WISE Seeks Nominations of CNY Women Entrepreneurs for Prestigious Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards

Thursday, February 7, 2013, By Lindsay Wickham

Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE) is currently accepting nominations for the Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards, which recognize entrepreneurial spirit, economic impact and community service. The application deadline is March 1. Winners will be selected by the WISE Advisory Board and announced at the 11th Annual WISE conference, to be held April 16 at the OnCenter in Syracuse.

The awards are given annually to two women who have started Central New York-based businesses with proven success in five key areas: creation of a sustainable business and/or creation of jobs, increase in sales and profits of the business over the past three years, overcoming challenges and obstacles, innovation (methods, procedures, products, etc.) and contributions beyond their company (professional, personal, educational, etc.)

“Every year, the WISE Symposium Ann Michel Award winners personify successful women entrepreneurs and, through their example, energize those in attendance. The WISE Women’s Business Center welcomes those who are ‘energized’ to discover their personal success level,” says Joanne Lenweaver, director of the WISE Women’s Business Center.

Nominees for this award must have founded and grown a company that has made an impact in a particular market or industry and exhibited innovation. Additional key criteria for the award are the demonstration of strong entrepreneurial spirit and outstanding leadership balanced with a proven commitment to the community. Self-nominations are also welcomed.

The awards are named for Ann Michel, founder and longtime president of Knowledge Systems and Research and the inaugural winner of the Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for a High Growth Venture. She led Knowledge Systems for 21 years, transitioning it from a start-up consulting firm with six employees to an international powerhouse with more than 200 employees. Michel passed away in November 2004 and her inspiration to many led to the naming of this award in her honor.

For more information about award criteria, nomination forms or to register for the 2013 WISE Symposium, visit or contact Lindsay Wickham, events and communications manager, at 315-443-3550 or at lwickham@syr.edu.