While it is easy to move from one thing to the next, taking the time to recognize someone’s accomplishments along the way helps them know that what they are doing matters and makes a difference.
At the 10th Annual Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Awards Banquet hosted at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Ind. by Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association, women’s efforts across the Region and across different industries were recognized. McColly Real Estate Broker Jessica Kish was nominated for Businesswoman of the Year and then selected as a finalist.
“I just try to do the right thing all of the time, and I feel like the world rewards you for that,” Kish said. “It was very humbling to me to have been nominated and even more of an honor to become a finalist.”
Out of the hundreds of women from different industries, McColly Real Estate had a second nominee, this time for Up and Coming Business Woman of the Year: Director of Career Development and the New Homes Division Heather McColly.
“It was very rare to see that we had two finalists from the same industry let alone the same company, so what made it all the more special is that Jess and I were able to celebrate together. Definitely an honor,” McColly said.
Both nominees were able to attend with plenty of support in tow. McColly shared a table with her family and leaders from McColly Real Estate and Community Title Company. Kish was able to sit with her children, work team, friends, and another finalist who was also in real estate. Being able to share this experience with loved ones was certainly a highlight of the banquet, but Kish noted that being around like-minded, hard-working people was one of the best parts of the event.
“I think it's very important for me to surround myself with people that have the same values,” Kish said. “Sitting in that room and knowing it was full of women who are all doing what they can to make our corner of the world better was exciting for me. Being associated with these women made me realize I really do make an impact on people.”
With these values in common, McColly noted that the event had a contagiously positive energy; the event was not plagued with a competitive atmosphere. The attendees celebrated the unique, important roles each woman had in the workplace.
“What made the event so monumental was not the awards but the overall energy, support, and love that could be felt in the room,” McColly said. “While it’s an honor to have won, it’s the people that matter most. It meant the world to me to have my immediate family and McColly Real Estate family in attendance. We can accomplish so much more together versus on our own.”
