The 14th annual Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Awards Banquet took place on September 25th, celebrating the region’s most impactful leaders and rising stars.
Organized by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA), the event recognized 258 finalists chosen from 517 nominees, who were submitted by peers and members of the public. Each finalist received a medallion during the banquet.
“As this event continues to grow each year, we are reminded of the extraordinary talent thriving across all industries in our region. We are continually inspired by the passion, resilience, and leadership of these women,” said Andrea Pearman, executive director of NWIIWA. “This event serves as both a celebration and a testament to the incredible impact they have on their industries, their communities, and the next generation of leaders.”
During the banquet, two winners, one Up and Coming and one Influential, in each of 13 industry categories were announced. Special awards were also given to an Overall Influential and Overall Up and Coming Woman of the Year, Supporter of the Year and Community Leader of the Year.
Dru Downen of Knox, the owner of Famous Athletics, won the award in the Arts Category for Up and Coming. Congratulations, Dru.
The full list of winners is below.
The 2025 Influential Women of Northwest Indiana winners are:
Arts:
Up and Coming: Dru Downen, Owner, Famous Athletics
Influential: Jayde McAloon, Founder/Owner, Pieces of Jayde
Business:
Up and Coming: Lindsey Liesenfelt, Owner/Founder, Truly Teas
Influential: Gretchen Sipp, Founder and Technology Education Consultant, Nexus Strategy and Implementation
Construction/Manufacturing:
Up and Coming: Drew Sarkisian, Owner, Modern Edge
Influential: Kathy Trebiani, Office Administrator, ArcelorMittal USA Research
Economic Development/Government:
Up and Coming: Amy Blaker, Client Advocate/Government Affairs Specialist, Lochmueller Group
Influential: Vanessa Lynch, Executive Vice President, Valpo Chamber & VEDC
Education:
Up and Coming: Samantha Horn, Director of Belonging & Student Engagement, Purdue Northwest, College of Business
Influential: Linda Padilla, Principal, Benjamin Harrison Elementary School
Finance:
Up and Coming: Alicia Perez Johnson, Credit Supervisor, Cleveland-Cliffs
Influential: Carrie Upchurch, Area Manager, Everwise Credit Union
Healthcare:
Up and Coming: Faye Stokes, Owner, Michigan City Dental PC
Influential: Christina Matoski-Timm – FNP-C, Owner, CEO, Nurse Practitioner, New Beginnings Health Center
Law:
Up and Coming: Amanda Alasauskas, Attorney, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Influential: Kirsten Kaiser Kus, Equity Owner, Downey & Lenkov
Marketing:
Up and Coming: Claudia Airey, Senior Communications Specialist, NiSource
Influential: Stacy Travis, Owner, Town Planner of NWI
Nonprofit:
Up and Coming: Julie West, Founder, The Play for Jake Foundation
Influential: Dr. Regina Beard, RN, Founder, VicTory 4
Real Estate
Up and Coming: Krystal Zamora, Broker/Realtor, Listing Leaders Northwest
Influential: Micky Gallas, Broker/Founder Micky Gallas Group, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate
Service/Tourism:
Up and Coming: Ann Cain, Owner, Bedarra Bar
Influential: Amy McCarthy, Senior Talent Development Program Manager, White Lodging
STEM:
Up and Coming: Laura Sigward, Process Safety Engineering Superintendent, bp
Influential: Julie Peller, Professor of Chemistry, Valparaiso University
Overall Up and Coming Woman of the Year:
Shelby Case, Media Advisor, Diversified Marketing Strategies
Overall Influential Woman of the Year:
Kim Roller (Dray), OTS Program Manager, bp
Community Leader of the Year:
Kelly Anthony, Regional Director, United States Senator Todd Young
Supporter of the Year:
Ari Hensley, Outreach Director, Lerner & Rowe
