Once a year at the NAFE, we are privileged to learn more about the remarkable women around the nation that are our members as we assess the nominations for the NAFE Women of Excellence Awards. We find ourselves dazzled as we whittle down our list of awesome women to select the individuals we will recognize for the year. We applaud all those nominated and are grateful to the nominators for the opportunity to get to know such amazing women.

Click here to see video highlights from the event in New York City.

The NAFE Women of Excellence are women of courage and compassion who often have overcome obstacles to achieve success and who give back by helping other women – locally, nationally, globally.

The 2012 winners demonstrate strength, commitment, accomplishment, and selfless service. Here we proudly present the 2012 NAFE Women of Excellence. Click on their names to read more about them,

• Woman of Achievement: Dr. Helene Gayle, President & CEO, CARE USA
  
• International Achievement: Elaine Sarsynski, Chair & CEO, MassMutual International; EVP, Retirement Services, MassMutual
   
• P&L Executive of the Year: Robin Lenna, EVP, Corporate Benefit Funding, MetLife
   
• Activist: Victoria McInnis, Chief Tax Officer, General Motors
   
• Women’s Champion in Healthcare: Aida Sabo, VP, Diversity & Inclusion, Cardinal Health
   
• Social Media Star: Sandy Carter, VP, Social Business Evangelism & Sales, IBM
   
• Mentorship:  Rosemarie Lanard, VP, Employee Engagement & Diversity, McGraw Hill Financial
   
• Community Service: Linda Descano, President & CEO, Women & Co; Managing Director & Head, Digital Partnerships, Content and Social, North America Marketing, Citi
   
• Community Service: Tracey Gray-Walker, SVP & Chief Diversity Officer, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company
   
• Entrepreneurship: Donna Pepe, Founder & President, Communications Strategies
   
• Rising Star: Beth Harrison, Global Women’s Empowerment, Corporate Affairs, Walmart
   
• Service to New York: Geri Shapiro, Regional Director, Senator Gillibrand’s office
   
• NAFE Ace: Darlene Tarnoski, Program Director, Women Against Child Trafficking