Region’s Most Influential Women Recognized During Banquet
23 days ago
Crown Point, IN – 9/26/24 – Excitement and inspiration filled the room Thursday evening during the highly anticipated Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Awards Banquet.
Organized by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA), the 13th annual event recognized 226 finalists chosen from over 430 nominees. Each finalist received a medallion during the banquet.
“Each year, this event gets bigger and better as we recognize the achievements and talents of women in our region,” said Andrea Pearman, executive director of NWIIWA. “We had a record-breaking number of attendees to the banquet this year, and I am so thrilled to see so many come out to celebrate and support all those who truly deserve this honor.”
At the event, two winners, one Up and Coming and one Influential, in each of 12 industry categories were announced. The 2024 Influential Women of Northwest Indiana winners are:
Arts:
Up and Coming: LaQuisha Jackson, Soulful Kitchen/Hope for the Hungry
Influential: Debra Bolanos, Xel-Ha Escuela de Danza
Influential: Morgan Davis, The Blue Phoenix Institute
Economic Development/Government:
Up and Coming: Robin Arvanitis, Schererville Council
Influential: Julie Wendorf, Crown Point Community Library
-- MORE --
Education:
Up and Coming: Roxanna Lugo O’Rourke, Hammond Education Foundation
Influential: Gisele Casanova, Purdue University Northwest
Finance:
Up and Coming: Shvonne Barber, Horizon Bank
Influential: Katie Craig, bp
Healthcare:
Up and Coming: Kele Ivey, BSN, RN, SANE-A, Methodist Hospitals STAR Center
Influential: Regina Nelson, Optimal Neuroscience Services
Law:
Up and Coming: Courtney Smith, Smith Legal Group, LLC
Influential: Amy Nowaczyk, O’Drobinak & Nowaczyk PC
Marketing:
Up and Coming: Susan Thompson, Illiana Indoor Billboards
Influential: Christi Hardesty, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
Nonprofit:
Up and Coming: Brittany Caraballo, Geminus Regional Care Group
Influential: Sheila Chandler, TradeWinds Services
Service/Tourism:
Up and Coming: Tracee Jury, Steamwhistle Coffee Roasters
Influential: Jeny Burkhart, The Waxi Taxi
STEM:
Up and Coming: Rachel Ritter, Powers Health
Influential: Alyssa Nyberg, The Nature Conservancy, Indiana
-- MORE --
Overall awards were also presented during the event. Those winners are:
Overall Up and Coming Woman of the Year:
Dr. Maria V. Hughes, Purdue University Northwest
Overall Influential Woman of the Year:
Amy Henningfield, Superior Construction Co., Inc.
Nonprofit Youth Award:
Maddie Wimple, Madisyn’s Spread the Love Project
Supporter of the Year:
Aida Haigh, NiSource
Community Leader of the Year:
Angie Nelson Deuitch, City of Michigan City, Indiana
A complete list of the 2024 finalists is available to be viewed online by clicking here. Nominations for next year’s event can be made here. A photo gallery highlighting some of the memorable moments from this year’s banquet can be viewed at Building Indiana Business.
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About NWIIWA: The Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA) is the leading regional group for the professional development of women and their careers. Its mission focuses on providing opportunities for professional growth through leadership, support, and education in a variety of industries. Together with its members, NWIIWA, a 501c3 nonprofit, supports the continuing advancement of women by bringing together the region’s most successful professionals in all areas of business, industry, and community service.
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