Friday, March 17, 2017
Two women with University of Maryland Eastern Shore ties have been named by The Daily Record to the Baltimore-based newspaper’s 2017 listing of Maryland’s Top 100 Women.
Kimberly C. Dumpson, UMES’ executive vice president, and Bonnie N. Luna, a member of the university’s Board of Visitors, will be among women from across the state attending an April 24 banquet where they will be formally honored. Both are first-time honorees.
The Daily Record created the annual Maryland’s Top 100 Women event in 1996 to recognize outstanding achievements by women demonstrated through professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring.
Dumpson began her career at UMES in 2005 working in alumni affairs and over the past 12 years has held a number of senior leadership posts.
“I’m honored to be recognized along with these other accomplished women who have contributed greatly to our state in various roles and capacities,” Dumpson said. “I extend my thanks to The Daily Record for including me in this group.”
Dumpson recently was given the additional responsibilities as chief of staff to President Juliette B. Bell.
Bell asked Luna in 2015 to serve on UMES’ Board of Visitors, an advisory panel of community leaders. Luna is founder of the Salisbury-based Magi Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization with “the sole purpose of raising funds for the Joseph House Center and Christian Shelter.”
“I am profoundly humbled to be listed among such a distinguished and accomplished group of women,” Luna said.
According to The Daily Record, a record number of 435 women were nominated this year for the statewide honor. Nominees were asked to complete an application outlining their educational and career history, professional and community involvement, corporate and nonprofit board memberships, and mentoring experience. They were encouraged to submit letters of recommendation from those who are familiar with their accomplishments professionally, in the community and through mentoring.
“This year’s Maryland’s Top 100 Women honorees lead companies, create change, break barriers, chart new territory and inspire future generations,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, The Daily Record’s publisher. “These women make a difference at home, at work and in their communities. The Daily Record is proud to honor them.”
Eleven women on this year’s list have qualified for the Circle of Excellence, which means they will receive the award for a third and final time. Among women affiliated with UMES who are already in that select group are Veronique Diriker, the university’s director of development, and Dr. Peggy Naleppa, a university Board of Visitor member and president / chief executive officer of Peninsula Regional Medical Center.
After a preliminary round of judging by Maryland’s Top 100 Women’s Circle of Excellence honorees, 150 applicants were selected to compete in the final round. A panel of business professionals and past Maryland’s Top 100 Women winners from throughout Maryland reviewed the final applications and selected this year’s honorees.
“Maryland’s Top 100 Women have achieved amazing accomplishments in their careers, but to be honored as a Top 100 Woman requires more than just career success,” Fischer-Huettner said. “She must be an exemplary citizen, committed to her community, creating change and growing the next generation of leaders through active mentoring.”
