Meet our Amazing Queens
Ms. Achievment World
2024
Lily Ahonen
Business Owner, Nurse &Model/Actor
Alberta, Canada
Lily Ahonen, is a Nurse and Foster Parent, caring for medically fragile children. She also holds a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
She loves to travel and has visited over 40 countries. She loves flying and has finished half of her private pilot license training.
She is a Sustainer Member of the Junior League of Calgary and is a living organ donor, having donated one of her kidneys in 2019.
Lily is an actor and model. She has walked in runway shows, including NYFW. She is a make-up artist and has a cosmetics line called “Marigold Beauty” based in Calgary.
Crowned: 7/29/2023
Photo Credit: Carlos Valez
Because...Smart is Beautiful®
Ms. Achievement U.S.A.
2024
Emily Skeers
Singer, Educator, & Emerging Childrens' Book Author,
Washington State, U.S.A.
Emily Skeers lives in the beautiful state of Washington with her husband and two children. She is a singer, educator, and emerging children’s book author. Emily is passionate about her work as a stay-at-home parent. She will soon complete a Master of Science in Early Childhood and Family Development. Emily is planning a career in academia and is engaged with research on the topic of lullaby singing and mother-infant attachment. Emily volunteers as a support group facilitator with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. She enjoys mentoring others through the challenges of chronic illness and helping women live their healthiest, most fulfilling lives.
Crowned: 7/29/2023
Photo Credit: from Emily
Because...Smart is Beautiful®
Dr. World
2023
Dr. Jasmin Chahal
Assistant Professor, Quebec, Canada
Dr. Jasmin Chahal, Dr. World Quebec 2022, received her Ph.D. from the department of Microbiology & Immunology (MIMM) at McGill University. She is currently the youngest Assistant Professor in her department’s 100-year history and the first Punjabi professor in the department.
Along with mentoring and educating over 1000 students each year, her work with STEM awareness continues outside of school through her work with the non-profit organization called “Let’s Talk Science” and her own platform called “Glitter & Science.” With her battle with severe depression and anxiety, Jasmin also uses her experience to bring mental health awareness to the forefront and educate students on self-care.
Crowned: 10/22/2022
Photo Credit: Sophy Cee Photography
Because...Smart is Beautiful®
Dr. America
2023
Dr. Hailey Nelson
Complex Care Pediatrician, California
Dr. Hailey Nelson, Dr. America 2023, is a complex care pediatrician, certified lactation consultant, and mother to three beautiful children. She is passionate about providing the best care for medically fragile patients. Medical education is an important aspect of her career as the impact in sharing her clinical knowledge with others has a further reach. Her outlook in life is to overcome the obstacles and find the opportunities and ways to improve. She leads many clinical quality improvement projects. As the ambassador for Safe Kids Central California, she hosts Lunch and Learn sessions providing injury prevention and safety tips for parents.
Crowned: 10/22/2022
Photo Credit: Eddie Islas, Wiiiphotography
Because...Smart is Beautiful®
Dr. United States of America
2023
Dr. Bekah Yoxthimer
Dentist, Ohio
The new Dr. United States of America 2023, Dr. Bekah Yoxthimer is a soccer mom, 10x triathlete, and woman of faith. Dr. Yoxthimer’s passion for community service led her to start a volunteer group named Strong Women Helping Others. Her organization of 100 volunteers sponsors charity events, serves the needy, and empowers women. Dr. Yoxthimer earned a full-ride academic scholarship to The Ohio State University, after which she completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and has been practicing family dentistry for over 20 years. She and her husband have three adventurous boys. In 2021 & 2022, she received Cincinnati Magazine’s Top Dentist award. While serving as president of her Toastmasters club, she became the District International Speech Champion in 2021& 2022
Crowned: 10/22/2022
Photo Credit: LT, Bekah; RT Rick Martinez
Because...Smart is Beautiful®
Ms. Acheivement
World
2023
Esther Renee Brandon
Chief Human Resources Officer, Ohio
The new Ms. Achievement World 2023, Esther Renee Brandon, is an executive and scholar practitioner with over 25 years of experience as a human resource professional. Her multi-passionate entrepreneurial pursuits focus on professional and personal development, platform advocacy, and most things pageant related. Through her “Be yoU...Do yoU...Love yoU!” (BUDULU) brand, which doubles as a perpetual pageant platform, she engages, educates, and empowers females in all things self-esteem. Her greatest purpose is helping others REACH Freedom as a faith-based trauma informed care professional. Whether an executive, entrepreneur, author, life coach, podcaster, trainer, or pageant queen – she says her “natural habitat is helping people find their wings and soar!”
Crowned: 7/23/2022
Photo Credit: From Esther
Because...Smart is Beautiful®
Dr. World
2022
Dr. Michelle Lynam
Anesthesiologist, Virginia
Michelle is an anesthesiologist practicing in Virginia. After graduating valedictorian, she attended MIT, where her research discovered a gene. At MCV/VCU for both medical school and anesthesiology training, she was chief resident and graduated with honors. Providing human connection to ease the fears of nervous patients is what she loves about anesthesiology. She models for charity fashion shows like Runway2Life which raises awareness for mental health. Face painting affords her an opportunity to raise money for charities and create smiles. Married to a plastic surgeon, they have three daughters. Her second job is managing their modeling careers.
Crowned: 9/18/2021
Photo Credit: Gregory Jones (lt); John Herzog (rt)
Because...Smart is Beautiful
Dr. America
2022
Dr. Brandy Palacios
Physical Therapist, Missouri
Dr. Brandy Janell Palacios, a native of Wyandotte County Kansas, obtained her Bachelor’s degree in biology as a 2003 graduate of Tuskegee University. She returned to Kansas City in 2004 and was later admitted to the Kansas City Kansas Community College Physical Therapy Assistant Program in 2009. Dr. Palacios continued to pursue her education, obtaining a master’s degree in exercise physiology from California University at Pennsylvania in 2012. In 2015 Brandy graduate with the first Doctoral class at the University of Saint Mary’s in Leavenworth Kansas.
She currently serves as an associate professor at Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods Campus. Brandy has presented on issues including diversity at the National Physical Therapist Association conference in New Orleans Louisiana in 2017 as well as on health care disparities within the African-American females community at the Kansas Physical Therapy Association in Topeka Kansas.
Crowned: 9/18/2021
Photo Credit: Katheryne Johnson
Because...Smart is Beautiful
Dr. United States of America
2022
Dr. Dawn Digrius Smith
Chief Executive Officer, California
Dr. Dawn Digrius Smith is CEO of DMDS Partners, Inc., a company based in Altadena, California specializing in evaluation and applied research for the Education and Non-Profit Sectors. Dr. Digrius Smith has over two decades of experience working in higher education as a faculty member, administrator, and consultant.
She has worked as an Executive Director for an educational non-profit based in Southern California, has designed professional development workshops for educators, and loves data crunching!
In her spare time, Dr. Digrius Smith volunteers with the Rotary Club of Altadena, the Altadena Library Foundation, and Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Crowned: 9/18/2021
Photo Credit: Robert F. Smith
Because...Smart is Beautiful
Ms. Acheivement
World
2022
Stayc Simpson
Chief Executive Officer, Florida
Stayc Simpson is the reigning Ms. Achievement World 2022 with 40 years in pageantry.
Ms. Simpson is the CEO of Gymagination and PageantryNOW.
Stayc is a 3-time cancer survivor with heart failure. In 2011, she was hit by a truck riding her bicycle and in 2014 she became the first woman to receive cardiac stem cells to repair her heart.
As an ambassador of Heart Failure for the American Heart Association, Stayc has been featured on several news shows including The Today Show and is the recipient of the President's Service Award for over 15,000 hours of community service.
Crowned: 9/17/2021
Photo Credit: The Perfect Touch Photography
Because...Smart is Beautiful
Ms. Acheivement
U.S.A.
2022
Anna Kerry
Executive Director, California
Anna Kerry is a military spouse, mother, combat veteran, and Navy Wounded Warrior. She is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and currently working towards her second master’s in Elementary Education.
Anna is the Executive Director Assistant to the nonprofit, Mission Warriors, where they provide art as a holistic alternative therapy for first responders and veterans. She is also an advocate for the environment, veterans and STEM programs. Her platform is Innovate Green where she encourages others to think outside-the-box and use STEM to help solve current environmental issues.
Crowned: 7/17/2021
Photo Credit: Veeglammed
Because...Smart is Beautiful
Dr. World
2021
Dr. Angel Bhathal
Pharmacist, Canada
Angel holds her Doctor of Pharmacy and has practiced as a compassionate pharmacist in both community and hospital pharmacy settings. Her mission is to provide mentorship and compassion to others.
She enjoys multiculturalism, volunteering, art, music, and advocating for equality. She been a preceptor for the College of Pharmacy, a guest lecturer for the University of Manitoba, a pharmacology instructor for the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, and a published research author.
Since, Angel has gone on to fulfill several leadership roles as a Pharmacy Manager, Co-Chair, and now most recently as a Senior Director for a not-for-profit organization.
Crowned: 10/10/2020
Photo Credit: Self
Because...Smart is Beautiful
Dr. America
2021
Dr. Daneka Hill
Attorney, Minnesota
Daneka B. Hill, Esquire is a talented attorney, mentor, and domestic abuse survivor, who is passionate about women empowerment. In 2018, Ms. Hill obtained her Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and currently holds numerous licenses and certifications in multiple jurisdictions.
She enjoys working in the general counsel’s organization of a Minnesota-based global financial services firm. Ms. Hill has been recognized by the Minnesota Justice Foundation for her dedication to community service, and in 2018, was awarded the Public Service Award for providing over 150 hours of pro bono legal services to domestically abused women.
Assumed title: 10/16/2020
Photo Credit: Carlos Valez
Because...Smart is Beautiful
Dr. United States of America
2021
Dr. Michelle Lynam
Anesthesiologist, Virginia
Michelle is an anesthesiologist practicing in Virginia. After graduating valedictorian, she attended MIT, where her research discovered a gene. At MCV/VCU for both medical school and anesthesiology training, she was chief resident and graduated with honors. Providing human connection to ease the fears of nervous patients is what she loves about anesthesiology.
She models for charity fashion shows like Runway2Life which raises awareness for mental health. Face painting affords her an opportunity to raise money for charities and create smiles. Married to a plastic surgeon, they have three daughters. Her second job is managing their modeling careers.
Crowned: 10/10/2020
Photo Credit: Studio 5800
Because...Smart is Beautiful
2021
Ms. Achievement
World/International Division
Dr.Tiffany Purnell
Primary School Principal, Tennessee
Dr. Tiffany Purnell is a wife, principal, founder of S.A.S.H.®, and champion for women’s empowerment. Dr. Purnell cherishes her husband, Patrick and her fur baby, Princess. She enjoys growing young minds as the principal of a primary school. In 2018, she was named Teacher of the Year for Humboldt City Schools district. Her achievements also include receiving the Jefferson Award and the Sterling Award in 2019. In 2020, she was named Dr. World Productions Educator of the Year. In May of 2020, Dr. Purnell obtained her doctorate in administrative leadership. Dr. Purnell is the founder of S.A.S.H.®, an organization where young girls and women are mentored and taught how to love themselves. She empowers women by highlighting their accomplishments through her podcast, SASHversations and her magazine, SASHversations Magazine.
Please note: The 2020 Ms. Achievement™
World/international division competition allowed entrants to compete while holding a doctorate degree. In the future, those individuals will need to enter Dr. World ®, Dr. America ®, or
Dr. United States of America ®
Crowned: 12/23/2020
Photo Credit: Darren Lykes
Because...Smart is Beautiful
2021
