The Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC) announced the recipients of the 2016 Pioneering Woman and First Ascent Awards for the outdoor industry.
Nora Stowell (pictured) global sales leader with W. L. Gore & Associates, will receive the Pioneering Woman Award. Chanisa Imraporn, director of client development at The NPD Group Sports & Leisure Trends will receive the First Ascent Award. Both awards will be presented at the OIWC Keynote and Leadership Awards at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market on January 9 at 7 a.m. MST at the Marriott Downtown City Creek in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Pioneering Woman and First Ascent awards were created to honor women who have made significant achievements in the outdoor industry while working toward greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Nominated by their peers, recipients represent the present and future generations of innovative leaders in the outdoor industry.
“Nora and Chanisa have not only made an incredible impact on their respective companies, but each of them have worked to create a more diverse and inclusive culture in the outdoors for greater industry sustainability,” said Deanne Buck, executive director of OIWC. “We believe that women are the biggest opportunity for business growth and we are committed to supporting the outdoor industry in attracting and retaining top-tier female talent.”
Stowell has more than 20 years of extensive experience in the outdoor, snow, and sporting good industries and is currently the vice chairman of the executive committee for the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) board of directors. She also serves on the governance committee of OIWC and supports the organization’s mentorship program to help women advance into management positions.
Imraporn began her career with The NPD Group in 2004 and now leads a team of account managers in servicing outdoor manufacturers by providing meaningful market insights to help drive their business.
In addition to the awards presentation, Sally McCoy, longtime chief executive officer and general manager of CamelBak, will be the keynote speaker. She will explore solutions that move the active outdoor industry toward greater leadership diversity and inclusion. The event will also celebrate OIWC’s 20th anniversary.
The OIWC Keynote and Leadership Awards is open to the public. RSVP is requested, but not required. For additional information about the award recipients, visit www.oiwc.org/?AwardRecipients.　 For additional information about the event, or to RSVP, visit oiwc.org/ORWMKeynote.
