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.”…