Winners of the inaugural Women in Business Awards for 2024 are (from left) Aisley Chavez, Rachel Reed and Jacqueline Ryle. Photo by Frank Lopez

The Fresno County Women’s Chamber of Commerce held its inaugural Women in Business Awards at the Fresno Fields by Wedgewood Events venue Tuesday.

The awards luncheon, which drew 140 attendees, is meant to highlight and support local, inspiring women who are having a positive impact in their local communities.

Jené D’Ambrosio, president of textile recycler Eco World and Women’s Chamber board member, introduced Mistress of Ceremonies Clovis City Councilmember Diane Pearce.

The categories for the awards were Inspiring Student, Inspiring Woman Owned Business and Inspiring Woman.

The Inspiring Woman Owned Business award went to Rachel Reed, founder and owner of Assured Living Solutions.

With 19 years of experience in social services case management and service coordination, Reed’s goal is to provide clients appropriate living options and community resources to fit their situation.

Reed started her business in 2016 with her husband, after she had worked at Central Valley Regional Center for over 10 years.

Reed said it’s a great time to be a woman in business. There are so many strong, supportive women in business in the area, she added.

 

“I really encourage ladies to think about what they can do to start a business and do those things that really brings fulfillment. You [women] can do it. I get to be a mom, and I get to have a business, and I get to help my community. It’s the best of all the worlds,” Reed said.

The Woman’s Chamber changed the structure of its annual awards program.

From 1941 to 2022, it was called the “Mother of Year” Awards but was changed to Women in Business Awards to allow a broader range of women to be eligible for the awards.

Aisley Chavez, a Fresno State student, won the Inspiring Student Award for her outstanding academic performance and community work through two clubs: SACNAS (The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans In Science) and Camp Kesem, a free camp supporting children through and beyond their parent’s cancer illness.

Jacqueline Ryle won the Inspiring Woman Award. Ryle is a well-known Fresno personality who has worked as a community leader, facilitator for government agencies, college professor and artist.

Ryle was grateful to all the women at the event and in the business community for their leadership and support.

“It’s hard to express what all this means to me — it means the world coming from you and coming now,” Ryle said.