RECAPPING S.H.E. WEEK 2025

The seventh year of S.H.E. Week was held August 4-8, 2025 and was instrumental in showing women in Frederick County how to harness their momentum and keep moving forward with strength, heart, and equality.

The week started with a Conference Day held at The Clarion Inn Frederick Events Center with 240 attendees. A panel titled Financial Momentum: Building Wealth and Security for Women kicked off the morning. Panelists included Amanda Haddaway, Jennifer Calara, Celestina Agyekum and moderated by Jennifer Milas. Nicole Sherry's Keynote, Breaking Barriers and Building Momentum gave attendees an inside look into what it's like being one of only two female groundskeepers in Major League Baseball. Amy DeLouise led participants through a workshop titled Advance Your Voice, Build Your Brand as a Leader. Nikkie Byrd led a Creative Momentum activity to close out the afternoon.

S.H.E. Pitch is a pitch competition for female entrepreneurs designed to give businesses both in the “idea stage” and “growth stage” cash prizes, publicity and networking opportunities. This year, we were able to award each finalist with $500 and $13,000 in total prize money thanks to the generous support of community investors including the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, First United Bank & Trust, Kiddie Academy of Ballenger Creek, OrangeTheory Fitness, Pitch Creator, VCRE,  Frederick Wig Co, Karen Kristen Consulting, and Octavo Designs. Additional prizes included advertising opportunities in Sass Magazine, a voucher to PrintatHood, and a free QuickBooks course from Details Matter Bookkeeping & Advisory.

Winners Include: 
Growth Stage: Sweet Maddie's: Cookies on Demand
Idea Stage: NCE BIM Consulting
People’s Choice Award: Sweet Maddie's: Cookies on Demand
She’s Rising Award: Nonprofit Growth Strategies of MD
Pitch Creator Hustle Award: The Play Cafe

The SHERO Awards were established to celebrate and shine a light on 
individuals who are making an impact by triumphing over adversity, demonstrating extraordinary care for others or leading change in our community.

Awardees Include:
Strength - Sandra Hofmeister
Heart - Alexandra Gushard-Edwards
Equality - Rev. Suzanne Adele Schmidt, PhD

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A LOOK INSIDE S.H.E. WEEK 2025

2025 Program book

official photos

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"The spirit of this week is fantastic and absolutely worth fostering!
​Love the intention and the energy."

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SPONSORS

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE:

"The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Committee’s S.H.E. Week initiative was a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate the successes of local women. The week was an enriching experience to learn from local women who have blazed trails, transformed lives and created new opportunities for the next generation of female leaders. I enjoyed hearing their stories of success and failure, perseverance and passion, grit and grace. Frederick County is a great place to celebrate the strength, heart and equality of women!" - Jan Gardner, Former County Executive, Frederick County Government.