BOLD - Businesswomen Organizing for Leadership and Development

Bold - Women 2024.png

What is BOLD?

The mission of Businesswomen Organizing for Leadership and Development is to connect businesswomen to build outstanding networks and spheres of influence, to collaborate amongst ourselves and with our partner organizations to develop our businesses, and to celebrate and recognize the women of North Fulton.

 

 

How to Join the BOLD Committee:

Applications will be accepted in December 2025 for the 2026 BOLD Committee.

2023 Women INfluencing Business Morning Mixer
Two women laughing together at 2023 Women INfluencing Business Morning Mixer

Committee Requirements

*Approved Application Required

  • Attend at least 5 of the 6 meetings
  • Volunteer at a minimum of one quarterly event (BOLD Awards, Mixer, Wine Social, Summit)
  • Must participate in gathering gift items for the basket project at the Wine Social
  • Personally invite 5 non-members to each of our women’s events
  • Must participate in first meeting of the year, and be in good standing with the Chamber*

*Good standing is defined as actively participating in Chamber events/programs, and membership dues are current
 

For more information contact the committee lead Vernalisa Rougeux at vrougeux@gnfcc.com.

2025 Schedule of Events

2023 Women of Excellence Awards - Members at a table

 

2024 BOLD Awards

The Businesswoman organizing for Leadership and Development Awards are given annually to those who demonstrate vision by bringing innovative ideas into action both in the workplace and community. Candidates must be currently employed in the North Fulton community. The 2024 BOLD Award winners were recognized at the North Fulton Focus Series: BOLD Awards Lunch, presented by Verizon, in March of 2024.

2023 Business Women of Excellence Award Winners

2024 Award Winners

  • Business Woman of Excellence – Living Legacy:
    Kathy Swahn, Drake House
  • Business Woman of Excellence – Small Business:
    Cheryl Blazej, Blazej & Associates
  • Woman of Excellence – Rising Star Award: 
    Claire Gordon, bank of America
  • Woman of Excellence – Nonprofit:
    Natalie Delancey, City Springs
  • Business Woman of Excellence – Large Business:       Heidi Nelson, Pinnacle Financial Partners.                        
  • BOLD Distinguished Business:                                             Atlanta Personal Injury Law, IBEX, Jackson Healthcare, Street Studio, Wellstar.


Photos and Videos from 2024 Events

 

March 20, 2024

 North Fulton Focus Series: Bold Awards Lunch


View photos from the event

 

August 15, 2024

 BOLD Annual Wine Social


View photos from the event
 

June 6, 2024

BOLD Morning Mixer

 


View photos from the event

 

October 30, 2024

BOLD Women's Leadership Summit


View photos from the event

Watch a recap of our 2023 Women and Wine Night!
 

 

 

This event exceeded my expectations equally as an attendee, sponsor, and Women Influencing Business committee member. The small group breakout sessions represented such an amazing collection of talented professionals from across several industries. Each session offered unique perspectives on topics such as The Power of Leadership and The Power of Empathy.

Bonnie Smith
Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty

The GNFCC Women Influencing Business Summit always seems to come at just the time you need it most. The speakers were full of incredible content that sparked great conversation around hot topics happening in business at this very moment in time. This isn't my first Summit and as it was in years before, it's always a very welcoming event that is filled with laughter and mind-sharing.

Sarabeth Stine
Executive Director, Sales, TriNet

The GNFCC Women's Summit was an impactful event filled with breakout sessions that were well thought out and led by female leaders in our community. A true differentiator of this event was that each session did not have speakers just delivering a speech to the attendees. There were active discussions around critical topics for any business leader's career development.

Nora Bryant
Relationship Executive, JP Morgan Chase

2025 BOLD Committee Members

Alison Firth - Kaiser Permanente-Alpharetta Medical Center - Committee Chair

Beth Quinlan - Smith + Howard - Committee Chair

Brooke Bailey - S. Brooke Bailey Coaching

Heather Demis - Anchor Marketing

Lara Dolan - Ansley Real Estate

Nicole Lawson Doll - United Way of Greater Atlanta

Jane Eastham - ONE HOPE Wine

Mary Miller Fazio - Morgan Stanley

Claire Gordon - Bank of America

Lasha Hammet - Lasha Hammet State Farm 

Latoya Jacques - Parrish Construction Group 

Iris Jaimes - Century 21- Realtor

Amanda Judy - The Piedmont Bank

Chelsea Kiehler - Retirement planning center

Deanna McKay - City of Alpharetta

Sue McQueen - Primerica Advisors

Angie Messner - Thrive Medical Spa

Lauren Middlebrooks - Mauldin & Jenkins

Pavica Brajinovic Paz - American Cancer Society

Nadine Predestin - Arosa

Marla Prince - Waste Management

Yessica Rebolledo - Bonnza Catering

 

Katie Rosenberg - Three Sisters Catering

Nancy Sanchez - Flex HR

Lauren Shapiro - City of Alpharetta

Bonnie Smith - Atlanta Fine Homes

Kalaila Spearman - St. John & Associates, INC

Lisa Fay Weltsch - Street Studio Marketing Agency

Betsy Wilson - WSI Wilson Group