Local television personalities Margot Kim and Graciela Moreno host the 34th annual Top Ten Professional Women event in Fresno in 2018. MMC photo

The Marjaree Mason Center has announced its latest cohort to win the Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards, honoring people who serve as role models in the community.

This is the 35th year for the awards program, which will be held Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Fresno Convention Center.

Each honoree was nominated by a community member and evaluated by a committee of judges comprised of Fresno County community members and professionals.

The Top Ten Professional Women for 2018 are:

Teri Amerine, vice president, foundation and volunteer Services, Saint Agnes Medical Center

Mary Castro, First Lady and campus volunteer, California State University, Fresno; commissioner, Fresno County Housing Authority

Dr. Carole Goldsmith, president, Fresno City College

Dr. Jody Hironaka-Juteau, dean, College of Health and Human Services, California State University, Fresno

Jody Hudson, director of operations, Catholic Charities

Gena Lew Gong, president, Central California Asian Pacific Women

Laneesha Senegal, executive director, Helping Others Pursue Excellence (HOPE)

Dr. Davinder K. Sidhu, assistant superintendent, Selma Unified School District

TheeAnna Stevens, dealer operator/owner, Fresno Acura

Dawan Utecht, director of Department of Behavioral Health and public guardian, County of Fresno

The 2018 Leading Business is Ruiz Food Products, Inc., represented by Kim Ruiz Beck and Rachel P. Cullen.

“Congratulations to this year’s Top Ten award recipients, a group of leaders who are not only making great strides in their professional careers but serve as leaders and role models in their investment in our community,” said Nicole Linder, Marjaree Mason Center’s executive director. “Marjaree Mason Center is proud to host this annual event and ask the community to join us in honoring these outstanding citizens.”

 

As many as 1,500 people attend this annual event. This year the keynote speaker will be Denise Brown, sister of the late Nicole Brown Simpson. Since Brown Simpson, the wife of OJ Simpson, was murdered in 1994, Denise Simpson has made it her mission to educate the public about domestic violence.

Tickets to the luncheon can be purchased online for $60 each or a table of ten for $600.