Crown Point, IN – 9/30/25 – The spotlight shone brightly Thursday, Sept. 25 as the 14th annual

Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Awards Banquet celebrated the region’s most impactful

leaders and rising stars.

Organized by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA), the event

recognized 258 finalists chosen from 517 nominees, who were submitted by peers and members

of the public. Each finalist received a medallion during the banquet.

“As this event continues to grow each year, we are reminded of the extraordinary talent thriving

across all industries in our region. We are continually inspired by the passion, resilience, and

leadership of these women,” said Andrea Pearman, executive director of NWIIWA. “This event

serves as both a celebration and a testament to the incredible impact they have on their

industries, their communities, and the next generation of leaders.”

During the banquet, two winners, one Up and Coming and one Influential, in each of 13 industry

categories were announced. Special awards were also given to an Overall Influential and Overall

Up and Coming Woman of the Year, Supporter of the Year and Community Leader of the Year.

The 2025 Influential Women of Northwest Indiana winners are:

Arts:

Up and Coming: Dru Downen, Owner, Famous Athletics

Influential: Jayde McAloon, Founder/Owner, Pieces of Jayde

Business:

Up and Coming: Lindsey Liesenfelt, Owner/Founder, Truly Teas

Influential: Gretchen Sipp, Founder and Technology Education Consultant, Nexus Strategy and

Implementation

Construction/Manufacturing:

Up and Coming: Drew Sarkisian, Owner, Modern Edge

Influential: Kathy Trebiani, Office Administrator, ArcelorMittal USA Research

Economic Development/Government:

Up and Coming: Amy Blaker, Client Advocate/Government Affairs Specialist, Lochmueller

Group

Influential: Vanessa Lynch, Executive Vice President, Valpo Chamber & VEDC

Education:

Up and Coming: Samantha Horn, Director of Belonging & Student Engagement, Purdue

Northwest, College of Business

Influential: Linda Padilla, Principal, Benjamin Harrison Elementary School

Finance:

Up and Coming: Alicia Perez Johnson, Credit Supervisor, Cleveland-Cliffs

Influential: Carrie Upchurch, Area Manager, Everwise Credit Union

Healthcare:

Up and Coming: Faye Stokes, Owner, Michigan City Dental PC

Influential: Christina Matoski-Timm – FNP-C, Owner, CEO, Nurse Practitioner, New

Beginnings Health Center

Law:

Up and Coming: Amanda Alasauskas, Attorney, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP

Influential: Kirsten Kaiser Kus, Equity Owner, Downey & Lenkov

Marketing:

Up and Coming: Claudia Airey, Senior Communications Specialist, NiSource

Influential: Stacy Travis, Owner, Town Planner of NWI

Nonprofit:

Up and Coming: Julie West, Founder, The Play for Jake Foundation

Influential: Dr. Regina Beard, RN, Founder, VicTory 4 Kidz

Real Estate

Up and Coming: Krystal Zamora, Broker/Realtor, Listing Leaders Northwest

Influential: Micky Gallas, Broker/Founder Micky Gallas Group, @properties Christie's

International Real Estate

Service/Tourism:

Up and Coming: Ann Cain, Owner, Bedarra Bar

Influential: Amy McCarthy, Senior Talent Development Program Manager, White Lodging

STEM:

Up and Coming: Laura Sigward, Process Safety Engineering Superintendent, bp

Influential: Julie Peller, Professor of Chemistry, Valparaiso University

Overall Up and Coming Woman of the Year:

Shelby Case, Media Advisor, Diversified Marketing Strategies

Overall Influential Woman of the Year:

Kim Roller (Dray), OTS Program Manager, bp

Community Leader of the Year:

Kelly Anthony, Regional Director, United States Senator Todd Young

Supporter of the Year:

Ari Hensley, Outreach Director, Lerner & Rowe

A complete list of the 2025 finalists is available online by clicking here. Nominations for next

year’s event can be made here. Photos highlighting some of the memorable moments from this

year’s banquet can be viewed at NWIIWA's Facebook page.