By Jane Pak
As posted on The Huffington Post
Every year, for the past 24 years, NAWBO-LA has held the Leadership and Legacy Awards Luncheon – the largest awards ceremony honoring the best of the best in the women’s business community. Past honorees include some pretty incredible people – Jane Wurwand: Founder of Dermalogica, Peggy Churng: Founder of the Panda Group, Lynda Resnick: Chair of Roll International (Fiji Water, Pom Wonderful, Franklin Mint, Teleflora), and so many incredible women that you have heard of. Year after year, they bring together more than a thousand people to celebrate some extraordinary women over a pretty expensive chicken dinner in a pretty shwanky hotel.
2010 marked the inaugural year that any women’s business organization has specifically created a category for a man that has been an advocate for women in the business world. When the cynics said, “You’re a women’s group, why would you honor a man?” NAWBO-LA said, “Not too long ago, men were the one’s who didn’t let us in. Now there’s a guy who makes sure we’re included. Why wouldn’t we honor him?”
The luncheon's honorees (L-R): Maelia Macin (Trailblazer), Paula Schneider (Inspiration Award), Peter Griffith (Man of the Year), Kalika Yap (Rising Star), Caroline Nahas (Legacy Award), Synthia SAINT JAMES (Hall of Fame) and Lizanne Falsetto (Leadership Award).
The “guy” in question is Peter Griffith – Vice Chair of Ernst & Young LLP. To take one glance at him, you’d think – yep, he’s definitely an accountant. But within 2 minutes of talking with him, you’ll find a brilliant, funny and very well respected accountant formerly known as Peter and currently and affectionately known MOTY; a man who hears the guys on the board of directors say, “Get a W up there” and translates that to mean “Get a woman up there.” Peter’s courage has been demonstrative through his public position on why more women need to be on corporate boards and despite some criticism, this organization did what they knew was right and good for women business owners – find that guy that is making sure women have a seat at the table and prop him up because others will follow. It just illustrates why the annual theme has been about having the Courage to Lead.
Click here to read the whole Huffington Post article
