The Top Ten Professional Women & Leading Business Awards, presented by CalViva Health, are a hallmark awards ceremony that highlights the achievements and commitment of individuals who have raised the bar in their professions and enriched the lives of others, while raising awareness surrounding the issue of domestic violence.
The 41st Annual Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards ceremony will take place at the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center in the New Exhibit Hall on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, commencing at 11 am.
This event not only provides recognition to individuals and organizations but also serves as a platform to inspire others and promote the values of leadership, excellence, and community service. The 41st Anniversary Top Ten event will pay tribute to ten women who have excelled professionally, served as role models and given back to their communities, as well as one business for its support of women and women's issues. They join an alumni class that has greatly impacted the Central Valley community over the last four decades.
Dr. Jaswant Chahal-Matharu, Physician, Obgyn Associates, Inc
Cynthia Bruno Rafferty, CEO, Richard Heath & Associates, inc
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, Throughout Fresno County
2024 Leading Business: Payroll People, INC Represented by Bettye Smith
For the first time in event history, the event keynote speaker, sponsored by Valley Children's Healthcare, is a married couple, Danielle and Mark Herzlich, who have made it their personal mission to spend their lives advocating for survivors of domestic violence, and other important issues.
Danielle was raised in a violent home, and as a teenager, found herself in an abusive teen dating relationship. She spent many years of her life hiding, never speaking of it, and internalizing her anger. After escaping the unhealthy and abusive relationship after high school, she attended Boston College where she decided to join the military. She enlisted in the Massachusetts Nation Guard, enrolled in Boston College's ROTC program, and would later join the New Jersey Nation Guard as the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate for the State of New Jersey.
During her junior year of college, Danielle met Mark Herzlich, who was a football player at Boston College. Shortly after they began dating, Mark was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a very rare form of bone cancer. He was given a 10% change of survival, but he would go on to beat cancer, play seven seasons with the New York Giants and win a Super Bowl.
In very different ways, Danielle and Mark are bonded in their stories of survival. Danielle says that Mark helped her stop looking at herself as a victim, and helped her ot embrace being a survivor.
Mark's former New York Giants teammate, good friend, and Fresno State Alum, David Carr, will moderate the discussion focused on what we can do as a community to combat domestic violence and support survivors.