Emerald Awards Recognize Five Leaders

Girl Scout Emma Smith with Emerald Honoree Chair and sponsor Lois Pope
( Premier Photo Palm Beach)

(Press Release) Palm Beach, Florida (May 7, 2025) – An inspiring afternoon of celebration and philanthropy took center stage at the Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach as Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida hosted the distinguished Emerald Awards Palm Beach luncheon, raising more than $170,000. The funds raised will help the organization continue to empower girls to grow into leaders who make a difference in their communities and beyond.

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More than 300 guests and sponsors attended the annual Emerald Awards Palm Beach luncheon honoring Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy honoree and Palm Beach resident Nancy Brinker, Founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Promise Fund of Florida, in recognition of her extraordinary impact and enduring commitment to women's health. The event also honored four exceptional women for their professional achievements and community service that distinguish them as leaders and role models for young women. The 2025 Emerald Awards honorees were Christine DelVecchio, Senior Vice President and Private Client Manager at Bank of America Private Bank; Sophia Eccleston, Director of Origination for NextEra Energy Marti LaTour, Director of Marketing for The A.I.D Group; Wendy Sartory Link, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections.

Nancy Brinker
Brinker is a three-time Ambassador and New York Times best-selling author and leader of the global breast cancer movement. Her journey began with a promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, to end the shame, fear, and hopelessness caused by this disease. In one generation, the organization that bears Susan’s name has changed the world. In 2009, President Barack Obama honored Brinker with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, for this work. She was also named Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control for the United Nations’ World Health Organization, where she continues to prioritize cancer prevention globally.

Christine DelVecchio
DelVecchio is Senior Vice President and Private Client Manager at Bank of America Private Bank in Palm Beach. Active in Bank of America’s Mentorship Program, DelVecchio imparts her years of experience to help young professionals grow and strive in their careers and is deeply committed to philanthropy. She co-chairs and is President of Impact the Palm Beaches, leading a group of 400 women in awarding $100,000 in grants to local non-profits, helping to make a significant impact on the community.
 
Sophia Eccleston
Eccleston, is Director of Origination for NextEra Energy and a leader in community service, where she serves as an Executive Board Member for CareerSource Florida, a commissioner, and past Chair of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, and a board member of Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Her leadership has earned her multiple accolades, including the 2023 Minority Community Leader Award from Keiser University and the 2023 Women in Leadership Award from the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation.

Marti LaTour
LaTour is Director of Marketing for The A.I.D Group. LaTour has served as Chairman of the Board of the Palm Beach County Food Bank for the past six years. She is Vice Chairman of the Board at Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts, a Board Member of the Community Foundation of Palm Beach County, FAU Tech Runway, Lois Pope’s LIFE Foundation, the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach Round Table and is active in numerous other organizations.

Wendy Sartory Link
Link is the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections. Throughout her career, Link has been dedicated to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of leaders. She takes pride in her role as a mentor and has made significant contributions to the development of young women and men across Palm Beach County, inspiring them to reach their full potential.

Guests at the luncheon enjoyed a silent auction, honoree recognition ceremony and a keynote address from Mary Kissel, a distinguished geopolitical expert, executive and former journalist with a dynamic career spanning three continents.

The Emerald Awards Palm Beach was chaired by Virginia Spencer. Geri Emmett, Donna Mulholland and Lois Pope served as honorary event chairs. Host committee members were Priya Deshmukh, Andrea Fogarty, Kathryn Gillespie, Jackie Halderman, Kathleen Hillman, Lynn Kirker, Robin Mason, Melissa Mulvaney, Gail O’Donnell, Suzi Redland, Ofelia Utset and Marcia Wolf.

Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida also presented honorary event chair, longtime Girl Scout volunteer, and previous Emerald Award honoree Donna Mulholland with a Lifetime Service Award at this year’s event. Since the award’s inception in 2014, it has recognized extraordinary, sustained volunteer service that has helped shape the organization and impact generations of young women.

“Each year, the Emerald Awards shine a light on outstanding women whose passion, perseverance and leadership help shape stronger communities,” said Lisa Johnson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. “Their stories inspire our girls to dream bigger and lead with courage, confidence and character.”

Ruby Sponsors of the 2025 Emerald Award Palm Beach were Publix Super Market Charities and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office; Award Sponsors were Amazon, Comcast, Florida Power & Light, HCA Florida Healthcare, and Lois Pope; Sapphire Sponsors were Duffy’s Foundation and Fiserv; Illustrated Properties was the Valet Sponsor; PNC Bank was the Décor Sponsor; Opal Sponsors were Bank of America, LaCroix Sparkling Water and Sandy James Fine Food and Productions; and Pearl Sponsor was Virginia and Perry Spencer. Friends of Girl Scouts Sponsors were Israel, Israel and Associates, Linda Strutt Consulting, Inc., Munyon’s Paw-Paw, Lauren Sterlacci, TD Bank and Velocity Community Credit Union. Table Sponsors were Palm Beach State College, Christine Seal, UBS Financial Services, Inc. and Valley National Bank.