Across Okaloosa County, their influence can be seen in courtrooms and classrooms, health care and business, emergency services, foster care, national defense and the arts. Eight women whose leadership has opened doors, strengthened institutions and changed lives now share a new distinction: induction into the 2026 Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame.
The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women (OCCSW) honored the eight distinguished inductees as part of an annual tradition celebrating extraordinary women whose visionary leadership, dedicated public service and pioneering achievements have elevated the status of women and enriched the quality of life throughout Okaloosa County.
This year’s class represents a remarkably diverse group of leaders spanning business, health care, 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.”
The 2026 Hall of Fame honorees are:
Megan Blancho, Niceville — Professional/Business
A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Akron School of Law, Blancho built a statewide legal practice specializing in health care license defense while actively mentoring women launching their own firms. She co-founded the Okaloosa Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL), received the Leader in the Law Award at the 2026 FAWL State Convention and serves on the First Judicial Circuit’s Professionalism Panel.
Vanessa d’Aquin, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Niceville/Valparaiso — Humanitarian
As director of clinical services at Crossroads Center, d’Aquin has expanded health care access for vulnerable women, increasing patient services by more than 200% and providing free care to nearly 1,000 women. An alumna of Northwest Florida State College and the University of West Florida, she has secured no-cost mammograms for uninsured patients, supported women recovering from addiction through multiple local recovery networks and cared for patients within the Florida correctional system.
Simona Faroni, Fort Walton Beach — Pioneer
After arriving in Okaloosa County from Italy in 1996, Faroni overcame immense regulatory and language hurdles to co-found GS Gelato, a nationally distributed manufacturer employing more than 150 people and reporting $38 million in sales in 2025. A naturalized citizen, GrowFL mentor and philanthropist supporting local schools and the Boys and Girls Club, Faroni has received honors including Enterprising Women of the Year and multiple appearances on the Inc. 5000 list.
Dr. Cristie Kedroski, Niceville — Community Service
During more than 15 years at Northwest Florida State College, Kedroski grew the NWFSC Foundation’s 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, Shalimar — Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts
Okaloosa County’s first female paramedic, Larson has spent more than 50 years bridging emergency services, advocacy and the arts. She founded “Paddle Power” for residents with disabilities, fostered 145 children with special needs and founded the county’s Foster Parent Association. Larson also assisted Mattie Kelly in establishing the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and co-created the Shoal Sanctuary Nature Preserve.
Heather Ruiz, Fort Walton Beach — Contemporary
A graduate of Niceville High School and Florida State University, Ruiz built a prominent career in marketing and commercial real estate, including leadership roles at Destin Commons, Talking Parents and Bit-Wizards. One of the youngest women to chair the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, she also serves on the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation board and mentors young people through Take Stock in Children.
Dr. Linda Smith, Niceville — Education
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, guides young people in protective custody toward graduation and mobilizes community groups to provide essential clothing and comfort items for children entering care.
Dr. MiChele Stevenson, Shalimar — Military/Government
Holding degrees from the University of West Florida and Virginia University of Lynchburg, 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 also the first Hall of Fame legacy inductee. Her mother, Mary Stevenson, was inducted in 2012.
Established in 1995 by the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women, the Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes and preserves the contributions of outstanding women whose achievements in education, business, health care, human services, the military and the arts have made a lasting impact.
For more information, visit occsw.com.
