NAWBO-Indianapolis

Visionary Awards Nominations

Visionary Awards

NAWBO-Indianapolis proudly recognizes and celebrates the remarkable achievements of its members through its Visionary Awards program. Through these awards, we acknowledge the dedication, innovation, and hard work of our members and aim to inspire and empower a community of women entrepreneurs to strive for excellence and create positive change in the business world.

Established in 2004, the Visionary Awards were conceived to pay tribute to accomplished and vibrant women business proprietors in Indianapolis. Nominations for these awards are solicited from both NAWBO-Indianapolis members and corporate associates, and an esteemed panel of business experts from across the state of Indiana meticulously evaluates these submissions.

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Nominations 2024

Nominate a Driven NAWBO-Indianapolis Member

Recognize an outstanding NAWBO-Indianapolis member by nominating her for The Woman Business Owner of the Year Award.

Corporate Partner of the Year

This award honors one outstanding Corporation supporting the organization and is a powerful advocate for NAWBO-Indianapolis and woman-owned businesses in Indiana. The corporate recipient of this award has a demonstrated history of helping woman-owned companies reach their full potential while improving the overall business climate via contracting opportunities and advocacy efforts. Nominees are limited to monetary sponsors of the NAWBO-Indianapolis Corporate Partner Program.

Indianapolis Choice Award

This award honors one outstanding individual who is a powerful advocate for NAWBO-Indianapolis and woman-owned businesses throughout the state. Recipients of this award have a demonstrated history of helping woman-owned companies reach their full potential while improving the overall business climate via contracting opportunities and/or advocacy efforts.

Both NAWBO-Indianapolis members and non-members are eligible.

Icon-NAWBO-Awards

Past Award Recipients

Entrepreneur Scholarship

  • 2021 — Mira Cassidy, Mira Cassidy, LLC
  • 2019 — Mario Santiago, M. Santiago Group
  • 2018 — Johna Cripe, Harmony Senior Relocation Services
  • 2017 — Denise Herd, Herd Strategies
  • 2016 — Cassandra Faurote, Total Reward Solutions
  • 2015 — Michelle Coy, Eclipse Staffing
  • 2014 — Tiffany Thompson, DaMar Staffing Solutions
  • 2013 — Sola Adelowo, ImageCube
  • 2012 — Jessica Nickloy, The Etica group
  • 2011 — Sahara Williams, Enginuity Management & Consulting Corporation
  • 2010 — Melissa Brown, Relocation Strategies, Inc.

Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year

  • 2023 — Tiffany Garner, Certify My Biz
  • 2022 — Leslie Bailey, Indy Maven/Maven Space
  • 2021—Mel McMahon Stone, Indiana Owned
  • 2019 — Andrea Sloan, Ground Breakers, LLC
  • 2018 — Michelle Farley, Edify Hair Care
  • 2017 — Arin Lindauer, Transformation Fitness and Wellness
  • 2016 — Amanda Parker, Collective Alternative
  • 2015 — Rosemily Geyer, Geyer Fire Protection
  • 2014 — Kelly Lynn, Kelly Lynn Photography
  • 2013 — Tiffany Thompson, Damar Staffing Solutions
  • 2012 — Starla West, Starla West International
  • 2011 — Laura Ciriello-Benedict, Ciriello Plumbing Co., Inc.
  • 2010 — Laura Sniadecki, A.G. Maas Company

Indianapolis Choice

  • 2023 — Tracy Guerrero, Indianapolis Airport Authority
  • 2022 — Shirley Tang-Audritsh, Eli Lilly & Company
  • 2021 – Jennifer Ping, Krieg DeVault
  • 2019 — Chelci R. Hunter, DBELO, Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation
  • 2018 — Billie Dragoo, RepuCare
  • 2017 — Kimberly Dunning, Vectren Corporation
  • 2016 — Dr. Sue Ellspermann, Ivy Tech Community College
  • 2015 — Ronalda Minnis, Duke Realty
  • 2014 — Richard Wise, Citizens Energy Group
  • 2013 — Gregory Wilson, City of Indianapolis
  • 2012 — Brenda Jackson-Morrissey, Stewart & Irwin, P.C.
  • 2011 — Amie Peele Carter, Baker & Daniels LLP
  • 2010 — Joyce Rogers, Esq., Ivy Tech Community College
  • 2009 — Holli Harrington, Eli Lilly and Company | LaTricia Hill-Chandler, Indianapolis Public Schools

Member of the Year

  • 2023 — Jenn Lisak Golding, Sapphire Strategy
  • 2022 — Karen Young, Hayes Young Law, LLC
  • 2021 – Gayle Ross, Ross Business Solutions
  • 2019 — Carol Curran, Phoenix Data Corporation
  • 2018 — Beth Rovazzini, B&W Plumbing and Heating Co., Inc.
  • 2017 — Audrey Taylor, Netlogx
  • 2016 — Ellyn Ludden, Team Summit
  • 2015 — Penny C. Lutocka, Houlihan Valuation Advisors
  • 2014 — Ann Fisher, HR Alternative Consulting
  • 2013 — Janet South, DECO Group, Inc.
  • 2012 — Jennifer Ping, Bose Public Affairs Group
  • 2011 — Lynn Zettler, LifeAction Coaching, Inc.
  • 2010 — Deb Walton, Indy City Gift Baskets
  • 2009 — Pam Parker, JP Parker Flowers
  • 2008 — Erin Smith, The Stitch Smith

Woman Business Owner of the Year

  • 2023 — Melissa St. John, Relocation Strategies
  • 2022 — Jessica Nickloy, Etica Group
  • 2021 – Kristen Cooper, Startup Ladies
  • 2019 — Janet South, DECO Coatings Inc.
  • 2018 — Debra Kunce, CORE Planning Strategies
  • 2017 — Mary Beth Oakes, Choreo and Business Furniture
  • 2016 — Jeryl Mitsch, Mitsch Design, Inc.
  • 2015 — Elaine Bedel, Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc.
  • 2014 — Jill Hall, ReproGraphix
  • 2013 — Jennifer Foster, Foster Results
  • 2012 — Karen Cooper, Smart IT Staffing, Inc.
  • 2011 — Michele Meyer, CSCI Consulting
  • 2010 — Bev Miller, A Sign by Design
  • 2009 — Carol Curran, Phoenix Data Corporation

Corporate Partner of the Year

  • 2023 — PNC Bank
  • 2022 — Citizens Energy Group
  • 2021 — Indianapolis Airport Authority

NAWBO-Indianapolis Gives Back

Learn about The NAWBO-Indy Foundation and its impact on members.

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