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Upper Keys BPW Woman of the Year recipients are members who have inspired and empowered other working women through their personal and professional accomplishments, their support of the BPW mission and contributions to our organization, and their positive impact on the broader Upper Keys community. Learn more about this annual awards program and the 2023 recipient here. |
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2022 Woman of the Year: Margie Smith Through her work at the Florida Small Business Development Center at FIU and her involvement in BPW and many other local organizations, Margie is well-known throughout our community as a 'master connector.' As one nominator put it, "The first time you meet Margie, you can see her wheels turning as she asks a few key questions to help her quickly home in on how she can help you solve a challenge - whether it be about local schools and kids' activities, entrepreneurial resources or introductions to fellow BPW members." Margie serves on the Upper Keys Board of Directors and plays an active role in our Public Policy activities, including planning and acting as moderator for the BPW Political Forum. She has also served BPW at the state level, most recently as chair of the BPW Florida Membership Committee. |  |
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 | 2021 Woman of the Year: Suzi Youngberg Other membership organizations foundered during the COVID pandemic, but not Upper Keys BPW! Under Suzi's leadership, we managed to grow our membership and win several state awards on the strength of our local organization. As one nominator pointed out, much of this success was due to Suzi's "nimble and agile" leadership style, which she applied throughout her tenure as Upper Keys BPW President. Seemingly without effort, Suzi was able to keep our group together and thriving, and we managed to emerge from the pandemic even stronger. In addition to her dedication to BPW and her full-time role as Director of MarrVelous Pet Rescues, Suzi serves on the Upper Keys Advisory Council for the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. |
Previous Woman of the Year Honorees
2020: Jill Kuehnert
2019: Jackie Harder
2018: Suzi Youngberg
2017: Ilja Chapman
2016: Laura Maupin