Contact Us
Waypoint
318 Fifth Street SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
319.365.1458

24 hour Crisis & Support Line
319.363.2093 or 800.208.0388

Home > Events > Tribute to Women of Achievement > Past Tribute Honorees

Past Tribute Honorees

Waypoint hosted the 31^st annual Tribute to Women of Achievement event at the Cedar Rapids Marriott on Thursday, October 4th. Jean Oxley received the 2012 Pillar of the Community Award, an award given when there is one honoree whose accomplishments, over an extended period of time and in multiple categories, reflect extraordinary contributions to our community.

Twenty-seven honorees were recognized for their significant accomplishments in businesses, churches, civic groups, and personal lives. Five Outstanding Award Winners who showed exceptional leadership in their nomination category were announced.

All proceeds from the event help support individuals who are homeless, living in poverty, or victims of domestic violence or sexual assault who are served at Waypoint.

Information about Jean Oxley, the five outstanding winners, and the list of the remaining honorees is included below:

2012 PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY AWARD RECIPIENT:

Jean Oxley
For more than 50 years, Jean Oxley has dedicated her life to bettering her community and advocating for the underserved. She was a high school teacher, a program director at the YWCA, and served on the Linn County Board of Supervisors for 24 years, retiring in 1996. In her retirement, Jean continues to serve the community by being active on numerous boards and task forces. Jean’s commitment to Linn County went far beyond her role as Supervisor. She was deeply involved in area organizations – not because she was expected to be, but because she shared their passion for enhancing the quality of life for people in this community. A true trailblazer, Jean was the first woman elected to the Linn County Board of Supervisors in 1972 and only the second woman in the State of Iowa to hold a leadership position on a county Board of Supervisors. Jean was also the first woman to serve as president of the 400-member State Supervisors Association. In 1970, she was the first woman elected as Chairperson of the Linn County Democratic Party. Surrounded largely by male counterparts who were not accustomed to women in leadership roles, Jean sometimes faced resistance. But she held strong to her belief in herself and in her mission to improve the lives of others. Along the way, she encouraged other women to step up to challenges and worked tirelessly to encourage women to serve on boards and become leaders in their own right.

Throughout her career, Jean has been a leader in providing human services for the disabled, the at-risk population, and others least able to help themselves. She was appointed by the governor to serve on the Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services Commission. Casey Foundation, and the Ford Foundation. Jean also initiated a retirement program for the mentally disabled and a program to help families keep their disabled children at home rather than in institutions. Jean has been an advocate for daycare for low-income families, working mothers, and families pursuing education to become self-sufficient. She helped start the first local Big Brothers organization and a similar program for young girls in need. She credits her work at the YWCA as her training ground in diversity and learning to bring people together to get things accomplished. Jean’s impact of selfless service and dedication has reached far and wide, well beyond the borders of this community that has been her home for so many years.

FIVE OUTSTANDING AWARD WINNERS:

Achievements in Her Field:

Dr. Gina Butteris
Medical Director
St. Luke’s Child Protection Center
Dr. Gina Butteris has served as Medical Director of the St. Luke’s Child Protection Center for the last eight years, providing a safe haven for abused children. In addition to her role as Medical Director, Gina’s passion of protecting and advocating for children is far reaching into the community as she is an active leader on the Child Protection Council Advisory Board and the State Child Protection Council. Dr. Butteris also implemented a local chapter the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and a Linn County Death Review team that is working to inform adults about the hazards of co-sleeping with babies and improper bedding in cribs. Countless children and families have been positively impacted by the dedication and passion of Dr. Gina Butteris.

Growth and Accomplishments in Personal Life:

Allison Hecker
Principal Integrated Logistics Support Manager
Rockwell Collins
The word relentless describes Allison's approach to her battle with leukemia. First diagnosed in January 2011, she continues to fight the disease with vigor and resolve, refusing to compromise her career, her community service, and especially her role as wife and mother. As she approaches every day not knowing what it will bring but determined to make it the best, she is admired for her strength and resiliency. A life-long focus on education for professional and personal development, Allison has been persistent in her pursuit of her career in this male-dominated field – empowering and giving other women hope and faith along her journey.

Organizational Impact in a Non-Profit:

Eugenia Vavra
Community Building Manager for Health
United Way of East Central Iowa
Applying improvements to the United Way environment while teaching and coaching others in their use, Eugenia is a team builder whose gentle spirit makes a large and positive impact on the people around her. A leader in the organization, Eugenia has been the primary architect of the United Way’s use of technology to track outcomes, improve reporting and streamline application processes while keeping the primary focus on the mission to improve the well-being of eastern Iowans.

Organizational Impact in a For-Profit Company:

Dr. Laura Hemann
Director of Breast Imaging for Radiology Consultants of Iowa and Medical Director of Mercy Women’s Center
A model mentor, educator, patient advocate and colleague, Dr. Laura Hemann displays excellence in her skill level, advocacy and standards of patient care. Taking advantage of recent medical advances and expanded understanding of the relationship of cancer and genetics, Dr. Hemann has enhanced the care her patients can expect. Under her leadership, the Mercy Women’s Center earned the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation, which requires meeting or exceeding rigorous quality and educational standards.

Unsung Heroine:

Kathie Faine
Regulatory Analyst II
Alliant Energy
Kathie is tireless, dedicated and passionate in her pursuit to ensure that her department and the company adheres to all regulations. Working behind the scenes, Kathie makes certain everyone on her team feels individually important while creating a team atmosphere that promotes high performance standards for consistency and quality. With more than 10 years of experience in the Regulatory area, working on many major projects as well as routine activities, has given her a deep and broad insight into many aspects of Alliant Energy’s utility business, and she is often sought after by other employees in all areas of the company for consulting.

2012 WAYPOINT TRIBUTE TO WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT HONOREES

ACHIEVEMENTS IN HER FIELD
Dr. Gina Butteris, St. Luke's Hospital
Tricia Hoffman-Simanek, Shuttleworth & Ingersoll PLC
Dorene MacVey, Rockwell Collins
Amy Stevens, Alliance Claims Solutions
Judy Stoffel, United Way of East Centeral Iowa
Deborah Wilbur, MD, Oncology Associates, Hematology/Oncology at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center
GROWTH AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN PERSONAL LIFE
Linda Dugan, Area Ambulance Service
Allison Hecker, Rockwell Collins
ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT IN A FOR-PROFIT
Anita Augustine, Rockwell Collins
Patrice Carroll, ImOn Communications
Renee Erregragui, Source Media Group
Julie Hein, KZIA Z102.9 and 1600 ESPN Radio
Dr. Laura Hemann, Radiology Consultants of Iowa/Mercy Women's Center
Brenda Miller, US Bank
Renee Montz, AEGON Asset Management Group
Leigh Parker, Rockwell Collins
Jane Shaffer, McGladrey LLP
Annette Stanton, MercyCare Community Physicians
Christine Vorhies, Transamerica
Charisma Wickham, Alliant Energy
ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT IN A NON-PROFIT
Eugenia Vavra, United Way of East Central Iowa
Marcia Whiteford, Quota International of Cedar Rapids
UNSUNG HEROINE
Kelly Ahmann, Transamerica
Bonnie Toben , Skywalk Group
Maggie Beavers, Linn County
Kathie Faine, Alliant Energy
Kristin Krousie, AEGON Asset Management Group

Click here for a complete list of Past Tribute to Women of Achievement Honorees

Print

Email

SHARE:

24 hour Crisis & Support Line

319.363.2093 or 800.208.0388

United Way of East Central Iowa