Lead(h)er celebrated its 8th year of providing free mentorship for QC women at the Fuel the Fire Gala, where the 2024 Girl on Fire Award winners were announced. These prestigious awards recognize exceptional women within the Lead(h)er community who have shown outstanding dedication to mentorship, professional growth, and community empowerment. This year’s gala saw a sold-out crowd, all gathered to support the empowerment of over 1,100 women matched through Lead(h)er’s Strike a Match Mentorship Program.
The evening’s highlights were the announcement of the 2024 Girl on Fire Award Winners, including Heather Honig Schwenneker, Mentor of the Year; Maria Contreras Huerta, Mentee of the Year and Laura Genis, Found(h)er of the Year.
Heather Honig Schwenneker, this year’s Mentor of the Year, made Girl on Fire Awards history by being nominated by all three of her Strike a Match mentees. Her mentees—Ashley Allen Smith, Jennifer Askew and Jacqueline Houtekier—spoke of her exceptional ability to bring them together as a “Mentee Family,” creating not only individual mentorship but a community of empowerment and support. Heather’s mentorship has inspired her mentees to become more involved in their community and even pursue mentoring roles themselves.
When asked what qualities impress her most about Mentor Heather, Mentee Jacqueline Houtekier said, “She has given her time, talents and energy to build the careers and lives of three very grateful women….I believe her super-power is being such a wonderful mentor. There are no topics off limits and she makes you feel so comfortable to discuss whatever is on your mind.”
Maria Contreras Huerta, named the 2024 Mentee of the Year, was praised for her drive and resilience. Her mentor, Jamie Fetty Ward, highlighted Maria’s incredible growth and leadership both at work and within her community, where she volunteers and advocates for causes close to her heart like Boys & Girls Club, Mercado on Fifth and Lead(h)er. Maria’s story is a testament to the transformational power of mentorship and the lasting impact it has on both the mentor and mentee.
When Strike a Match Mentor Jamie Fetty Ward reflected on her most memorable experience with her Mentee Maria, here’s what she had to say, “One that will always stay with me is when she shared her story of coming to school in the United States without knowing English and how hard those first years were. As an educator, I learned so much from her story about how school feels for some of my students and the limitless future that awaits them if we pour into them. Hearing about that and the many hoops she has to jump through as a DACA recipient taught me a lot. If there was ever someone we need in the Quad Cities community, it is Maria.”
The Found(h)er of the Year, Laura Genis, was recognized for her outstanding commitment to Lead(h)er, not only through her financial contributions but also by serving on the Lead(h)er Board of Directors and the Finance Committee. Laura’s dedication to Lead(h)er and its mission is evident in her hands-on involvement, from participating in events to driving the organization’s growth behind the scenes.
Here’s what Laura’s past Strike a Match Mentor Tracy Schwind, had to say about Laura, “One of the beautiful outcomes of mentorship is a new connection that lasts for a long time afterward. It’s been wonderful to get to know Laura and hear about the many changes her life has made since we first met. I’m thrilled to see her get this well-deserved recognition.”
All nominees were nominated by their Mentor or Mentee in the Strike a Match Mentorship Program. All of the 2024 Mentor of the Year Nominees were: Amber Wood, Heather Honig Schwenneker, Lindsey Hines, LuAnn Haydon, and Saloni Patel. The 2024 Mentee of the Year Nominees were: Amanda Geffre, Alexa Bennett, Brea Morris, Kelsey Quintana, Mary Essman, Maria Contreras Huerta. Nominees are scored blindly by members of the Strike a Match community.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Local News
Comments / 0