Leader Luncheon

Thursday, May 14, 2026 l The Seville, Streamwood

11:00 a.m Check-in l Program 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The 42nd Annual YWCA Elgin Leader Luncheon, presented by Title Sponsor The Schrieber Group, is especially meaningful this year as we celebrate the YWCA Elgin’s 125th anniversary. This longstanding tradition honors extraordinary women for their leadership, service, and impact, while raising vital funds to support YWCA Elgin programs that strengthen our community.

This year’s program features a newly shortened format designed to respect our guests’ busy schedules while keeping the focus on meaningful recognition and an engaging experience.

We are pleased to welcome Carol Gieske of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce as the 2026 Leader Luncheon Honorary Chair, and Erin Ramirez of Real Change Studio as our 2026 Keynote Speaker. Join us as we celebrate the leaders, changemakers, and trailblazers who continue to inspire progress across our community.

Nominations for the 2026 Leader Luncheon are now closed. Scroll down to “Meet the 2026 Leader Luncheon Nominees” to learn more about the remarkable women being recognized this year.

Reservations and Sponsorships

Reservations are $65 for YWCA Members and $70 for Non-Members. The reservation deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 8th.

In honor of the YWCA Elgin’s 125th anniversary, we are proud to introduce a special commemorative sponsorship level designed to celebrate this milestone year while supporting the mission and programs of the YWCA Elgin. Sponsorships offer meaningful visibility, community recognition, and the opportunity to be part of this historic celebration alongside our Title Sponsor, The Schrieber Group. Full details can be found in the Leader Luncheon Sponsorship Proposal.

When reserving multiple seats, please include guest names to allow for preferred seating. If you do not receive a reservation confirmation email, please contact the YWCA Elgin at info@ywcaelgin.org.

Reserve Your seat or become a sponsor

Additional Event Information: Valet parking will be available for your convenience, and a cash bar will be offered during the event. Guests are also invited to participate in our Mystery Book Sale & Raffle, a fun and meaningful way to support YWCA Elgin programs while celebrating our 125th anniversary.

Discover a little surprise at our Mystery Book Sale & Raffle. Choose from beautifully wrapped new books, each with a clue instead of a title. Every $25 book includes five raffle tickets for a chance to win a large Literacy Gift Basket filled with book-themed goodies and local gift certificates. It’s a fun way to support literacy and take home something special.

Group of professional women posing together on a staircase in an indoor setting, dressed in business attire.
Group of five uniformed police officers posing together at an indoor event, with tables and people in the background.
Three women standing together at an event, wearing business attire, smiling at the camera. The woman on the left has on a gray suit, the woman in the middle has a black blazer, and the woman on the right has a white blazer. There are chandeliers and
A shopping mall called 'The SeVille' with a woman standing next to a white car with red wheels in the parking lot.
Three people are engaged in a conversation at a social event. One woman holds a basket with papers and a brochure, another woman looks at her, and a young man stands between them, all in formal attire.

Meet the 2026 Nominees!

  • A woman smiling, dressed in a colorful traditional Mexican dress with ruffled ribbons and jewelry, against a solid blue background.

    Selena Tapia

    nominated by Sandra Perez

    ARTS

  • A smiling middle-aged woman with short brown hair, wearing a floral blazer, purple top, a necklace with a dark stone, and small earrings, against a blue mottled background.

    Donna Besler

    nominated by Prairie Community Bank

    BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length red hair and blue eyes taking a selfie against an orange background.

    Sydney Davis

    nominated by Ari Davis

    BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS

  • Professional woman with short brown hair and earrings, wearing a black blazer, smiling, against a gray background.

    Maria Manrriquez

    nominated by Advocate Sherman Hospital

    BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS

  • A woman with blonde hair and glasses, wearing a black blazer, smiling against a gray background.

    Leslie Wolko

    nominated by Nancy Coleman

    COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

  • A woman with long, curly blonde hair wearing a black blazer and white top, smiling, with a green leafy plant in the background.

    Dr. Suzanne Johnson

    nominated by Brian Lindholm

    EDUCATION

  • A woman in a red top and colorful skirt standing outdoors with arms crossed, smiling at the camera, with trees, water, and a bridge in the background.

    Pietrina Probst

    nominated by Elgin Community College

    EDUCATION

  • A woman with long wavy brown hair, smiling, wearing a beige blazer over a black top, silver necklaces, and a nose piercing, against a gray textured background.

    Selena Tapia

    nominated by Chris Holling

    EDUCATION

  • A smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a light blue sweater against a teal background.

    April Wells

    nominated by Tiffany Henderson

    EDUCATION

  • A professional woman smiling, with long brown hair, wearing a white blazer, pearl earrings, and a pearl necklace against a blurred brown and gray background.

    Melissa Benesh

    nominated by Fran Teti-Teal

    PUBLIC SERVICE

  • A woman with blonde, shoulder-length curly hair, wearing a white blazer over a light blue collared shirt, smiling at the camera against a plain gray background.

    Michelle Detert

    nominated by Martell Armstrong

    PUBLIC SERVICE

  • Photograph of a woman with wavy gray hair, glasses, a patterned scarf, and a smile, set against a blue cloudy background.

    Officer Kayla Heal

    nominated by Police Chief Ana Lalley

    PUBLIC SERVICE

  • Female police officer in uniform, standing in front of an American flag, smiling, with a blue background.

    Beverly Johnson

    nominated by Jamie Venson

    PUBLIC SERVICE

  • Professional woman with shoulder-length reddish-brown hair, wearing a black robe and white collar, smiling against a gray background.

    Kristal Thompson

    nominated by Katie Thompson

    PUBLIC SERVICE

  • A woman with short blond hair, blue eyes, and light skin smiling, wearing a denim jacket and a purple and pink scarf, against a soft gray background.

    Dr. Kristina Garcia

    nominated by Elgin Community College

    RACIAL JUSTICE

  • Portrait of a woman with dark brown hair, wearing a white collared shirt and a black graduation gown, against a blue background.

    Aida Palma Carpio

    nominated by Adriana Carpio

    RACIAL JUSTICE

  • A woman with gray hair, glasses, and a patterned black-and-white scarf smiling against a blue cloudy background.

    Tena Raglin

    nominated by Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein

    RACIAL JUSTICE

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, blue eyes, wearing hoop earrings and a black blazer, smiling at the camera.

    Tameron Keeffe

    nominated by Janeth Barba

    SOCIAL SERVICE

  • Person in police uniform standing in front of American flag.

    Jen Keller

    nominated by Katie Thompson

    SOCIAL SERVICE

  • Tammy McMahan

    nominated by Maureen Fox

    SOCIAL SERVICE

  • Fabyola Ramirez Mercado

    nominated by ELLAS - Elgin Latino Leadership Alliance for Seniors

    SOCIAL SERVICE

  • Diane Arhens

    nominated by Hannah Reynolds

    VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Beatriz Alday

    nominated by Maria de los Angeles

    VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Tiffany Henderson

    nominated by Dr. Brittany Barber

    VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Patsy Hirsch

    nominated by Joan Kanute

    VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Linda Ramirez

    nominated by Gil Feliciano

    VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY SERVICE

Award Recipient Selection Process: Leader Luncheon award recipients are selected through a community nomination process. Nominations are reviewed by a panel of 15 independent judges, including community members and past award recipients, and evaluated using a standardized scoring rubric. Award recipients are announced at the Leader Luncheon, where all nominees are recognized for their contributions.

Join us as we celebrate the YWCA Elgin’s 125th anniversary and support individuals and families across our community by becoming a Leader Luncheon sponsor. The Leader Luncheon is our signature fundraising event and a meaningful way to be part of this milestone year.

Your sponsorship helps sustain and grow programs that strengthen families, expand opportunity, and support people throughout the Fox Valley. It also connects your organization with a community that believes in leadership, progress, and positive change.

Click to View the 2026 Sponsorship Levels and Benefits.

Become a Leader Luncheon Sponsors & Empower Change

Become a Sponsor

Thank You, 2026 Leader Luncheon Sponsors!

2026 TITLE SPONSOR - $5,000

LEADER CIRCLE TABLE SPONSORS - $1,400

Gold Star Sponsors - $500

Art & Nancy Schueneman

Edward & Karen Schock

Karen Fox

Kathryn Canny

Murna Hansemann

U.S. Fire & Safety Equipment Co.

Velma Sept

Silver Star Sponsors - $250

Anonymous

AAUW-EA American Association of University Women Elgin Area

Dr. Clare M. Ollayos, Chiropractic Physician

Edward Jones, Financial Advisor - Justin Budd

Elizabeth Hoeft

Steve & Felicia King

First UMC Elgin

Fox Valley Interior Design, Lois Myers-Bauer

Goodly Creatures Theatre

125th Anniversary Sponsors - $125

Anonymous

Donna J. Anderson

Food for Greater Elgin

Greater Family Health

Jessica Lee-Cole

Maureen Manning

Pat Szpekowski, APR - PR Strategies & Communications, Inc.

2026 Leader Luncheon Chair Carol Gieske

Carol Gieske is an accomplished nonprofit and business leader who serves as CEO of the Elgin Area Chamber, providing strategic leadership and oversight to advance business growth and economic vitality. Known for building strong partnerships across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, she collaborates closely with business leaders, elected officials, and community organizations to drive shared economic and community outcomes. Previously, she led the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, where she oversaw a highly successful capital campaign that raised more than $11 million for major healthcare expansions, and was CEO of the United Way of Elgin, helping raise more than $44 million during her tenure to support local social service organizations.

A highly engaged and respected community leader, Gieske has received numerous honors for her impact and leadership, reflecting a career defined by service, collaboration, and measurable results that have strengthened the Elgin. She continues to serve on multiple boards and initiatives advancing education, healthcare, community service, and leadership development, reflecting her long-standing commitment to the community.

Previous Award Recipients

  • 1984 Jane Chipman

    1985 Lisa Boehm

    1986 Eileen McNichol

    1987 Rowena Swan

    1988 Marcene Linstrom

    1989 Clare Ollayos

    1990 Donna Burnidge

    1991 Molly Konitzer

    1992 Mary Rauscher

    1993 Lamar Blum

    1994 Ethel Daeumer

    1995 Phyllis Ziegler

    1996 Edith Fitts

    1997 Shirley Friedman

    1998 Rose Goldstein

    1999 Suzanne Smentowski

    2000 Florence Jacobsen

    2001 Pearle Brody

    2002 Murna Hansemann

    2003 Lila Jean Keltner

    2004 Lois R. Myers-Bauer

    2005 Julie Ford

    2006 Mary Ellen Kanies Beckmann

    2007 Kathy Matthews

    2008 Jeanne Hebeisen

    2009 Joyce Dlugopolski

    2010 Rosalind Zager

    2011 Mary Hatch

    2012 Wilma Booth

    2013 Risé Jones

    2014 Solange Sior

    2015 Sandra Kaptain

    2016 Erin Rehberg

    2017 Dr. Sojung Hong

    2018 Amanda Harris

    2019 Jane Erlandson

    2021 Courtney Garcia

    2022 Ivette De Santiago

    2023 Tracy Dullea

    2024 Cristina Colunga Ramírez

    2025 Jess Rocha

  • 1984 Kay Martin

    1985 Lois Lange

    1986 Susan Cincinelli

    1987 Pat Sjurseth

    1988 Pam Jensen

    1989 Madalena J. Vignocchi

    1990 Darcy Dougherty

    1991 Patricia Piper Golden

    1992 Margo Quick

    1993 Diana Miller

    1994 Margarita Manzano

    1995 Nancy Epping

    1996 Monica Bates

    1997 Jane Craddock Ryan

    1998 Bonnie Hill

    1999 Jo Ann Armenta

    2000 Rhonda Pokoj

    2001 Lisa West

    2002 Lynn Schwartz

    2003 Liz Wilmes

    2004 Karena Schwarz

    2005 Judith Brownfield

    2006 Marcelle Bear

    2007 Carolyn Kirk-Likou

    2008 Kathy Hannell

    2009 Pamela A. Urbanski

    2010 Merrie Derderian

    2011 Carole Medal

    2012 Traci Ellis

    2013 Linda Deering

    2014 Cheryl Wendt

    2015 Dorothea Poulos, M.D.

    2016 Katherine Hurt

    2017 Carol Gieske

    2018 V. Guadalupe Fonseca

    2019 Mary Martini

    2021 Oletha Johnson

    2022 Sheri De Shazo

    2023 Judge Chantelle Porter

    2024 Maria Borrero Véaz

    2025 Rachel P. Baer, MD FACS CGRA

  • 1984 Fern Risley

    1985 Elizabeth Armistead

    1986 Carole Akemann

    1987 Marianne Nelson

    1988 Betty Brown

    1989 Patricia M. Szpekowski

    1990 Betty Mahoney

    1991 LaNee Pfeiffer

    1992 Kathy Woodman

    1993 Marilyn Figgins

    1994 Bernice Rabe

    1995 Laura Carillo Barth

    1996 Alice McCoy

    1997 Debbie Wodrich

    1998 Donna Lee Grimmett

    1999 M. Ruth Tofanelli

    2000 Diane Marie Stredde

    2001 Bobbie Waschow

    2002 Kathaleen Roberts

    2003 Fay Dadzie

    2004 Paula Amenta

    2005 Gail Shadwell

    2006 Carolyn O’Neal

    2007 Vicki Kirkland

    2008 Heather J. Gates

    2009 Denise Raleigh

    2010 Susan Salach-Cutler

    2011 Tonya Hudson

    2012 Krisilee Murphy

    2013 Kimberly Gilmore

    2014 Corinn Hilbert

    2015 Kari Christensen

    2016 Molly Center

    2017 Toya Webb

    2018 Amanda Garcia

    2019 Natalie Kiburg

    2021 Susan Anderson-Khleif

    2022 Mary Dulabaum

    2023 Donna Lake

    2024 Karla Jimenez

    2025 Erin Sauder

  • 1984 Edna Holland

    1985 Marilyn Pounders

    1986 Susan Moylan

    1987 Mary Anne Stiegemeier

    1988 Sister Annella

    1989 Linda M. Hanson

    1990 Ruth Tofanelli

    1991 Gayle Saunders Starwalt

    1992 Judith Pavlak

    1993 Renate Matthaeus

    1994 Barbara Juister

    1995 Elizabeth Juergensmeyer

    1996 Sharyl Marie Butzirus

    1997 Susan Thompson

    1998 Linda Hefferin

    1999 Annabelle Rhoades

    2000 Carol Morrison

    2001 Eleanor MacKinney

    2002 Dorothy Wiese

    2003 Margaret Brady

    2004 Barbara Bonner

    2005 Jean Bowen

    2006 Peggy Deichstetter

    2007 Glenna Godinsky

    2008 Roberta Nauman

    2009 Donna Schuring Redmer

    2010 Connie Orbeta

    2011 Risé Jones

    2012 Jill Russell

    2013 Carole Peto

    2014 Holly York

    2015 Deborah Perryman

    2016 Rebecca Jurs

    2017 Kathleen Rusniak

    2018 Christen Sundquist

    2019 Dr. Ushma Shah

    2021 Susan Timm Ed.D.

    2022 Cathy Taylor

    2023 Peggy Heinrich Ed.D.

    2024 Amber Peters

    2025 Nancy Coleman

  • 2003 Marie Yearman

    2004 Donna Anderson

    2005 Clare M. Ollayos, D.C.

    2006 Billie D. Roth

    2007 Loni Mecum

    2008 Nancy Rohr

    2009 Ruth Munson

    2010 Jackie Tredup

    2011 Janet Poyner

    2012 Maria Cumpata

    2013 Susan Harney

    2014 Mary Camacho

    2015 Cristina Castro

    2016 Miriam Anderson Lytle

    2017 Ana Lalley

    2018 Eira L. Sepúlveda

    2019 Kim Wascher

    2021 Farrah Qazi

    2022 Heidi Holthusen

    2023 Lt. Heather Lencioni

    2024 Jamie L. Mosser

    2025 Judge Patricia Piper Golden (Ret.)

  • 1998 Sylvia Murphy Williams

    2000 Mary Vickers

    2001 Sandra Buchheit

    2002 Judy Jobe

    2003 Phyllis Folarin

    2004 Audrey Reed

    2005 Mary Wheeler-West

    2006 Lilia Feliciano

    2007 Mary Ann Stephens

    2008 Adriana Carpio de Palma

    2009 Danise Habun

    2010 Andrea Fiebig

    2011 Helen Lopez Strom

    2012 Joyce Fountain

    2013 Kimberly Spagui

    2014 Maria Christina “Tina” Viglucci

    2015 Jane “Juanita” Barbosa

    2016 Angelene Naw

    2017 Danielle Henson

    2018 Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein

    2019 Paola Velasquez

    2021 Reina Franco

    2022 Brittney Nicole Walker

    2023 Mary Shesgreen

    2024 Julie Hyun Kane

    2025 Elizabeth (Liddy) Hope, Ph.D

  • 1984 Pat Wasmond

    1985 Joan Berna

    1986 Gretchen Vapnar

    1987 Peggy Muetterties

    1988 Elayne Pappas

    1989 Joanne Nesler

    1990 Sandra Freeman

    1991 Carol K. Gieske

    1992 Elizabeth Rice

    1993 Nora K. MIller

    1994 Cindy Ciancio

    1995 Christine Tredup

    1996 Adella Bedwell Wells

    1997 Karen Beyer

    1998 Sister June Does

    1999 Lillian Dixon

    2000 Julie Lichtenberg

    2001 Dorothy Yeoman

    2002 Carol Elias

    2003 Mary Kae Hoffman

    2004 Jane Kimball

    2005 Nancy Pudelwitts

    2006 JoAnn Stingley

    2007 Kathy Fox

    2008 Shelley Wasmond Lewis

    2009 Amybeth Maurer

    2010 Connie Patino

    2011 Siobhan Cottone

    2012 Kathy Hazelwood

    2013 Marlene Pokorny

    2014 Dr. Mae Hicks-Jones

    2015 Maureen Manning-Rosenfeld

    2016 Karen Oswald

    2017 Vivian Maly

    2018 Dr. Kimberly Schellin-Rog

    2019 Lea Conrad

    2021 Janeth Barba

    2022 Sr. Leticia M. Lapid, OSF

    2023 Bernadette May

    2024 Rocio Robledo

    2025 Noelle Dulabaum-Bohrer

  • 1984 Carol Harwood

    1985 Barbara Belding

    1986 Jackie Pierce

    1987 Nancy Burnidge

    1988 Sue Rakow

    1989 Betty Marie Allen

    1990 Cheri Lee Lewis

    1991 Margaret E. Kenyon

    1992 Jean Muntz

    1993 Marlene Shales

    1994 Taffy Hoffer

    1995 Mary Jane Arnold

    1996 Marianne Nelson

    1997 Janet Thietje

    1998 Ann Warner

    1999 Kathe Pava

    2000 Caren C. Nickelsen

    2001 Laura Anderson

    2002 Janine Kirkland

    2003 Lena Scheflow

    2004 Laurel Bault

    2005 Dana Vierck

    2006 Jeanette Mihalec

    2007 Ronell DeLoncker

    2008 Sheri Darmon

    2009 Susan Angell-Case

    2010 Elizabeth Hoeft

    2011 Sigi Psimenos

    2012 Donna Askins

    2013 Deanna Young

    2014 Patricia Harkin

    2015 Deirdre Higgins White

    2016 Catherine Olson

    2017 Karen Schock

    2018 Joann Hartmann

    2019 Carri Laird

    2021 Pam Katalinich Eggum

    2022 Mary Jo Sheehy

    2023 Jennifer Ford

    2024 Robin Seigle

    2025 Christy Schmidt

  • 2003 Myrtle Spiegler Gerberding

    2013 Marlene Shales

    2014 Myra Becker