Girl Scouts of West Central Florida to Honor Six Women at Annual Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Clara Moll

Chief Development Officer

cmoll@gswcf.org

Six Extraordinary Women Have Been Named Honorees of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s Annual Women of Distinction

Women of Distinction include Dr. Kanika Tomalin, The Honorable Kathryn Starkey, Joyce Cotton and Ann Shaler; Woman of Promise is Mattie Velasco; and Hall of Fame Inductee is Maruchi Azorin.

Tampa, FLA – December 11, 2024 – Girl Scouts of West Central Florida (GSWCF) announced today the six Tampa Bay women who will be honored at its annual Women of Distinction Luncheon on March 12, 2025, at Armature Works in Tampa. In its 33rd year, this event is the longest running Women’s History Month celebration and attracts more than 600 business and community leaders across Tampa Bay.

The 2025 Women of Distinction are:

Dr. Kanika Tomalin – CEO of Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg

The Honorable Kathryn Starkey – Chair, Pasco County Board of Commissioners

Joyce Cotton – Director of Marketing and Community Partnerships, WEDU PBS.

Ann Shaler – Market Executive, Bank of America

In addition to announcing the Women of Distinction, GSWCF also named Mattie Velasco as the Woman of Promise, an award bestowed to exceptional women under age 40. Mattie is a behavioral health professional specializing in trauma-informed and person-centered care.

Finally, GSWCF will induct Maruchi Azorin into the Women of Distinction Hall of Fame. Maruchi was first honored as a Woman of Distinction in 2010. Maruchi is the founder and owner of Villa Rosa Distinctive Linens, and as the chair of the MOSI Board of Directors, she created and led the National Hispanic Scientist of the Year event.

“Our Women of Distinction honorees are extraordinary role models for our Girl Scouts for their career achievements, as well as for their continuous commitment to improving our community – and beyond,” said Mary Pat King, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida CEO. “We are so grateful to our 2025 Women of Distinction Honorary Chairs Lissette Campos, Felicia Harvey and Debbie White for their incredible support.”

“For 30-plus years, Women of Distinction has been one of Tampa Bay’s premier luncheons to celebrate Women’s History Month,” said Cami Gibertini, President of the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. “As the only fundraising event hosted annually by our local Girl Scouts, this is also the best opportunity for our community and business leaders to invest in future women leaders by showing they support Girl Scouts.”

GSWCF is grateful to Presenting Sponsor Publix Super Markets Charities, Premier Sponsor BayCare Health System, Distinguished Sponsor Marion Rich, Esteemed Sponsor Simply Healthcare and Honored Sponsors, HCA Florida and Tampa General Hospital as its first supporters of the 2025 Women of Distinction Luncheon.

To learn more about Women of Distinction, visit gswcf.org/WOD. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact GSWCF Chief Development Officer Clara Moll, at cmoll@gswcf.org.