The National Association of Women Business Owners-Minnesota (NAWBO-MN) chose Susan Park Rani, president of Rani Engineering, to receive its 2012 Woman Pioneer Award. The honor was presented Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the NAWBO-MN Achieve! Awards Event at the Graves 601 Hotel in Minneapolis.

NAWBO-MN provides a local avenue for women entrepreneurs to connect with their peers. Female owners of businesses large and small join together for regular networking, educational programs, mentorship and support.

Nationally, NAWBO was founded in 1975 to open doors for women entrepreneurs by transforming public policy and leveling the playing field. Representing the issues and concerns of women-owned businesses at the national, state and local levels, NAWBO is in the forefront of advocating on behalf of women business owners and the issues that have an impact on their companies.