Dr. Karen M. Gil, Lee G. Pedersen Distinguished Professor of Psychology and professor of psychiatry at UNC-Chapel Hill, will be recommended to the board of trustees as the next dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Meredith College alumna and Raleigh resident Lisa Piercy, director of Ragsdale Liggett’s lobbying and government relations group, was selected for the Meredith College Fund Board, the annual, unrestricted giving program.  

UNC-Chapel Hill honored the following with 2009 C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Awards: Pamela Breeden, housekeeper; Victoria Madden, research specialist in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Jane Smith, associate director of university events in University Advancement; and Anna Wu, director of facilities planning and university architect.

Conni Tucker, assistant executive director of Wake County Economic Development, participated in a symposium on global development hosted by Wake Technical Community College and its economics club.  

Laura A. Schoppe, president of Fuentek, a consulting firm that provides intellectual property and technology management services, was named to the editorial advisory board of the Association of University Technology Managers.

The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham counties gave 18 scholarships to local graduating seniors, including Hannah Boatright and Alyssa Cooper of Northern High School, Alexandria Carroll of Orange High School and Kristin Lassiter of Riverside High School.

Norma Miller, a 63-year-old recent Wake Tech graduate, and Wake Tech student Barbara Coleman took first place in the Cake Challenge at the college’s annual Pastry Show and Competition. In the Cold Food and Pastries categories, Wake Tech’s Mo Kurtz, Lisa Bence and Melissa Lee won first, second and third place, respectively. Bence also received the Judge’s Award.

Rose Marie Leo, international marketing and talent manager at the House of Albert Fashions, said the studio is offering 12 internships to fashion students in their senior year.

The second book by Raleigh author Andrea Ferrell, “Nordic Ice,” was published. 

Raleigh-raised professor Laura Brodie wrote a novel entitled “The Widow’s Season.”

Former Durham resident Tracy Drach returned to the city to perform at Common Ground Theatre with nationally touring singer-songwriter-comic Jamie Anderson, another Durham local, and her all-women band Broad Street. 

Raleigh’s Diane Chamberlain, who is the author of 18 novels, is signing her latest book, “Secrets She Left Behind,” at the Women Helping Women Business Expo, which is a benefit this month for the Women’s Center of Wake County.

The art of Suzy Andron of Raleigh is on temporary loan to Ansible Mobile for display at its global headquarters in New York.

North Carolina artist Siglinda Scarpa hosted a Pittsboro spring art show, featuring her most recent pottery and sculpture, to benefit the Goathouse Refuge, a sanctuary for abandoned and injured cats.

Apex photographer Anne Clay collaborated with a Boston fine art portraitist and multi-media photographer to shoot 22 Apex women who posed as vintage Hollywood subjects for a book in the works. Cheri Kinney’s Hair, Body & Sole Salon & Spa and makeup artist Ashley Bromirski of Radiant Beauty provided services.

The Durham School of the Arts Advanced Middle School Chorus, directed by Laura B. A. Delauney, won the Triangle Youth Chorus Trophy for 2009. This is the first year a middle school has been honored.

The latest works of folded vases by Cary’s Sarah Cawn are available at Nicole’s Studio & Art Gallery in Raleigh.

Holly Springs fine artist Willie Green-Aldridge gave a free painting demonstration at a benefit for the American Cancer Society.

The Preiss Co., a multi-state off-campus housing provider with headquarters in Raleigh, announced:
• Susan Folckemer, CPM, executive vice president, was a panelist at the Women in Real Estate event at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School in Chapel Hill.
• Donna Preiss, founder and CEO, presented at the second annual RealShare Student Housing Conference in Texas.

Durham-based Sew Fine II Draperies and Interiors, owned by Paula Fullerton, was recognized by Hunter Douglas as one of America’s top window fashion dealers. To mark the recognition, Hunter Douglas made a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network on behalf of Sew Fine II.

Tami Grabowski, commercial insurance specialist, joined the Carolyn N. Padgette Nationwide Agency in Raleigh as an associate agent.

Patti Rieser, RN, earned white belt certification as a Nia movement teacher and will begin teaching Nia at the Durham Arts Council.

Dunn resident Mary Miller was promoted to an associate with FreemanWhite, which provides architectural, engineering, interior design and consulting services to healthcare organizations.

Jessica Williams and Whitney Page of Lather Hair Salon in Raleigh attended the International Beauty Show New York, a leading trade show and educational opportunity for those in the industry. In Raleigh, Lather stylists prepared runway models for “Threads: Senior Collection 2009” at NCSU.

La Therapie Spa at Preston opened a hair salon, according to owner Nina Milano

Laura DiGirolamo, president of Forever Bridal Productions, said the firm won the award for Best Exhibitor Marketing Piece at the Bridal Show Producers International Conference.

Beverly Murray, president of R+M, a brand experience agency, announced the successful re-launch of www.marbleskidsmuseum.org, a Web site for Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh.

Lou Jurkowski, CEO of BJAC, an architectural firm, was certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional by the U.S. Green Building Council. 

Laura Kelly, owner of Laura Kelly Designs & Licensing in Apex, launched her newest collections — Me & My Peeps and Initially Framed — at the SURTEXT 2009 Tradeshow in Manhattan.

Eileen Batson, owner of Batson Group Marketing and PR, will speak this month on LinkedIn at the Women Helping Women Business Expo.

Sarah M. Place, president and CEO of Place Trade Financial, a brokerage firm based in Raleigh, announced that her advice on mutual fund reports was featured in a Top Personal Finance News story on CNBC.com. The article was picked up by other Web sites and The Dallas Morning News. Also, Place was on Bankrate.com for her advice on mutual funds.

Lisa Higginbotham, an owner of 5Star Awards in Cary, was selected to serve on the national trade show committee for the Awards and Recognition Association for 2009-2010.

Fran Giannuzzi of Raleigh is now doing business as In Fran’s Hands, which offers in-home services for seniors who want to remain independent in their homes.

Michel Marrano joined Blazing Music+ Sound as a sound engineer, working primarily on mixing and sound design for the company’s broadcast TV work, including “Jon & Kate Plus 8” and “18 Kids and Counting.”

Clean Design announced:
• Natalie Perkins, president of the agency, was named to the steering committee for the 2009 N.C. Education Ball, a charity event that raises money to decrease the high-school dropout rate.
• The firm was chosen as the agency of record for the N.C. Center for Women in Public Service, a nonprofit organization that builds the involvement of women at all levels of governance across North Carolina by preparing them to seek and serve in elected and appointed offices.
 
Elizabeth Wallace was promoted to executive vice president of Rocky Top Hospitality, the Raleigh-based operator of restaurants.

Stephanie Styons, senior vice president of public relations at Howard, Merrell & Partners, announced:
• The firm received two Awards of Excellence from the Silver InSpire Awards hosted by the N.C. Public Relations Society of America.
• Amber Frasketi joined the account management department as a senior account supervisor. 

RightTime KiDS, a new professional childcare franchise, provided two hours of free childcare to parents interviewing for local jobs in May. Lori Klein is the president and CEO of RightTime KiDS.

Diane Kuehn, president and CEO of VisionPoint Marketing, announced that the firm has been certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, in partnership with the Greater Women’s Business Council.  

Sitter Connection, founded by Meredith alumna Amanda Bordeaux, announced new babysitting options for parents during the summer.

Theresa Chiettini, general manager of the Fearrington House Restaurant, noted that it was identified as one of the 50 best overall restaurants nationally according to OpenTable, a provider of online reservations for diners.

Joy Ruhmann, managing director of Ruhmann Associates, a talent assessment and leadership development firm, spoke at the sixth annual Women in Banking Conference, hosted by the N.C. Bankers Association in Greensboro.

Raleigh native Audra J. Renth was named a sales executive at the branch office in Raleigh of SIA Group, an insurance agency. 

Foxglow, a company conceived and developed by a local mother-daughter team, Missy Julian Fox and Betsy Fox, unveiled a Chapel Hill collection of candles.

Technical Services, an electrical training and recruiting firm, announced:
• Lisa Pineiro, president of the firm and founder of WOmen @ Work, a nonprofit organization, was named to the Durham Workforce Development Board. 
• Pineiro was named the 2009 N.C. Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

Patty Briguglio, president of MMI Associates, a Raleigh-based public relations firm, said Raleigh resident and UNC-CH graduate Gabriella Remington joined the firm as traffic coordinator. 

Co-owners and sisters Leeann, Cheryl and Katie Hynes opened a boutique in Raleigh, called Epona & Oak, with a unique concept that combines wellness and shopping.

Marcia Branco was named vice president, practice director at 1SecureAudit, a global operational risk management and business audit firm. 

Cary resident Jaclyn Lucas was Allstate Insurance’s North Carolina rookie of the year.

Denise S. Bennett, president of DS Bennett Business Strategies and Focus Visions Mortgage Group, received the 2009 Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole Living Legend Award. Also, she received a 2009 Pinnacle Small Business Award, which is given to the Triangle’s most successful entrepreneurs by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

Kathryn Olive, president of Koroberi, a business-to-business marketing agency based in Chapel Hill, said it landed the No. 2 spot in the small agency category of BtoB Magazine’s 2009 Top Agencies Report.

Deborah McNaughton, founder and president of AZULI SKYE, with headquarters in Apex, announced:
• She is in “Mom on the Street” on thefamilygrove.com and the featured Mom-entrepreneur on momtobedepot.com.
• AZULI SKYE jewelry was featured in the following magazines: Woman’s World, First for Woman, Life & Style, All You and Bridal Guide.
• The jewelry will be covered in the October issue of Redbook.

Mulberry Tree Consulting named Carlene Cearley of Cary the director of marketing.

A television spot, filmed at the Golden Belt in Durham, and multiple radio spots produced by Red Truck Films and Blazing Music+Sound, with executive producer Cathy Wilson, for nonprofit Wake Enterprises won first place in the category of Public Service Campaign in the American Advertising Federation’s 2009 Club Achievement Awards.

Valerie K. Fields, CEO of V.K. Fields & Co. Public Relations, was elected treasurer of the Women’s Forum of North Carolina, an invitational, non-partisan organization of female leaders dedicated to achieving equality and maintaining social, economic and political power for women. Other newly elected officers include Robin Hudson, associate justice of the N.C. Supreme Court, president; Paula Wolf, vice president; Debra Derr of Raleigh, past president; and Linda Suggs of Morrisville, secretary.

The Women’s Center of Wake County announced additions to its board of directors, including Charlotte Mitchell. Mitchell is an associate attorney, focusing primarily on environmental regulatory and compliance matters, at the Raleigh office of K&L Gates.

Damita Chambers, communications outreach specialist at Interact, a nonprofit agency that provides safety, support and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault, announced:
• Interact celebrated the opening of the new National Model Program — the Family Safety and Empowerment Center in Raleigh, which provides wrap-around services for victims and survivors of violence and abuse.
• Interact’s thrift store, which is called Pass It On, Too, opened near Cameron Village in Raleigh. The women’s boutique helps fund Interact’s counseling programs.

Pilar Rocha-Goldberg was appointed interim executive director of El Centro Hispano of Durham, a nonprofit organization dedicated to working with Latino residents.

The 2009 Tuxedo Cat Ball, which was held in April, raised more than $40,000 to benefit the mission of SAFE Haven for Cats and the SAFE Care Feline Spay/Neuter Clinic, according to Pam Miller, the group’s founder and executive director.

Nancy McFarlane, a member of the Raleigh City Council and president of MedPro Rx, a provider of specialty pharmacy services to clients with chronic illnesses, will serve as a dance contest judge at the 2009 N.C. Education Ball. The event is hosted by Communities in Schools of North Carolina. 

Raleigh residents Kay Murphy, Lissa Dailey and Sandra Moonert were finalists in the inaugural “Women Who Lead” awards program conducted by the nationwide Executive Women’s Golf Association, a nonprofit group that promotes the sport for women. The awards recognize outstanding achievement by chapter leaders.

For teaching and providing many program opportunities for girls, Rachel Patterson Frawley received the Mainstay Award at the Orange County Girl Scouts annual recognition dinner. The award is the highest given by Girl Scouts – N.C. Coastal Pines.  

Jennifer Dunleavy, president of The Accuro Group, a talent solutions organization that provides staffing and management services, spoke about maximizing results in a job search at a meeting of CareerNet, a community outreach program for those in career transition.

Amy Carver, executive director of Cary-based Children’s Flight of Hope, a nonprofit group that provides free private air transportation to medical facilities for kids suffering from illnesses, announced that MacGregor Draft House raised more than $2,000 for the charity during March.

Sandee Washington, founder of the Achievement Academy in Durham, is leaving her current position as a director and joining the organization’s advisory council. Her duties will be turned over to co-directors Sandy Ogburn and Gayle Erdheim.

Conni Tucker, president of Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and assistant executive director of Wake County Economic Development, announced the following about CREW’s 11th annual Champion Awards:
• The event was organized by Angela Murphy, Triangle CREW special events officer and marketing director for Ross/Deckard Architects.
• Sharon Delaney McCloud, managing partner of Triangle Media Trainers, was the emcee.
• Judges included Debbie Lilly, vice president of client services for Research Triangle Regional Partnership; Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, northern region vice president for Progress Energy; and Liz Rooks, planning and development vice president for Research Triangle Foundation.

Billie Redmond, CEO of Coldwell Banker Commercial TradeMark Properties, received the 2009 Triangle CREW Impact Award -- the first woman to get it.

ERA Pacesetters Realty said recent sales leaders included Pat Elroy, Terri McCall, Lisa Ligouri, Mallika Perera, Nancy Guenther, Tammy Hahn, Phyllis Tipton, Nikki Belsito and Gwen Hager.

Coldwell Banker Commercial TradeMark Properties announced:
• Billie Redmond, CEO, was named master of ceremonies for the 2009 N.C. CEO Forum in Cary.
• Raleigh resident Tara Kreider joined the Advisory Services Division as a real estate advisor.
• Anita Stevens joined the McGee’s Crossroads office of Coldwell Banker Advantage.

The Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors announced:
• A podcast was released featuring Phyllis Brookshire, regional vice president of Allen Tate Realtors, discussing the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers.

Mary Edna Williams, broker and owner of RE/MAX Capital Realty, was re-appointed as the National Association of Realtors Federal Political Coordinator for Rep. Brad Miller (D-13th).

Allen Tate Realtors announced:
• Jenny Lundquist, Michelle Melvin and Sue Demick, Realtors in the Falls of Neuse office, and Janis Marsh and Betsie Huben, Realtors in the Glenwood office, have earned the Master’s Designation.
• The company presented a check for $7,500 to the Poe Center for Health Education in Raleigh.

Kandy Kidd joined Capital Associates, a commercial real estate development company.

Gaye Orr, partner and vice president of Coldwell Banker Advantage New Homes, announced:
• She was a featured speaker at a meeting of the Sales & Marketing Council of the Charlotte Home Builders Association.
• Anny King was named builder representative for Fern Valley in Fuquay-Varina.

Lorena S. Beese, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry at Duke University in Durham, was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, an advisory organization to the president and Congress that is composed of experts in all scientific fields.

Owner Elizabeth Paner announced the grand opening of Midtown Medi-Spa in Raleigh.

Blue Water Spa staff members Miyuki Dunn, Maribeth Hedeman, Jennifer Hassett and Liliana Guarino donated more than $20,000 in spa services for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Melody Pinder joined Wake Radiology’s North Hills Imaging Center as office manager.

Dr. Darcy Ward and Dr. Jennifer Greenfield of North Raleigh’s Center for Chiropractic & Wellness said the practice is offering more massage therapy services. Kathy Wilson, the newest addition to the practice, is a licensed massage and body therapist.

Nancy Nicoll O’Neill, administrator at Raleigh Plastic Surgery Center, announced it’s the first medical practice to join Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s new sponsorship program, Doctors for the Cure.

Eileen Slutsky, RN, of Aesthetics by Eileen, donated more than $3,000 to Girls Rock N.C., a nonprofit group that encourages girls to be confident, creative and responsible members of their communities.

Amaris Balkus, Jenny Bullock and Debbie Penney, of Michael Law M.D. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, donated more than $1,300 in spa services to Angels Among Us, benefiting the research and clinical trials of brain and spinal tumors.