Luncheon also presented scholarships and the second annual humanitarian award to PBA female students.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic (PBA) hosted its 33rd Annual Women of Distinction Luncheon on Tuesday, February 18, recognizing this year’s honorees, Penny G. Murphy and Amanda Schumacher. Close to 400 business leaders and members of the community attended the celebration hosted at The Breakers. The luncheon is one of the university’s most celebrated signature events, honoring women who cherish community and family, and work to preserve those ideals for others. SROA Capital was the luncheon’s Diamond sponsor, and the event was led by Women of Distinction Committee chair Frances Fisher, who is also helping steward PBA’s God-Sized Dreams Campaign.
Murphy, a third-generation native of West Palm Beach and President of Pioneer Linens since 2007, exemplifies leadership in both business and community engagement. She shared her thoughts on the significance of entrepreneurship and giving back to the community.
“We believe that small businesses play an important part in our community,” said Murphy. “We know that we have been blessed, and we want to give back. “Like so many of you in this room, we understand that when we all work together, Palm Beach County becomes a better place for all of us.”
Schumacher, founder of the Tree of Life Foundation and CEO of Schumacher Auto, is known for her philanthropic efforts both locally and globally. In her remarks to the attendees, she expressed her gratitude for PBA and its impact on her family and the community.
“I support Palm Beach Atlantic because of their mission and vision to raise strong Christian leaders. Palm Beach Atlantic has helped shape my family and my footprint in the community, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart, because each of you have been a part of the fabric of the great Palm Beach community.”
Proceeds from the luncheon, which has raised over $2 million since it started, provide scholarships to deserving female PBA students. The 2025 WOD scholarship recipients included Elizabeth Akintujoye, Reagan Bozarth, Claire Crossman, Valentina Guzman, Ludnie Saint-Juste and Julia Seagle. Since 1996, 74 students have received the WOD scholarship.
During the ceremony, Women of Distinction “Hall of Fame” recipients were honored with pearl and gold pins, recognizing their ongoing work across various areas within the community and beyond. Among the previous honorees present were Eileen Burns, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Lore Morgan Dodge, Frances Fisher, Cathy Flagg, Gay Hart Gaines, Vicki Halmos, Denise Hanley, Mayor Danielle Hickox Moore, Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Monika Preston, Sheila Rinker, Helen Ross, Joanie Vandergrift and Kathryn Vecellio.
The celebrations also featured the second annual Humanitarian Award, which was presented to Kaelin Hatfield. A PBA alumna, Hatfield graduated in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. She is the founder of LifeLoving365, a clothing brand designed to raise awareness for depression and suicide, and Christ in Crisis, a nonprofit that delivers humanitarian aid to those in dire situations. Her work has taken her around the globe, collaborating with organizations in the Middle East, Ukraine, Zambia and more to bring vital resources to communities in need.
“Kaelin embodies the values that Palm Beach Atlantic University represents,” said Fisher. “She stands out among her peers by demonstrating a remarkable blend of empathy, initiative and leadership, which transcends traditional boundaries and drives real-world change.”
Joining SROA Capital as sponsors were Sapphire sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Merriman and Mr. and Mrs. Tim Sotos; Ruby Sponsors, Emilia Fanjul, Frances Fisher and Patrick and Debbi Koenig; Pearl Sponsors, The Kessler Family Foundation, Kerry and Tom McCaffrey, Penny G. Murphy, Moss Construction and Susan and Bob Wright; Table sponsors, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Cathy Flagg, Vicki Halmos, Dan and Denise Hanley, Ronnie Heyman, Historical Society of Palm Beach County, The Merck Family, Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Tammy Pompea, Tree of Life Foundation International, Inc. and Amanda Schumacher, Sally Ross Soter, Monika Preston, United Franchise Group and PBA Alumni Association; Corporate Sponsors, Kingdom Charitable Trust; Underwriting Sponsors, David and Laura Bishop, Stacie Campbell, Cathy Flagg, Palm Beach Illustrated, Penny G. Murphy, Kit Pannill, Sheila Rinker and Chad and Susan Sorrell.
Palm Beach Atlantic University, founded in 1968, is a private, Christian university, offering 100 different programs and pathways, including undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The university has a 19-acre campus in West Palm Beach and an Orlando campus, and the 78-acre Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus provides facilities for training and hosting intercollegiate sports. Sailfish athletes compete in 18 NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference varsity sports. PBA’s mission is to equip students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction and serve God boldly. The university affirms the values that have built American society, including religious liberty and the free enterprise system.
For more information about Women of Distinction or to join the President’s Giving Society, please visit pba.edu/about/growth/women-of-distinction. For general information about PBA, learn more at www.pba.edu.
