Female boss leading a corporate meeting of workers of various races

ISSA Hygieia Network, an ISSA Charities signature program dedicated to the advancement and retention of women in the cleaning industry, announced its 2020 award winners during its sixth annual ISSA Hygieia Network Award Ceremony. The virtual event took place during ISSA Show North America Virtual Experience on Tuesday, shortly after its education session, “Building a Thriving Culture Through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”

“Every year ISSA Hygieia Network shines the spotlight on individuals and organizations that go the extra mile to make our industry one in which all feel welcome and excited to be a part of,” said Meredith Reuben, Hygieia Network chairwoman. “Although this year’s Awards Ceremony looked a bit different from previous years, we’re so grateful to everyone who attended virtually and supported this year’s winners.”

This year’s awards and winners include: 

The Rising Star of the Year Award

Open to women aged 45 and under who have made significant achievements and demonstrated consistent upward mobility in their career within the industry, this award was presented to Kim Price, vice president of Sales Force Effectiveness at Georgia-Pacific, CPG Customer Organization. Price was recognized for her impressive career and advocacy for diversity and inclusion within the cleaning industry. 

The Hygieia Member of the Year Award

The award, which recognizes an industry professional or company that has made a significant contribution to the cleaning industry, was presented to SC Johnson Professional, which accepted on behalf of its parent company, SC Johnson, for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and excellence in the workplace. Katja von Raven, CEO of SC Johnson Professional, accepted the award.

The independent jury that determined the two winners included ISSA Charities Board Member and NSS Enterprises Inc. President, Mark Bevington; Harvard Maintenance Inc. CEO, Nathalie Doobin; Prestige Maintenance USA CEO, Rachel Sanchez; and Corinne Zudonyi, editor-in-chief of Contracting Profits, Sanitary Maintenance and Facility Cleaning Decisions magazines.

“With this year’s events going virtual, we’ve been able to expand our programs and share our mission and vision with a much larger audience,” said ISSA Hygieia Network Program Director, Dr. Felicia L. Townsend. “As we adapt to these unprecedented times, ISSA Hygieia Network will continue to help all women within the global cleaning industry advance their skill sets and make professional connections that support their career goals.”