Sept. 13, 2024

Sixty-four women, men and businesses have been nominated for The EMBES – A Tribute to Women awards.

The annual recognition, now in its 51st year, has been renamed and has new categories this year, including Performing & Visual Arts and Outstanding Educator.

“We are broadening our scope to honor even more incredible talent. At this year’s awards, we will reflect on the inspiring contributions of past and present honorees who embody EmBe’s mission to empower women and families in our community,” Rachel Fiegen, donor engagement and events coordinator, said in a statement.

The awards will be presented in nine categories at the 2024 Tribute to Women event  Oct. 10 at the Washington Pavilion.

Here are the nominees and their employers:

Banking & Finance

• Angela Beilke, First Premier Bank
• Melissa Fossell, American Bank & Trust
• Debby Gruhn, Brady Martz & Associates PC
• Richelle Hofer, Impact Wealth Management
• Shawna Kleinwolterink, Plains Commerce Bank
• Kimberly Muñoz, First Premier Bank

Business Achievement

• Kristin Catlett, Ulta Beauty
• Kendra Cersosimo, Two54 Creative
• Angela Drake, Two Men and a Truck
• Jill Holt, Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals
• Abby Johnson-Youngquist, Auto Body Specialties
• Andrea Smith, Advise to Build
• Nejla Smith, Compass Tax Accounting
• Sadie Swier, SD CEO East Women’s Business Center
• Dawn Van Nieuwenhuyzen, Plains Commerce Bank

Community & Public Service

• Ashley Ballou-Bonnema, Breathe Bravely
• Erica Beck, city of Sioux Falls
• Erin Bertram, Sioux Falls Police Department
• Robin Burley, Sanford Health
• Dr. Melissa Dittberner, USD, Midwest Street Medicine
• Allison Dvorak, Let’s Skate
• Angie Iverson, SD CEO East Women’s Business Center
• Dawn Marie Johnson, self-employed
• Heather Krause, Mayo Clinic
• Debora Natareno, Albertos Concrete
• Elisha Nelson, Sanford Health

EmBeliever Award

• Community Health Workers, Avera Community Health Resource Center
• Clay Hoffman, Boys & Girls Club of the Sioux Empire
• The late Randi Van Der Sloot (c/o Marty Van Der Sloot), Sioux Falls School District
• Bob Wendland, Washington Pavilion

Healthcare & STEM

• Dr. Michelle Baack, Sanford Health
• Margaret Kropuenske, Sanford Health
• Kelsey Kruse, The Compass Center
• Dr. Heidi McKean, Avera Medical Group
• Dr. Lauren Skattum, Britthaus
• Natasha Margarita Smith, Sanford Health
• Jenifer Wollman, Avera

Outstanding Educator

• Kristine Bjorum, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire
• Allison Hutchinson, Sanford Health
• Jamie Juhl, University of Sioux Falls
• Kiersta Machacek, Sioux Falls School District
• Marcella Prokop, Southeast Technical College
• Jamie Stucky, Sanford Health
• Laura Tjaden, Sioux Falls School District

Performing & Visual Arts

• Janet Brown, Janet Brown and Associates
• Katie Critzer, South Dakota Aerial and Arts
• Madison Elliott, Headlights Theater
• Nancy Halverson, Levitt at the Falls
• Sarah Larson, hART Studio, Good Night Theatre, Washington Pavilion, Arts South Dakota
• Ivy Oland Dandar, self-employed
• Jessie Park, Sanford Health
• Andrea Ross, self-employed and Augustana University
• Regina Ruhberg, Washington Pavilion
• Alexondrea Thong Vanh, self-employed

Sylvia Henkin Mentoring Award

• Kim Bartling, Humanity Launch
• Cindi Johnson, Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort
• Faith Minnich-Kjesbo, Avera
• Margaret Sumption, Sumption and Wyland

Young Woman of Achievement

• Isabella Barbee, Plains Commerce Bank
• Taylnn Smykle, Midwest Street Medicine
• Bekah Van Maanen, MarketBeat
• Brittany Walz, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center
• Loghin Welch, Serendipitous Events & Uncovered Sugaring Studio
• Kadyn Wittman, Sioux Falls Family YMCA

Tickets are $65 for general admission and are available for purchase at embe.org/tribute. Appetizers and a social hour are included in the general admission cost and will start at 5 p.m. The awards ceremony starts at 7 p.m.