Women in the Home Industries Today named four outstanding professionals as recipients of the organization’s 2009 WOW Awards. Liz O’Brien also named the 2009 President’s Award.

Announced at an evening gala in conjunction with the group’s annual Education Conference at the Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord resort, the WOW recipients are Jessica Koster, Manoj Nigam, Susan Inglis and Lillian August. The President’s Award was presented to Leslie Carothers. Kelly Peterson was recognized for her years of service.

The Future Leader Award, given to salute an individual who is under 40 for outstanding achievement and demonstrated potential to become an industry leader, was awarded to Jessica Koster, marketing manager, Cargill’s BiOH® Polyols business. Others nominated in this category were Renee Loper, Aspenhome, and Monica Hill, Simmons Company.

Manoj Nigam, ceo and president of MicroD, Inc., received the Mentoring Award, given to an executive or organization that has fostered the advocacy, development or promotion of women in their company. Those honored with Manoj were Catherine Morsell, International Textile Management Association, and Karen Tucker, Furniture Transport Group.

Susan Inglis, executive director of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, received the Education Award, given to a manufacturing executive or company for the creation of programs to educate associates, retailers or consumers about home furnishings. Others recognized were Sharron Bradley, Western Home Furnishings Alliance, and W.W. “Jerry” Epperson, Mann, Armistead & Epperson.

As it was announced in July, Lillian August was named recipient of the Legacy Award, given to a woman of achievement who has made significant lifetime contributions to the home furnishings industries. As director of design licensing for her company, Lillian August Designs, the artist, interior-, textile- and furniture designer is the talent behind one of the industry’s most iconic brands.

The president’s award, presented to Leslie Carothers, principal, The Kaleidoscope Partnership, is presented to a member whose leadership, willingness and passion for WithIt and the industry is instrumental to the success of both.

For years of service on the board of directors, Kelly Peterson was thanked and recognized.

Also recognized at the event was Alix Marissa Bulleit, a student at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, who is the 2009 Jena and Stephen Hall Scholarship recipient.

Sponsors of this year’s WOW awards were World Market Center, Adesso, AHFA, American Leather, CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements, Jeff Cook, Emdee International, Four Hands, Furniture/Today, Furniture Brands companies Broyhill, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, Hickory Chair, Lane Furniture, Laneventure, Maitland Smith, Pearson and Thomasville, Genre Brand Communications, Stanley Furniture, Tomlinson, Erwin Lambeth, Directional, Carter, Toray Ultrasuede America, Inc., Wright of Thomasville.