Honoring Impact

On a bright afternoon in late winter, the Hotel Effie was flooded with light, warmth, and purpose––850 Business Magazine’s Pinnacle Award luncheon had returned for its 12th year. 

Each year, 850 Business Magazine presents the Pinnacle Awards to exceptional women of North Florida: leaders, innovators, and philanthropic trailblazers that exemplify a work ethic and visionary spirit capable of transforming our communities. Countless lives have been changed for the better by these mentors, advocates, and entrepreneurs. 

In the foyer, guests first found a swath of pink, violet, and blue balloons sculpted by Mingle 30A, a festive space to chat with faces new and old, and portraits of the twelve women who would soon be officially recognized. Glasses of fizzy fruit cocktail and h’ors d’oeuvres––including oysters, savory watermelon bites, and other delights––were passed around by the warm and courteous Hotel Effie staff. 

Photos by Boo Media

Guests filed in to take their seats in the Juniper Ballroom and greeted their tablemates. The mood was joyful and anticipatory as emcee McKenzie Burleigh, the publisher of 850 Business Magazine, stepped up to the mic to kick off the afternoon’s programming. 

This year’s guest speaker, Carrie Zimmerman, was introduced by Carol Carlan of presenting sponsor Carlan Consulting. Zimmerman is United States gymnastics champion in floor exercise and balance beam and a competitor in the 1976 Olympic Games. In 1987, Carrie co-founded The Zimmerman Agency with her husband, Curtis Zimmerman; in its nearly 40-year tenure, the agency has grown into a fully-integrated, premier marketing and public relations firm headquartered in Tallahassee. Carrie spoke on her journey to success, her recent trip to the winter games in Milano-Cortina, The Zimmerman Agency’s mission to provide “Wow!” to both clients and team members, and her approach to innovation in a business environment increasingly propelled by AI. 

Photos by Boo Media

As the luncheon proceeded, guests were served their meal in multiple courses: a light spring salad with arugula, radishes, and brie; pot roast served with polenta and French beans; and a perfectly creamy and crackling vanilla bean creme brulee. One special guest was also called to the stage to receive a surprise gift from Lululemon, including a yoga mat and coupon for an in-store fitting and outfit. 

This year’s esteemed honorees included Sally Bradshaw, former White House staffer and owner of Midtown Reader; Dana Brooks, managing partner and shareholder at Fasig Brooks; Shantelle Dedicke, founder of Frances Roy Agency; Sue Dick, president and chief executive officer emerita of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce; Tiffany Edwards, owner of Wetherby Consulting, founder of Coletta Consulting, and leader in the vacation rental industry; Monique Ellsworth, chief executive officer of Second Harvest of the Big Bend; Dr. Sherry Hartnett, workforce development specialist and founder of the Women in Leadership Conference and Executive Mentor Program at the University of West Florida; Megan F. Fry, attorney and shareholder with Clark Partington; Kelly Jasen, first female president and chief executive officer of United Way Emerald Coast; Diane Scholz, economic development director at the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University; Katrina Tuggerson, president and chief executive officer of the Capital City Chamber of Commerce; and Jennifer Mahardy Vigil, president and chief executive officer of Destination Panama City (award accepted by her daughters, Madison and Sydney Clifton). 

Photos by Boo Media

McKenzie Burleigh presented each award recipient with an engraved glass plaque as they stepped onstage. Each award was preceded by a touching video interview with someone impacted by that recipient’s leadership. 

Monique Ellsworth received this year’s Turnbull Award, named in honor of the preeminent mentor and former State Representative Marjorie Turnbull. Ellsworth’s leadership at the Second Harvest of the Big Bend helps our region tackle food insecurity and hunger by providing healthful food for neighbors in need. Turnbull herself accepted the award on Ellsworth’s behalf. 

Finally, Burleigh offered a posthumous Pinnacle Award to the beloved Elizabeth Campbell. Campbell’s unexpected passing in February left a hole in the Emerald Coast––during her life, Campbell helped found Walton County’s first mental health clinic (now the Chautauqua Offices of Psychotherapy and Evaluation, or COPE), the Nautilus Fitness Center of DeFuniak Springs, the Students Taking Action and Responsibility (STAR) program for middle school children, and Destin’s McCaskill & Company Fine Jewelry. Campbell’s children––Richard, William, and Carolyn––came to the stage to speak on her life of leadership and compassion. Thus concluded the equally emotional and uplifting luncheon. 

Photos by Boo Media

Campbell’s legacy mirrors the impact that each and every Pinnacle Award recipient has made in her respective field. These pioneering women have improved the way of life for so many across North Florida, and it is our privilege to honor them as they deserve. 

To read the profiles of the 2024 honorees, visit 850businessmagazine.com/pinnacle-awards.

This year’s luncheon was made possible by: 

Carlan Consulting- Presenting Sponsor

Parkman & Associates: Gold Level Sponsor

Proffitt PR: Gold Level Sponsor

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort: Gold Level Sponsor +

Hotel Effie: Venue Sponsor and Host Sponsor

Emerald Coast Florals & Event Design: Floral Vendor

JA 30A Salon: Hair Sponsor for Emerald Coast recipients

Destin 30A Mobile Makeup Box: Makeup Sponsor for Emerald Coast recipients

Soleil 7 Hair Salon:  Hair and Makeup sponsor for Tallahassee recipients

Live in Tallahassee: Media Sponsor

Boo Media: Photographer and Videographer

Mingle: Decor Vendor

Francis Roy: Live Social Media Coverage