The 10th class of Influential Women of Northwest Indiana has been recognized for the impact they make on their companies and communities.
The awards, presented by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association, honored 27 women from a broad cross section of industries.
“These award recipients, and all the nominees, have made incredible differences in their fields and communities,” said Erica Dombey, NWIIWA board chair. “They inspire other women, empowering them to dispel gender roles and achieve successes they’d previously only dreamed.”
The 2021 overall Influential Woman of the Year winner was Denise Conlon, public affairs manager with NIPSCO, and the overall Up-and-Coming Woman of the Year winner was Anne Anderson, director of economic development with the city of Hammond.
Winners were chosen from a group of 125 finalists selected from a pool of more than 300 nominees. Nominations were submitted by peers and other members of the public and were evaluated by Influential Women alumni from various industry sectors.
The 2021 honorees include:
- Overall Influential Woman of the Year; Denise Conlon, public affairs manager, NIPSCO
- Overall Up & Coming Woman of the Year; Anne Anderson, director of economic development, city of Hammond
- Supporter of the Year Award; Lisa Kuehl, commercial loan portfolio manager, Horizon Bank
- Community Leader of the Year Award; Tammi Davis, manager of supplier and workforce diversity, The Obama Foundation
Arts
- Influential Woman: Pamela Anderson, president/owner, Color Room Salon & Day Spa
- Up & Coming: Bridget Covert, director of exhibitions, South Shore Arts
Business
- Influential Woman: Gloria Morris, enterprise account executive, Google
- Up & Coming: Heather McColly, director of career development, McColly Real Estate
Construction/Manufacturing
- Influential Woman: Laura Small, project architect, Holladay Properties
- Up & Coming: Lyndie Walton, project manager, Continental Electric
Economic Development/Government
- Influential Woman: Sarita Titus, commander of support services, Gary Police Department
- Up & Coming: Laura Shurr Blaney, Porter County commissioner
Education
- Influential Woman: Raida Abuizam, associate dean, Purdue University Northwest
- Up & Coming: Katrina Alexander, high school teacher, School City of East Chicago
Finance
- Influential Woman: Mary Wright, vice president, treasury management officer, Horizon Bank
- Up & Coming: Stephany Leonard, service center manager, Teachers Credit Union
Healthcare
- Influential Woman: Michelle Resendez, Center of Hope SANE coordinator, forensic nurse examiner, Franciscan Health Crown Point
- Up & Coming: Olivia Flaherty, RN, Northwest Health LaPorte Hospital
Law
- Influential Woman: Tara Worthley, attorney, Langer and Langer
- Up & Coming: Tara Tauber, attorney/owner, Tauber Law Offices
Marketing/Media
- Influential Woman: Jennifer Cosenza, community builder/chief marketer, Acorn Marketing by Design
- Up & Coming: Charlotte Liss, marketing manager, CARSTAR Liss Auto Body
Nonprofit
- Influential Woman: Prophetess Burgess Peoples, executive director, Guaranteed Income Validation Effort (GIVE)
- Up & Coming: Stephanie Trendowski, mental health ambassador/professor, Mom Congress
Service & Tourism
- Influential Woman: Kiki Encarnacion, HR manager, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
- Up & Coming: Orlee Glazer, owner, Barre+Beyond
STEM
- Up & Coming: Maureen Carroll, R&D lab technician, Monosol
