In its 11th year, the Washington Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” Awards program has more than 280 alumnae, including some of the most powerful in Washington. The program is designed to honor influential women from a broad range of industries and professions, including women who have made a difference in their communities, blazed a trail for other women, and are leaving a mark on business in the nation’s capital, the publication says. The new class of honorees is selected every fall by the Washington Business Journal.

Neely has served as ABA president and chief executive officer since 2005. During her tenure, Neely has worked with ABA membership to further the industry’s longstanding commitment to being part of the solution to childhood obesity. Notably, industry leading companies have voluntarily reduced calories from beverages sold in schools by 90 percent through its national School Beverage Guidelines. In support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign, the industry announced its Clear on Calories initiative, voluntarily placing clear calorie labels on the front of every bottle, can and pack they produce. The ABA and its member companies also were part of Obama’s and the Partnership for a Healthier America’s “Drink Up!” initiative. Most recently, in partnership with former President Clinton and his Alliance for a Healthier Generation, industry leaders announced a nationwide initiative to reduce calories consumed from beverages in Americans’ diets. This is the single-largest voluntary effort by an industry to help fight obesity, the ABA says.

Neely’s professional background encompasses government service in both the executive and legislative branches of federal government, as well as state government and significant health care policy and advocacy experience. A native of Iowa, Neely holds an undergraduate degree in journalism and French civilization from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University. She has been elected the first woman president of both the Washington Rotary Club and the University Club of Washington, D.C. She currently serves as chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Association Committee of 100, chair of the American Society of Association Executives, and president of the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America. Neely also serves as a director on the boards of the Global Child Nutrition Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Recently, she was recognized as the Trends 2014 Association Executive of the Year and also received the 2011 Global Citizen of the Year Award from the Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University. Neely also is the mother of two children, Eve, 17, and Ben, 14.