STARKE COUNTY — Carla Musial and Kathy Norem, members of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation Board of Directors, were named finalists for the 2014 Influential Women of Northwest Indiana recognition awards. Both were nominated by the Foundation for their work in Starke County.

Musial was one of five finalists for Influential Woman in the Finance category, while Norem was one of three finalists for Up and Coming Woman in Government. One Influential Woman and one Up and Coming Woman will be recognized in each of the 11 business categories. In addition to finance and government, categories include business, construction, economic development, education, healthcare, law, market/media, non-profit and service/tourism.

Norem has served as the Starke County Commission representative on the Board from 2009-2012 and in 2014. She received undergraduate degrees in nursing from Purdue University and Valparaiso University before receiving her master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame School of Business. Norem previously served as CEO of Starke Memorial Hospital and developed and implemented the Ancilla College School of Nursing. She is a past director of the Starke County Community Foundation, and is in her second term as County commissioner, where she has served as president.