PWIPM Professional Empowerment Grant

Jennifer McIntosh, American Pest, Fulton, MD

Jennifer McIntosh began her career in the pest control industry as a technician in 2017, quickly distinguishing herself as a dedicated and compassionate servant to her community.
By 2021, she advanced to the role of service manager, where she became known for leading with fairness, understanding, and empathy while fostering a safe work environment built on trust and respect.
In 2022, she obtained her Certified Operator’s License in the state of Georgia and was a recipient of the NPMA Impact Award for Women in Pest Management.

After relocating to Maryland in 2023, she joined American Pest and, through her continued commitment to excellence, was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager at the beginning of 2025.
Jennifer is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business administration as well as the Associate Certified Entomologist certification. The Empowerment Grant will help in these pursuits.

Alyssia Zimmaro, Aardvark Pest Management, Philadelphia, PA

Alyssia Zimmaro is a dedicated wife and mother of three who spent ten years teaching in an urban school district before transitioning full-time into her family’s business, Aardvark Pest Management in Pennsylvania.
Over the past three years as operations coordinator, she has applied her organizational and leadership skills to modernize and streamline the company’s operations.

Soon, she will be stepping into the role of owner. Alyssia plans to carry forward the legacy built by her father, Marty Overline, while infusing Aardvark with her own fresh perspective and commitment to growth. Having helped out at Aardvark since childhood—from filing paperwork to lending a hand wherever needed—she’s deeply connected to the company’s roots and passionate about shaping its future.

She will use the Empowerment Grant to take a digital marketing course at her local community college and also attend the 2026 NPMA Academy.

Michelle Taylor, Dean’s Pest Control, Leesburg, FL

Michelle Taylor is the manager of the pest department for Dean’s Pest Control in Leesburg, Florida.
Michelle, or Shelly as many know her, has been a passionate member of the pest management industry since 2006 when she joined Dean’s, coming from a job in food service. Shelly faced challenges in school, so a highly technical job was intimidating at first, but she dug in and earned multiple certifications, including her prestigious Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) designation. While raising her children, she advanced to overseeing the company’s commercial division, managing sensitive accounts and mentoring others.
She will use the Empowerment Grant to pursue an undergraduate degree in entomology at the University of Florida.

Morgan Manderfield, Ecolab Pest Elimination, Eagan, MN

Morgan Manderfield is a Senior Entomologist with Ecolab Pest Elimination based in Eagan, Minnesota. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Rowan University and her Master’s degree in Entomology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Morgan has been with Ecolab since 2017, where she has held multiple technical roles of increasing responsibility.

In her current position, Morgan leads projects focused on the development and commercialization of innovative pest elimination devices and protocols. Her work includes providing expert support to field operations teams and customers through insect identification, technical consultation, protocol recommendations, and training. Morgan plans to begin a PhD program in Entomology next year. The requested grant will support her continued academic and professional development by helping to offset the costs associated with this pursuit.

Jullee Johnson, Terminix, Columbia, SC

Prior to joining the pest management industry, Jullee Johnson was a civilian with the United States Navy as an Administrative Officer for the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center. She started her career with Terminix Service, Inc., as an Administrative Assistant doing everything from making coffee to managing pest control licensing for the entire company, which has over 1000 employees and operates in three different states. She still manages licensing, and is now the Corporate Training & Technical Project Coordinator for Terminix Service which is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.  Delving further into our industry, Jullee recently achieved getting her licenses in both South Carolina and North Carolina.

Jullee is passionate about our industry and is using the grant to further her technical education by attending Purdue’s correspondence courses. 

Caroline Kohnert, Plunkett’s Pest Control, Fridley, MN

Caroline is the Technical Director for Plunkett’s Pest Control in Minnesota. She got her undergraduate degree in Wildlife Ecology and has since earned her Masters in Adult Education. She started in 2010 with Plunkett’s as a Service Technician and has worked her way up the ranks with her love of the science of our field, passion for professionalism, ability to teach, and her ever-expanding network. 

At Plunkett’s, she has improved the training/onboarding process, assisted technicians in the field, advised large and small clients, and built strong relationships with vendors. She also has given back to the industry by speaking at technical conferences and serving on a wide variety of professional groups.
Caroline is using the grant to purchased the study materials and register for the BCE Exam.

Breanna Neerland, Kwik Kill Pest Control, Madison, WI

Breanna Neerland is the Operations Manager of Kwik Kill Pest Control, a family-owned company established in 1979.  Since switching career paths from microbiology to pest control in 2015, Breanna has worked her way from service technician to her current role.  She not only oversees all day-to-day processes but is also constantly striving for the highest possible efficiency both in the office and on the road.  Breanna encourages continual education and learning not only within Kwik Kill but also within the pest management industry.  She holds four state certifications, is a state of Wisconsin Master Tech, and gained her ACE in April 2021.  Breanna is looking forward to using the Professional Empowerment Grant to attend more NPMA conferences to continue learning and further develop her leadership skills.  

Jennifer Peckford, Orkin Canada, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

Jennifer is a Lead Technician for Orkin Canada in Scarborough, Ontario. In this role she supports fellow technicians, assists managers with customers and accounts with concerns. She is also the Employee JHSC representative for her branch, helping to ensure a safe and supportive workplace. Before working for Orkin Canada, Jennifer has held a variety of positions from Legal Administrative Assistant at law firms and a Life Insurance agent to working in a school kitchen and a school bus driver. Jennifer is looking forward to using the grant money to expand her knowledge. This includes obtaining new licenses and ACE certification, along with some business classes. 

Janice Crisostomo, Terminix, Memphis,TN

Jennifer began her career in pest management in 2014 as the Marketing Manager for Copesan’s Operating Companies – Wil-Kil Pest Control and Holder’s Pest Solutions. Today, she leads client experience efforts as the Marketing Manager at Terminix Commercial. Janice has her bachelor’s degree in communication studies and is actively pursuing her master’s degree in business administration. She is passionate about the pest management industry, and the role women play in it.

Kristen Stevens, Cook’s Pest Control, Decatur, AL

Kristen is the Director of Training at Cook's Pest Control. She oversees company-wide training and continuing education programs and recently transitioned Cook's to a hybrid training model of virtual and in-person instruction. Before joining Cook's in 2019, Kristen served as Technical Director for Clegg's Pest Control.

She is currently pursuing a PhD in adult education from Auburn University and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in entomology, with a specialization in urban pest management under Dr. Phil Koehler, from the University of Florida. Kristen worked as a teaching assistant during her master’s program and has delivered numerous seminars, workshops and presentations at pest management conferences over the past six years.

Adanna Lett, Rehoboth Limited, Trinidad And Tobago

Adanna Lett is the Pest Management Development Officer at Rehoboth Limited of Trinidad and Tobago; a second generation company. She holds a major in Biology and a graduate degree in Small and Medium Enterprise Management. Adanna draws inspiration for diverse matriarchal leaders and credits these women for her continual personal and professional growth. It is her mission to ensure Rehoboth Limited achieves accreditation for the complete range of NPMA's Pro series and fully adopt data driven systems and new technologies in Pest Management to elevate employee engagement and customers experience.

Lisa Weidmaier, Western Pest Services, Parsippany, NJ

I have held the position of Training and Technical Manager for Western Pest Services since joining the company and the industry in 2008. I’ve been part of the NJPWIPM group for the last three years. I am passionate about learning and am committed to making sure that we continue to share the story of what an important difference women can make in the pest control industry…solving problems for customers and making the world a better place.

Bridget Anderson, ECOLAB, Ponchatoula, LA

"Being awarded the PWIPM grant to attend Pest World catapulted my career!  Shortly after the announcement of being awarded the grant, my name and talents were being discussed with senior leadership.  Although I know my company valued me and acknowledged my engagement, the award brought me to the forefront.  Attending Pest World allowed me to see the vast opportunities in our industry.  This event ignited a fire in me to further my career and take the path that so many talented women paved.  My eyes were opened to a future I did not see prior to attending PestWorld.

After returning from the event, I took the opportunity to apply for a promotion.  I feel confident that PWIPM and PestWorld was a huge part of my preparation for the interview and now the new position I hold. Covid-19 did effect some of the education plans I had with the grant. However, the faith, confidence, and knowledge I gained from attending the event advanced my career in pest management. Just a few short years ago, I started as a nighttime service specialist, and now I manage a 3 state team of sales managers.  Thank you to all the women in PWIPM for helping me advance my career!"

Ashley Sands, Future Services, Inc., Lawrenceville, GA

"As a PWIPM Empowerment Grant recipient, I was awarded the opportunity to attend PestWorld 2019, which took place in San Diego, CA. One of the biggest takeaways for me was truly understanding the impact the pest industry has on the world. It is truly inspiring to see the collaborative efforts of so many people to advance technology, products, etc. to provide better results for prevention, elimination, and protection from pests. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with the vendors in the Exhibit Hall. It gave me an opportunity to network and catch up on the newest and greatest platforms out there that we can implement into our business. The educational sessions were also very insightful. I focused on attending topics related to management, including marketing, human resources, and technology. Lastly, I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about NPMA, and I hope to attend more NPMA events in the future!" 

Rachel Alexander, Advantage Pest Control, Ontario, Canada

"I’d like to personally thank the PWIPM and the NPMA for the opportunity to further my career in the field by granting me the funds to take my ACE-I exam. The experience at Pest World 2018 was insightful, educational and allowed me to connect with other industry pros, especially fellow women in the field. The support I’ve received from the PWIPM has been invaluable and has made me a more versatile and well rounded technician, ready for whatever the industry has waiting for me.

This grant allowed me the opportunity to fund the requirements to take my ACE-I and infinite support that encouraged me to achieve my goals. This has been a surreal experience and has helped me plant my feet as a solid and confident pest management professional." 

Teresa Bannon, Commercial Sales Supervisor for Cook's Pest Control, Horton, Alabama

"As a recipient of the Professional Women in Pest Management Empowerment Grant, I was awarded the opportunity to attend PestWorld 2018 in Orlando, FL. This event far exceeded by expectations! The location at Walt Disney Dolphin and Swan Resort was incredible. The participants in the trade area were numerous. I enjoyed speaking with vendors from the United States and abroad about current and future products available to the pest industry. Also, I was able to attend several classes from leadership enrichment to the fight against the Tawny Ant (surprisingly affecting many areas today). Most of all, I enjoyed having the opportunity to interact with other women in the pest management industry, some of whom were from across the world. After speaking with these women, I realized that all of us, regardless of where we reside, face many of the same challenges. It was great to be able to come together at PestWorld 2018 and fellowship as a group. PWIPM is doing great things and I am proud to be a part of this organization.

I would like to thank the PWIPM again for the Empowerment Grant that I used to further my leadership skills thru the online courses available with Dale Carnegie Digital Training.  The courses have helped me to understand better ways of communicating, leading and negotiating between myself and my team members so that we ALL can excel in our careers.  I feel that these valuable insights will benefit me professionally and personally  and, I say again, Thank you, Professional Women in Pest Management, for the great experience, which not only started at Pest World 2018, but will continue to empower me on into my future and my career.  You are a great organization and I am blessed to be a part of it."

Helen R. Holloway, Co-Owner of Champion Pest & Termite Control, Pickerington, OH

Angie Lawrence, Area District Manager for Rentokil, Charlotte, NC and Greenville, SC

"Thank you to the Professional Women in Pest Management for affording me the opportunity to experience B’More.  I went into the trip to Baltimore without any set expectations of what the trip would be and came home with a completely new perspective on what I want my future in pest management to be. 

I have spent 20 years working in a bubble; in my own little corner of the Market.  B’More was enlightening and an eye opener.  It has given me ideas of what a career that lasts until retirement might look like, not one that might end when I get too old to help cover an open route or service 100 bait stations in a couple hours.  I have returned home and have ideas of how to involve my fellow women in empowering each other in our profession and improving myself thru education and participation in meetings, training and comradery.  I want to inspire my staff to be more than just pest prevention professionals, but be a better steward for the environment, be a better neighbor, and be a better member of their community.  I want to create enthusiasm to support each other, and build each other up to reach our goals together.  I want to be able to B’More."

Kaija Saarinen

“Receiving the PWIPM Professional Empowerment Grant in 2016 was an incredibly enriching experience. I had just launched my business in May of 2016 and was eagerly looking to become a part of the PWIPM, CPMA and NPMA communities. Being a new business owner, funds were tight as PestWorld 2016 was approaching. There was no way I would be able to afford to go on my own. This grant allowed me to experience this incredible conference and meet so many amazing people in our industry. It was an unforgettable educational experience, and I am hooked! I cannot wait until B’More 2017.

The conference allowed me to finally meet the members of PWIPM in person. What an incredible group. I am so proud of the members and what they have already accomplished. It was a packed meeting with record numbers; all of whom were exceptionally excited to help grow our organization. I highly recommend anyone interested to check out PWIPM. The mentorship and support and unparalleled for women in our field!

The grant also allowed for me to further my education and add services to my business by helping to pay for my Mosquito and Biting Fly certification. The funds also made it possible to attend Pest Management Canada 2017 in Vancouver, where I was host to PWIPM’s inaugural interest meeting. We had a great turn-out and hope to grow PWIPM’s presence in Canada for our next Pest Management Canada 2018 in Toronto. Since the conference I have been actively recruiting in my region (and all of Canada) for PWIPM. I have taken part in our quarterly conference calls with the other regional groups and cannot express how thrilled I am to be a part of this organization and to see it flourish! I really want to try and give back to this group who awarded me this grant and truly helped my pest management career in so many ways. Thank you so much to everyone involved! And please, let your friends, staff and any women in your life know about PWIPM.”

Sheila Donatello

During a successful PestWorld 2015 in Nashville, PWIPM presented the Professional Empowerment Grant to Sheila Donatello of the Steritech Group in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mariluz Jimenez

The National Pest Management Association's (NPMA) affiliate organization Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM), is pleased to announce the 2014 recipient of the PWIPM Professional Empowerment Grant is Mariluz Jimenez of HomeTeam Pest Defense in San Antonio, Texas.

Mariluz Jimenez has worked in the pest control industry as a sales consultant for the past six years. According to Central Region Vice President Mike Johnson, "Mari possesses outstanding [skills]. Her sense of urgency, ability to create empathetic relationships with customers, and desire to excel are keys to her success. She is an asset to HomeTeam Pest Defense." Upon acknowledge of her winning the award, Jimenez stated: "Being selected as the Empowerment grant recipient is proof that if you reach for every opportunity as they present themselves, more doors will open, and we can soar farther than we think. Wayne Gretzky once said 'You miss 100% of the shots that we don't take'. I'm extremely grateful for this award and I look forward to using it to the best of my abilities."

As the recipient of the grant, Jimenez will receive funding to advance her career or education in the pest management industry, as well as a trip to PestWorld 2014 in Orlando, Florida. The grant will be awarded during the PWIPM reception at PestWorld on October 22, 2014.

Suzanne Wagner

"Attending NPMA’s PestWorld 2013 was an incredible experience that definitely helped me achieve my career goals. I want to thank PWIPM for granting me this scholarship and covering my attendance at the conference. This was the first time I had been able to attend, but I certainly hope it is not the last as I benefited so much from the experience! Meeting so many new faces and hearing about their learning and development endeavors gave me some fantastic ideas that I can apply to the programs at Rentokil. This to me embodies the spirit of PWIPM and the purpose of the scholarship as the opportunity aided both my education and career growth."

Charity Lowder

"I can not thank PWIPM enough for allowing me the opportunity to attend PestWorld 2012. The entire PestWorld experience was so beneficial and very educational! PWIPM's dedication to women in the pest industry encouraged me to take the extra initiative to move up through the ranks and reach my full potential.

"The scholarship was put to great use, by paying for my winter 2012 semester at Central Piedmont Community College. I am currently enrolled at CPCC working toward an associates degree in business. The associates degree gives me the tools that are needed to handle anything, and interact with employees of all levels.

"Furthering my education will equip me with the knowledge to take on extra responsibilities and move up as a successful woman in the pest control industry!"

Laura Corbin

"The PWIPM scholarship gave me many opportunities I wouldn't otherwise have had. It allowed me to attend PestWorld, NPMA Academy, and several other local training classes, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. I have been able to further my education in the pest industry, and I will be forever grateful for the experience."

Sarah Thomas-Clark

"The pest management industry has been a part of my family since 1949. Within the pest management industry, we are fortunate to have many networking opportunities and the ability to foster relationships with other individuals. PWIPM consists of females who have a passion for the pest management industry. PWIPM recognized my efforts and selected me for the scholarship in 2009 affording me the opportunity to attend Pest World in Las Vegas that year.

"The scholarship provided me with funds to complete my Bachelor's Degree in Communication from SUNY New Paltz. Upon graduation I knew my passion was with pest management. I assumed the role of Marketing Specialist for my father's company and am now Vice President of my family owned business. My association with PWIPM has fostered endearing relationships with women who I admire and enjoy the same ambitions and objectives as I do.

"I encourage any female within the pest management industry to apply for the scholarship. The scholarship and Pest World experience will foster your growth professionally and inspire you to make a difference in your community and the industry."