Background
The Women of Concern Awards Luncheon is a celebration of the accomplishments of women and girls around the world and Concern Worldwide's work to break the cycle of poverty by improving livelihoods — helping to financially empower women and their communities through improved income-generating activities, business training, and grants. This year’s Women of Concern Awards Luncheon will highlight Concern’s “Graduation” Program that does exactly that.
We hope you will join us for the Women of Concern Awards Luncheon that has for over 25 years propelled us towards an equitable future while paying tribute to those who embody justice, generosity, and compassion in their work and daily lives.
All proceeds support Concern Worldwide’s Women & Girls Fund, an always-on approach to collecting and deploying funds that reach women and girls who are disproportionately impacted by conflict, climate shocks, extreme hunger, and economic instability within the communities we partner with across 25 countries.
Honoree: Kathy Bolhous
Since becoming CEO in 2010, Kathy has driven Charter Next Generation’s growth, elevating the company’s valuation from $58 million to approximately $5 billion as of 2023 through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Her leadership has firmly established Charter Next Generation as a market leader in advancing sustainability, circularity, and a low-carbon future, driven by the purpose of enhancing lives for a better world.
With over four decades of expertise, including key roles at Appleton Paper, Cascade Engineering, and Magna-Donnelly, Kathy is a beacon of inspiration for women in manufacturing. She has received numerous awards, including the Outstanding Leader in Business Award (2023) from YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, the Outstanding Corporate Citizen Impact Award from the Chicago Foundation for Women, the Entrepreneur of The Year® 2022 Midwest Award from EY, and was honored on Forbes’ “50 Over 50” list in 2021.
Host
Sophie is originally from Ireland and has been working with nonprofits and charities in New York for 8 years. She is a Master of Ceremonies and Auctioneer, and has already fundraised over half a million dollars for non profits on stage in 2024. Sophie ran the NYC Marathon in 2018 for Concern and is passionate about supporting the work Concern does. She is known for her infectious energy and trademark Irish charm.
Moderator
Gemma Allen is a New York based writer, communications, and marketing consultant. She has almost 20 years of experience in the technology industry, advising C-level executives on international growth strategy since 2015. Her expertise spans government relations, go-to-market strategy, and corporate development. A Forbes contributor since 2023, Allen focuses on female advancement and the technology industry. Her work spans topics like the role of AI in women’s everyday lives and the impact of female change agents. She was raised in Ireland, has an MSc from University College Dublin, and is a prominent member of the Irish-American business community, holding various board positions. She also writes for Nasdaq on the nexus of technology and culture. Follow Allen for insights into the lived realities of female employees, founders, leaders, and mothers.
Auctioneer
John P. Walcher is a Senior Specialist and auctioneer for Rago Wright LLC and Toomey & Co. Auctioneers, and joined the company in 2013. Since joining the company, John has managed and curated numerous collections at auction and helped oversee many important collections, including: The Collection of Ira Simon: Sold to Benefit the Art Institute of Chicago, The Paul and Terry Somerson Collection of 20th & 21st Century Metalwork and Jewelry, The Warshawsky Collection, The Estate of Candice B. Groot, The Collection of Governor Jim Thompson and The Estate of Robert E. “Butch" McGuire, among others. He also regularly assists many charitable organizations by offering his services as a professional auctioneer and has been helping Concern raise funds since 2018.
Women of Concern Co-Chairs
