The Seattle-based Female Founders Alliance announced its third annual Champion Awards in a virtual event on Thursday afternoon, recognizing the accomplishments of women and non-binary leaders from a wide range of backgrounds, businesses and philanthropic pursuits.
Megan Rapinoe, captain of the U.S. Women’s Soccer team, opened the event with a surprise cameo, speaking to the importance of recognizing women and other underrepresented groups in startups and society.
“I always think about intersectionality and equity in this sense: if we don’t bring everyone to the table, we’re just missing parts of the story, and we’re not going to get the best products, we’re not going to get the best storytelling, and we’re not really going to get the whole picture,” Rapinoe said.
Leslie Feinzaig, founder and CEO of the Female Founders Alliance, held her daughter Ruth on her lap as she addressed the global unrest and challenges of the past year by drawing parallels to her own family’s story. Feinzaig recalled the joy that her late grandmother personified despite a life of persecution and poverty.
“My family taught me that even through the hard times, we can find our way to joy,” Feinzaig said. “And so my friends, wherever you are, Ruth and I are sending you love and health and resilience, and most importantly, I send you hope — hope for all the good people in this world that dedicate their lives and careers to leaving something behind that is better than what they receive.”
That set the tone for a virtual ceremony recognizing finalists and winners across a variety of categories. Watch a replay of the event above, and see the full list of Champion Award honorees below.
The Advocate Award: Jacqueline Murekatete, Founder & President, Genocide Survivors Foundation
The Company Award: Syndio, HR analytics company providing technology to create pay equity.
The Founder Award: Tiffany Dufu, Founder & CEO of The Cru peer coaching service for women, and author, “Drop the Ball”
The Investor Award: BLCK VC, Sydney Sykes and Frederik Groce
The Role Model Award: Loria Yeadon, President & CEO, Seattle YMCA
The Sponsor Award: Trish Millines Dziko, CoFounder & Executive Director, Technology Access Foundation
The 2020 Unsung Heroes:
● Brittany Chavez, Founder & CEO, Shop Latinx, Los Angeles, CA
● Deepti Sharma, Founder & CEO FoodtoEat, New York, NY
● Give InKind, Tacoma, WA
● Jasmine Crowe, Founder & CEO, Goodr, Atlanta, GA
● Karla Brollier, Founder & Director, The Climate Justice Initiative, Seattle, WA
● LaNesha DeBardelaben, Executive Director, Northwest African American Museum,
Seattle, WA
● Lora DiCarlo, CEO & Founder, Lora DiCarlo, Bend, OR
● Melanie Pang, Director of Advocacy, Houston Food Bank, Houston, TX
● Ruth Rathblott, CEO Harlem Educational Activities Fund, New York, NY
● Sherrell Dorsey, Founder & CEO, The Plug, Charlotte, NC
● Shila Nieves Burney, Founding Partner, Zane VC, Atlanta, GA
● Silvia Mah, Co-Founder, Adastra Ventures, San Diego, CA
● The Intentionalist, Seattle, WA
