The Greater Women's Business Council, the largest provider of certification and development resources for women business enterprises in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, hosted its annual LACE (Ladies Achieving Continuous Excellence) Awards Gala on Nov. 9 at Mason Fine Art in Atlanta.

This annual event celebrates and formally recognizes GWBC corporate members and certified WBEs (women business enterprises) for their commitment and contributions toward furthering the success of women-owned businesses.

Over 200 business leaders gathered at the black-tie masquerade gala to honor and celebrate the nominees and winners in a variety of categories.

LACE Award Winners

Award winners are GWBC corporate members and GWBC certified WBEs who demonstrate outstanding contributions in supporting women-owned business through mentoring, coaching, offering world-class supplier diversity initiatives and access to procurement opportunities.

Winning individuals and companies are:

• Corporation of the Year – SunTrust 

  The corporation that has created significant advancement in breaking down barriers that impede WBEs from gaining fair access to procurement opportunities, including supplier development activities, financial assistance, and strategic alliance counseling.

• Advocate of the Year, Corporation – Eyvon Austin, The Coca-Cola Company 

  Supplier diversity practitioner, procurement professional or buyer who is a current employee of a corporate GWBC member, selected for extraordinary efforts in inspiring, engaging and empowering GWBC certified WBEs.

• Buyer of the Year –  Adam Moore, SunTrust 

  Buyer, procurement professional or a supplier diversity practitioner who is a current employee of a corporate GWBC member, selected for instituting programs that offer equal access for GWBC certified WBEs and attained world-class quality in its supplier diversity process.

• The Voice Award – SunTrust 

  Selected by GWBC WBEs, this award is presented to a corporation who has exhibited the most significant progress in creating a voice and platform for GWBC certified WBEs to gain fair access to procurement opportunities.

• Advocate of the Year, WBE –  Marlene Kelly, Exhibits South 

  GWBC certified WBE business owner (CEO/President) or an employee of a GWBC certified WBE, recognized and honored for their proven methods in mentoring, coaching and supporting women-owned businesses.

• Volunteer of the Year – Susan Gravely, Gravely & Associates, LLC
  GWBC certified WBE who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service to GWBC.

• Trailblazer Award 
  GWBC Certified WBE owners (CEO/President), selected based upon being a pillar in their community, contributing their time and talent with a proven track record of mentoring, partnerships, volunteerism and supporting other WBEs.

Trailblazer, Category I  (Annual Sales Under $1 Million) – Carrie Salone, Legacy Supply Team 

Trailblazer, Category II (Annual Sales $1 Million - $5 Million) – Pam F. Lopez and Suzanne Beisner, Customer Focused Strategies

Trailblazer, Category III (Annual Sales $5 Million - $10 Million) – DeLois Babiker, Intellectual Concepts, LLC 

Trailblazer, Category IV (Annual Sales Over $10 Million) –  Eve Seib, One Source Relocation

"The LACE Awards is an important annual celebration for our entire membership," said Roz Lewis, president & CEO of GWBC. "It's here where we recognize our outstanding corporate partners and women business enterprises for their commitment and contributions to the mission of the GWBC: to enhance the competitive value of women business enterprises through certification, education and partnership opportunities."

The LACE Awards gala featured a mix of activities including the pre-awards reception, LACE silent auction, dinner, live entertainment and dancing.