Mayor Lyles to Present 2026 Mayor's International Community Awards

Published on May 08, 2026

banner of the mayor international community awards

The City of Charlotte Mayor’s Office, in collaboration with Charlotte Economic Development and the Charlotte International Cabinet (CIC), will host the 28th Mayor’s International Community Awards (MICA) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20.

The MICA Awards, at the Booth Playhouse at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, recognize the philanthropic efforts of three foreign-owned firms and individuals and organizations that make significant international contributions.

Individual Award Honorees

Pat Martinez will receive the Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award for her decadeslong career in leadership development, community engagement, organizational transformation and nonprofit management. Martinez has held executive roles across multiple sectors, served on national and local boards, and was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper to the North Carolina Commission on Inclusion and the Andrea Harris Task Force. Her national recognitions include BMW’s “Paying It 4Ward” award, MEA Magazine’s “25 Distinguished Women in Business,” La Noticia’s Businesswoman of the Year, the Diamante Advocacy Award, and induction into the Women’s History Hall of Fame at the Levine Museum of the New South, only the second Latina honoree. Martinez mentors entrepreneurs through Stanford University’s Latino Business Action Network and leads Leadership in the Clouds™, a global consulting firm she founded in 2013.

Polly Outhey will receive the CIC International Entrepreneur Award. Outhey came to the United States as a refugee from Laos 38 years ago. Her career journey reflects a deep commitment to resilience, service and community empowerment. After 18 years working with several banks, Polly transitioned into the private financial services sector to become an independent retirement planning specialist, doing business as APA – Ali-Polly & Associates. She has dedicated her career to advancing financial literacy helping people build long-term financial stability. Based in Charlotte, Outhey leads an Asian women-owned and operated practice that provides tailored retirement planning and financial education programs. Outhey also founded The Foundation for Fiduciary Education Inc., a Charlotte-based nonprofit that provides unbiased, low-cost financial education through workshops and educational resources. She also supports multiple other nonprofits through sponsorships and volunteer work, including International House, International Women’s Day Committee and the Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce.

The Global Leader Award will be presented to Saya Sio, cofounder of the Annie T. Doe Memorial Foundation. Since 2010, the Liberian-born Charlotte resident’s foundation has provided free education to more than 600 K–12 students, empowered women through targeted programs, delivered essential healthcare services and positively impacted over 30,000 lives in Liberia. A dedicated professional, she holds an MBA and is a CPA, Certified Internal Control Expert, and Project Management Professional, serving as senior director of business unit risk and control at TIAA. Sio also is leading the construction of a clinic in Buchanan, Liberia, while also mentoring youth and offering scholarships in Charlotte.

Foreign-owned Firm Awards

Large Company Category: Midrex Technologies Inc., a global leader in cleaner ironmaking technology, is a subsidiary of Japan-based Kobe Steel. The company has been headquartered in Charlotte for more than 50 years, supporting steel producers in more than 20 countries, offering engineering, project management and sustainable ironmaking solutions that help advance lower-emissions steel production. Giving back is an integral part of the company’s culture with millions of dollars donated to charity over the years, and thousands of volunteer hours contributed annually by teammates. In Charlotte, that impact can be seen through support of many organizations, including Holy Angels of Belmont, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, International House, TreesCharlotte, the Japanese Association of Charlotte, Blood Cancer United, Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, Veterans Bridge Home and Carolina Breast Friends.

Medium Company Category: Premix Group, a Finnish manufacturer of electrically conductive plastics, opened its U.S. manufacturing facility in Dallas, North Carolina, in 2025. This site is expected to employ between 30-35 people and is backed by a $79 million investment from the U.S. Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services, which will help secure critical supplies in the United States. Premix produces plastic materials used in applications such as diagnostics, industrial packaging and electronics and uses U.S. sourced raw materials for extrusion and injection molding processes. Locally, the company supports educational programs, sports clubs and international initiatives, including events hosted by the World Affairs Council of Charlotte.

Small Company Category: Rosenberg USA Inc., located just outside Charlotte, is a subsidiary of the Germany-based Rosenberg Group. The company provides innovative fans and blowers under the Rosenberg, Ecofit, and ETRI brands that are used for HVAC systems, renewable energy equipment and telecommunications infrastructure.

The company partners with local schools to provide technical and career pathways for students entering engineering field. It also supports early-career engineers through a $25,000 innovation award offered in partnership with the ASME Foundation. The Karl Rosenberg Foundation provides direct financial grants to regional arts and culture programs to help preserve the community's local identity. The company also uses internal employee committees to identify and fund specific social initiatives in the community. Additionally, the company supports and donates to international organizations, including the World Affairs Council, the Deutsche Schule, and many German community events.

MICA tickets are available through Blumenthal Arts.

The MICA Awards are part of Charlotte Small Business Month.