Woodbine Account Director Janele Marek was recently honored as one of The Business Journal’s “40 Leaders Under Forty,” an award given to the 40 most influential and emerging leaders under 40 years old in North Carolina’s Triad area.

l to r: Kris, Ashley, JANELE, Jen, Peter

Janele was selected in a year that saw a record number of entries. According to The Business Journal president and publisher, Douglas Copeland, the award is designed to recognize “the best and brightest leaders this region has to offer.” The “40 Leaders Under Forty” award is given to those who are a leader within their organization, have made a significant career achievement in 2009, and have substantial community involvement outside their day-to-day job.

As the youngest member of Woodbine’s leadership team, Janele heads strategic efforts for many of Woodbine’s largest clients. In 2009, she successfully kicked off the brand revitalization efforts for new client High Point Regional Health System. For client Ekornes, she developed a program that will nearly triple its domestic advertising over the next five years. Janele also leads the Lowe’s Home Improvement account and last year spearheaded the development of the company’s 2010 Patio Guide, a large cross-merchandising undertaking and the first in-store book on that scale for Lowe’s.

For Janele, the day does not end when she leaves the office. As a passionate athlete (she used to slide skeleton in Lake Placid, N.Y.) and someone who values community involvement, in 2009 Janele donated over 450 hours as the Assistant Cross Country and Basketball coach at Salem College.

Congratulations to Janele from everyone at Woodbine!