2024 Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Winners

Arts

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Arts

Influential Woman of the Year

Business

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Business

Influential Woman of the Year

Construction/Manufacturing

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Construction/Manufacturing

Influential Woman of the Year

Economic Development/Government

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Economic Development/Government

Influential Woman of the Year

Education

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Education

Influential Woman of the Year

Finance

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Finance

Influential Woman of the Year

Healthcare

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Healthcare

Influential Woman of the Year

Law

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Law

Influential Woman of the Year

Marketing/Media

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Marketing/Media

Influential Woman of the Year

Nonprofit

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Nonprofit

Influential Woman of the Year

Service/Tourism

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Service/Tourism

Influential Woman of the Year

STEM

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

STEM

Influential Woman of the Year

Overall

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Overall

Influential Woman of the Year

Community Leader of the Year

Supporter of the Year

Youth Award Winner

Non-Profit Category

Lifetime Achievement Award

Influential Women Alumni

This list of Influential Women alumni includes all the prestigious winners from each year’s banquet. These individuals have all made tremendous impacts on their companies and communities, and are redefining what it means to live, work, and play in Northwest Indiana.
Among these alumni, you’ll find business leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, entrepreneurs, elected officials, nonprofit coordinators – and all kinds of other individuals that are paving the way forward toward a brighter future for our region.

Arts

Creative and cultural organizations.


 

 

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Influential Woman of the Year

2023 – Brittany Edmonds

Famous Athletics

2023 – Gloria Tuohy

Indiana Ballet Theatre

2022 – Alicia Hodges

Alicia Hodges Portraiture

2022 – Robin Arvanitis

Patti’s All-American Gymnastics

2021 – Bridget Covert

South Shore Arts

2021 – Pamela Anderson

Color Room Salon & Day Spa

2019 – Lita Sena-Lopez

Kahler Middle School

2019 – Michelle Golden

Books, Brushes & Bands for Education

Business

Professional services, entrepreneurs and more.


Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Influential Woman of the Year

2023 – Lisa Harrington

Mermaid Straw

2023 – Lynn Duttlinger

CLH CPAs and Consultants

2022 – Trish Geyer

ALLSTATE

2022 – Stephanie Keller

CliftonLarsonAllen

2021 – Heather McColly

McColly Real Estate

2021 – Gloria Morris

Google

2019 – Natalie Krivas

AM Stabilizers

2019 – Lisa Preston

St. John Animal Clinic

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

2023 – Linda Monge Guerrero

NiSource

2023 – Robin Witte

Facet Architecture

2022 – Julianne Tattersall

Korellis

2022 – Norma Williams

Excellence by Design

2021 – Lyndie Walton

Continental Electric

2021 – Laura Small

Holladay Properties

2019 – Patty Stovall

Hasse Construction

2019 – Tannaz Javadi

ArcelorMittal Global R&D

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

2023 – Wendy Mis

Town of Munster

2023 – Jane Jordan

Town of Burns Harbor

2022 – Mary Perren

Starke County Economic Development Foundation, Inc.

2022 – Alexius Barber

NiSource

2021 – Laura Shurr Blaney

Porter County Commissioner

2021 – Sarita Titus

Gary Police Department

2019 – Katie Hall

Crossroads CASA

2019 – Jennifer Gadzala

Town of Chesterton

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

2023 – Lydia McNeiley

School City of Hammond

2023 – Shaunna Finley

Communities in Schools

2022 – Audrey Faith Randle

Hammond Area Career Center

2022 – Kristin Burton

Purdue University Northwest

2021 – Katrina Alexander

School City of East Chicago

2021 – Raida Abuizam, PhD

Purdue University Northwest

2019 – Uzoma Obidike

She Leads Beautifully

2019 – Mary Ann Chapko

Eisenhower Elementary

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

2023 – Angelica Arambula

The University of Chicago

2023 – Karin DeVries

Horizon Bank

2022 – Lisa Kuehl

Horizon Bank

2022 – Helen Pennington

USAA

2021 – Stephany Leonard

Teachers Credit Union

2021 – Mary Wright

Horizon Bank

2019 – Candice Kouros Logue

Peoples Bank

2019 – Kathy Ireland

Wintrust

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

2023 – Jervai Dumas

CASA/IUN

2023 – Kristen Jeppeson

Community Hospital

2022 – Tiffany Conover

St. Catherine Hospital

2022 – Erica Kaufman West, MD

Franciscan Health

2021 – Olivia Flaherty, RN

Franciscan Health

2021 – Michelle Resendez

Franciscan Health

2019 – Brittany Owen

Winfield Family Health

2019 – Sister Marlene Shapley

Franciscan Health

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

2023 – Rebecca Goddard

Newton County Prosecutor’s Office/Ryan Law Offices

2023 – Carly Brandenburg

Eichhorn & Eichhorn

2022 – Allison Pulliam

Eichhorn & Eichhorn, LLP

2022 – Heather McCarthy

Law Office of Heather A. McCarthy

2021 – Tara Tauber

Tauber Law Offices

2021 – Tara Worthley

Langer and Langer

2019 – Nicole M Keith

Krieg DeVault LLP

2019 – America McAlpin

Austgen Kuiper Jasaitis, P.C. / Lake Superior Court

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 Kwait

Eichhorn & Eichhorn, LLP

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

2023 – Melissa Bohacek

Paladin

2023 – Lauri Keagle

Franciscan Alliance

2022 – Samantha Bean

Lubeznik Center for the Arts

2022 – Angela Spencer

White Iris

2021 – Charlotte Liss

CARSTAR Liss Auto Body

2021 – Jennifer Cosenza

Acorn Marketing by Design

2019 – Jen Soffin

The IN Coast

2019 – Marie Forszt

Community Healthcare System

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

Nonprofit

Charitable foundations, business and community groups and more.


Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Influential Woman of the Year

2023 – Buffy Adams

Indiana Youth Group

2023 – Vickie Rainwater

Mental Health America of NWI

2022 – Juanita Boland

Crisis Center, Inc. A Youth Service Bureau

2022 – Erika Miller

Goodwill Industries of Michiana

2021 – Stephanie Trendowski

Mom Congress

2021 – Prophetess Burgess Peoples

Guaranteed Income Validation Effort (GIVE)

2019 – Michelle Novak

Tradewinds

2019 – Nupur Arora

Food Bank of NWI

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

2023 – Natalie Paton

Luke Family of Brands

2023 – Deborah Bachmann

Purdue University Northwest

2022 – Miranda O’Block

Tavern on Main

2022 – Stacey Beal

Luke Family of Brands

2021 – Orlee Glazer

Barre+Beyond

2021 – Kiki Encarnacion

Hard Rock Casino

2019 – Nicole Caylor

Aftermath Cidery & Winery and Running Vines Winery

2019 – Natalie Johnson

Save the Dunes

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

2023 – Gianna Zyla

NiSource

2023 – Erin Bemis

bp

2022 – Brianna Styck

Newton County Soil and Water Conservation District

2022 – Nasim Azimi

MonoSol

2021 – Maureen Carroll

MonoSol

2019 – Michele Murday

EnviroForensics

2019 – Megan Glaros

CBS Chicago

Overall


Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Influential Woman of the Year

2023 – Teri Wallace

Wallace Consulting LLC

2023 – Jessica Kish

New Chapter Real Estate

2022 – Claudia Jones

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana

2022 – Audra Peterson

Porter County Education Services

2021 – Anne Anderson

City of Hammond

2021 – Denise Conlon

NIPSCO

2019 – Vicki Urbanik

Porter County Auditor

2019 – Kim Blaesing

Tiger Plumbing

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

Community Leader of the Year


2023 – Sherri Ziller

Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA)

2022 – Kelly Vates

Fair Haven Rape Crisis Center

2021 – Tammi Davis

The Obama Foundation

2019 – Andrea Graciano

Victim Advocate Hobart Police

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

LM Woloshansky & Associates

2014 – Desila Rosetti

Organizational Development Solutions

2013 – Denise Dillard

Methodist Hospitals

2012 – Jill Ritchie

Lost Marsh Golf Course

Supporter of the Year


2023 – Deanna Chase

Horizon Bank

2022 – Kylee Fraze Norman

CLH, CPAs & Consultants

2021 – Lisa Kuehl

Horizon Bank

2019 – Cynthia J. Warner-Lowe

Hammond Adult Education

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

Empowering Business of the Year


2019 – Jay Marie Salon and Spa

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

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