Vote today for the 2024 Celebrating Women Awards!
Nominations: CLOSED
Voting: CLOSED
SEE BELOW FOR LIST OF WINNERS. San Diego Magazine’s Annual Celebrating Women Awards are back to honor one Pioneer and one Rising Star in 15 categories that represent the diverse span of industries that make up our beautiful city. Nominate the San Diego women you feel are paving the way, inspiring others, or just all around doing great things for our community. For further details on the categories and nominating, please see below.
A panel of San Diego Magazine judges will review all nominations. Nominations that adhere to the nomination form rules + criteria will move on to the next stage and be featured on our website for people’s choice voting, where the public will decide who will be awarded the Pioneer and Rising Star in each of the 15 categories. San Diego Magazine will additionally name one Pioneer of the Year and One Rising Star of the Year that we (the folks at the magazine) feel particularly shined.
San Diego Magazine will announce and honor both the people’s choice winners in each category and the overall Pioneer and Rising Star of the Year at the annual Celebrating Women Summit on November 6, 2024 at UCSD’s Park & Market downtown.
Click here to view our 2023 Celebrating Women Winners
Celebrating Women 2024 Winners
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
Raquel Alim | Blindess Advocate + Artist, The Unblurred Collection
PIONEER OF THE YEAR
Michaelene Fredenburg | Founder + CEO, The Institute of Reproductive Care
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNERS 2024
ART + DESIGN
Rising Star – Elaine Giles | Artist, Art by Elaine
Pioneer – Nichole MacDonald | Founder and CEO, Sash Bag
EDUCATION
Rising Star – Lani Keller | Wu Tsai Endowed Chair in Science, The Bishop’s School
Pioneer – Rising Star –
Pioneer – Xochitl Alvarez | Director, Graduate Support Program, Nativity Prep Academy
FINANCE
Rising Star – Danielle, Schwimer | Relationship Executive, JPMorganChase
Pioneer – Christina Camacho Lynch | Co-Head of Consultant Relations, Breckinridge Capital Advisors
FITNESS + WELLNESS
Rising Star – Mandy Salas | Inspirational Speaker/ Life Coach
Pioneer – Kimberly Bryant | CEO, Kid Wonder & Kinetissori
FOOD + BEVERAGE
Rising Star – Kemi Pavlocak | Owner, SAVAGE BEE-CHES
Pioneer – Gina Marsaglia | Owner, Pizza Port
HEALTHCARE
Rising Star – Rebeccah Rodriguez Regner | Physician, Medical Director, Fem MD, Level Up Health SD
Pioneer – Razelle Kurzrock | Co-Founder, Chief Medical Advisor, CureMatch, Inc.
LAW + LEGAL
Rising Star – Taraneh Sarebanha | Assistant Executive Director, One Safe Place
Pioneer – Sarah Schaffer | Founding Partner, Schaffer Family
MEDIA + MARKETING
Rising Star – Bella Ross | Social Media Producer, Voice of San Diego
Pioneer – Judy Tsuei | Founder & CEO, Wild Hearted Words
MILITARY + PUBLIC SERVICE
Rising Star – Lucero Maganda | Community Representative, Office of Mayor Todd Gloria (City Council Districts 8 & 9), The City of San Diego
Pioneer – Alma Lowry | Fire Captain, San Diego Fire Rescue
NON-PROFIT
Rising Star – Christina Ng | Foundation Cultivator, Berry Good Food Foundation
Pioneer – Alma Tucker | Founder, International Network of Hearts
REAL ESTATE
Rising Star – Kati Mendoza | Real Estate Agent, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Pioneer – Felena Hanson | Founder, Hera Hub
SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT
Rising Star – Kylee Wetsel | Community Director, Legion Community Foundation
Pioneer – Vanessa Davis | Vice President, Broadway San Diego
STEM
Rising Star – Tina John | Founder & CEO, Avira Health Incorporated
Pioneer – Helen Fricker | Professor of Geophysics at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Co-Director of the Scripps Polar Center, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego
TOURISM + HOSPITALITY
Rising Star – Emily Elliott | Community Steward, Bikepacking Roots
Pioneer – Julie Coker | President and CEO, San Diego Tourism Aurhority
TRADE + CRAFT
Rising Star – Abby Snow | Owner, Jeweler, Olea Fine Jewelry
Pioneer – Liz Saba | Owner & Designer, Presley & Co Fine Jewelers
See below for the industries that may fall under each category
Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to access the voting platform.
Pioneer vs. Rising Star
Pioneer
An individual that has and continues to carve a path to a brighter future. This is someone who is regarded as an expert in their industry and may be seen as a mentor.
Rising Star
An individual that is regarded as an up-and-comer in their industry. Someone who is actively trailblazing their way to a brighter future and setting the stage for those to follow.
Finding the Perfect Category
Art + Design
Artist, Architect, Fashion Designer, Interior Designer, Graphic Designer, Photographer, Videographer, Florist, Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, etc.
Education
Teacher, Principal, School Board Member, Professor, Program Director, Counselor, Librarian, Superintendent, Tutor, Academic Development, etc.
Finance
Accountant, Financial Advisor, Banker, Lender/Loan Officer, Actuary, Analyst, Auditor, Insurance Provider, Tax Examiner/Collector, etc.
Fitness + Wellness
Personal Trainer, Gym Associate, Nutritionist/Dietician, Life Coach, Natural Healing, Class Instructor, Employee Health Services, Mental Wellness, Physical Wellness, etc.
Food + Beverage
Waiter/Waitress, Chef, Sous-Chef, Busser, Bartender, Barista, Mixologist, Sommelier, Beverage Director, Restaurant/Bar/Business Owner, Baker, Brewer, Winemaker, Distiller, Distributor, Importer, Agriculture, etc.
Healthcare
Doctor, Therapist/Psychiatrist, Dentist, Orthodontist, Surgeon, Nurse, Hospital Personnel, Field Assistant/Technician, Pharmacist/Pharmaceuticals, Doula/Midwife, etc.
Law + Legal
Lawyer, Attorney, Paralegal, Judge, Hearing Officer, Arbitration/Mediation, Court Reporter/Captioner, Firm Associate, Criminal Justice, etc.
Media + Marketing
Broadcasting, Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Multimedia, Influencers, Social Media, Photography, Videography, etc.
Military + Public Service
Military Personnel, Veteran, Emergency Services, Social Worker, Law Enforcement, Firefighter, Public Health, Government/Private Sector, etc.
Non-Profit
Volunteer, Grant Writer, Administrator, Chief Officer, Director, Manager, Priest/Pastor, etc.
Real Estate
Realtor/Real Estate Agent, Loan Officer, Appraiser, Property Manager/Company, Broker, Consultant, Escrow Office, Home Inspector, Leasing Agent, Compliance Officer, etc.
Sports + Entertainment
Athlete, Musician, Producer, Director, Composer, Actor/Actress, Talent Director, Dancer/Choreographer, Singer, Couches/Scouts, Referee, etc.
STEM
Engineer, Scientist, Researcher/Developer, Analyst, Mathematician, Geologist, Astronomer, Astronaut, Chemist, Computer Programmer, Technician, etc.
Tourism + Hospitality
Hotel/Lodging, Travel Agent, Booking Agent, Tour Guide, Concierge, Transportation, Flight Attendant, Housekeeper, Recreation Worker, etc.
Trade + Craft
Specialty Services, Construction, Electrician, Plumber, Auto, Landscaper, Carpenter, Painter, Mechanic, etc.
We look forward to receiving your nomination(s) and wish your nominee(s) the best of luck!
