Women of Distinction
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Save the Date: March 10, 2027
Support the next generation of female leaders in 2027. Plan to join us on March 10 at Armature Works in Tampa for the 2027 Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon!
The Women of Distinction Luncheon celebrates extraordinary women who exemplify the Girl Scout Promise and Law as business, community and philanthropic leaders. Their courage, confidence and character make them role models for Girl Scouts and all women, as they make the world a better place.
In its 35th year, this event is the longest running Women's History Month Celebration and attracts more than 600 business and community leaders across Tampa Bay.
Know a woman with extraordinary civic, professional, or philanthropic impact? Nominate her for a Woman of Distinction or Woman of Promise Award. Deadline to submit is August 31, 2026.
See all past honorees.
Explore the Benefits of Sponsoring Women of Distinction
Make a meaningful impact for the girls in our community by supporting the Women of Distinction Luncheon. Imagine the possibilities of sponsorship, with benefits that mean the most to you. Review our Sponsorship form.
Email Angelique Lenox to begin a conversation and reserve your sponsorship now!
Meet the 2027 Women of Distinction Honorary Chairs
Kathalin Carvalho 
Kathalin Carvalho is a respected executive, nonprofit leader, and passionate philanthropist whose career has been defined by a commitment to integrity, service, and creating opportunities for others. With more than 25 years of experience, she has led global compliance, ethics, governance, and risk management programs for organizations including Citibank, Banco do Brasil, and Jabil, building a reputation for principled leadership and strategic excellence.
Today, as Director of Development for RCMA, Kathalin combines her corporate expertise with her passion for community service, leading fundraising, strategic partnerships, and donor engagement efforts that expand educational opportunities and provide critical support for thousands of children and families across Florida. As a college professor, she is equally committed to mentoring the next generation of leaders, sharing her expertise while inspiring students to lead with ethics, purpose, and compassion.
A dedicated advocate for education, literacy, and family empowerment, Kathalin believes that lasting change is built through collaboration and compassion. She has devoted countless hours to supporting nonprofit organizations, mentoring others, and bringing together community leaders to strengthen the communities they serve.
Kathalin's leadership and dedication have been recognized with numerous honors, including Woman of Distinction (2023), Philanthropist of the Year (2024), and the Legacy Award (2025). Whether in the boardroom or the community, she is driven by a simple purpose: to inspire positive change and help others thrive.
Felecia Gilmore-Long
Felecia Gilmore-Long is a nationally recognized Girl Scout leader and retired banking executive with more than two decades of volunteer governance experience. A Lifetime Member and alumna of Girl Scouts, she was elected to serve on the Girl Scouts of the USA National Board of Directors (2023–2026) while concurrently serving on the National Board Development Committee (2020-2023, 2023-2026) including as Vice Chair during her second term. She previously served on the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida (2005–2017), including two terms as Board Chair (2014–2017), and later served as Chair of the Board Development Committee (2017–2019). In 2022, she was honored as a Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction in recognition of her exceptional leadership and enduring commitment to the Girl Scout Movement.
Felecia holds a bachelor’s degree in business with a major in Marketing from Florida State University. She serves as First Vice President of the Ivy Enrichment Foundation of Tampa Bay, Inc., where she provides leadership for educational programs and technology initiatives that strengthen the organization's community impact. A Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, she remains deeply committed to developing girls, strengthening communities, and advancing servant leadership.
Committed to promoting literacy, Felecia also serves on the Board of Directors of Cuddle Up and Read Every Day, Inc, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of reading among young children through family and community engagement
When she is not volunteering, Felecia enjoys curling up with a good book, experimenting with new recipes, tackling online puzzles, and spending quality time with family and friends. She and her husband, Charles, reside in Lutz, Florida.
Renée Vaughn
Renée is the retired President of the Williams Consulting Group, a
public relations and marketing firm in Tampa founded in 2003. She is
active in a number of community and professional organizations including
The Tampa Museum of Art, Leadership Tampa Alumni, Athena Society,
Hospice Women of Philanthropy, League of Exceptional Women, the American
Heart Association and an Elder at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. In
2015, Renée received the prestigious Parke Wright III Leadership Award
from Leadership Tampa Alumni and was named a Woman of Distinction by the
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. In 2019, she received the
Leadership Award presented by Working Women of Tampa Bay. This past
year, Renée was inducted into the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Hall
of Fame. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies and a Master of
Regional and City Planning – both from the University of Oklahoma.
Women of Distinction 2026
Learn more about the 2026 Women of Distinction Luncheon and our honorees: Renee Dabbs, Dr. Cynthia Johnson, J. Denise Jordan, Jessica Muroff, Evita Jackeline Garcia, and Dr. Judy Genshaft.
LEARN MOREThank you to our 2027 Sponsors:
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Honored Sponsor:
Celebrated Sponsor:
