AF businesswomen honored

Ahwatukee Foothills residents and businesswomen Katherine Christensen, Jamie Cook and Laura Scheller have been friends and competitors for years, but last month all three received special recognition at the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) awards gala in Scottsdale.

The three shared a table at the event, and each woman was honored throughout the evening. Christensen received the Planner of the Year award, Cook garnered the Ed Scannel award, and Scheller was appointed as President Elect for MPI.

"It's remarkable and refreshing to know that even though we're in sleepy Ahwatukee we're still recognized as distinguished," Christensen said.

All three women are Certified Meeting Professionals (CMP), which is a title they studied and passed an exam to receive.

"You have to know your industry," Christensen said. "We've been in the same business circles for 20 years."

Christensen, Cook and Scheller belong to the Arizona Sunbelt Chapter of MPI, which has over 550 members.

"It's ironic that we were all honored because our industry is one of the largest industries in Arizona," said Cook, who has enjoyed the moral and business support she has found from Christensen and Scheller over the years.

"I think that one of the greatest things is that, officially, we all have our own businesses and some people may think that we're in competition, but I think it's been more of a mentoring situation," she said. "It's nice to have the support here in Ahwatukee and to have people in the area doing what you're doing."

Christensen believes that many women in Ahwatukee Foothills have found their way to success in business.

"I think there are a lot of entrepreneurial women in Ahwatukee Foothills, and I think they often find a niche that works well for them in their circumstances," she said.

To find out more about MPI, visit www.azmpi.org.