05/27/2026
MEDIA RELEASE
WELD Unveils the 2027 Women WELDing the Way® Honorees
(May 27th, Columbus, OH)—Each year, Women for Economic and Leadership Development (WELD) recognizes a diverse group of twelve women in the central Ohio community. These women are high impact leaders within their organizations, support the leadership development of other women, give time, talent and resources to their community, and invest in the growth of women-owned businesses.
WELD President & CEO Barb Smoot shares, “WELD’s Columbus Chapter is thrilled to announce the names of this year’s diverse group of talented leaders who will be featured in our 2027 Women WELDing the Way® calendar with the theme Conquer Your Fears: Stand and Deliver. The women being recognized have stepped up as leaders in new and bolder ways to create the change needed to elevate women and overcome economic disparity in our communities and workplaces. By being stellar examples of leaders who sponsor others, our Women WELDing the Way® calendar honorees are making a difference in their workplaces and communities. They are tenacious in paving the way for the next generation of leaders in the process. Our honorees inspire others by living WELD’s mission to develop and advance women’s leadership to strengthen the economic prosperity of the communities we serve.”
WELD honors the achievements of these notable women in our annual Women WELDing the Way® calendar. Join WELD in recognizing the 2027 class of amazing women.
The 2027 Women WELDing the Way® honorees will be recognized at a November 5, 2026, 6:00pm-8:00pm, reception at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium.
WELD is proud to announce that Victoria Frost, MBA, Corporate Strategy and Planning Director, Vertiv, and Alexa Acosta, Events & Logistics Manager, Event Marketing Strategies, will partner with WELD Chief Operating Officer Deepa Kellar as volunteer co-chairs who will lead the development of the calendar and the planning of the reception.
WELD’s mission is to develop and advance women’s leadership to strengthen the economic prosperity of the communities it serves. For more information on WELD, visit www.weldusa.org.
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