Business Woman of the Year Candidates Named

Posted on | April 19, 2011 | 1 Comment

The award was established to recognize an outstanding business woman who has positively impacted the Tempe community. The finalists have achieved excellence in their fields, displayed leadership in the community, served as positive role models and are active in programs within the community and the Tempe Chamber. They have received numerous awards and accolades for their professionalism and spirit of service.

“The Business Woman of the Year award recognizes the valuable contributions that the candidates have made to the business community and to the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. Their hard work and dedication have made an admirable and positive impact that we are proud to recognize,” said Mary Ann Miller, President and CEO of the Tempe Chamber. 

The three finalists are Linda Kalaf of Veolia Transportation, Kristine Kassel of Benefits by Design and Vicki Kringen of TCH.

Linda Kalaf

Linda A. Kalaf, Veolia Transportation

Linda Kalaf is Veolia Transportation of Tempe’s Director of Human Resources, Passenger Relations and Community Engagement.  She has worked in the transportation industry for over 30 years and brings a keen awareness to human resource and operational business strategies.  Influencing change and creating positive cultures that appreciate, celebrate and value diversity is her passion. Linda has a Master of Arts in Organizational Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of Phoenix. 

Kristine Kassel

Kristine Kassel, Benefits by Design, Inc. 

Kristine Kassel is the owner of Benefits by Design, Inc., an insurance brokerage company.  She is involved with the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Small Business Association, National Women Business Owners and the National Association of Health Underwriters. She serves on the Executive Board for ASBA as the Past President and has held NAWBO board positions. She is a graduate from the AAMES mentoring program with APS which supports women and minority owned businesses.  In 2007 she was named to the Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list. Most recently, she received the 2009 ASBA Board Member of the Year award, and Benefits by Design was a finalist for the Tempe Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards.

Vicki Kringen

Vicki J. Kringen, TCH – The Centers for Habilitation

Vicki Kringen has provided support and leadership as the Vice-President/COO to TCH/The Centers for Habilitation for more than 16 years. Vicki helped TCH adopt a social enterprise model which has resulted in the successful launch of ASDD, Assured Security Document Destruction that currently employs 89 individuals with a disability. She has also served as the Board Chair for the Tempe Chamber of Commerce 2009-2010, was a founding member of NEDCO, Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation, a graduate of Tempe Leadership and a former long standing board member of MesaCAN. 

The most recent recipients of the award include Margaret Hunnicutt in 2010, Lorraine Bergman in 2009, Angela Creedon in 2008 and Kim Webb in 2007.

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