WORLDWIDE FEMALE JUDGING PANEL
By: Angela Redding | Los Angeles, CA. | Hollywood Beat magazine | November 27, 2023
Photos: Häagen-Dazs
Häagen-Dazs launched ‘The Rose Project‘ on International Women’s Day 2023, offering a $100,000 assistance grant to recognize unsung trailblazing women. The initiative is in honor of Rose Mattus, the brand’s female co-founder. November 23, Rose Mattus’ birthday, Häagen-Dazs celebrated her legacy by announcing the Top 50 #WomenWhoDontHoldBack nominees.
These women have been shortlisted for their remarkable achievements. The initiative also includes five globally accomplished judges for The Rose Project.
2,500 Applications Submitted
More than 2,500 applications were submitted for The Häagen-Dazs Rose Project, recognizing the groundbreaking efforts and societal contributions of women worldwide. Out of these, 50 remarkable and inspiring women have been selected as finalists and will have the chance to win one of five $20,000 (USD) grants. The winners will be announced on International Women’s Day 2024, and the grants will help them continue their exceptional work, fulfill their potential, or support a cause they are passionate about.
Finalists Come From 17 Different Countries
The top 50 finalists come from 17 different countries across Europe, Asia, Africa & Middle East, Australia, and the Americas. You can read about each nominee’s story on haagen-dazs.global.
{ 1st Ever Rose Project }
Aurélie Lory, the spokesperson for Häagen-Dazs, expressed:
“International Women’s Day 2023 marked the launch of The Häagen-Dazs Rose Project to honour the legacy of our co-founder, Rose Mattus, and create a fund platform to provide opportunities to women across all fields around the world who are truly deserving of support and recognition. We were thrilled to receive thousands of nominations across countries and our #WomenWhoDontHoldBack Top 50 shortlist is a compelling and diverse mosaic of trailblazing female narratives that moved us and serve as an inspiration to women everywhere. For this final stage, we are equally privileged to call upon a remarkable judging panel of pioneering female thought leaders and culture shapers, who share our value, to select our 1st ever Rose Project honourees as part of this renewed commitment.”
Final Selection to Made by All-Female Judging Panel
The final selection stage of The Häagen-Dazs Rose Project will be graced by an exceptional all-female judging panel hailing from different parts of the world. These judges are not only inspiring and passionate but also represent the project’s global nature and the brand. Together, they will choose 5 deserving honourees from the Top 50 list who have made significant trailblazing achievements and embody the Häagen-Dazs ‘Don’t Hold Back’ philosophy.
The panel consists of Katie Piper, an author, broadcaster, and philanthropist from the UK. Velda Tan, a fashion entrepreneur and advocate for women’s fertility issues, is from Singapore. Inés Arroyo, a Spanish entrepreneur and creative director, is also part of the panel. Mercedes Palomar from Mexico, the founder of the women’s community network Lady Multitask, is present as well. Aurélie Lory, the Global Managing Director of Häagen-Dazs Shops, represents the brand and hails from France.
Here are the Eight USA Häagen-Dazs Rose Project nominees:
Eve Kenton
In her day job, Eve is a Vice President, Relationship Manager at the Glenmede Trust Company and an attorney by background. She advises high-net-worth families and provides thoughtful wealth management advice and solutions.
Gretchen Witt
After her 2-year-old son Liam was diagnosed with cancer, Gretchen was shocked by the lack of effective treatments and insufficient funding for paediatric cancers. She took the traditional bake sale fundraiser to a whole new level, hosting a ‘bake-a-thon’ alongside 250 volunteers which made 96,000 cookies and raised $420,000 for childhood cancer research.
Karleen Leveille
Inspired by her mother and an amazing support system around her, Karleen has since dedicated her life to creating safe and supportive communities for those less fortunate. In 2014 Karleen adopted a homeless shelter in South Bronx, where she facilitated programs ranging from job readiness to an annual spa day where residents are pampered for the day.
Jenna Arcidiacono
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jenna sought ways to uplift others and began ‘Food Hugs’, a meal delivery service for frontline workers, hospitality workers and the elderly.
Shaïna Silva
Shaïna is an award-winning entrepreneur, ecosystem architect and digital transformation strategist. She founded #SHE_BUILDS Global Initiative in 2018 with a mission to accelerate social, economic and environmental progress in her native country Haiti, by equipping female entrepreneurs, innovators and change-makers with the tools to scale their impact.
Kim Mayer
Kim and her husband founded Climate Smart Gardiner, a group that facilitates climate action from a grassroots level. Kim works hard behind the scenes of the group and always has a hands-on approach to environmental activism within her community, leading local tree-planting, energy saving and recycling efforts.
Yukti Jain
Yukti Jain is a dedicated woman who inspires young girls to become leaders in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) fields. She spends her free time volunteer-coaching grade-school girls in STEM competitions such as First Lego League (a robotics competition that gets girls involved in science and technology) and ProjectCSGirls (a coding and project competition).
Melissa Ann Montoya
Melissa is a Faculty Associate at Arizona University. She has nurtured and launched hundreds of careers in the arts. Community has been at the core of her work, directly translating into her personal life. Over the last two decades, Melissa has become an international teacher, sponsor and mother figure to many in need.
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