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Women of Achievement Awards Reception

Women of Achievement Awards Reception

The 2025 Women of Achievement Awards Reception brought together community leaders, supporters, and friends to celebrate outstanding women who make a real difference across South Jersey. Guests honored women from all six counties, along with our Woman Scouter of the Year, whose leadership, service, and commitment to others  reflect the values of Scouting. The event was proudly led by our co-chairs, Dr. Joanne Connor and Tammy Garrison. 

The program included inspiring remarks and recognition of each honoree’s achievements, and it highlighted the importance of helping young people grow into confident and capable leaders. Support from sponsors and attendees helped raise important funds that strengthen Scouting programs for more than 4,500 youth in our region. 

It was a warm and uplifting evening that celebrated women whose dedication continues to build stronger communities and brighter futures.

If you were unable to attend but would like to support the council, your contribution is always appreciated and can be made here.

2025 Awards Reception Program Book

2025 Honorees

Keisha Stephenson Taylor - Burlington County
Burlington County

Keisha Stephenson Taylor, Ed.D.
Sr. Director, Alumni & Postsecondary Engagement
NAF

Janice Campbell - option 2 - Camden County
Camden County

Janice Campbell
Founder
Tri-State Canine

Amy Mahon - Cape May County
Cape May County

Amy J. Mahon
Partner & COO
Reich Asset Management, LLC

Dawn S. Hunter
Cumberland County

Dawn S. Hunter
Executive Director
Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce

Gloucester County

Vojislava Pophristic, Ph.D.
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Rowan University

Candice Racite - Salem County 1
Salem County

Candice Racite, Ed.D.
Associate Vice President, Industry Engagement
Rowan College of South Jersey

Chris Aziz - Woman Scouter of the Year
Woman Scouter of the Year

Chris Aziz
Longtime Scouter and Volunteer

Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor

Gold Life Sponsors

sponsor-pseg

Silver Star Sponsor

Rowan College South Jersey

Bronze First Class Sponsors

rowan-university8573

Please submit your ad and company logo by Thursday, October 30, 2025 to 690specialevents@scouting.org
RSVP with guest names by October 30, 2025.

Check payable to:
Garden State Council
693 Rancocas Rd., Westampton, NJ 08060

Celebrate Impact

Your support empowers youth through adventure, service, and learning—
preparing them for lives of leadership and civic responsibility.

About The Honoress

Keisha Stephenson Taylor, Ed.D.

Burlington County

Dr. Keisha Stephenson Taylor is the Senior Director of Alumni & Postsecondary Engagement at NAF, a national network preparing students to be college, career, and future ready. A leader in education and workforce development, she also dedicates over 20 years of service to community organizations across Burlington County.

Janice Campbell

Camden County

Founder and President of Tri-State Canine Response Team, Janice Campbell has grown the nonprofit from five teams to nearly 100 handler/dog teams serving more than 210,000 people worldwide. She has been honored with the NJ Governor’s Volunteerism Award and MHANJ’s Behavioral Healthcare Hero Award for her visionary leadership and compassionate service.

Amy J. Mahon

Cape May County

Partner & COO of Reich Asset Management, Amy Mahon brings more than 15 years of financial expertise and operational leadership. Honored as a Woman of Wonder and Cape May Chamber Volunteer of the Year, she is also President of the Love of Linda Cancer Fund and an active leader in community service, education, and the arts.

Dawn S. Hunter

Cumberland County

As Executive Director of the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce, Dawn Hunter leads a network of over 400 member businesses and organizations. She has been recognized with the NJ State Chamber Alliance Partner of the Year Award and continues to champion business growth, education, and civic engagement throughout Cumberland County.

Vojislava Pophristic, Ph.D.

Gloucester County

Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Rowan University, Dr. Vojislava Pophristic advances academic excellence, access, community service, education, the arts, and student success. Her leadership strengthens Rowan’s role as a hub for innovation and higher education in South Jersey.

Candice Racite, Ed.D.

Salem County

Dr. Candice Racite is Associate Vice President of Industry Engagement at Rowan College of South Jersey, where she builds strong partnerships between education and workforce development. She is dedicated to creating opportunities that connect students to meaningful careers and support economic growth in Salem County.

Chris Aziz

Woman Scouter of the Year

A lifelong Scouter and dedicated volunteer, Chris Aziz has devoted decades of service to youth across South Jersey. Her leadership and mentorship have inspired countless Scouts to embrace the values of character, citizenship, and service.

Past Honorees

Year County Name
2012
Camden
Patricia Purdy
2012
Cape May
Lynda Pagliughi
2012
Cumberland
Marlene Asselta
2012
Gloucester
Pamela Clark
2012
Salem
Julie A. Acton
2013
Burlington
Amy R. Webb
2013
Camden
Debra Rosen, Esq
2013
Cape May
Maura McMahon
2013
Cumberland
Louise Bertacchi
2013
Gloucester
Nina S. Sorelli, CPA, CFE
2013
Salem
Joyce Skradzinski
2014
Burlington
Mary Ann Boccolini
2014
Camden
Stacey J. Sinclair, Esq
2014
Cape May
Maryanne Adams
2014
Cumberland
Gail Marino
2014
Gloucester
Lynda L. Hinkle, Esq
2014
Salem
Tammy Maciocha
2015
Burlington
Peg Knight, RN
2015
Camden
June A. Sernak
2015
Cape May
Vicki T. Clark
2015
Cumberland
Kathleen Norton Gallaher
2015
Gloucester
Michelle Gollapalli
2015
Salem
Linda DuBois
2016
Burlington
Jennifer Starkey
2016
Camden
Tish Colombi
2016
Cape May
Ronnie Town
2016
Cumberland
Pamela Ann Sjogren
2016
Gloucester
Barbara Wallace
2016
Salem
Lt. Col. Gwyn Parris-Atwell
2017
Burlington
Mary Ann O'Brien
2017
Camden
Adrienne Kirby, PhD
2017
Cape May
Nancy Cleaver
2017
Cumberland
Tammy Garrison
2017
Gloucester
Lt. Col. Barbara McCormick, MSN, RN, CEN
2017
Salem
BJ Ayars
2018
Burlington
Sharon Hammel
2018
Camden
Debra P. DiLorenzo
2018
Cape May
E. Marie Hayes
2018
Cumberland
Shirley J. Sever
Year County Name
2018
Gloucester
Jennifer Young
2018
Salem
Nicki Burke
2019
Burlington
Felicia Hopson
2019
Camden
Joccola T. Thomas
2019
Cape May
Dr Barbara Gaba
2019
Cumberland
Dr Shelly Schneider
2019
Gloucester
Lisa Carney
2019
Salem
Ceil Smith
2020
Burlington
Bridget Wiese
2020
Camden
Dr Helene Burns
2020
Cape May
Melonie Colette
2020
Cumberland
Veronica Sergiacomi
2020
Gloucester
Patricia D. Claghorn, EdD
2020
Salem
Elizabeth "Betsy" Harris
2021
Burlington
Anne Caruso
2021
Camden
Christina Renna
2021
Cape May
Joanne Carrocino
2021
Cumberlan
Minerva Alvarado
2021
Gloucester
Joanne Connor
2021
Salem
Thersa Widger
2022
Burlington
Dr. Tiffani A. Worthy
2022
Camden
Betty Maul
2022
Cape May
Denise Beckson
2022
Cumberland
Christy DiLeonardo
2022
Gloucester
Robin Walton
2022
Salem
Elaine Dunner
2023
Burlington
Kristi Howell
2023
Camden
Lavinia Awosanya
2023
Cape May
Camille Fitzmartin
2023
Cumberland
Tyrese Jacinto
2023
Glouster
Catherine Allen-Carlozo
2023
Salem
Sue Ann Leighty
2024
Burlington
Nicole Gillespie
2024
Camden
Gaetane Jean-Marie, Ph.D
2024
Cape May
Rubye Hutchinson
2024
Cumberland
Donna Perez
2024
Gloucester
Eve Pappas
2024
Salem
Debbie Behnke
2025
Burlington
Keisha Stephenson Taylor, Ed.D.
2025
Camden
Janice Campbell
2025
Cape May
Amy J. Mahon
2025
Cumberland
Dawn S. Hunter
2025
Gloucester
Vojislava Pophristic, Ph.D.
2025
Salem
Candice Racite, Ed.D.

*Deceased

Development Team Contact

If you would like more information about Garden State Council's Distinguished Citizen Awards and the many ways you can support the mission of Scouting in South Jersey, we invite you to contact us by email.