Over 800 People Celebrate NWI’s Influential Women Winners

Nick Dmitrovich September 27, 2019

Over 800 people gathered to celebrate the achievements of Northwest Indiana’s Influential Women award winners at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville. Attendees included representatives from many corporate entities, as well as community leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizers, and more.

24 winners were chosen from 12 different industry categories; one Influential Woman and one Up & Coming Woman from each. Additional awards were given for Empowering Business of the Year, Community Leader of the Year, and Supporter of the Year.

The overall Influential Woman of the Year winner is Kimberly Blaesing, owner, Tiger Plumbing. Also, the overall Up & Coming Woman of the Year winner is Vicki Urbanik, Porter County auditor.

Winners were chosen from a group of over 150 finalists that were chosen from more than 300 individuals that were nominated by their peers. The winners, finalists, and nominees come from many different walks of life, but they have all made an impact in their respective organizations and/or communities. Nominations were evaluated by Influential Women alumni.

“This event recognizing women in Northwest Indiana has grown every year for good reason; we are realizing the need to lift each other up, to celebrate our successes, to be proud of ourselves and the work we do. The sisterhood in the Region has grown so strong that we created a partner organization, Northwest Indiana Influential Women’s Association, to continue to nurture these bonds and talents,” said Board President Erica Dombey. “NWIIWA provides educational programming for businesswomen, from human resources to leadership to management skills and more. It’s amazing to see how we all have learned from each other through these programs.”

2019 Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Award Winners

Overall Influential Woman of the Year

Kimberly Blaesing, owner, Tiger Plumbing

Overall Up & Coming Woman of the Year

Vicki Urbanik, auditor, Porter County

Arts

Up & Coming: Leta Sena-Lopez, director of bands, Kahler Middle School
Influential Woman: Michelle Golden of Books, Brushes & Bands for Education

Business

Up & Coming: Natalie Krivas, purchasing manager, AM Stabilizers Corp.
Influential Woman: Lisa Preston, owner, St. John Animal Clinic

Construction/Manufacturing

Up & Coming: Patty Stovall, property development manager, Hasse Construction
Influential Woman: Tannaz Javadi, senior research engineer, ArcelorMittal

Economic Development/Government

Up & Coming: Katie Hall, director, Crossroads CASA
Influential Woman: Jennifer Gadzala, special projects coordinator, Town of Chesterton

Education

Up & Coming: Uzoma Obidike, founder, She Leads Beautifully
Influential Woman: MaryAnn Chapko, principal, Eisenhower Elementary

Finance

Up & Coming: Candice Kouros Logue, vice president/banking center manager, Peoples Bank
Influential Woman: Kathy Ireland is the vice president / wealth services with Wintrust Bank

Healthcare

Up & Coming: Brittany Owen, family nurse practitioner, Winfield Family Medicine
Influential Woman: Sister Marlene Shapley, vice president of mission integration, Franciscan Alliance

Law

Up & Coming: Nicole Keith, senior associate attorney, Kreig DeVault LLP
Influential Woman: America McAlpin, attorney, Austgen Kuiper Jasaitis / probate commissioner, Lake Superior Court

Marketing/Media

Up & Coming: Jen Soffin, founder, The IN Coast
Influential Woman: Marie Forszt, vice president of marketing and corporate communications, Community Healthcare System

Nonprofit

Up & Coming: Michelle Novak, community liaison, Tradewinds Services
Influential Woman: Nupur Arora, director of business administration, FoodBank of Northwest Indiana, Inc.

Service & Tourism

Up & Coming: Natalie Johnson, executive director, Save the Dunes
Influential Woman: Nicole Caylor, president/owner, Aftermath Cidery & Winery/Running Vines Winery

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