Emily Merson Honored as 2015 Enterprising Women of The Year

Global Experiences

 

 

 

RALEIGH, NC and ANNAPOLIS, MD – Monica Smiley, publisher and CEO of Enterprising Women magazine, has announced the winners of the 2015 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards, an annual tribute to the world’s top women entrepreneurs. Emily Merson, President and CEO of Annapolis-based Global Experiences, will be honored for her entrepreneurial achievements at the 13th Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Awards & Conference, Sunday, March 29 to Tuesday, March 31 at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

The annual Enterprising Women of the Year Awards is widely considered one of the most prestigious recognition programs for women business owners. To win, nominees must demonstrate that they have fast-growth businesses, mentor or actively support other women and girls involved in entrepreneurship, and stand out as leaders in their communities. Many of the honorees also serve as leaders of the key organizations that support the growth of women’s entrepreneurship.

Award winners were recognized in seven categories this year: annual sales revenues of more than $100 million; annual sales revenues of more than $25 million and up to $100 million; annual sales revenues of more than $10 million and up to $25 million; annual sales revenues of more than $5 million and up to $10 million; annual sales revenues of more than $2 million and up to $5 million; annual sales revenues of more than $1 million and up to $2 million; and annual sales revenues of up to $1 million. 

Previous winners include women leaders recognized in the INC. 500, Forbes’ 30-Under-30, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, award-winning journalists, best selling authors, and others who work with Fortune 500 businesses.

Merson is being recognized for her leadership and impact on workplace and career development of college students who participate in international internship programs coordinated by her team at Global Experiences. Merson, an Australian native, co-founded the company in 2001 and has developed Global Experiences into the leading provider of international internships for US students.

Her team of 28 staff in the US and overseas serves dozens of universities by providing customized intern abroad programs for college credit and serves thousands of students from the US, Canada, UK, and Australia as they seek to jump start their careers with international professional experience. As one of the most trusted organizations in the industry, parents, collegiate advisors, and students consistently choose Global Experiences for its personal approach to each students’ needs and highest quality of career development tools and counseling available for college students working aboard in their desired professional field.

“It is an honor to be recognized as an Enterprising Woman and to celebrate the milestones and impact of the diligent work and dedication of my team who have worked alongside me for many years to see my vision become a reality,” said Merson. “I started this company to open doors to globally minded young professionals and it is fantastic to be recognized for our company’s growth and service to college students that are now entering the workforce more prepared to thrive in today’s global marketplace. This award means we’re achieving that mission.”

The 2015 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Celebration and Conference will bring together dynamic women business owners from North America and around the world for two full days of top-notch workshops, networking opportunities, corporate sponsor exhibits, and awards presentations. The celebration will shine the spotlight on award winners and finalists, with award presentations at the Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Gala Dinner. During the annual “Hall of Fame Luncheon,” one woman entrepreneur will be inducted into the Enterprising Women Hall of Fame, an outstanding nonprofit will receive the 2015 Advocacy Award, and two women will be recognized with the 2015 Legacy Award.

“When this awards program began 13 years ago, there were only a handful of nominees in what was then the highest revenue category – over $10 million in annual revenues. This growth reflects the fact that more women are scaling their businesses to the $100 million plus level. The Enterprising Women of the Year Award has grown each year in prestige and stature so women entrepreneurs at all levels want to be recognized with this award for the great work they are doing. We could not be more proud of the outstanding women who make up the Enterprising Women Class of 2015,” Smiley said.

The event is open to winners and finalists of the Enterprising Women of the Year Award, corporate supporters, members of the Enterprising Women Advisory Board, VIPs in the women’s business community, readers of Enterprising Women magazine, and members of the many partner organizations affiliated with Enterprising Women.

Partner organizations represented on the Enterprising Women Advisory Board and supporting the 2015 event include:

  • The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO)
  • Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)
  • Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
  • National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
  • National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC)
  • Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW)
  • The Global Initiative for Women’s Entrepreneurship Research
    Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)
  • Quantum Leaps
  • Springboard Enterprise
  • UnitedSuccess
  • Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBEC)/Women Entrepreneurs Inc. (WE)
  • Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence
  • Women’s Leadership Exchange
  • The International Alliance for Women (TIAW)
  • Asian Women in Business (AWIB)
  • eWomenNetwork (EWN)
  • Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC)
  • National Association of Women REO Brokerages (NAWRB)

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About Global Experiences

Global Experiences is an international internship organization based in Annapolis Maryland, with 28 staff in the US and overseas. Established in 2001 by Emily Merson and Stephen Reilly, a 1996 graduate of Salisbury University, Global Experiences has grown to serve dozens of US universities and thousands of students from the US, Canada, UK, and Australia as they seek international professional experience. For more information, visit our site or call (877) 546-6212.

About Enterprising Women Magazine

Enterprising Women, with headquarters in Cary, North Carolina, is the nation’s only women-owned magazine published exclusively for women business owners that chronicles the growing political, economic and social influence and power of entrepreneurial women. The magazine provides a friendly meeting place, a public forum and a national stage for the critical issues confronting women’s businesses and daily lives from the unique perspectives and experiences of entrepreneurial women. Published in both print and digital editions, the online edition of the magazine reaches nearly one million readers in 185 countries. 

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