Over 800 people gathered to celebrate the achievements of Northwest Indiana’s Influential Women award winners at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville. Attendees included representatives from many corporate entities, as well as community leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizers, and more.
24 winners were chosen from 12 different industry categories; one Influential Woman and one Up & Coming Woman from each. Additional awards were given for Empowering Business of the Year, Community Leader of the Year, and Supporter of the Year.
The overall Influential Woman of the Year winner is Kimberly Blaesing, owner, Tiger Plumbing. Also, the overall Up & Coming Woman of the Year winner is Vicki Urbanik, Porter County auditor.
Winners were chosen from a group of over 150 finalists that were chosen from more than 300 individuals that were nominated by their peers. The winners, finalists, and nominees come from many different walks of life, but they have all made an impact in their respective organizations and/or communities. Nominations were evaluated by Influential Women alumni.
“This event recognizing women in Northwest Indiana has grown every year for good reason; we are realizing the need to lift each other up, to celebrate our successes, to be proud of ourselves and the work we do. The sisterhood in the Region has grown so strong that we created a partner organization, Northwest Indiana Influential Women’s Association, to continue to nurture these bonds and talents,” said Board President Erica Dombey. “NWIIWA provides educational programming for businesswomen, from human resources to leadership to management skills and more. It’s amazing to see how we all have learned from each other through these programs.”
