The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
CCCBI hosts virtual Women Influencing Business event
Recognizes two Chester County female business leaders
EAST GOSHEN » The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry hosted its annual Women Influencing Business celebration this week — presenting its Female Business Leader of the Year and Female Rising Star awards.
The event is one of the chamber’s signature events. This year, due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic, the chamber made the decision to host the event virtually.
The Women Influencing Business event recognizes recipients for their professional achievements, initiative in the community and leadership for other women in business.
“The members of the Women Influencing Business committee give their time and effort in supporting our mission — to educate and inspire women, to enhance their business skills, develop their professional network and to be effective and influential business leaders in the community,” said Jolie Karp, of Stephano Slack and chairwoman of the Women Influencing Business Committee.
This year, the chamber recognized Stacy Martin as 2020 Female Business Leader of the Year, and Claire Freimuth as 2020 Female Rising Star of the Year.
Martin is the director of commercial sales & leasing of Hankin Group, a Chester County-based developer of large-scale mixeduse communities. Freimuth is a vice president at Branch Banking & Trust Company (BB&T), now Truist Bank, serving commercial clients in Chester and Delaware counties and the surrounding area.
Guy Ciarrocchi, president and CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, said the July 22 event was a “moment to pause” to salute two people that excel in their professions and give back to the community and help the Chester County economy.
In his remarks, Ciarrocchi said it was important to move forward with the event.
“Our chamber, while we have been working with our businesses in community at large to return and open businesses we felt it was important that we begin that process of returning things back to normal,” he said. “Tonight is a night to celebrate. It’s also a night we hope will be the beginning of bringing our chamber back and starting our community back to the way things need to be.”
Martin’s award was presented by Michael Bray, visiting instructor, Villanova University College of Business. He said he has worked with Martin for more than 7 years and admires her “overall leadership, business acumen and professionalism.”
As director of national sales and leasing for the Hankin Group, Martin is responsible for managing more than 3 million-square feet of space annually, Bray said, adding that she recently completed three commercial projects valued at more than $375 million.
“She is a staunch advocate of women in business and real estate,” he added.
Bray added that Martin has worked tirelessly in the community, as well, including roles in the Downingtown School District business/education partnership and as a member of the advisory board of the Downingtown STEM academy.
“When one works with such great organizations like this chamber, committees like Women Influencing Business and Hankin Group where so many people regularly extend themselves above and beyond the requirements of their roles, it’s difficult to consider anything one does as outstanding,” Martin said in accepting her award.
She added that her company shapes the buildings and communities it designs and builds.
“And in turn, they shape us,” she said. “They nurture us, allowing us to create, foster, innovate, collaborate and to do great work.”
Christine Ament, senior consultant with Gallagher Benefit Services and a member of the Women Influencing Business committee, presented the award to Freimuth, saying that she is passionate about helping people and businesses.”
Ament said Freimuth has been involved with big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Girl Scouts.
“Her passion to help children — specifically young girls — to understand their potential and to get exposure to professions in finance and STEM is very important to her,” Ament said.
Freimuth said she moved to Chester County three years ago, after spending much of her life in southern states.
“Chester County is by far my favorite place. The amenities the county has to offer residents and the support of its business community is not like anything I have experienced before. I couldn’t be more thankful to call this place my home,” she said.
Freimuth, one of five children, said her childhood was hectic, but she wouldn’t change a thing.
“My parents taught us to be kind, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity. They taught us taught personal responsibility with a chore chart on the fridge, and the expectation that we would all get jobs as soon as we were old enough. But more than anything, they taught me the value of hard work. Nothing comes easy, but if you break it down and work for it you will find success,” she said.
The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry has been holding smaller webinar events throughout the pandemic. According to a spokeswoman for the chamber, the Women Influencing Business event had been planned as a celebration for about 100 people with the option of also participating virtually. A shift in guidance concerning the size of indoor gatherings led to the a change in the evening. The event was broadcast from the chamber’s Paoli Pike office.
For more information about the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry visit www. cccbi.org/
— Guy Ciarrocchi, President and CEO, Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry