On Oct. 21, more than 60 honorees, members and guests gathered at Baker’s Cay Resort in Key Largo for the annual Upper Keys Business & Professional Women (BPW) “Celebration of Working Women.”
Manuela Mobley was named 2026 Woman of the Year. A tireless volunteer, Mobley was recognized for her wide-reaching service to the Upper Keys community, including her recent effort to collect food and supplies for earthquake survivors in Venezuela.
Amoray Divers, owned by Cynthia and Jeff Gneiser, was named 2026 Business of the Year. Amoray Divers was recognized for promoting responsible diving and reef stewardship, for its long-term support of Upper Keys BPW and for its inclusive culture that empowers women at all levels in a historically male-dominated industry.
“Manuela never says no when there’s important work to be done, and Cynthia has spent years supporting women’s empowerment through her business and her work with BPW,” said Bonnie Barnes, Upper Keys BPW president. “They both lead by lifting up the people around them and making a real difference in our community, and that’s what these awards are all about. We congratulate them and all of this year’s outstanding nominees.”
Also nominated for 2026 Woman of the Year were Kate Banick, Ginette Hughes, Jill Kuehnert, Rose Littlejohn, Natalie Shea and Sue Woltanski. Other nominees for 2026 Business of the Year were Barefoot Possibilities, First State Bank, Regan Roth Insurance and Shen Health and Wellness.
Women’s scholarships awarded
The evening included the presentation of $5,000 in scholarships to four local women: Cassandra Clark, Jessica Dockery, Gabriella O’Connor and Josly Quintero.
The Upper Keys BPW adult women’s scholarship program provides financial assistance to working women who live in the Upper Keys and are pursuing education or training to advance their careers. Scholarships are awarded twice a year, in May and October.
“We had an unprecedented number of applicants this fall,” said Littlejohn, Upper Keys BPW scholarship chair and vice president of membership. “Thanks to the generosity of our members, sponsors and donors, we’ve been able to steadily increase the amount we award each year to invest in the futures of hardworking local women.”
The event and the 2026 Woman of the Year and Business of the Year awards were sponsored by SouthState Bank.
The Upper Keys BPW, an affiliate of BPW/Florida, is the largest membership organization supporting working women in the Upper Keys, with more than 100 members from Islamorada to Ocean Reef. Its mission is to achieve equity for all working women through advocacy, education and connections. More information is at upperkeysbpw.org.
