Palm Beach Atlantic University Recognizes Sponsors for 2025 Women of Distinction Luncheon

SROA Capital Celebrates Excellence as the Diamond Sponsor of the 33rd Annual Luncheon Honoring Penny G. Murphy and Amanda Schumacher

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SROA Capital has generously stepped up as the Diamond Sponsor for PBA's 33rd Annual Luncheon, where two local women of distinction, Penny G. Murphy and Amanda Schumacher, will share the spotlight on February 18 at The Breakers, Palm Beach. The annual luncheon hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) honors women who cherish community and family and work to preserve these ideals for others. Proceeds from this PBA tradition of more than 30 years benefit a scholarship fund for deserving female students.

"The past and present Women of Distinction represent the heart and soul of our community," said event chair, Frances Fisher. "This year's honorees are sophisticated businesswomen who have had beautiful families and have led with great generosity and a deep servant heart. Our annual luncheon allows us to look back on all the incredible women we have celebrated, those who are making an impact today, and share the excitement of the next generation of women leaders receiving scholarships. We know they, too, will respond to their calling. We are grateful to Amanda and Penny, who have led with distinction, and how they have made this community better because of it."

Murphy is a third-generation native of West Palm Beach, Florida, and has deep roots in the SoSo neighborhood, where she grew up embracing the values of hard work and dedication. Inspired by her grandfather Max Greenberg's entrepreneurial legacy, Murphy pursued her own path of excellence. After earning her education degrees from Stephens College and George Mason University, she started her teaching career by opening Penny Brown's Kindergarten in Wellington, Florida in 1978. Following the birth of her second child in 1983, Murphy transitioned to being a stay-at-home mom and later took on roles in public relations, marketing, and fundraising at St. Ann's School. She joined the family business, Pioneer Linens, eventually becoming its president in 2007. Murphy is also actively involved in her community, serving on the Board of Trustees for the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches and participating in local initiatives like fundraising for the 2024 Jupiter Medical Center Foundation Ball. Murphy is a longtime board member of the Historical Society of Palm Beach, and she and her husband, Alan, are also major donors to Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. Her contributions to her community and business have earned her multiple recognitions, including the Small Business Award from the Chamber of Commerce and the American Free Enterprise companion medalist by Palm Beach Atlantic University and last spring she was awarded The Palm Beach County Girl Scout's Emerald Award for Leadership.

Schumacher is an entrepreneur and philanthropist, founding Tree of Life Foundation International, Inc. in 2006, where she serves as its president. The foundation, which operates 22 branches, consolidates resources to support global communities through initiatives like Tree of Life Resource Centers and Tree of Life Enterprise Services, which provides employment services funneling all profits back into the foundation. Additionally, she launched the Tree of Life Center, offering residential transitional housing to rehabilitate lives, with 100% of proceeds supporting their missions. Schumacher holds several significant roles, including CEO of Schumacher Auto Group, President and Owner of We Insure Schumacher Insurance, and Senior Partner of Global Elite Solutions Institute, Inc. Her extensive involvement extends to advisory boards across numerous organizations, including the Palm Beach Island Hospice Foundation, the American Red Cross, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach Zoo. Her contributions have been recognized with several awards, such as the African Leadership Organization's 2023 Inspirational Leadership Award, and she has been featured prominently in publications like Palm Beach Illustrated and Modern Luxury Palm Beach.

"SROA Capital, headquartered here in West Palm Beach, is honored to be part of such a great, longstanding event. It's an honor to support and celebrate our community and the people that make it such a wonderful place to work and live," said Benjamin Shibe Macfarland, III, CEO of SROA Capital. 

Proceeds from the luncheon provides scholars to deserving female PBA students. The 2025 WOD scholarship recipients are Elizabeth Akintujoye, Reagan Bozarth, Claire Crossman, Valentina Guzman, Ludnie Saint-Juste and Julia Seagle. Since 1996, 74 students have received the WOD scholarship.

In addition, Kaelin Hatfield will be honored as the second annual recipient of the humanitarian award at the Women of Distinction (WOD) ceremony. A PBA alumna, Hatfield graduated in 2024 with a B.S. in Elementary Education and Psychology. She is the founder of LifeLoving365, a clothing brand designed to raise awareness for depression and suicide, and Christ in Crisis, a nonprofit that delivers humanitarian aid to those in dire situations. Her work has taken her around the globe, collaborating with organizations in the Middle East, Ukraine, Zambia and more to bring vital resources to communities in need.

Joining SROA Capital as event sponsors are Saphire Sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Tim Sotos and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Merriman; Ruby Sponsors Frances Fisher, Emilia Fanjul and Patrick and Debbi Koenig and Pearl Sponsors Kerry and Tom McCaffrey, Susan and Bob Wright, Moss Construction and The Kessler Family Foundation. Table sponsors include Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Penny G. Murphy, Tree of Life Foundation International, Inc. and Amanda Schumacher, Tammy Pompea, Ronnie Heyman, Vicki Halmos, Ronnie Heyman, United Franchise Group, Sall Ross Soter, Dan and Denise Hanley, Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, The Merck Family, Cathy Flagg, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens and PBA Alumni Association. The Corporate Sponsor is Kingdom Charitable Trust, and the Underwriting Sponsors are Palm Beach Illustrated, Penny G. Murphy, Kit Pannill, Sheila Rinker, Chad and Susan Sorrell, David and Laura Bishop, Cathy Flagg and Stacie Campbell.

For more information about Women of Distinction or to join the President's Giving Society, please visit pba.edu/about/growth/women-of-distinction. For general information about PBA, learn more at www.pba.edu.

About Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach Atlantic University, founded in 1968, is a private, Christian university, offering 100 different programs and pathways, including undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The university has a 19-acre campus in West Palm Beach and an Orlando campus, and the 78-acre Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus provides facilities for training and hosting intercollegiate sports. Sailfish athletes compete in 18 NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference varsity sports. PBA's mission is to equip students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction and serve God boldly. The university affirms the values that have built American society, including religious liberty and the free enterprise system. Learn more at www.pba.edu.

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SOURCE Palm Beach Atlantic