Congratulations to the 2025 Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Awards Finalists

Arts

Influential Woman

Brittany Edmonds Famous Athletics All-Star Cheer and Tumbling
Buffy Van Huis Gateway Triangle Corp
Courtney Palasz Kahler Middle School
Jayde McAloon Pieces of Jayde
Lorna Collette Moore-Davidson MS ELLE’S especially for you
Margaret Gomez Ballet Folkloric Yolotzin
Morgan Hecht Makeup by Morgan

Up & Coming

Aimee Cooper MixDesign
Alexandria “Ally” Shinkan Region Theater Company
Brittney Drakoulis NailBritt
Christina Belloso-Baugh Renewed Movement
Dru Downen Famous Athletics
Megan Pearson Meg Pearson Photo
Melissa Hamming The Cracked Glass Studio

Business

Influential Woman

Carrie Campbell Hatfield Pest Control & McCoy Wildlife Control
Dana Gibson Associated Pediatricians, LLC
Gretchen Sipp Nexus Strategy and Implementation
Jeny Burkhart The Waxi Taxi
Judy Cruse Quality Impressions Print & Design
Kathy Neary Center of Workforce Innovations
Lisa Kaszubski, MCLC, CMP Sister, We Hear You
Oshima Ahuja Tandoor Indian Cuisine
Penny Schlyer Authentic Impact Business Coaching
Pooja Puri Brow Art 23
Rhonda Lowe Luke Family of Brands
Sami Welter Ella Jayms
Stephanie Maderas Revolution Fitness
Tamera Lienhart bp Whiting Refinery
Tiff Arcella Moving Sales Foward

Up & Coming

Allison James Family Express Corporation
Amber Bol BooXkeeping Northwest Indiana
America Echeverria Biggby Coffee Highland
April Glueckert Calumet Lumber Inc.
Cate Sullivan Biggby Coffee Highland
Hannah Chapman Property Management Inc. NWI
Heidi Morgan Belle Ame Boutique
Jay Cherry DRIIP Clothing
Jessica Aguilar A Thriving Mind LLC
Jessica Enriquez Sisterhood Social Co. / Expand Brand Agency
Kandis Frizell Herkandyglam Lash Bar & Lash Supply
Katie Agopian Gateway Triangle Corp
Lauren Najar Lauren Najar Coaching
Lauren Peters Fringe + Ink Creative Co.
Laurie Farver-Busch Bon Vie
Lindsey Liesenfelt Truly Teas
Michelle Czysczon Latitude Commercial
Miranda Marquez Luke Family of Brands
Ruhani Sharma CITGO Gas Station – Highland
Samantha Wilkins Luke Family of Brands
Savannah Andersen Like Honey X Botanical Skin and Body
Vanessa Bajda Luke Oil
Victoria Pierce Double Take Body Studio

Construction/Manufacturing

Influential Woman

Chloe Sweet bp Whiting Refinery
Dorothy Falk Falk PLI
Kathy Trebiani ArcelorMittal USA Research
Katrina Bruner Superior Construction Company
Lisa Martin Sensit Technologies
Mackie Stankich ArcelorMittal
Missy Wacasey Cleveland Cliffs
Raeann Trakas Cleveland-Cliffs
Stacy Bibian Larson-Danielson Construction Co., Inc.

Up & Coming

Ashley Henningfield Milestone Contractors, Inc.
Drew Sarkisian Modern Edge LLC
Lisa (Juergens) Heber Northern Indiana Public Service Co (NIPSCO)
Meredith Moran-Pruim Korellis Roofing, Inc.
Natalie Brown Superior Construction
Samantha Paulus Superior Construction
Sarah Lewis Superior Construction
Stefanee Asche Calumet Lumber Inc
Wendy Peterson Michuda Construction
Zasmine Glenn United Rentals

Economic Development/Government

Influential Woman

Jennifer-Ruth Green State of Indiana
Lisa Pierzakowski Center Township Trustee – La Porte
Mary Celita Green City of Gary
Miss Robin Arvanitis Town of Schererville
Vanessa Lynch Valpo Chamber & VEDC
Teresa Janovitz Portage Fire Department

Up & Coming

Amy Blaker Lochmueller Group
Bailey Tombers LCEA
Ellen Kapitan City of Valparaiso
Heather Stevens Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
Justine Carlotta Westchester Public Library
Kelly Anthony US Senate
Keri Marrs Barron Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County
Mariana Naglosky FSSA /Division of Family Resources
Natalie Kasberger Valparaiso Police Department

Education

Influential Woman

Allison Urbanczyk Valparaiso University
Dr. Pamela Moore Tri-Township Consolidated School Corporation
Dr. Uzoma Obidike She Leads Beautifully
Jaclyn Barkow Indiana University Northwest
Jokima Hiller Indiana University Northwest
Keana Baylis Little Village Home Child Care LLC
Kristen Doty La Porte Community School Corporation
Laura Robbins South Newton High School
Linda Padilla Benjamin Harrison Elementary School
Mandy Morrill Valparaiso University
Neeti Parashar Purdue University Northwest
Padmini Makam Chinmaya Mission NWI
Stacia Bolakowski Marian University’s Ancilla College
Valentine Torres City of Hobart

Up & Coming

Dominique Williams Sparky Brains Tutoring
Flor Andersen Ivy Tech Community College Lake County
Jen Ward Suncrest Church
Jessica Underwood Ivy Tech Community College
Kaitlyn Vasilko Purdue University Northwest
Katelyn Caragher Purdue University Northwest
Kayla Vasilko Ivy Tech Community College
Krystie Reed Purdue University Northwest
Samantha Horn Purdue Northwest, College of Business
Samantha Madrigal Ivy Tech Community College Lake County

Finance

Influential Woman

Amanda McKenzie First Community Mortgage – Amanda McKenzie Team
Carrie Upchurch Everwise Credit Union
Charlene Lewis Fifth Third Bank
Erin Valdivia Shelter Insurance
Gena Poulos Wintrust Indiana
Gina Fezler BMO
Pleya Nacht Horizon Bank
Sonya Smith Wealth in Motion Consulting LLC
Veronica Simms Everwise Credit Union

Up & Coming

Alicia Perez Johnson Cleveland-Cliffs
Ashley Stephan Centier Bank
Heather Cipolla Wallace Consulting LLC
Jennifer Buck Everwise Credit Union
Jennifer Guay Sensit Technologies LLC
Katie Cortes Everwise Credit Union
Mindy Patrick ArcelorMittal
Nychi Heath Old National Bank
Randi Webber Rural 1st
Robin Sobomehin Social Coaching-Credit Repair

Healthcare

Influential Woman

Cathy Cinko Franciscan Health
Christina Matoski-Timm FNP-C New Beginnings Health Center
Gervay Dickerson NorthShore Health Centers
Lauren Hull UChicago Medicine Crown Point
Lynne Clapman Erie Family Health Centers
Mary Jo Smith Franciscan Alliance
Maysha Carlson NorthShore Health Centers
Melissa DeSutter Right at Home
Nila Williams Franciscan Health
Noemi Adame Culver Pediatrics Center
Rebecca Briick-Sasak Thrive Healing Center
Shanon Mekola Alliance MD
Sheri Bruder Franciscan Health Crown Point Screening Clinic
Vivian Jacobs I AM Healed Homecare

Up & Coming

Ashley Michalski Pillars of Wellness
Ashley Nguyen NorthShore Health Centers
Cynthia Carter-Spencer Better Tomorrow Counseling LLC
Delana Orban Franciscan Health
Elizabeth Georges, FDN-P Vibrant Soul Coaching, LLC
Enida DeVaney Northwest Health Porter
Faye Stokes, D.D.S. Michigan City Dental PC
Francesca Cooley Epiphany and Company Counseling
Gina Bachmeier RENEW UMassage, Wellness & Spa
Kristy Victor Northwest Cancer Centers, PC
Lauren O’Day Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Network
Natali Alvarez HealthVisions Midwest Inc.
Rhea Martin, MSN WHNP-BC Perfection Medical Spa
Sandra Turner Right at Home Northwest Indiana
Savannah Smith Brick Road Therapies
Stephanie Walker Franciscan Health Crown Point

Law

Influential Woman

Ingrid Rais Lake County Criminal Probation Department
Kirsten Kaiser Kus Downey & Lenkov LLC

Up & Coming

Amanda Alasauskas Swanson, Martin & Bell LLP
TaSheena Cunningham-Rimmer Chicago Housing Authority

Marketing/Media

Influential Woman

Anita Goodan Kankakee Valley Broadcasting, Inc.
Jackie Thomas South Shore Public Relations
Jeni Williams Innsena
Jenny Craig-Brown GreatNews.Life
Krystal Kadar Quagliara St. Thomas More Church
LeeAnn Ashby-Hall Compass Marketing
Lisa Fronek Generate
Melissa Bohacek Paladin
Melissa Huffman Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana
Stacy Travis Town Planner of NWI
Susan Thompson Illiana Indoor Billboards
Ula Davitt BizAtelier.co

Up & Coming

Allison Maciejewski JMA Architects
Amanda Bookholt Saint Paul Catholic School
Amy Kowalisyn Amelia Kowalisyn Photography
Andrea Puente Belvedere Senior Housing
Ashley Spargo GreatNews.Life
Claudia Airey NiSource
Deb Ammerman Small Business Showcase Digital Magazine
Kaitlin Craig Ferguson Imagehaus Creative
Maria Avila Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
Marissa Hurst Marissa Hurst Photography
Nerissa Cassidy Fezler College of Business Purdue University Northwest
Shelby Case Diversified Marketing Strategies

Nonprofit

Influential Woman

Cindy Cohen RN BS BA C2 Your Health Women’s Initiative Inc.
Cindy Hall, CFRE Ivy Tech Community College
Corrine Witkowski Regional Care Group
Dr. R. Beard, RN VicTory 4 Kidz
Irene Szakonyi The Starke County Youth Club, Inc.
Jenna Conklin Paladin
Jennifer Trowbridge CoAction
Joyce Leon Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana
Kristina Trajkovski Regional Care Group – Geminus Corporation
LaTrice L. Edwards Triumphant Transitions Inc.
Lita Peters Harold Hal Kelley Respite Foundation, Inc.
Mimi Burke Twice Blessed Rett
Stephanie Anderson Opportunity Enterprises
Toya Smith Making A Difference & Serving A Purpose
Valerie McDaniels A Better Way Home
Vita Ayala Powers Health Cancer Research Foundation

Up & Coming

Abby Vogel Giggles Boutique
Amy Wulf VNA Hospice NWI
Ari Biaz Lerner & Rowe
Brenda Stellema La Porte County Juvenile Services Center
Carmen Vincent Project Neighbors
Dominique Smiley Center of Workforce Innovations
Gretchen Mercer NWI No Child Hungry
Illiana Melgoza Big Sister Hour
Jacque Ryan Starke County Community Foundation
Jenna Hullett Judah’s Blessings Inc.
Julie West The Play for Jake Foundation
Kristy Hahn Family Advocates
Mandy Krickhahn The Collective
Stacey R. Black Michiana Women Rise
Tammy Diaferio-Longoria Paying It Forward
Trisha Drain Newton County Community Services, Inc.

Real Estate

Influential Woman

Alison Rentschler Re/Max Country Wide 1st
Jennifer Miga McColly Real Estate
Micky Gallas @properties Christie’s International Real Estate

Up & Coming

Alexa Hosier Lisa Grady Team McColly
Becky Wright BHGRE Connections
Courtney Aydt Better Home and Gardens Real Estate Connections
Elizabeth Velazquez McColly Real Estate/ Womens Council of Realtors
Ewka Kawecki Top Team Properties
Krystal Zamora Listing Leaders Northwest
Michelle McManus Lisa Thompson Group @Properties CIRE
Rebeca Cierniak Listing Leaders Northwest

Service & Tourism

Influential Woman

Amy McCarthy White Lodging
Angela Gaghan, CMP Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa
Emme Wawrzycki Luke Family of Brands
Georgia Manous-Gessler Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
Johanna Welter Journeyman Distillery
Natalie Paton Luke Oil
Rebekah Gizynski Good Hospitality
Sara Flores Briar Ridge Country Club

Up & Coming

Ann Cain Bedarra Bar
Charlotte Shaia Elwood Staffing
Colleen Cary Luke Family of Brands – County Line Orchard & Lakeside Pavillion Event Venue
Hannah Cohen Luke Oil
Jaime Keller Avalon Manor Banquet Center
Kayla Harmon Luke Family Of Brands – County Line Orchard & Lakeside Pavillion Event Venue
Kelli Stair Mosquito Joe of South Bend
Laura Quiroga Gateway Triangle Corp
Mary Kay Emmrich Crossroads CASA / Gypsy Cataloguing / Sincerely Yours Estate & Tag Sales
Traci Grant County Line Orchard

STEM

Influential Woman

Glory Gutierrez bp Whiting Refinery
Halle Brooks bp Whiting Refinery
Julie Peller Valparaiso University
Kim Cooks NiSource
Kim Roller (Dray) bp Whiting Refinery

Up & Coming

Gelena Jones St. Mary Medical Center
Jessica Renslow Nexus Strategy and Implementation
Laura Sigward bp Whiting Refinery
Stephanie Weisman bp Whiting Refinery
Whitney Perkins bp Whiting Refinery