WILMA magazine, sister publication to the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, held its sixth annual Women to Watch Awards event Oct. 13 at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside.
Winners of seven award categories were announced and recognized at the event.
The winners were among 35 finalists picked by this year’s judges for contributions to their industries and local community.
Here are the 2017 WILMA’s Women to Watch Awards winners (
excerpts from WILMA).
Arts
Rebekah Todd, musician and visual artist
A singer-songwriter with a busy performing schedule, Rebekah Todd has three album releases, music festival experience and more projects in the works. When not on stage, she also is a visual artist with a studio at ACME Art Studios.
Business
Jennifer McCall, CEO of SeaTox Research Inc.
Biologist Jennifer McCall launched startup company SeaTox Research in 2013. The company develops diagnostic kits to detect toxins in seafood – toxins that can contaminate the food supply and harm those who eat the shellfish.
Education
Donna DeGennaro, founder and director of Unlocking Silent Histories
Donna DeGennaro began the nonprofit Unlocking Silent Histories in 2012 to give indigenous youth a vehicle to express themselves by making cultural documentaries.
DeGennaro, who teaches educational leadership at UNCW, worked with Maya youth in Guatemala, collaborating with them to develop a model addressing the digital divide, culturally responsive learning and social justice education.
Health Care
Becca Tagg, psychologist and behavior analyst at Del Mar Center for Behavioral Health
In the past year Becca Tagg has opened a multidisciplinary behavioral health clinic in Pender County and also formed a nonprofit private school for children with autism in Pender County called Del Mar Day Academy.
Nonprofit
Diane Durance, director of UNCW CIE
University of North Carolina Wilmington hired Diane Durance last year to take over as head of the school’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). The CIE, a standalone 501(c)3 nonprofit, is owned by the UNCW Research Foundation. The CIE provides services and programs for small businesses such as training, mentoring sessions and public events.
Public Service
Amber Smith, senior resource center director for New Hanover County
Amber Smith was promoted in 2015 to the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center’s director position, heading up a team of 23 employees and over 700 volunteers. Under her leadership, the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services recertified the Senior Resource Center as a Senior Center of Excellence.
Rising Star (for women under 30)
Cassy Taverna, therapist at Chrysalis Center for Counseling & Eating Disorder Treatment
Cassy Taverna is a licensed clinical social worker associate and therapist at the Chrysalis Center, which provides treatment for a range of clinical issues. Taverna, 29, therapeutically collaborates with clients to address eating disorders, anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental health concerns.
