News Release
The finalists for the 15th annual Influential Women Awards have been announced, with 186 standout honorees recognized for their achievements across a wide range of regional companies and organizations.
Influential Women alumni and industry leaders reviewed each nomination and selected this year’s finalists from a group of over 500 nominees, all submitted by their peers and members of the public in recognition of their meaningful impact on their organizations, industries and communities.
During the awards banquet, presented by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA), two winners in each of 13 industry categories will be selected from this year’s group of finalists. An Influential Woman and an Up-and-Coming winner will be named in each category. The event will also include honors in special categories, including Community Leader of the Year and Supporter of the Year. Each finalist will receive a commemorative medallion during the banquet.
“As we mark the 15th year of the Influential Women Awards, it’s inspiring to see the depth of leadership across our region,” said Andrea Pearman, Executive Director of NWIIWA. “This year’s finalists reflect the people who are driving progress across all industries.”
This year’s Influential Women Awards Banquet is set for Sept. 24 at Avalon Manor in Merrillville. The milestone anniversary of the Influential Women Awards highlights the program’s continued growth and influence, making it the longest-running awards program honoring women in Indiana. More than 1,000 attendees from dozens of companies gather at the awards banquet. More details, tickets and sponsorship information are available here.
2026 Influential Women Finalists
ARTS
Up & Coming
- Nicole Krygsheld, Sweet Pea Designs
- Breana Moore, Leave It To B DNA Jewelry
- Vyctorya Swallow, Vycs World
- Cassie Williamson, Calumet Region Fine Arts Studio
Influential Woman
- Aruna Chaubal, ABCLLC
- Jessica Corral, Valparaiso Creative Council, Inc.
- Sarah Snuffer, Sarahndipity Nails and Spa
- Lauren Thiel, The Art Table Inc.
- Amanda Tuohy, Indiana Ballet Theatre
BUSINESS
Up & Coming
- Jennifer Castillo, US Foods
- Mia Diggins, Mia More Oils LLC
- Lynette Goodson, Netty Gs Cuisine
- Nikki Grabelle, Porter Bank
- Amanda Herren, Graceful Exit
- Licie Kennedy, NIPSCO
- Nancy Marsh, S. Steel
- Eliseth Barajas, Korellis Roofing Inc.
- Kristen La Rocca, Office Interiors
- Jaden Schultheis, Yours Truly Bath Co
- Sarah Sikora, Hatfield Pest Control & McCoy Wildlife Control
- Faith Vandersteen, Region Mamas
- Jennifer N Williams, All In One Tax Services
Influential Woman
- Angela Arriaga, Decennial Group LLC
- Renee Connelly, Gary SouthShore RailCats
- Danel Erickson, Epiphany Administrative Solutions
- Amy Henningfield, Superior Construction
- Lisa Human, CPA, CLH, CPAs & Consultants
- Amy Sexton, Stanislavski Plan and Gather Events, AES Consulting and The RD Pro Coach
- Amanda Steeb, Kankakee Valley REMC
- Nancy Trimboli, Trimboli Chiropractic
- Misty Ursitti, The Ursitti Group Staffing Solutions
CONSTRUCTION/MANUFACTURING
Up & Coming
- Ashley Bock, Milestone Contractors, Inc.
- Sarah Lewis, Complex Structures Group
- Wendy Peterson, Michuda Construction
- Nicole Pomeroy, Hitachi Global Air Power
- Marissa Rais, The Blue Collar Recruiter
Influential Woman
- Jessica Brannagan, K2 Industrial Services
- Lindsey Doperalski, American RENOLIT Corporation
- Jeanie Downs, Hitachi Global Air Power
- Melissa Griffin, Indigo Ink Interiors
- Lyndie Walton-Littell, Continental Electric Company Inc.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/GOVERNMENT
Up & Coming
- Jocelyn Colburn, MSW, LSW, Michigan City Police Department
- Stephanie Edwards, Valpo Chamber
- Vanessa Bajda, Luke Family of Brands
Influential Woman
- Cindy Admave, NIPSCO
- Jennifer-Ruth Green, United States Air Force
- Kara Macke, Lake County Parks
- Lori Sanfratello, Merrillville Police Department
- Emily Trisler, Lake County Parks & Rec
EDUCATION
Up and Coming
- Modupe Adeoye, IU South Bend
- Mary Buksa, Purdue University Northwest
- Emily Cree, Valparaiso Montessori School
- Jaunesia Davis, We Are The Village
- Angela Escobedo, Merrillville Community School District
- Brooke Ferrand, Chesterton Montessori School
- Misty Hatch, Valparaiso University
- Misti Howell, Ivy Tech Community College, Lake County
- Sara Jimenez Ferrera Sullivan, Valparaiso Montessori School
- Kayla Vasilko, Ivy Tech Community College
Influential Woman
- Linda Bevil, Eads Elementary School/School Town of Munster
- Melody Bradbury-Wolff, Lake Central School Corporation
- Carrie Ann Carlson, Northwest Indiana Rusty Strings Community Orchestra
- Diava Carter, Indiana University Northwest
- Debbie Bachmann, Purdue University Northwest
- Ashley Cosme, Crown Point High School
- Brooke Hewson, Purdue University Northwest
- Kristen Marsh, Grimmer Middle School
- Robin Miller, Purdue University Northwest
- Mandy Morrill, Valparaiso University
- Tiffany Stokes, Gifted Hands Academy
- Valentine Torres, School City of Hobart
- Natalie Tucker, Marian University Plymouth
- Tamra Williams, Huntington University
FINANCE
Up & Coming
- Maddie Brown, Waverly Advisors
- Jennifer Buck, Everwise Credit Union
- Cassandra Cavell, Luke Family of Brands
- Lisa Fick, First Financial Bank
- Lydia Gallas, Harbour Trust & Investment Management
- Rashonda Gunn, Financial Service Professional/Recording Artist/Songwriter
- Angela Rodriguez, NiSource
- Jennifer Ryan, Waverly Advisors
- Myra Serrano, Korellis
- Robin Sobomehin, Social Coaching-Credit Repair
Influential Woman
- Nychi Heath, Old National Bank
- Delta Jones-Walker, Atled Financial
- Pam Martin, Waverly Advisors
- Amanda McKenzie, Amanda McKenzie Team at First Community Mortgage
- Shvonne Barber, United Way of Northwest Indiana
- Jane Szymczak, Laciak CPA
- Carrie Upchurch, Everwise Credit Union
- Erin Valdivia, Shelter Insurance-Valdivia Agency LLC
- Jamica Williams, Tech Credit Union
HEALTHCARE
Up & Coming
- Megan Buhle, Buhle Chiropractic & Wellness
- Celeste Chapko, Northwest Indiana Center for Maternal Wellness
- Diana Hammer, Edelson Powers Health, Occupational Health
- Stephanie Gordon MSOM, L.Ac, Sacred Dunes Integrative Health
- Brianna Henning, Pillars of Wellness
- Christy House, Veiled Medical Artistry
- Lesley M. Miller, A Helper's Heart Home Care
- Gretchen Pace, Aperion Care
- Sonja Pierson, Pillars of Wellness - Hobart Location
- Kaitlin Pilipovic, Pillars of Wellness
- Marissa Veld, Davis Veterinary Service
Influential Woman
- Michelle Arnold, Lake County Health Department
- Lynne Clapman, Erie Family Health Centers
- Melissa DeSutter, Paradigm Health
- Jen Daley Herrera, Strive Healing
- Jennifer Jimenez, Advanced Neuropsychiatric Services of NWI
- Megan Jones, Stillwaters Women's Mental Wellness
- Kelly Pero-Petty, Ignite Medical Resorts
- Lisa Pina-Awosika, Aurora Dental Wellness
- Victoria Schwarten, Victorious Prestige Wellness
- Paula L. Simpson, We Rock The Spectrum-Merrillville
- Brittany Wolf, Indiana Medicaid
LAW
Up & Coming
- Ellen Denton, Porter County Sheriff's Office
- Kayleen Teufel, Langer & Langer
Influential Woman
- Angelica Schultis, Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman, LLC
MARKETING/MEDIA
Up & Coming
- Shelby Case, Diversified Marketing Strategies
- Jessie Fenton, Berglund Construction
- Nerissa Cassidy Fezler, Purdue University Northwest College of Business
- Lisa Fronek, Generate
- LeeAnn Hall, Compass Marketing
- Sara Soberg, Fearless Queens Podcast & LifeWise Academy
- Katie Stompor, Purdue University Northwest
Influential Woman
- Melissa Bohacek, Paladin, Inc.
- Shay Gosha, WNDU/Gray Media
- Melissa Huffman, Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana
- Michelle Pannell, Diversified Marketing Strategies
- Heather Pfundstein, Northwest Indiana Business Magazine
- Michelle Pieroni, Luke Family of Brands
- Karin Saltanovitz, Powers Health
- Susan Thompson, Illiana Indoor Billboards
NONPROFIT
Up & Coming
- Jackie Bovy, Valparaiso Family YMCA
- LaShawn Brooks, A.R.E University Northwest Indiana
- Sarah Cheek, MSW, LCSW, Northshore Health Centers
- Cindy Cohen RN, BS BA, C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc.
- Annette Fowler, Goodwill Ind. Of Michiana
- Nicole Gladstone, MAAC Foundation
- Kristy Hahn, Family Advocates
- Ari Hensley, Lerner & Rowe
- Gwen Kozak, Valparaiso University
- Lindsey Palaschak, Junior Achievement of Chicago
- Leslie Schueman, Indiana Archery- USA Archery State Association
- Kelsey Stearns, South Shore Roller Derby
- Abby Vogel, Giggles Boutique
- Shellie Zaberdac, Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana
Influential Woman
- Sara Brodzinski, Goodwill Industries of Michiana
- Kristin Chamberlain, Geminus Corporation
- Tabatha Creasbaum, Geminus Corporation
- Jennifer Dudrey, Bullying Free Future
- Kristina Fry, United Way of Northwest Indiana
- Rana Hannoun-Gondeck, The Share Foundation
- Aja Hill, Free Your Wings Youth Mentoring, Inc.
- Jess Kern, Raindrops Rising Foundation
- Ofelia Jiménez Sahagun, HOPE - Hispanic Organization of Parents of Exceptional Children
- Tiffani Tyler, First Tee
- Jennifer Young, Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana
REAL ESTATE
Up & Coming
- Angela Andrews, Listing Leaders
- Tina Goodwin, Stately Real Estate
- Jaime Janowsky, Listing Leaders Real Estate
- Brooke Leonard, Meridian Title
Influential Woman
- Amy Izzo, The Amy Izzo Group, brokered by eXp Realty
- Audrey Lemmons, Audrey Your Northwest Indiana Realtor
- Jennifer Parham, Lighthouse Realty NWIN
- Corrina Rene, Whalen Realty Executives Premier - Corrina Rene
STEM
Up & Coming
- Caitlyn Bull, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
- Nikki Goodson, NiSource
- Heather Legan, bp
- Patricia Martinez, NiSource
- Wadzanai Nyabeze, bp
Influential Woman
- Vanessa Perez, Cleveland Cliffs
- Natalie Skaro, NIPSCO
SERVICE/TOURISM
Up & Coming
- Katie Abel, Valparaiso Events
- Theresa Casiano, Horseshoe Hammond
- Wendy Gasior, Luke Family of Brands
- Dani Hart, Sweet Escape Restoration Center
- Christa Klawinski, Christa K Weddings
- Lorena Salinas, Jose's Family Restaurant
- Kaitlyn Vasilko, Purdue University Northwest
Influential Woman
- Shauna Craib, Destination Discovery Travel Agency
- Jessica Garcia, Luke Family of Brands
- Rebekah Gizynski, Good Hospitality
- Melissa Jones, Horseshoe Casino Hammond
- Amy McCarthy, White Lodging
- Melissa Villanueva, SweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt
