2026 Lafayette-Oxford-University Women of Distinction Luncheon
This year's event will be held on Tuesday, September 15th at the Oxford Conference Center in Oxford, MS. Nominations, Sponsorships and Tickets are now available!
2026 Women of Distinction Nominees
Dr. Erica Avent - Undergraduate Retention Coordinator, Department of Teacher Education, Univ of MS
Whitney Bolen - Bridal Consultant, Oxford Floral
Kristina Carlson - Partner & CEO, Outrageous Kindness
Marlee Carpenter - Director, City of Oxford Stronger Together
Laura Frazier - Director of Membership and Community Relations, Oxford Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce
Kathleen Hamilton - Teacher, Lafayette County School District
Danielle King - Partner, GranthamPoole PLLC
Michelle Mason - Senior Mortgage Lending Specialist, Story Financial Partners
Lee Mullen - Teacher, Oxford School District
Shanika Ward - Executive Director, Empower Advocacy Oxford Incorporated
Barbara Wortham - Director, Oxford Learning Center
2026 Guest Speaker
Kristina Joy Carlson
Kristina Joy Carlson is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, and global philanthropy expert dedicated to helping individuals and organizations lead with purpose and create lasting impact. Throughout her career, she has advised major nonprofit organizations, Fortune 500 executives, philanthropists, and world leaders on transformational giving, strategic growth, and leadership. Her work has supported organizations including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Habitat for Humanity International, and Special Olympics, while helping facilitate significant philanthropic investments around the globe. Having navigated years of caregiving, profound personal loss, and her own cancer journey, Kristina brings a powerful perspective on resilience, accountability, and finding purpose through adversity. As Founder and CEO of Outrageous Kindness, she inspires audiences to embrace bold action and discover how everyday acts of kindness can create extraordinary change.
For more than a decade, the Women of Distinction luncheon benefitting Girl Scouts Heart of the South has served to recognize and link together groups of purpose-driven women in business, government and philanthropy throughout our council region who, like Girl Scouts, are dedicated to service and leadership.
Women are nominated for their leadership, community contributions and professional accomplishments. Nominees are positive role models whose accomplishments inspire girls to achieve their own goals and dreams.
Since 2011, Girl Scouts Heart of the South has been pleased to present the Women of Distinction luncheon event in the Lafayette-Oxford-University area, and more than 100 women have been honored.
We look forward to carrying on this tradition and honoring more Women of Distinction for many years to come!
L-O-U Women of Distinction Honorees 
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2024
2025
