Networking & Lunch
Program Begins: Welcome to OWNK 2026! Catherine Salzman, OWNK Chair
A Word from the Title Sponsor & Presenter of Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Honoree Carri Chandler, St. Elizabeth Healthcare Dr. Holly Danneman, Inspiring Women Honoree
Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Honorees
Terri Bernstein
Jessica Fette
Christine Russell
Lacy Starling
Karen Zengel
Nancy Janes Boothe Scholarship Recipient Kristin Hughes, Thomas More University
Closing Remarks Event Concludes
MORE ABOUT
The Women’s Initiative, powered by PNC, is leading women in all career stages of the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati region toward business and professional success.”
2026 AWARD HONOREES
Outstanding Women of NKY Honorees
Terri Bernstein
Owner and CEO
BB Riverboats
Mayor Jessica Fette
Mayor | Owner City of Erlanger | The Hive
Christine Russell
Executive Director | VP of Strategy
NKY Port Authority | BE NKY Growth Partnership
Lacy Starling
President and CEO
Link Media
Karen Zengel
Executive Director
St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky
Outstanding Women of NKY Honorees
ST. ELIZABETH HEALTHCARE HENRIETTA CLEVELAND INSPIRING WOMEN HONOREE
Dr. Holly Danneman
Associate Dean
University of Kentucky College of Medicine - NKY
NANCY JANES BOOTHE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Kristin Hughes
Thomas More University
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HONOREES
HISTORY AND RECIPIENTS
The Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards honor women who exemplify notable achievements; outstanding service in their professions or to the Northern Kentucky community; and the qualities of personal integrity, perseverance, and leadership. All honorees represent the extraordinary accomplishments of today’s women and serve as ideal role models for the young women who follow in their footsteps.
The awards were established in the fall of 1984, by the late Nancy Janes Boothe, wife of thenNKU President Leon E. Boothe, to involve more women from the Northern Kentucky area in the university community. In the spring of the following year, the first awards luncheon was held, and has evolved over the years. The NKY Chamber of Commerce Women’s Initiative adopted the program in 2014 to continue its remarkable legacy.
At the first award celebration, five women were honored. Since then, more than 250 women have been recognized for blazing trails, opening doors, or demonstrating leadership in their homes, their professions, their communities, or the Commonwealth.
Title Sponsor
Presenting Sponsor
Outstanding Women of NKY Award Sponsor
Scholarship Recipient Sponsor
Photo Booth Sponsor
AV Partner
Stage Sponsor
Video Partner
Table Sponsors
BE NKY Growth Partnership
Brighton Center, Inc.
Champlin I EOP
Clark Schaefer Hackett
Corporex Companies, Inc.
Event Sponsor
Media Partner
DCCH Center for Children & Families
Duke Energy
Emergency Shelter of NKY
First National Bank of Kentucky
Heritage Bank
Huntington Bank
Jabil
Host Partner
MeetNKY
Payroll Partners
Republic Bank
Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul - NKY
Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky
The Hive - East Coast Kitchen & Coffee Bar
Thomas More University
Viox & Viox, Inc.
Writing Enhancements Services, LLC
YMCA Of Greater Cincinnati
Celebrating those who make Northern Kentucky shine more brilliantly.
PNC is proud to support the Northern Kentucky Chamber Women's Initiative and recognize leaders who make our community brilliant.
Congratulations to the 2026 Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky honorees: Terri Bernstein, Jessica Fette, Christine Russell, Lacy Starling and Karen Zengel.
