Redmond residents Kelsey Pesola and Menka Soni are official nominees for The Global Beauty Awards show (TBGAs).

Pesola, a Sea Gal, is a nominee for Best in Physical Fitness, and Soni is a nominee for Best Costume, Best Director (local) and Best Non Profit.

TGBAs is taking place March 10 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. There are more than 30 categories recognizing the best of the best worldwide from all pageant systems, including titleholders, contestants, makeup artists and coaches, to directors, producers, parents and more.

“There are major awards shows for actors, athletes, musicians and others, but there’s none that celebrates those on a global scale who have had some kind of pageantry involvement and excelled in business, science, politics, entertainment and more,” said Maureen Francisco, co-founder and executive producer of TGBAs.

Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her accomplishments in empowering women through business and entertainment. MUO is owned by WME|IMG, the global leader in entertainment, sports, events, media and fashion.

Pesola is a general partner and chief operating officer of Kinetics Fitness Brand. She started her career in fitness even before she earned her degree in exercise science from Seattle University by interning at a physical therapy office and also a personal training facility. Working so closely with patients and clients, her love for the industry only grew. “I love the people that I work with because they truly inspire me with their passion and desire to change their lives. This inspiration drives me to always seek to better myself. Fitness is so much more than a hobby, it is a lifestyle. A lifestyle that I’m happy and fortunate enough to share with everyone I work with,” she said.

Soni, a Lucknow, India, native, left her job in IT to pursue her passion of fashion and empowering other women. Soni is the owner of Ravishing Marketplace, a clothing company, and Washington state director of Mrs., Teen and Miss India pageants, in which she helps young Indian girls pursue their dreams in modeling and acting.