
CHRISTA J. MANNARINO
Executive Director of Local Services, Signal Centers
TRICIA KING MIMS
Executive Director, National Patk Partners of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Moccasin Bend, Chattanooga
ANGELA STIGGINS
Vice President of Operations, CHI Memorial
PHYLLIS WILLIAMS
Community Volunteer
TENNESSEE WOMAN OF DISTINCTION
JANET AYERS
Co-Founder, Ayers Foundation Trust
“On behalf of the Steering Committee, we are thrilled to continue the tradition of honoring remarkable women in our community. This year’s honorees have distinguished themselves through unparalleled civic, cultural, philanthropic, and environmental leadership. We can’t wait to celebrate them at our benefit luncheon on Wednesday, November 12, 2025,” said Steering Committee member Lynda Minks Hood.
Officials also announced Janet Ayers as this year’s Tennessee Woman of Distinction.
Co-founder and president of the Ayers Foundation Trust since 2007, Ms. Ayers has dedicated her life to improving the quality of life for rural Tennesseans. Born and raised in Washington County, she believes passionately in the transformative power of education. Under her leadership, the nationally acclaimed Ayers Scholars Program now serves students in 40 rural high schools across 28 of Tennessee’s most at-risk and distressed counties, successfully guiding more than 20,000 students past barriers to higher education and into rewarding careers.
Before turning her focus to education and workforce development, she excelled in healthcare administration for two decades. A graduate of East Tennessee State University (B.S., Health Care Administration ’86, and a MS, Strategic Leadership, 2014), she spent 20 years managing, leading, and providing care for some of East Tennessee’s most vulnerable patients. —most notably as Administrator of Erwin Health Care—earning both the THCA Distinguished Professional Service and Distinguished Association Service Awards.
Ms. Ayers actively supports and helps guide numerous civic, educational, healthcare, and charitable organizations, including serving as Trustee of East Tennessee State University and Belmont University, and as a board member with the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), Unicoi County Economic Development, ExcelinEd national board, and previously serving on the Tennessee State Board of Education, as President of the Tennessee Health Care Association, and as a Commissioner of the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission.
Following the recent passing of her longtime and loving spouse, Jim Ayers, she divides her time among Nashville, Parsons, and Erwin, cherishing every moment with her children and grandchildren.
The annual awards luncheon will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 11:30 a.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
This celebration is more than an awards ceremony—it is an opportunity to change a child’s life. Proceeds benefit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, providing free, age-appropriate books that spark early-literacy and lifelong learning.
• Tickets: $75 each — purchase at WomenOfDistinctionGC.com.
• Reservation deadline: NOVEMBER 5, 2025.
• Sponsorships: Contact Donna McConnico at Donna_McConnico@SignalCenters.org.