Tampa, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Business Journal has announced that Children’s Network of Hillsborough County (CNHC) CEO Terri Balliet is a 2025 BusinessWoman of the Year Honoree.

The Business Journal selected Balliet as one of just 32 honorees out of several hundred nominations received. The award comes in response to CNHC’s success in advancing local child welfare since the organization began service on July 1, 2022.

“I am deeply grateful to have been selected as a BusinessWoman of the Year Honoree,” Balliet said. “I see this as a victory for not only myself but for all of the incredible CNHC employees and partners who’ve worked so diligently to transform the local child welfare system and make us a true leader both statewide and nationally.”

Under Balliet’s leadership, CNHC has launched innovative prevention and diversion programs that have reduced the number of children in the system by over 1,000 – a nearly 50% decrease. Prevention programs have also provided impactful services to 4,200 children, leading to a 55% reduction in removals from their homes. The Florida Department of Children and Families recognized CNHC’s prevention efforts with the 2024 Moments of Impact Forward Focus Award.

The reunification of children in the foster care system is always CNHC’s priority, and they have successfully reunited 1,038 children with their families. When reunification is not possible, adoption becomes the goal, giving youth a second chance at a forever family. Balliet and her team have made CNHC Florida’s leading agency in total adoptions, with over 1,000 children adopted to date.

More information about CNHC – including ways the community can get involved – is available at ChildrensNetworkHillsborough.org.