Sixty-four women, men, and businesses have been nominated for The EMBES – A Tribute to Women (formerly Tribute to Women) awards. Now in its 51st year, The EMBES has shined a light on those doing right by EmBe’s mission since 1973.

“Thank you to our nominators for continuing to recognize the outstanding women, men, and businesses making a lasting impact in our community. This year, we are especially excited to introduce our new event branding, The EMBES – A Tribute to Women. With the addition of new categories, 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,” said Rachel Fiegen, Donor Engagement & Events Coordinator.

The honorees were nominated in one of the following categories: Banking and Finance, Business Achievement, Community & Public Service, EmBeliever Award, Healthcare and STEM, Outstanding Educator, Performing & Visual Arts, Sylvia Henkin Mentoring Award, and Young Woman of Achievement. The awards will be presented at the 2024 Tribute to Women event on October 10 at the Washington Pavilion.

The nomination process covers nine categories, with new categories created such as Outstanding Educator and Performing & Visual Arts, ensuring that all outstanding individuals are acknowledged for their contributions.

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
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
Heidi McKean, MD, Avera Medical Group
Dr. Lauren Skattum, Britthaus
Natasha Margarita Smith, Sanford Health
Jenifer Wollman, PharmD, Avera Pharmacy Services

Outstanding Educator
Kristine Bjorum, Boys & Girls Club 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, YMCA–Sioux Falls

Attend the 50th Annual Tribute to Women Awards

Tickets are $65 for general admission and are available for purchase at embe.org/tribute. Hors d’Oeuvres and social hour are included in the general admission cost and will start at 5pm. Awards ceremony starts at 7pm.

Join us for a remarkable evening of recognition and appreciation on October 10, 2024, at the Washington Pavilion. For sponsorship and donation opportunities, please contact Rachel Fiegen, Donor Engagement & Events Coordinator, at rfiegen@embe.org.

Let’s celebrate the exceptional women who inspire us all.