Alumni

Arts

Creative and cultural organizations.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year

Business

Professional services, entrepreneurs and more.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year
2018 – Farren Felus Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce	2018 – Patti Komara Patti’s All American
2017 – Stephanie Woods Revolution Fitness	2017 – Danette Garza Jack Gray Transport, Inc.
2016 – Kathy Neary Ivy Tech Community College	2016 – Anita Marie Kozlowski Screw Conveyor Corporation
2015 – Rachel Gajos Methodist Hospitals	2015 – Gerri Davis-Parker Truck City of Gary, Inc.
2014 – Angie Nelson-Deuitch NIPSCO	2014 – Shelly Iliff Duke Energy
2013 – Theresa Valade SuccessTrek, Inc.	2013 – Kimberly Broader NIPSCO
2012 – Julie Bieszczat Barney Enterprises Management Services	2012 – Violet Sistovaris NIPSCO

Construction/Manufacturing

Manufacturers, industrial firms, contractors and builders.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year
2018 – Zhifen Wang ArcelorMittal Global R&D	2018 – Amy Henningfield Superior Construction
2017 – Aida Haigh NiSource Inc.	2017 – Kelly Dallas ArcelorMittal USA
2016 – Jessica Vargas Holladay Properties	2016 – Teresa Iaquinta Matrix North American Construction
2015 – Britta Haalboom NIPSCO	2015 – Tish Roach Building and Construction Resource Center (BCRC)
2014 – Anna Tristan Sargent Electric Company	2014 – La Rhonda Lenski Majestic Star Casino
2013 – Tricia Hanrath Superior Construction	2013 – Melissa Neff Mechanical Concepts, Inc.
2012 – Melissa Strayer Matrix NAC	2012 – Wendy Hoppe Hoppe PRO Hardware, Inc.
2011 – Karyn Gallas Schererville Glass & Mirror	2011 – Sarah Polman Arctic Engineering Co.

Economic Development/Government

Community leaders, development organizations, first responders and municipal entities.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year
2018 – Katie Eaton Economic Development Corporation Michigan City	2018 – Sherri Rainford Town of Morrocco
2017 – Stephanie Kuziela Town of Chesterton	2017 – Rachel Oesterreich Starke County Highway Department
2016 – Lorri Feldt Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center	2016 – Lori Tubbs Commercial Advantage, Inc.
2016 – Maria D’Ambrose Newton County Board of Commissioners	2016 – Merrilee Frey Lake County Coroner’s Office
2015 – Africa Tarver City of Hammond	2015 – Denarie Kane City of Hobart
2015 – Victoria Gresham Porter County Republican Party	2015 – Christine Cid Lake County Council
2014 – Sherri Ziller Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority	2014 – Kay Nelson Northwest Indiana Forum
2014 – Tina Stevens Newton County Democratic Party	2014 – Shelli VanDenburgh Indiana State Representative
2013 – Tina Rongers KarnerBlue Era	2013 – Dawn Collins Century 21 Executive Realty
2013 – Nancy Adams Porter County	2013 – Earline Rogers Indiana State Senate
2012 – Karen Lauerman Lake County IN Economic Alliance	2012 – Cecile Petro Town of Highland
2012 – Donna Muta City of Hammond	2012 – Erica Dombey Regional Development Company
2011 – Elizabeth Jacobson City of Hammond	2011 – Diane Thalmann NIPSCO
2011 – Mara Candelaria-Reardon City of Hammond	2011 – Olga Velazquez Mayor of Portage

Education

Teachers, administrators, higher education, faculty and staff.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year
2018 – Valentine Torres Hobart High School	2018 – Dr. Sharon Johnson-Shirley Lake Ridge New Tech Schools
2017 – Michelle Biel Ondas Gavit Middle/High School	2017 – Dr. Cynthia Roberts Indiana University Northwest
2016 – Dr. Karen Bishop Morris Purdue University Northwest	2016 – Dr. Marsha King University of Saint Francis
2015 – Dr. Jenny McGill Indiana Wesleyan University	2015 – Barbara Eason-Watkins Michigan City Area Schools
2014 – Dr. Neeti Parashar Purdue University Calumet	2014 – Dr. Teresa A. Eineman Crown Point Community School Corporation
2013 – Regina Biddings-Muro Purdue University Calumet	2013 – O’Merrial Butchee Ivy Tech Community College
2012 – Frances Vega-Steele Ivy Tech Community College	2012 – Debra Ciochina Crown Point Community School Corporation
2011 – Anne Van Keppel Valparaiso University	2011 – Dr. Charlotte Reed Indiana University Northwest

Finance

Financial experts, advisors, banking staff and more.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year
2018 – Sarah Kotys Kotys Wealth Professionals	2018 – Nicole Nalepa Horizon Bank
2017 – Tiffany Irving BMO Private Bank	2017 – Kelly Shikany Lakeside Wealth Management
2016 – Lauren Trumbo St. Catherine Hospital	2016 – Karen Candiano Eley-Graham Financial Advisory Services, Inc.
2015 – Niccole Zell Regional Development Company	2015 – Mary Ann Shacklett Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, Inc.
2014 – Jennifer Brock Sage-Popovich Inc.	2014 – Martha Rivas Ramos First Midwest Bank
2013 – Jocelyn Hibshman Lakeside Wealth Management Group	2013 – Rachel Saxon Horizon Trust & Investment Management
2012 – Martha Sandoval First Midwest Bank	2012 – Rene Martin First Merchants Bank
2011 – Theresa Mudd First Merchants Bank	2011 – Carol Highsmith Centier Bank

Healthcare

Health and wellness professionals, administrators, doctors, nurses and private practice.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year
2018 – Denise Carpenter NorthShore Health Centers	2018 – Dr. Janet Seabrook Community HealthNet Health Centers
2017 – Christina Matoski Ourhealth	2017 – Julie Mallers Franciscan St. Clare Clinic
2016 – Julie Bombacino Real Food Blends	2016 – Lori Postma Franciscan Alliance Inc.
2015 – Jennifer Myers Mullen Methodist Hospitals	2015 – Maryann Fumo Franciscan Alliance Inc.
2014 – Khisha Anderson Community Healthcare System	2014 – Patricia Weber Franciscan Alliance
2013 – Cynthia Thompson Hammond Clinic	2013 – Jo Ann Birdzell St. Catherine Hospital
2012 – Micki Pawlowski Calumet Orthopedic and Prosthetic Co., Inc.	2012 – Janice Ryba St. Mary Medical Center
2011 – Marjie Laciak Fagen Pharmacy	2011 – Barbara Anderson St. Anthony Health

Law

Lawyers, legislators, legal aids and more.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year
2018 – Angela Jones The Law Office of Angela M Jones	2018 – Julie Rosenwinkel Krieg DeVault LLP
2017 – Patricia Roman Hass Indiana Legal Services	2017 – Melissa Cohen Cohen & Sawochka
2016 – Dana Zivkovich Zivkovich Law Offices LLC	2016 – Leane English Cerven NorthWest Indiana Bancorp/Peoples Bank
2015 – Julia Bochnowski Valparaiso University School of Law	2015 – Elizabeth F. Tavitas Lake Superior Court Domestic Relations Division
2014 – Shelbie J. Byers Hoeppner, Wagner & Evans, LLP	2014 – Jaime Oss Huelat, Mack & Kreppein, P.C.
2013 – Dana Rifai Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP	2013 – Sean Kenyon Hoeppner, Wagner, and Evans LLP
2012 – Carly Brandenburg Eichhorn & Eichhorn, LLP	2012 – Melanie Dunajeski Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP
2011 – Marissa McDermott McDermott Law Office	2011 – Renee J. Mortimer Hinshaw & Culberson

Marketing/Media

Public relations organizations, communications and entertainment.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year
2018 – Jenny Craig-Brown Ideas in Motion Media	2018 – Carrie Kuck HealthLinc
2017 – Tricia Sena Luke Oil	2017 – Gina Altieri Phenix7 Marketing, Inc.
2016 – Kristin Johnson SecurMAR LLC	2016 – Kris Falzone Purdue University Northwest
2015 – Alexis Vazquez Dedelow WJOB AM 1230	2015 – Susan Brychell Purdue University North Central
2014 – Angela Moore St. Catherine Hospital	2014 – Andrea Spanburg-Sherwin Centier Bank
2013 – Brandi Anstine HealthLinc	2013 – Chelsea Whittington Indiana University Northwest & C WHITT PR
2012 – Angie Tsikouris Spine Care Specialists	2012 – Cheryl Justak Golf Now! Chicago Magazine
2011 – Meghan Mauman View Outdoor Advertising	2011 – Pat Colander The Times

Non-Profit

Charitable foundations, business and community groups and more.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year
2018 – Jean Bowman Nazareth Home	2018 – Debie Coble Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc
2017 – Amelia Kowalisyn Emma’s Footprints	2017 – Renae Vania-Tomczak Mental Health America of Lake County
2016 – Mackenna Schon United Way of Porter County	2016 – Dr. Sharron Hightower-Liggins Continuum of Care Network of NWI, Inc.
2015 – Lisa Coyle Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana	2015 – Sandra Noe Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, Inc.
2014 – Donna Golob PATH, Inc	2014 – Sister Peg Spindler Sojourner Truth House
2013 – Monique Ruiz Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce	2013 – Maggi Spartz Unity Foundation of LaPorte County
2012 – Melissa Castly-Kirinic United Way of Porter County	2012 – Danita Johnson Hughes Edgewater Behavioral Health Services
2011 – Heather Ennis Northwest Indiana Forum	2011 – Patricia Huber Crown Point Community Foundation

Service/Tourism

Retail services, entertainment, accommodation/transportation providers and tourism-related organizations.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year
2018 – Diana Bosse City of Crown Point	2018 – Kate Rather Green is Good by Kate
2017 – Paula Broutman Performance Plus	2017 – Toula Klideris Prime Steakhouse
2016 – Lydia Ramos Hammond Horseshoe Casino	2016 – Polly Grieger-Rossi, CMP-HC, CMM, HMCC Meeting Achievements
2015 – Crystal Martin L’abn MediSpa & Therapy Center	2015 – Julie Basich Fair Oaks Farms
2014 – Dana More Luke Family of Brands	2014 – Deann Patena Fair Oaks Farms
2013 – Allyson Baughman Duneland Chamber of Commerce	2013 – Lorelei Weimer Indiana Dunes Tourism
2012 – Jennie Burgess City of Crown Point	2012 – Chareice White Majestic Star Casino
2011 – Niko Sullivan Lost Marsh Golf Course	2011 – Dawn Reynolds Pettit Horseshoe Casino

STEM

Innovators, inventors, science and technology-related firms.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year

Overall

Up & Coming Woman of the Year	Influential Woman of the Year
2018 – Heather Garay City of Hammond	2018 – Stacey Brock NIPSCO
2017 – Michelle Biel Ondas Gavit Middle/High School	2017 – Julie Mallers Franciscan St. Clare Clinic
2016 – Kristin Johnson SecurMAR LLC	2016 – Leane Cerven Northwest Indiana Bancorp/Peoples Bank
2015 – Africa Tarver City of Hammond	2015 – Gerri Davis-Parker Truck City of Gary, Inc.
2014 – Dr. Neeti Parashar Purdue University Calumet	2014 – Sister Peg Spindler Sojourner Truth House
2013 – Tricia Hanrath Superior Construction	2013 – Jo Ann Birdzell St. Catherine Hospital
2012 – Melissa Strayer Matrix NAC	2012 – Chareice White Majestic Star Casino
2011 – Niko Sullivan Lost Marsh Golf Course	2011 – Barbara Greene Board of Directors, Community Foundation of NWI

Empowering Business of the Year

2018 – Lippert Components and Acts of Service

2017 – Horseshoe Casino Hammond

2016 – Strack & Van Til

2015 – Mental Health America of Lake County

2014 – Community Healthcare System

2013 – NIPSCO

2012 – Fair Oaks Farms

Community Leader of the Year

2018 – Helen Garrison

Albert’s Diamond Jewelers

2017 – Karen Maravilla

It’s Just Serendipity

2016 – Sue Reed

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce

2015 – Analisa Warring

(Up & Coming Community Leader)
REGIONAL federal credit union

2015 – Linda Woloshansky

Center of Workforce Innovations

2014 – Desila Rosetti

Organizational Development Solutions

2013 – Denise Dillard

Methodist Hospitals

2012 – Jill Ritchie

Lost Marsh Golf Course

Supporter of the Year

2018 – Erica Dombey

Regional Development Company

2017 – Charles Nordyke

Vibra Hospital of Northwestern Indiana

2016 – Ed Kasza

The Little Guys Home Technology

2015 – Carly Brandenburg

Eichhorn & Eichhom, LLP

2014 – Sister Aline Shultz

Franciscan Alliance

2013 – Calvin Bellamy

Krieg DeVault

Torch Award

2018 – Rhiannon Kinsey

Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana

2017 – Dawn Buckley

Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland

2016 – Ellen DeMartinis

Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

2015 – Jenny Harty-Lynn

Vibra Hospital of Northwestern Indiana