ISSA Hygieia Network Honors 2021 Award Winners

ISSA Hygieia Network, an ISSA Charities™ signature program dedicated to the advancement and retention of women in the cleaning industry, announced its 2021 award winners during its seventh annual Awards Reception. More than 800 industry professionals attended the event on Tuesday, November 16 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas during ISSA Show North America 2021.

“As one of the core programs Hygieia Network was founded on, we’re thrilled to announce and congratulate this year’s winners who have gone above and beyond for the industry during unprecedented times,” said ISSA Hygieia Network Program Director Dr. Felicia L. Townsend. “We’d like to thank our independent jury members who helped us determine our winners, as well as everyone who nominated an inspiring individual or company.”

The 2021 awards and winners include:

• ISSA Hygieia Network Member of the Year, which recognizes a woman’s involvement in activities that align with Hygieia’s mission and vision, went to Heidi Solomon, Head of Global Strategy, Kimberly-Clark Professional for her dedication to Hygieia and efforts to grow its impact over the past year.
• ISSA Hygieia Network Rising Star of the Year, which honors a woman age 45 or younger who has made significant achievements and demonstrated consistent upward mobility in her career within the industry, was presented to Charishma Kothari, Global Marketing Director, Essity for her impressive career trajectory and achievements within the cleaning industry.
• ISSA Hygieia Network Company of the Year, which celebrates a company’s involvement in activities that align with Hygieia’s mission and vision, was awarded to Kimberly-Clark Professional for its contributions to advancing the role of women in the cleaning industry and increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

The independent jury that determined the three winners included ISSA Charities Board Member and president of NSS Enterprises, Mark Bevington; ISSA Board Member and president and CEO of SouthEast LINK, Ailene Grego; ISSA Charities Board Member and retired leader at National Sanitary Supply Co., Thomas Lane; and CEO of Prestige Maintenance USA, Rachel Sanchez.

In addition to revealing this year’s winners, ISSA Hygieia Network acknowledged the 2021 Hygieia Scholarship recipient Maia Spallone, who is pursuing a degree at the University of California, Irvine. Hygieia also recognized the contributions of its volunteers and sponsors to a successful year of educational, mentoring, and networking programs.

At ISSA Show North America, Hygieia hosted a panel on diversity, equity, and inclusion in partnership with Leading NOW.

To learn more and become a member, visit www.hygieianetwork.org/join.