Signature awards.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Each year, TIAW bestows the Lifetime Achievement Award whereby we recognize one woman who has truly made a difference in the lives many, many women of over years – and likely decades.
Nancy Ploeger – 2025 Lifetime Achievement Awardee
Nancy Ploeger is a co-founder of the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) Foundation, established in 2007. She served as its Executive Vice President until February 2025 and now continues her involvement as a member of the Legacy Committee. IWEC is a global nonprofit supporting women-owned businesses through education, market intelligence, connections, and visibility. Today, it partners with more than 50 chambers of commerce and women’s business organizations worldwide and has honored over 575 women entrepreneurs generating a combined $50 billion in revenue.
For 21 years, Nancy was President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce (MCC), where she grew membership to more than 10,000 and spearheaded initiatives that expanded international trade, strengthened small business development, and advanced opportunities for women- and minority-owned businesses (MWBEs). She also established industry committees in technology, entrepreneurship, and international business, and forged partnerships across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Her leadership was recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which presented her with its Annual Chamber Award for post-9/11 recovery efforts. Nancy also served on NYC Mayor Bloomberg’s MWBE Advisory Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board, and the New York District Export Council, where she was appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
We are delighted to celebrate Nancy’s lifetime of commitment to the empowerment of women.
Mandy Goetze Award
TIAW bestows the Mandy Goetze Award to a TIAW member who has made an outstanding contribution to the organisation, whether it is a long-standing effort or an exceptional achievement in a specific time frame.
Elizabeth Cotsworth – 2025 Mandy Goetze Awardee
In 2010 Elizabeth attended TIAW’s Forum to applaud two colleagues from Executive Women in Government (EWG) as they received awards from TIAW. Thus began her relationship with TIAW, starting as the representative of EWG as a TIAW member organization and later, continuing as an individual member.
Elizabeth served as TIAW Board Secretary 2014-16 and played an active role inorganizing TIAW’s last two US-hosted Forums and World of Difference Award Ceremonies. She has proudly served as a judge for TIAW’s World of Difference Awards for the past decade.
In her capacity as an EWG Past President, Elizabeth remained an advocate with her successors for ongoing membership of the organization in TIAW. She was also instrumental in achieving global recognition, via the TIAW World of Difference Awards, of EWG’s leadership in federal women’s career advancement.
At the same time, Elizabeth was honored to serve on evaluation panels for candidates for Presidential Rank Awards—the US government’s most selective recognition of its senior executives.
Elizabeth herself was twice the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service for her career contributions to American environmental and public health protection.
TIAW is grateful for Elizabeth’s ongoing and incredible dedication to our work – and to recognise her with this signature award.
