Pictured: The 2025 Trailblazer Award Recipient, Katie Nelson Thomson. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

On Friday, October 31, SRQ MEDIA hosted its Tenth Annual Women Who Roar Leadership & Awards Luncheon at Michael's on East, recognizing exceptional women in the region. The event featured a pop-up boutique salon with gifts from Bia Candle Co., Camilyn Beth, Discover Sarasota Tours, Mahalla Wild, Manatee County Habitat for Humanity, Simply Jo's Boutique, Figgy & Co and Salt of the Earth. This year's luncheon also introduced the inaugural Women Who Roar Leadership "Her Story: Moments That Made Her" exhibition, where members of the Leadership Circle were invited to share parts of their journeys in a powerful, tangible way, offering a glimpse into the courage, creativity and resilience that shaped their stories.

The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks from Lisl Liang, President, CEO/ Editor in Chief of SRQ Media Group, who thanked event sponsors, including Michael’s on East, Dolphin Transportation Specialists, Leaders Uplifted and Diamond Vault. She introduced Champion Partner/Sponsor, Steve Altier of United Community Bank and Leadership Sponsor, Michelle Grimsley Shindana of Manatee County Habitat for Humanity and then went on to recognize the current members of the Women Who Roar Leadership Circle from 2014 to today who were in attendance at the event.

Ashley Grant, SRQ Media’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement, took the stage to introduce the 2025 Trailblazer Award Recipient, Katie Nelson Thomson, a woman who has forged a fearless career in media and journalism, bringing the world stories about the most notable people and issues of our times. Currently, she is the powerhouse Senior Talent Producer of HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

Thomson spoke of her upbringing in Winter Park, Florida and her rise and success in the fast-paced world of broadcast journalism. “In the jaded media world, I often felt as naive as the movie character, Forest Gump,” she said. “I didn’t know how things worked so I didn’t always recognize limitations. I wasn’t worldly or judgy–I tried to approach every subject with curiosity and empathy. I didn’t always know where I was going, but no matter the obstacles, I just kept on running. The result was that I unwittingly stumbled into history, just like Forest Gump, with my unknown face popping up in news photos and videos next to famous people that I reported on.”

Following Thomson’s speech, Blair Bloomston of Leaders Uplifted led the audience in an interactive presentation, bringing lots of cheers and camaraderie. The special afternoon concluded with the presentation of the 2025 Leadership Circle awards.

Pictured: The 2025 Trailblazer Award Recipient, Katie Nelson Thomson. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.