Blast from the past: The Marjaree Mason Center shared this image on social media of the 1999 Top 10 Professional Women event.

The Marjaree Mason Center released its list of honorees for the upcoming 41st Annual Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards, honoring women from a variety of industries from health care to education and media.

The honorees, nominated by their peers, were selected by a committee of four judges who reviewed and scored the candidates based on their achievements, leadership and commitment to creating a positive impact in their communities and industries.

The event, which is expected to draw more than 1,500 attendees, will feature keynote speakers Danielle and Mark Herzlich, as well as a moderated discussion hosted by former NFL quarterback and Fresno State alum David Carr, a personal friend to the Herzlichs.

This year’s Top Ten Professional Women Honorees:

-Cynthia Bruno Rafferty, CEO, Richard Heath & Associates, Inc

-Dr. Janswant Chahal-Matharu, Physician, Obgyn Associates Medical Group

-Traci Fritzler, Assistant District Attorney, Fresno County District Attorney’s Office

-Dr. Bonnie Her, Physician, Community Health Partners

-Patty Hixson, Regional Vice President, Cumulus Radio – Fresno, Stockton, Modesto

-Dr. Andrea Long, Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF Fresno

-Emilia Reyes, CEO, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission

-Margarita Rocha, Executive Director, Centro La Familia Advocacy Services

-Dr. Linda Scott, Founder & CEO, Agape Schools and Agape College of Business and Science

-Valerie Vuicich, Retired Educator

This year will also recognize Payroll People, Inc. and its CEO Bettye Smith as its 2024 Leading Business Award recipient. Smith has been CEO of the company since its founding in 1981.

Founded in 1981, Payroll People Inc., has served clients for more than 40 years, processing HR, benefits, time and attendance, ACA compliance and more. Payroll People Inc. is the largest independently-owned payroll company in California.

This year’s event will be held at the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center inside the New Exhibit Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online starting at $75 per person, or a table of 10 for $750.