2025 Woman of the Year Awards
The American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) New River Valley Express Chapter announced the recipients of their annual Woman of the Year awards during their monthly luncheon at the Holiday Inn Christiansburg Blacksburg on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Each year the chapter membership submits nominations for the awards, and a three-member committee chooses two award recipients – one from among the chapter membership and one from the local business community.
The 2025 ABWA Member Woman of the Year Award recipient Sherri Blevins. Sherri has served as the ABWA Vice President of Programming for the past two years, bringing engaging speakers to benefit our members from month after month. Sherri owned a driving school for over 20 years and after retiring from her business, held public office on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, where she advocated for children and safety for all. She never stopped showing up for her community, and for the many causes she holds dear. Her volunteerism, advocacy, and constant support for nonprofits, seniors, first responders, and other women are unmatched.
The 2025 ABWA Community Woman of the Year Award recipient is Marissa Smith, Vice President of Membership Engagement with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. Marissa, former educator and coach for nine years in both Virginia and South Carolina, has served the Chamber membership since October 2022. Marissa grew up in the New River Valley and is passionate about helping individuals and businesses succeed. She advocates for our local community through Chamber resources to benefit our local economy.
To find out more about the New River Valley Express Chapter of the ABWA, please visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ABWANRVExpress.
Founded in 1949 by Hilary A. Bufton Jr., a Kansas City, Missouri businessman, ABWA has thousands of members in chapters and Express Networks nationwide. ABWA has dedicated more than half a century to women’s education and provides workplace skills and career development training for its members.
–Submitted by January Gerow, VP-Marketing and Public Relations, New River Valley Express Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association
