Businesswomen from across Volusia and Flagler counties gathered at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach on October 22, 2026, to celebrate a milestone: the 21st annual “Most Influential Women in Business Awards.” Organized by the Daytona Beach News-Journal in partnership with LocaliQ, the event highlighted the significant contributions of local leaders through a lens of professional excellence and community service.
The event serves as a poignant reminder of how regional business ecosystems are evolving. As these professionals navigate an increasingly digital landscape, the tools they use to scale their enterprises—ranging from AI-driven marketing platforms to cloud-based collaboration software—are becoming as vital as the leadership skills they cultivate.
Honoring Leadership in a Digital Age
The ceremony’s highest honor, the “Most Influential Woman in Business” award, was presented to Teresa Rand of Teresa Rand Consulting. Known for launching the empowering “Boss Lady” conference, Rand was lauded by presenter and philanthropist Cici Brown for her tireless dedication to mentoring and advocacy.
The success of honorees like Rand often mirrors the rapid shifts seen in the tech industry, where personal branding and digital connectivity are essential for professional growth. Whether leveraging Google’s suite of workspace productivity tools to manage remote teams or utilizing sophisticated analytics to gauge the success of a small business, modern leaders are increasingly dependent on the digital infrastructure that connects Volusia and Flagler counties to the global market.
Keynote Insights on Career Adaptation
The keynote speech was delivered by Rebecca Capparelli, vice president of promotions at the USA Today Network. Capparelli shared a narrative of career evolution, citing the journey of Disney executive Bob Iger. Her message centered on the importance of “creating new dreams” when initial career paths do not align with reality.
In the current professional climate, this advice rings especially true for those integrating artificial intelligence into their workflows. Just as Capparelli noted that one must innovate rather than simply “overcoming objections,” businesses today are finding that the most successful leaders are those who embrace technological disruption. Whether it is through the adoption of generative AI to streamline customer service or utilizing machine learning to predict market trends, the women honored at this year’s luncheon represent a demographic that is successfully pivoting to meet the demands of a high-tech future.
Celebrating Diverse Contributions
While Rand received the top award, six other leaders were recognized for their specialized contributions across various sectors:
- Civic Leader Award: Michelle Bartlome (AdventHealth)
- Most Charitable Award: Machelle “Shellye” Vallance (91.5 FM Public Radio)
- Public Sector Award: Krista Goodrich (Volusia County School Board)
- Small Business Award: Carmen Ruiz (FASTSIGNS of Daytona Beach)
- Private Sector Award: Karly White (Brown & Brown Insurance)
- Rising Star Award: Kristen Hanson (Daytona State College Foundation)
The event, which saw over 500 women recognized since its inception two decades ago, continues to evolve alongside the businesses it honors. As these leaders look toward 2027 and beyond, the intersection of community influence and technological agility will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of their success. By maintaining this commitment to both the local community and the digital tools that power modern enterprise, these women continue to set the standard for leadership in Florida.
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