Join us!
Thursday, April 13 | 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Adam W. Hebert University Center, Jacksonville
Our Women of Distinction Northeast Florida event honors local female leaders who embody the Girl Scout Promise & Law and whose leadership, professional accomplishments and community contributions inspire us all to make the world a better place by building girls of courage, confidence and character. These women are role models for today’s girls, and celebrate the characteristics of today's problem solvers, go-getters, dreamers, and doers.
The 34th annual event will include a Silent Auction & Networking Hour, followed by an Awards Ceremony & Panel Discussion featuring each honoree.
Congratulations to this year's honorees:
Kristin Keen 
Kristin Keen lived for five years in Kolkata, India where she co-founded, Sari Bari, a thriving business that gives survivors of human trafficking a way out of exploitation through employment. Sari Bari now employs more than 100 women.
Upon her return to Jacksonville, Kristin started forming relationships with women on the street. She found that the problem of human trafficking was flourishing in her own city and in 2012 she founded Rethreaded. Rethreaded is a safe, supportive work environment where women can start a new career while experiencing continued healing through community. When not at Rethreaded, Kristin is biking or swimming in the ocean at sunrise.
Lauren Purdy
Lauren Purdy is a shareholder who serves as vice-chair of Gunster’s Business Litigation Practice and co-chair of its Appellate Practice. She advises clients in a wide array of business disputes in both state and federal courts. As a trial lawyer, Lauren is personally dedicated to bringing a unique and well-rounded perspective to litigation strategy and courtroom advocacy.
Lauren is the epitome of a "girl boss" and she supports other girls and women to follow in her footsteps through leadership and mentorship. Lauren is a well-respected woman in a male-dominated industry and is blazing the trail for others. Lauren is committed to serving both her local Jacksonville community and greater Florida.
Rachael Tutwiler Fortune
Rachael Tutwiler Fortune serves as President of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund and works tirelessly to help close the opportunity gap between historically underserved students and their peers in Duval County's public schools. Having served in government, non-profit, district and school-based roles, Rachael draws upon significant professional experience at all levels of the education system.
Rachael previously served on the senior leadership team at America’s Promise Alliance as Senior Director of the GradNation Campaign. She was a 2013 Presidential Management Fellow and served as a Program Officer in the Office of the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC.
Wanda Willis
Wanda Willis, Vice President for Civic Leadership at the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, has provided dedicated, visionary leadership to help the community through an array of opportunities to enhance different organizations across Jacksonville. As an advancement executive for over 20 years, her role in Civic Leadership provides the foundation for stimulating philanthropy and building a better community. A passion for sense of community fuels her success for helping to create positive change and transformational communities.
She demonstrates her community leadership and engagement by serving multiple boards of directors, as President of The Bold City Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, and as a member of the Association for Black Foundation Executives (ABFE).
Keynote Speaker: Nancy Hogshead
Nancy Hogshead is an Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist, hall of fame athlete, a civil rights lawyer, and the founder and CEO of ...
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For additional information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact our Fund Development Team.
