The YWCA Greater Harrisburg has announced the honorees for its 35th annual Tribute to Women of Excellence, all of whom will be celebrated at an event on Tuesday, March 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, 325 University Drive, Hershey.

The YWCA has previously honored more than 780 women for their professional and philanthropic contributions to the region. This year, the YWCA will honor 25 women who dedicate their time and talents to making a difference in central Pennsylvania.

The title of Woman of Excellence is bestowed on women who participate actively in the community as mentors, role models and volunteers; actively serve on the boards or committees of various nonprofits and organizations; demonstrate integrity, strength of character and leadership; raise and donate money to important causes; and embrace and support the vision and mission of the YWCA. Women of Excellence serve the community in many roles, including as corporate executives, entrepreneurs, educators, government and not-for-profit professionals, and community volunteers.

This year, Hagir Elsheikh from HSE Staffing Agency won the Carolyne L. Smith Legacy Award, and Sara Elerman from Members 1st Federal Credit Union won the Karen F. Snider Emerging Leader Award.

The other honorees are Chelsea Besic with Info-Matrix Corporation; Soleil Carrion, Milton Hershey School; Beth Christian, Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System; Maria Diaz Crispen, Harrisburg High School: SciTech Campus; Elena Cross, GSL Public Strategies Group; Lois Duquette, McNees, Wallace & Nurick; Lori Felder, Penn National Insurance; Dauphin County Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gettle; community volunteer Brigid Grode; Pamela Hill, Signature Staffing; Tija Hilton-Phillips, Highmark Blue Shield; Jade Honey, Penn State Health; Debbie Houser, PSECU; Amanda Murry, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts; Lorena Rakowsky, M&T Bank; Leigh-Ann Reitze, UPMC Central PA; Jordan Sallavanti, Boyer & Ritter; Jennifer Scott, The GIANT Company; Amey Sgrignoli, Belco Community Credit Union; Jill Snyder, Capital Blue Cross; Emily Sullivan, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation; Tracy Varano-Garrison, Morgan Stanley; and Jennifer Wintermyer, Tri County Community Action.

As part of the 35th anniversary of the Tribute to Women of Excellence and in honor of the YWCA's 130th anniversary, the YWCA Greater Harrisburg will welcome Janine Latus as the keynote speaker for the event. Latus is an award-winning journalist, author and advocate known for her memoir, "If I'm Missing or Dead: A Sister's Story of Love, Murder and Liberation."

There is a fee to attend the Tribute to Women of Excellence event. Sponsorships and program advertisements are also available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://ywcatwe.givesmart.com.