For the second year, Shop! heralded the professional achievements of women in the association whom are dedicated to helping other women grow and succeed in the retail industry. During its annual Night of Honors celebration, Shop! recognized four finalists and named Teri Mascotti, president of Mascotti Strategies, as this year’s Woman of Distinction.
“The Women of Distinction Awards have become an important addition to the association’s Night of Honors tradition, which includes our Hall of Fame inductees and our Volunteer of the Year, ” says Todd Dittman, Shop! executive director. “This is a well-deserved honor for Teri, who has had an active and visible role in our association for many years, providing a strong voice for women in our industry.”
The finalists and honoree were selected from nominations submitted by industry colleagues. The judging panel comprised members of the Women’s League governing committee and Shop! staff: Cindi Kato from CallisonRTKL, Teresa Attaway from Specialty Lighting, and from Shop!, Susan Kimelman and Jo Rossman.
Each of the finalists received glowing accolades from colleagues within and outside their companies. This year’s Shop! Woman of Distinction has been dedicated to the industry throughout her career, forging the way for women to be actively engaged. Mascotti never shies away from leadership roles, having volunteered for committee roles and board roles with associations through the years—NASFM, A.R.E., RDI, and Shop!, as well as her college alma mater, University of St. Thomas Alumni Association. A breast cancer survivor, she has handled personal challenges with grace and humor, becoming a source of help and inspiration to other women as a speaker and author of Chemolicious: Getting to Your Best Self.
The Women’s League was founded in 2014 with the mission of helping women grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, and networking opportunities. In support of this mission, the Women of Distinction Award recognizes women who have worked in the industry for at least five years and have truly excelled, not only professionally, but also as leaders and role models to other women within the industry.
“Even though much progress has been made, women are still at a disadvantage in the workplace, and the glass ceiling is still holding strong,” says June Dutka, founding member and chair of the Women’s League. “As professional women, we have so much to give to those beginning their careers. Networking, mentoring, and honoring women who share their gifts, talents, and experiences is a way we can pay it forward and make another woman’s path to success easier.”
For more information about the Shop! Women’s League, visit shopassociation.org/womens-league.