More than 1,000 business leaders attended the 15th Influential Women Awards on Sept. 24 at Avalon Manor in Merrillville.
The Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association's honored 30 women who lead with vision in 13 industries.
“Fifteen years of the Influential Women Awards is an incredible milestone, but what stands out most is the continued strength and diversity of the women being recognized,” said Andrea Pearman, executive firector of NWIIWA, in a press release. “This anniversary gives us an opportunity to not only celebrate how far the program has come, but also to recognize the women who are helping shape what comes next.”
The community is invited to nominate women every year in 13 categories for up-and-coming and influential honors.
The 2026 Influential Women of Northwest Indiana winners include:
Arts:
- Up and Coming: Nicole Krygsheld, Owner/Lead Designer, Sweet Pea Designs
- Influential: Aruna Chaubal, Owner, ABCLLC
Business:
- Up and Coming: Jennifer Castillo, Sr. Manager, Merchandising Operations, US Foods
- Influential: Lisa Human, Partner, CLH, CPAs & Consultants
Construction/Manufacturing:
- Up and Coming: Wendy Peterson, Vice President Strategic Growth, Michuda Construction
- Influential: Melissa Griffin, Founder, Indigo Ink Interiors
Economic Development/Government:
- Up and Coming: Jocelyn Colburn, Police Social Worker, Michigan City Police Department
- Influential: Kara Mackey, Assistant Superintendent of Special Facilities and Recreation, Lake County Parks and Recreation
Education:
- Up and Coming: Kayla Vasilko, Assistant Professor of Communication and Communication Department Chair; Communication Assistant; Founder and Publisher, Ivy Tech Community College
- Influential: Deborah Bachmann, Administrator of Honors Student Leadership and Programming, Purdue University Northwest
Finance:
- Up and Coming: Angela Rodriguez, Work Planning and Forecasting Manager, NiSource
- Influential: Amanda McKenzie, Loan Originator/Production Manager, First Community Mortgage – The Amanda McKenzie Team
Healthcare:
- Up and Coming: Stephanie Gordon, Owner, Sacred Dunes Integrative Health
- Influential: Michelle Arnold, Deputy Administrator, Lake County Health Department
Law:
- Up and Coming: Kayleen Teufel, Attorney, Langer & Langer
- Influential: Angelica Schultis, Managing Partner, Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman, LLC
Marketing/Media:
- Up and Coming: : LeeAnn Hall, President, Compass Marketing
- Influential: Lisa Fronek, Owner, Generate
Nonprofit:
- Up and Coming: Nicole Gladstone, President and CEO, MAAC Foundation
- Influential: Aja Hill, Founder & CEO, Free Your Wings Youth Mentoring, Inc.
Real Estate:
- Up and Coming: Angela Andrews, Realtor, Listing Leaders
- Influential: Jennifer Parham, Broker/Owner, Lighthouse Realty
Service/Tourism:
- Up and Coming: Wendy Gasior, Talent Acquisition Manager, Luke Family of Brands
- Influential: Melissa Villanueva, President/Owner Operator, SweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt
STEM:
- Up and Coming: Wadzanai Nyabeze, Commercial Process Engineer, bp
- Influential: Vanessa Perez, Program Manager, Cleveland Cliffs
Overall Up and Coming Woman of the Year:
- Nicole Pomeroy, Manufacturing Engineer, Hitachi Global Air Power
Overall Influential Woman of the Year:
- Jessica Corral, Executive Director, Valparaiso Creative Council, Inc.
Community Leader of the Year:
- Renee Connelly, Consultant, Gary SouthShore RailCats
Supporter of the Year:
- Jennifer Young, Executive Officer, Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana
Find a complete list of finalists here. The women's organization's next event is the Professional Women's Conference on Oct. 28.
