The Charlotte Business Journal released its 2026 Women in Business Achievement Awards list on Tuesday, recognizing women who are making a significant impact across the Charlotte Region’s business community.
“The 25 honorees in CBJ’s Women in Business Achievement Awards program were chosen following an editorial review of their career accomplishments and community involvement,” the announcement reads. “Honorees are nominated, often by their colleagues, for recognition in this signature awards program, now in its 30th year.”
Several of this year’s honorees are leaders at Charlotte Regional Business Alliance investor companies.
Leading the list is Charlotte Hornets executive Donna Julian, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Julian is the executive vice president & chief venues officer for Hornets Sports & Entertainment, where she directs all aspects of arena administration, including operations, booking, guest experience, public safety, and marketing.
In addition to Julian, the CLT Alliance is proud to recognize 10 honorees from investor companies:
- Lauren Adderly, Hornets Sports & Entertainment
- Stephanie Dunaway Dickson, Forvis Mazars
- Hannah Little, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm
- Shelby McKay, Atlantic Coast Conference
- Nicole Mottershead, GreerWalker
- Tanisha Palvia, Moore & Van Allen
- Karen Stiles, Shumaker
- Laura Ward, Bernard Robinson & Co.
- Amy Wartham, UNC Charlotte
- Janelle Willis, Advocate Health
Nesha Pai, founder of Pai CPA and a participant in the 2021-2022 Scale Up CLT cohort, has also been honored.
CBJ will recognize the honorees in a special report to be published in March, followed by an awards event on March 26.
