The Columbia Chamber is pleased to announce the winner of the 2024 Cathy Novinger Trailblazer Award, presented by Cool Care Heating, Air, Plumbing & Refrigeration. This award honors an individual who has shown exemplary leadership in her industry, advocates for business, and positively impacts our community. The 2024 recipient is Henri Baskins.

Henri Baskins, a Charleston native, completed her undergraduate degree at Liberty University after attending College of Charleston and went on to the Georgia Institute of Technology for her MBA and MS degrees. Henri’s experience in leadership positions ranges from corporate settings to non-profits. She has been honored with several awards and distinctions, including Girls Scouts’ Women of Distinction Award and Columbia College’s Circle of Influence Award. For her work in telecommunications, she was inducted into the South Carolina Telecommunications Hall of Fame. Her passion for business and strategic planning guided her role at the Columbia Chamber where she served as executive vice president.

The 2024 Power in Heels event, presented by Collins Family & Elder Law Group, will be held June 13th at the Columbia Museum of Art. This women-only event will feature a “Women in Leadership” panel, sponsored by InVestra Financial, along with a reception featuring exciting activities like wine pulls, raffles, best shoe contest, and more. The reception will also feature Columbia Chamber Board Chair Karen Jenkins, President & CEO of KRJ Consulting, as keynote speaker. Tickets are now available.

 “The 2024 Cathy Novinger Trailblazer Award recognizes exceptional female leaders who exemplify the unwavering determination of Cathy Novinger,” said Carl Blackstone, Columbia Chamber President and CEO. “We are proud to honor the career achievements of Henri Baskins for her work at the Columbia Chamber and the greater Midlands region.”

About the Columbia Chamber
The Columbia Chamber is a private, non-profit, Partner-driven organization comprised of 1,200 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its Partners and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its Partners through networking, professional development, advocacy and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.

To become a Partner or to learn more about the Columbia Chamber, as well as its events, programs and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com.