Region’s Most Influential Women Recognized During Banquet

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 13^th 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 

Business:

Up and Coming: Shaya Wimple, MarlynGrace Boutique

Influential: Rhonda Zaluckyj, Patti’s All-American

Construction/Manufacturing:

Up and Coming: Melissa McLindon, NIPSCO/NiSource

Influential: Morgan Davis, The Blue Phoenix Institute

Economic Development/Government:

Up and Coming: Robin Arvanitis, Schererville Council

Influential: Julie Wendorf, Crown Point Community Library

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

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.

Photos are also available at NWIIWA's Facebook page.

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