YHN Media Group is excited to once again celebrate the Alabama Changemaker 2025 with the Women at the Impact Award.
This marks the seventh year of the event, which has become one of the most awaited occasions in Alabama’s leadership celebration, recognizing transformative contributions.
The award honors 20 remarkable women from various sectors including business, government, nonprofit, and civic life. They are not only successful in their careers but also make significant impacts.
Relatedly, the designated website focuses solely on the awards, highlighting each woman’s unique story and contributions for future generations.
This year, each honoree will be showcased in a full profile published in August and September, leading up to a formal ceremony in Birmingham that will gather leaders from across the state.
We are also pleased to present the YHN Media Group’s Mama B Prize once more, which is a lifetime achievement honor named after Joan Bassinski. This prize celebrates women whose legacies have significantly shaped Alabama over the years.
The 2025 Mama B Award will be granted to Governor Kay Ivey, recognizing her service as Alabama’s 54th Governor and her impactful work.
The 2025 Women’s Impact Class recipients were chosen based on their individual results and measurable contributions to the businesses and communities they engage with.
Congratulations to the 2025 Women of Impact:
Wendy Boyen: EVP, Community Development Lending and Investment, Regional Bank
Stacy Brown Brooks: VP, Charitable Donations, Alabama Power Company
Beth Chapman: Former Alabama Secretary
Anusha Davis: VP, Retail, Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate
Caroline Dobson: Shareholder at Maynard Nexen, candidate for Secretary of State
Susan Dubaus: Alabama Representative
Cindy Harris: VP, Emerging & Disruptive Technologies, Radiance Technologies
Erin Hollis: Lawyer, Bradley
Betsy Holloi: VP, Advancement & Marketing, Samford University
Alice Lessman: Veteran, CEO of Cepeda Systems, City Council Elect
Lee Marshall: Founder, Love Children
Melinda McGahee: Executive Director of Lovelady Center
Anna Laurie McKibbens: Attorney, Bryant Bank
Eliza Maxwell: Founder, Homer
Alicia Ryan: CEO, LSINC Corporation and Foundation Board ASCTE
Margot Shaw: Editor-in-Chief, Flower Magazine
Challis Stokes: Executive Director and President, Tidal IT Solutions and TechMGM
Shelley Sullivan: Mayor of Fairhope, Alabama Municipal Federation
Pam Swanner: President, Alabama Black Belt Adventure
Sarabeth Wilcox: Huntsville Division, Brasfield & Golly
To all recipients, congratulations! We look forward to honoring your remarkable contributions to Alabama.
