MERRILLVILLE – The winners of the Influential women of Northwest Indiana were announced recently at the Radisson Star Plaza. More than 100 women were nominated in 11 categories.
Business Influential Woman – Violet Sistovaris, senior vice president and chief information officer, NiSource.
Business Up and Coming Woman – Julie Bieszczat, vice president, Barney Enterprises Management Services, Inc., Crown Point.
Construction Influential Woman – Wendy Hoppe, owner, Hoppe Hardware, North Judson.
Construction Up and Coming Woman – Melissa Strayer, general manager of operations, Kvaerner/Aker Construction, Hammond.
Economic Development Influential Woman – Cecile Petro, director of redevelopment, Highland.
Economic Development Up and Coming Woman – Karen Lauerman, director of marketing, Northwest Indiana Forum, Portage.
Education Influential Woman – Debra Ciochina, principal, Lake Street Elementary School, Crown Point.
Education Up and Coming Woman – Frances Vega-Steele, assistant vice chancellor of student affairs, Ivy Tech Community College, Michigan City.
Finance Influential Woman – Rene Martin, first vice president, Citizens Financial Bank.
Finance Up and Coming Woman – Martha Sandoval, vice president/private banking, First Midwest Bank.
Government Influential Woman – Erica Passauer, president/executive director, Regional Development Co., Valparaiso.
Government Up and Coming Woman – Donna Muta, superintendent of parks, Hammond.
Health Care Influential Woman – Janice Ryba, CEO, St. Mary Medical Center, Hobart.
Health Care Up and Coming Woman – Micki Pawlowski, vice president/owner, Calumet Orthopedic and Prosthetics Inc., Hobart.
Law Influential Woman – Melanie Dumajeski, partner, Drewry Simmons Vornehm, Merrillville.
Law Up and Coming Woman – Carly Brandenburg, attorney, Eichhorn & Eichhorn, Hammond.
Marketing/Media Influential Woman – Cheryl Justak, founder, Golf Now!
Marketing/Media Up and Coming Woman – Angie Tsikouris, director of marketing, Spine Care Specialists, Munster.
Nonprofit Influential Woman – Danita Johnson-Hughes, president/CEO, Edgewater Systems, Gary.
Nonprofit Up and Coming Woman – Melissa Castle Kirinic, resource development director, United Way of Porter County.
Service/Tourism Influential Woman – Chareice White, corporate director of community relations, Majestic Star Casino.
Service/Tourism Up and Coming Woman – Jennie Burgess, director, parks and recreation, Crown Point.
