The finalists for the 14th annual Influential Women Awards have been announced, with 258 shining stars highlighting the achievements of women from many leading regional companies and organizations, including several locally familiar faces.
Influential Women alumni and industry leaders evaluated each nomination and chose this year’s finalists from 517 nominees who were nominated by their peers and other members of the public as women who have had significant impact on their companies, industries, and communities.
During the awards banquet, which is presented by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA), two winners in each of 13 different industry categories will be chosen from the list of finalists. An Influential Woman and an Up and Coming winner will be announced. The event also features award presentations in special categories including Community Leader of the Year and Supporter of the Year. Each finalist receives a medallion during the banquet.
The Influential Women Awards Banquet will take place on September 25, 2025, at Avalon Manor in Merrillville.
Finalists from Starke County include:
Dru Downen of Knox, Famous Athletics, in the Arts Up and Coming category.
Gina Bachmeier from RENEW U Massage Wellness and Spa in Knox in the Healthcare Up and Coming Category.
Anita Goodan from our very own Kankakee Valley Broadcasting here in Knox, in the Marketing and Media Influential Woman category.
Irene Szakonyi from The Starke County Youth Club, in the Nonprofit Influential Woman category
Jacque Ryan from Starke County Community Foundation, in the Nonprofit Up and Coming Category
The full list of finalists can be found below.
2025 Influential Women 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
Arts – Up and 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 America, Inc.
- Tiff Arcella, Moving Sales Forward
Business — 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.
Construction/Manufacturing — 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
Economic Development/Government — 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
- Pamela Moore, Tri-Township Consolidated School Corporation
- 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
Education — 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
Finance — 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
Healthcare — 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
Law — 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, 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
Marketing/Media — 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
- 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
Nonprofit — 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
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
Service & Tourism — 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
STEM — Up & Coming
- Gelena Jones, Mary Medical Center
- Jessica Renslow, Nexus Strategy and Implementation
- Laura Sigward, bp Whiting Refinery
- Stephanie Weisman, bp Whiting Refinery
- Whitney Perkins, bp Whiting Refinery
