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 Robinson 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.

2015 – Crystal Martin

L’abn MediSpa & Therapy Center

2015 – Julie Basich

Fair Oaks Farms

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
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 Gomez-Mayo 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

Influential Women Alumni

Arts

Creative and cultural organizations.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Influential Woman of the Year

2023 – Brittany Robinson

2023 – Gloria Tuohy

2022 – Alicia Hodges

2022 – Robin Arvanitis

2021 – Bridget Covert

2021 – Pamela Anderson

2019 – Lita Sena-Lopez

2019 – Michelle Golden

Business

Professional services, entrepreneurs and more.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Influential Woman of the Year

2023 – Lisa Harrington

2023 – Lynn Duttlinger

2022 – Trish Geyer

2022 – Stephanie Keller

2021 – Heather McColly

2021 – Gloria Morris

2019 – Natalie Krivas

2019 – Lisa Preston

2018 – Farren Felus

2018 – Patti Komara

2017 – Stephanie Woods

2017 – Danette Garza

2016 – Kathy Neary

2016 – Anita Marie Kozlowski

2015 – Rachel Gajos

2015 – Gerri Davis-Parker

2014 – Angie Nelson-Deuitch

2014 – Shelly Iliff

2013 – Theresa Valade

2013 – Kimberly Broader

2012 – Julie Bieszczat

2012 – Violet Sistovaris

Construction/Manufacturing

Manufacturers, industrial firms, contractors and builders.

Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Influential Woman of the Year

2023 – Linda Monge Guerrero

2023 – Robin Witte

2022 – Julianne Tattersall

2022 – Norma Williams

2021 – Lyndie Walton

2021 – Laura Small

2019 – Patty Stovall

2019 – Tannaz Javadi

2018 – Zhifen Wang

2018 – Amy Henningfield

2017 – Aida Haigh

2017 – Kelly Dallas

2016 – Jessica Vargas

2016 – Teresa Iaquinta

2015 – Britta Haalboom

2015 – Tish Roach

2014 – Anna Tristan

2014 – La Rhonda Lenski

2013 – Tricia Hanrath

2013 – Melissa Neff

2012 – Melissa Strayer

2012 – Wendy Hoppe

2011 – Karyn Gallas

2011 – Sarah Polman

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

2023 – Jane Jordan

2022 – Mary Perren

2022 – Alexius Barber

2021 – Laura Shurr Blaney

2021 – Sarita Titus

2019 – Katie Hall

2019 – Jennifer Gadzala

2018 – Katie Eaton