The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women has inducted eight women into the 2026 Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame, recognizing their contributions across business, healthcare, advocacy, education, public service and the arts.
- Olympic medalist and Crestview native Mia Manganello was also honored as a Hometown Heroine.
“Each of these extraordinary women embodies the courage, resilience, and spirit of service that defines Okaloosa County,” said Kelley Fuller, chair of the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women. “From groundbreaking business ventures and healthcare advocacy to dedicated mentorship and public service, their decades-long contributions have reshaped our community for the better and serve as a powerful inspiration for future generations.”
Megan Blancho of Niceville was recognized in the Professional/Business category. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Akron School of Law, Blancho built a statewide legal practice specializing in healthcare license defense. She co-founded the Okaloosa Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and received the Leader in the Law Award at the 2026 FAWL State Convention. She also serves on the First Judicial Circuit’s Professionalism Panel.
Vanessa d’Aquin of Niceville/Valparaiso was honored in the Humanitarian category. As director of clinical services at Crossroads Center, d’Aquin has expanded healthcare access for vulnerable women, growing patient services by more than 200% and providing free care to nearly 1,000 women. An NWFSC and UWF alumna, she has secured no-cost mammograms for uninsured patients and supported women recovering from addiction through multiple local recovery networks.
Simona Faroni of Fort Walton Beach was inducted in the Pioneer category. After arriving in Okaloosa County from Italy in 1996, Faroni overcame regulatory and language barriers to co-found GS Gelato, a nationally distributed manufacturer employing more than 150 people with $38 million in 2025 sales. Her honors include Enterprising Women of the Year and multiple Inc. 5000 recognitions.
Dr. Cristie Kedroski of Niceville was recognized in the Community Service category. Over more than 15 years at Northwest Florida State College, Kedroski grew the NWFSC Foundation endowment from $36 million to more than $62 million and oversaw $75 million in grants before serving as interim president in 2024. She serves on the boards of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and CCB Community Bank and chairs the Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce.
Christina Larson of Shalimar was honored in the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts category. Okaloosa County’s first female paramedic, Larson spent more than 50 years bridging emergency services, advocacy and the arts. She founded “Paddle Power” for residents with disabilities, fostered 145 special-needs children, founded the county’s Foster Parent Association, assisted Mattie Kelly in establishing the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and co-created the Shoal Sanctuary Nature Preserve.
Heather Ruiz of Fort Walton Beach was inducted in the Contemporary category. A Niceville High School and FSU graduate, Ruiz built a career in marketing and commercial real estate, including leadership roles at Destin Commons, TalkingParents and Bit-Wizards. She was one of the youngest women to chair the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation board.
Dr. Linda Smith of Niceville was recognized in the Education category. A local resident since 1961, Smith spent decades as a teacher and principal before becoming a Guardian ad Litem Certified Child Advocate Manager. She oversees more than 25 volunteers and guides youth in protective custody toward graduation.
Dr. MiChele Stevenson of Shalimar was honored in the Military/Government category. Stevenson leads the Mentor Protégé Program for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, supporting small businesses in defense contracting. Locally, she partnered with the city of Fort Walton Beach to restore the historic NAACP Legacy Walk of Fame and serves on the Homelessness and Housing Alliance’s Grants Review Committee. Stevenson is the first Hall of Fame legacy inductee — her mother, Mary Stevenson, was inducted in 2012.
The Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame was established in 1995 by the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women. Permanent commemorative displays honoring inductees are maintained at the Okaloosa County Administrative Offices, the Crestview Courthouse and the Niceville City Council Chambers.
The OCCSW is a 15-member advisory board established in 1995 by the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners to eliminate barriers to achievement for women through research, education and community advocacy.
