Kathleen O. Berkey awarded Women in Business’ APEX Award

Kathleen O. Berkey was named 2021 APEX Awards recipient at the annual event of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Committee. The APEX Awards recognize local women with outstanding reputations for professionalism, philanthropy and leadership.

The 15th annual APEX Awards were held Nov. 12 at The Westin Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral. Presented by Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, the awards luncheon honored three finalists and recognized all nominees before naming Berkey the APEX Awards recipient.

Berkey is an attorney, shareholder and certified professional planner at Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., a multi-practice commercial law firm, where she represents clients in zoning, land use and planning matters. She serves on the board of directors for Keep Lee County Beautiful, is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) of Southwest Florida Management Committee and ULI’s Women’s Leadership Initiative steering committee and serves on the MothersEsquire Breastfeeding Accommodations Committee.

The 2021 APEX finalists were Kerri Goldsmith of HBKS Wealth Advisors and Alicia Miller of Our Mother’s Home.

Goldsmith is a senior financial advisor at HBKS Wealth Advisors and co-chairs the firm’s financial planning committee. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association and Estate Planning Council of Lee County, is involved in the Certified Financial Planner Board’s mentorship program and has fulfilled leadership roles for industry associations and nonprofits, including Rotary Club of Fort Myers South, Advertising Federation of Southwest Florida, Florida Public Relations Association, Wishing Well Foundation, Girl Scouts and United States Pony Club.

Miller is the executive director of Our Mother’s Home of SWFL, Inc., whose mission is to empower young women by breaking the cycle of generational poverty. She was previously the executive director for The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center and the adoption specialist for The Children’s Network. Her previous experience with the foster care system, along with her desire to be a role model and leader for young women in the community, led her to Our Mother’s Home. As the executive director, she oversees the administration, programs and strategic planning as well as fundraising, marketing, and community outreach.

About Women in Business
Part of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, the Women in Business committee is dedicated to helping women achieve their fullest professional and personal potential. A variety of networking and educational programs are offered throughout the year, typically the first Wednesday of every month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

About the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce:
Serving Lee County and surrounding areas since 1989, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a business organization of professionals who support and promote a progressive, sustainable community. The Chamber represents over 750 businesses, professionals, and individuals throughout Lee County, providing opportunities for members to participate in a variety of meaningful networking, educational and community- and business-focused programs and events. The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is located at 2310 Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers. For additional information regarding membership opportunities or events please call 239-332-2930 or visit www.fortmyers.org. For the latest news and updates, follow the Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gfmcc or Twitter at @FtMyersChamber.