The class of 2024 is the 26th year of CityBusiness’ Women of the Year, with Melissa Sawyer as our overall Woman of the Year. Click here to see Icons, Women of the Year and Nonprofit Organizations 2024. Sawyer has spent twenty years building community-based programs that have benefited thousands of young people across 13 parishes. From enrichment programs to adult education, Sawyer has been an integral part of helping the Youth Empowerment Program, where she is co-founder and CEO, grow and adapt to the changing needs of the young people in the New Orleans area. Sawyer joins a list that not only includes the 2024 class, but also our Hall of Fame and overall Woman of the Year honorees that are selected annually. Women of the Year was started in 1999. However, CityBusiness did not begin naming an overall Woman of the Year until 2004. In 2019, the nonprofit organizations category was added to Women of the Year as a way to honor those who have gone above and beyond in serving the needs of local women and/or children. The 2024 nonprofit honorees have shown their commitment and impact on our region. CityBusiness also honored 10 business leaders this year who have had a lasting influence on the city’s economic development and made their mark on the city overall. These ICON Award honorees, through their innovative ideas, achievements and commitment to excellence, have moved our community forward. Congratulations to our 2024 honorees. If you know an ICON, woman or nonprofit organization that deserves recognition, send us a nomination in the Events section of the website. CityBusiness, which will celebrate its 45th year as newspaper next year, is proud to highlight a local commitment to excellence.   Managing Editor Meghan Keen-Boehm can be reached at [email protected].