Eight UCF alumnae are among the Central Florida honorees of Orlando Business Journal’s 2016 list of Women Who Mean Business. The 26 recipients on the 18th annual OBJ list will be honored Friday, April 29, at a luncheon at the Hilton Orlando.

Two of the women – Salli Setta and Denise Swanson – are among the magazine’s business executives of the year.

Setta, president of Red Lobster restaurant, earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication in 1987 at UCF and an MBA at Florida Institute of Technology in 1991.

Swanson, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer of Space Florida, earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting in 1998.

Listed as OBJ’s Women to Watch were six UCF graduates, including two who are now employed by the university.

Anya Andrews, an associate professor in the College of Medicine and director of research initiatives, earned a master’s in communication in 2001 and a doctorate in instructional technology in 2006. She also previously worked as a senior research scientist in the UCF Institute for Simulation and Training, and a graduate researcher.

Jennifer Johnson is director of engagement in the College of Business Administration and director of The Exchange, a lecture series for students featuring leaders from the university, community and industry. She earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing in 2003.

The other Women to Watch:

  • Sasha Hausman, development officer at Second Harvest Food Bank, earned a BA in radio/TV in 2008.
  • Marsha Robbins, owner of Dramatic Education Inc., earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater in 2002 and a master’s in elementary education in 2006.
  • Bridget Keefe, executive director of the Downtown Orlando Partnership, earned a BA in event management in 2009 and a master’s in public administration in 2011. She also worked in the UCF Foundation and Alumni Association.
  • Jessica Korthuis, strategic marketing manager at BIGEYE Advertising Agency, earned a BS in interpersonal organizational communication and a BA in studio arts, both in 2011.