Sept. 12, 2025

Seventy-four women, men and businesses have been nominated for The EMBES — A Tribute to Women.

The annual awards mark their 52nd year of shining a light on those reflecting EmBe’s mission with this year’s event, which will be  Oct. 9 at the Orpheum Theater Center in downtown Sioux Falls.

The 2024 EMBES nominees

“Thank you to our nominators for continuing to recognize the outstanding women, men and businesses making a lasting impact in our community. At this year’s awards, we will celebrate the inspiring contributions of past and present honorees who embody EmBe’s mission while looking ahead to the future of EmBe Women’s Programs,” said Anna Wiederrich, donor engagement and events coordinator.

Honorees were nominated in nine categories. They are:

Banking & Finance

• Rhonda Jones, First Interstate Bank.
• Jill Mollner, Cornerstone Financial Solutions.
• Sara Schauer, Expansion Capital Group.
• Hannah Entenman, Abacus Wealth Partners.
• Ann Fiorita, Waddell & Reed.

Business Achievement

• Mary Campbell, The Breaks Coffee Roasting Co.
• Amanda Gilliland, Articulate Interiors.
• Kate Stock, Sanford Health.
• Trisha Dohn, Well365.
• Teisha Upward, JD’s House of Trophies.
• Wendy Dooley, Sanford Health.
• Mel Guse, Gist Wine Shop.
• Madeleine Titze, Bridges Consulting.
• Cindy Monnin, Friessen Construction Co.
• Lindsey Meyers, Avera Health.
• Kristin Catlett, Glow & Go.
• Mariah Brunz Parker, Farm Fresh Content.
• Jaden Miller, Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals.
• Carrie Anderson, Central Payments.
• Katie Hughes, Farmers Business Network.

Community & Public Service

• Tammie Denning, Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership.
• Amy Carter, Helpline Center.
• Nicole Hofer, Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
• Angela Kennecke, Emily’s Hope.
• Kate Feilmeier, Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety.
• Rhonda Erickson, Midco.
• Erinn Williams, The Beauty Room.
• Christine Hallenbeck-Ask, Sanford Health.
• Tana Zwart, community advocate.
• Tamera Jerke-Liesinger, The Banquet.

EmBeliever Award

• Alyssa Klaudt, Lifescape.
• Anna Fischer, Southeast Technical College.
• Joe Segeleon, Sanford Health.
• Anna Jankord, Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.
• Angela Drake, Two Men and a Truck/Two Men and a Junk Truck/Fight Like a Ninja.
• Kristin Hoefert, Northwestern Mutual.
• Shauna Fox-Hamilton, RoOTed — Occupational Therapy Solutions.

Healthcare & STEM

• Dr. Shannon Emry, Midwest Street Medicine.
• Tracy Salameh, Sioux Falls VA Healthcare System.
• Dr. Brooke Madson, Sanford Health.
• Dr. Katherine Wang, Avera Medical Group.
• Karoliina Slack, Sanford World Clinic.
• Erica DeBoer, Sanford Health.

Outstanding Educator

• Jodi DeHaven, Sioux Falls School District.
• Dana Dyer, Sioux Falls School District.
• Esther Crandall, Harrisburg School District.
• Taylor Gustad, Irene-Wakonda School District.
• Laura Kniffen, Sioux Falls School District.
• Sarah Sutter, Canton School District.
• Rachel Stallinga, Sioux Falls School District.
• Sarah Muller, Sioux Falls School District.
• Sherri Nelson, Brandon Valley School District/self-employed.

Performing & Visual Arts

• Lisa Conlin, Good Night Theatre Collective, LiRa Dance Theatre, Spotlight Theater Company, Move to Heal, Conlin Choreography
• Em Nguyen, Em Nguyen Photography/Art by Em Nguyen.
• Anna Hudelson, Mosaic Arts & Events.
• Mel Cotten, Rose + Eugene Presents.
• Andrea Carlson, Augustana University.

Sylvia Henkin Mentoring Award

• Haley Samuelson, Haley Samuelson Coaching.
• Michelle Erpenbach, Sioux Falls Thrive.
• Tamera Larsen-Engelkes, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center.
• Cindi Johnson, Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort.
• Megan Brown, American Bank & Trust.
• Jean Magnuson, community advocate.
• Heather Schelling, Northwestern Mutual.

Young Woman of Achievement

• Jackie Sorenson, Thorson Heating.
• Sara Waldner, Lawrence & Schiller.
• Clara MacIllravie Canas, Avera Health.
• Bethany Buitenbos, Chick-fil-A.
• Krystal Lohff, Integrated Care and Consultation/Calm Waters.
• Marcela Salas, BibiSol and Salas Salsas.
• Shelbi Backhaus, Backhaus Excavation & Underground.
• Sarah Siemonsma, Avera Health.
• Melissa Otten, American Bank & Trust.
• Bergen Lindner, Epicosity and The Playground Indoor Softball Facility.

To learn more and purchase tickets to the event, click here.