It was a night filled with anticipation at Burritt on the Mountain as the audience eagerly awaited the announcement of the 2021 WEDC Foundation honorees.

Jennifer Linton: “Each of these women embodies exactly what WEDC Foundation stands for …” (Photo/Steve Babin)

Each of the five women selected were nominated by another community leader who has recognized that these prominent businesswomen have made a significant impact in the Huntsville community – all while overcoming considerable obstacles as they strived for success in their respective fields.

“This group of honorees is incredible, and we are thrilled to be honoring them as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our Women Honoring Women gala event,” said Jennifer Linton, WEDC Foundation Executive Director. “Each of these women embodies exactly what WEDC Foundation stands for through their daily acts of service and inspiration to those around them.”

This year’s honorees are:

Christie Finley – With almost 30 years of experience, Finley served three school systems in Madison County. Since 2018, Finley has served as the superintendent of Huntsville City Schools. Prior appointments include director of secondary programs, school principal, and a classroom educator for several years.

Ginger Harper – Providing sound financial solutions for more than two decades, Harper serves as the community reinvestment act liaison, senior vice president, private banking, and retail marketing manager for IberiaBank. Harper serves on boards of Alabama A&M University, chairman for the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. She also works with a variety of community organizations.

This year’s WEDC Foundation honorees are, from left, Dawn Stanley, Ginger Harper, Christie Finley, Peggy Lee Wright, and Patty Sykstus. They will be honored at the annual gala Sept. 16. (Photo/Steve Babin)

Dawn Stanley – Stanley serves as the deputy director of cross programs system integration in the Exploration Systems Directorate at NASA. In addition to her career with NASA, Stanley is committed to community service and has been involved with Girls Inc. of Huntsville, The Schools Foundation, Burritt Museum, Girl Scouts, Jack and Jill of America, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Junior League, and Redstone Federal Credit Union.

Patty Sykstus – As the president of Not One More Alabama, a nonprofit organization she co-founded in 2016, Sykstus supports those struggling with addiction in their lives, to help fight the stigma associated with the disease, and to develop a family support system to reinforce recovery. The NOMA idea came about because of Sykstus’ own experience in 2012, when her son reached out to her for help in overcoming his opiate addition.

PeggyLee Wright – Since 2019, Wright has served as the president of The Company You Keep, providing business development solutions and measurable impacts across government, academia, nonprofit, and military enterprises. As a former Army UH-60 Blackhawk pilot, Wright served at the 82nd Airborne Division, Honduras and Fort Lee, Va. Wright is involved with local nonprofits, including Health Establishments at Local Schools (HEALS), where she won the “Champion for Children” award after raising $75,000 for the organization. Wright also serves on the boards for the Huntsville Special Operations Forces Network and the Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre and Academy.

The WEDC Foundation, was founded in 1998 by the Women’s Economic Development Council. The foundation strives to empower women throughout North Alabama to achieve their dreams of a better life by investing in the pursuit of higher education through mentoring, financial assistance, and professional development.

Since 2002, the foundation has hosted “Women Honoring Women,” its signature annual fundraiser. This year, the Women Honoring Women gala will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Sept. 16. For more information, visit www.wedcfoundation.org/