Sherry Berlinghoff, SK Group president, is the recipient of this year’s Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Leadership Award.
The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to a woman for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.
Berlinghoff received the award at the chamber’s 2025 annual Women in Business Breakfast held at The Water Tower Inn on Friday.
“It feels fabulous,” Berlinghoff told SooToday.
“It's actually very rewarding. When your peers recognize you I think it's really important to be grateful that they can see the hard work that goes into actually running a business and being part of the community. I feel great.”
SK Group specializes in embroidered clothing for its corporate clients, commercial printing, laser engraving and cutting, signage and graphic design.
The business was launched in 1994 and Berlinghoff became its owner in 2014.
SK Group, a 100 per cent woman-owned and led enterprise, has survived challenging times.
Located at 238 Queen St. E., the business was affected when two neighbouring buildings were fully engulfed in flames in 2019.
“We had smoke damage from that fire and we had to leave the premises for about three months while they did all the renovations.
"It was very difficult. We actually left the production in the back. They had lots of big fans that were blowing so they could work there but all of our support staff and sales team had to move to a different location. It was very trying.
"But I had a great team and that makes a big difference,” Berlinghoff said.
The COVID-19 pandemic that struck in 2020 was another major challenge for SK Group.
“Business is great. We've had a lot of really great support from the community since COVID. A lot of people have realized that ‘buy local’ is important. Now more than ever,” Berlinghoff said.
She spoke of what being a woman in business means to her.
“In 1994 I was working for someone else. It was someone else's dream to start this business. In 2014 when I took over the business I was so excited to be able to run it my way, to have my own vision. It became a passion for me.”
Berlinghoff said she cherishes her staff.
“I did the executive coaching and I learned how to speak to my team. I learned how to have a team that loves to come to work every day. And that's what we want. I love seeing that.”
SK Group includes Berlinghoff family members.
“I like seeing the collaboration. I love the fact that it's a family business.
"My daughter and sister-in-law play an integral role in running this business. I like the ability to be able to give back to the community. I like that we have something that the community needs, that we can help them with. That's really rewarding,” Berlinghoff said.
She has served on several local boards, provided nearly $70,000 worth of garments to organizations that help those in need and raised thousands of dollars through fundraising for the Algoma Autism Foundation and ARCH.
Berlinghoff won the 2018 Downtown Business of the Year Award, the Skipper Manzutti Business Achievement Award, and has been nominated for the ATHENA Leadership Award on two previous occasions.
"Third times a charm," she said as she accepted her award.
Meaghan Kent of Meaghan Kent Photography won the Young Athena Award.
“On the eve of International Women's Day, I want to encourage each and every one of you to speak up, to do something, to channel the iconic Canadian females of our past.
"Don't just do business every day. Do something that will inspire the next generation of young people,” Kent said in a speech.
Tracy Stoneman, Village Media director of client services, was one of 29 women nominated for this year’s ATHENA Leadership Award.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who nominated me. Just being considered for this award was such a meaningful experience, giving me the chance to reflect on the journey I’ve taken both in my career and within the community,” Stoneman told SooToday.
Jasmyn Rowley, Village Media’s director of marketing and communications and winner of last year’s ATHENA Leadership Award, delivered some encouraging words in a speech at Friday’s event.
“In our current climate, women's empowerment is critical. Women bring diverse perspectives, innovative solutions, and impressive resilience to the table. They simply need the seat at the table in order to bring those invaluable attributes forward,” Rowley said.
Friday’s breakfast was attended by over 300 people and included a panel discussion featuring local business and professional women.
Panellists included:
- Laura Devoni, Algoma Steel director of corporate affairs
- Sherri-Ann Morin, president and founder at Superior Staff It
- Francine Floreani, Great Lakes Honda dealer principal
- Karen Bird, Founder of Nakehndan – Knowing Your Truth