When we think Kick Butt, we will always think of the late Pat Schuler.
It may have been the name of two of her programs – Kick Butt Sales and Kick Butt Women – but Pat was the epitome of the Kick Butt spirit as an entrepreneur, friend, and leader. She has led many career industry professionals she coached to walk her path and evoke her beautiful and powerful spirit.
So with the Pat Schuler Kick Butt Award, CDI is seeking to recognize one career professional each year who has truly been kicking butt!
The criteria for the award is simply based on recognizing someone who best represents what Pat stood for:
- Fearless in creating and innovating within the industry and/or the individual business.
- High integrity in communicating with others, customers, peers, colleagues, and on social media.
- Life-long commitment to learning demonstrated through personal stretch to pursue additional training in new areas.
- Focus on giving back through industry contributions such as industry committee participation, mentorship, or article contribution.
- Maintain active CDI membership.
Nominations are either self-nominated or from a career industry colleague.
Voting for the winner is open to all career professionals. Each year your nominations and votes decide who kicks butt!
2022 Winner & Nominees
We almost closed this award for good when only one nomination came in by the deadline. Luckily the last-chance (forever) announcement lit a fire and we had a record number of submissions.
Every single candidate received votes and for a bit it was head-to-head between two nominees. But we have a clear winner! With 39.3% of the votes, we have our 2022 winner.
It is our sincere hope that we see 2023 nominations for the other worthy candidates.
Winner:
Gayle Howard, Top Margin Executive Resumes & Coaching
Nominees:
(Listed in alphabetical order.)
Gayle Howard - read nomination >>
Gillian Kelly - read nomination >>
Jheneal McDuffie, self-nominated - read nomination >>
Kyle Elliott - read nomination >>
Laurie J. James, self-nominated - read nomination >>
Marie Plett - read nomination >>
Maureen Farmer, self-nominated - read nomination >>
Rebecca Bosl - read nomination >>
2021 Winners & Nominees
We had only two entrants for 2021 and they are both winners in an unprecedented tie.
Winners:
Sharon Williams, JobRockit, self-nominated - read nomination >>
Tiffany Cruz, Power Writers USA, self-nominated - read nomination >>
2020 Winner & Nominees
Winner:
Nickquolette Barrett, iRock Résumés
Nickquolette won with 58.49% of the votes. You can read her nomination below.
Nominees:
Nickquolette Barrett, nominated by Kari Solomon - read nomination >>
Matthew Warzel, self-nominated - read nomination >>
Evelyn Salvador, self-nominated - read nomination >>
2019 Winner & Nominees
Winner:
Wendi Weiner, The Writing Guru®
Wendi won with 95.92% of the votes. You can read her nomination below.
Nominees:
Wendi Weiner, nominated by Marie Plett - read nomination >>
Tiffany Cruz, nominated by Nadi Jones - read nomination >>
Lori Jazvac, self-nominated - read nomination >>
2018 Winner & Nominees
Winner:
Camille Roberts, CC Career Services
Camille won with 86 votes (75.58%). You can read her nomination below.
Nominees:
Maureen Farmer, nominated by Lotte Struwing - read nomination >>
Camille Roberts, nominated by Darlene Dassy - read nomination >>
Lori Jazvac, self-nominated - read nomination >>
CDI President, Laura DeCarlo, was extremely honored to be nominated by Marie Plett. However, she has declined to be considered in the spirit of this being meant to recognize a CDI member. If you would like to read the nomination, you can do so here. (Addition: CDI Board members presented Laura with this plaque at their 2019 meeting in January after a few members spoke up and asked that Laura be honored. Below is a photo of the plaque. There is also a 2-min video of this recognition that can be seen here).
