Leader Luncheon

SAVE THE DATE FOR LEADER LUNCHEON 2027 - Thursday, May 13!

More than 400 community members gathered at The Seville in Streamwood on Thursday, May 14, for the 42nd Annual YWCA Elgin Leader Luncheon Awards, a powerful celebration of leadership, service, and the YWCA Elgin’s 125th Anniversary.

Honorary Chair Carol Gieske, CEO/President of the Elgin Area Chamber, welcomed guests and thanked past award recipients, community supporters, and the event’s generous sponsors, including 2026 Title Sponsor, The Schrieber Group. She also congratulated the outstanding 2026 nominees whose leadership continues to strengthen the community.

Following an invocation by Dr. Brittany Barber of Hamilton Wings, keynote speaker Erin Ramirez of Real Change Studio delivered an inspiring message about leadership, resilience, and the importance of adaptability. She also recognized the lasting impact of YWCA Elgin and its 125 years of service to the community.

Committee members Dr. Clare M. Ollayos and Linda Siete announced the recipients of the 2026 Leader Luncheon Awards and closing remarks were shared by YWCA Elgin Chief Executive Officer Felicia King.

This year’s event also celebrated a treasured Leader Luncheon tradition. More than 300 portraits of past award recipients lined the banquet hall, honoring decades of extraordinary women leaders who have shaped the community. The portrait tradition began with Cathy Neuhalfen, owner of Interesting Developments in Algonquin, and her mother, the late Molly Konitzer, who photographed recipients from the event’s founding in 1984 through 2016.

Professional portraits of the 2026 award recipients will be taken by Ruben Ramos Photography in Elgin, continuing this meaningful tradition for another year.

Meet the 2026 Award Recipients

Your dedication, leadership, and impact in our community inspire us all. We’re honored to celebrate your achievements and grateful for the work you do to advance equity and empower others.

Group of seven women standing on stage, holding awards, at an indoor event, dressed in various formal and semi-formal outfits.

Leader Luncheon Award Recipients

• Dr. Risé Jones Arts Award: Selena Tapia (Not Pictured)
• Beatrice Dorsey Business & Professions Award: Maria Manrriquez
• Marguerite Henry Communications & Technology Award: Leslie Wolko
• Harriet Gifford & Hattie Griffin Education Award: Pietrina Probst
• Myrtle Spiegler Gerberding Public Service Award: Kristal Thompson
• Betty Brown Racial Justice Award: Dr. Kristina Garcia
• Marie Grolich Social Service Award: Jen Keller
• Marjorie Leonard Volunteer & Community Service Award: Tiffany Henderson

Youth Leadership Award & Scholarship Recipient

• Mia Satterfield of Larkin High School

A young woman with dark hair, wearing a beige dress and sandals, standing in front of beaded curtains and holding an award and a certificate, smiling at the camera.

Congratulations to the 2026 Award Recipients!

Group of women and one man posing on a staircase in a formal setting. The women are dressed in colorful dresses and blouses, and the man is in a police or military uniform. The background features a large mirror, warm lighting fixtures, and a pattern
Two women standing side by side, smiling for the camera at an event with a backdrop that says 'elgin'. The woman on the left has long dark hair, is wearing a black outfit with a gold chain shoulder bag, and earrings. The woman on the right has long d
Two smiling women at a formal event, standing close together in a large, well-lit banquet hall with chandeliers and other guests seated at tables in the background.
Group of women at a registration or sign-in table at a conference or event, with some signing documents and others engaged in conversation, inside a decorated venue with a staircase and a YMCA banner in the background.
A smiling woman in a black and white floral dress receives an award from a smiling man in a black and white striped shirt at a luncheon event. A large screen in the background displays information about the event, titled '42nd Leader Luncheon,' held
A woman with glasses and earrings speaking into a microphone at a formal event or speech, with a beaded curtain and light-colored wall in the background.
A group of people participating in a prayer circle at a formal event, with attendees kneeling and eyes closed around a decorated table in a banquet hall with chandeliers.
An elderly woman with short gray hair wearing a blue and white patterned jacket, pearl earrings, and a pendant necklace, standing at a podium with a microphone, with a glittery wall and a mirrored textured background behind her.
Two women smiling at an award ceremony, with a man in the background. One woman holds a glass award. They are dressed in business casual and appear to be at a formal event.
A woman with dark hair holding an award or plaque, standing in front of a sparkly curtain and silver beads.
A shopping mall called 'The SeVille' with a woman standing next to a white car with red wheels in the parking lot.
A woman with dark hair and glasses smiling while holding a glass award, wearing a green dress with white floral pattern, standing in front of a beaded curtain at an indoor event.
Three women smiling at an event, with one woman in the center holding an award. The woman on the left is wearing glasses and a green floral dress, the woman in the middle is wearing a pink outfit with pearl jewelry, and the woman on the right is wear
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a navy lace dress, holding a microphone and speaking at an event with a sparkling beige background and beaded curtain.
A large group of people sitting at round tables during a formal event in a decorated banquet hall, with a woman speaking on stage near a large screen displaying event details.
A group of diverse women and a man standing in a well-lit, elegant indoor space, possibly at a social or networking event, with some women smiling and others looking serious. They are dressed in business or casual attire.
Four smiling people standing close together with a beige curtain background. One woman has short blonde hair and is wearing a blue shirt. The second woman has short hair with green highlights and is wearing a denim jacket over an orange shirt with a
Two women standing together at an event, one wearing a black and white floral dress with a name tag and the other wearing an orange and navy paisley dress with a denim jacket, both smiling at the camera.
Two women sit at a table, smiling, with a chandelier and decorative wallpaper in the background.
Two women standing together, one holding an award, at an indoor event. The woman on the left is wearing an orange polka dot dress and a brown headwrap. The woman on the right is wearing a black and white floral dress with earrings and a necklace. The
An older woman with glasses and earrings speaking into a microphone at a conference, standing behind a podium with a purple badge reading 'COMMITTEE'.
Two women are standing together at an event, smiling and shaking hands. The woman on the left is holding a glass award and wearing a dark floral dress. The woman on the right is wearing a dark jacket with a blue dress that has white polka dots. They
A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a navy blue dress with small peach-colored dots, holding an award plaque at the YWCA Elgin recognition event, standing in front of a beaded curtain and sparkly wall.
A man with glasses, smiling, holding an award, standing next to a table with partially visible awards and certificates, at an indoor event.
Two women hugging, smiling, and enjoying a joyful moment in a celebration or event setting.
A woman sitting at a table with another young woman, in a setting that appears to be an event or conference. The table is covered with a black cloth featuring white text advocating against racism, promoting empowerment of women, and referencing the Y
An older woman with glasses and earrings speaking at a podium, wearing a beige blazer with a name tag that reads 'Linda Siete' and a badge labeled 'COMMUNITY'. She is holding a piece of paper and standing in front of a sparkling backdrop.
Two women shaking hands at a formal event, one older with gray hair and a patterned white jacket, the other younger with long dark hair wearing glasses, a black blouse with ruffled sleeves, and holding a document. A screen in the background displays
A woman with long blonde hair is speaking at a podium, smiling, wearing a black dress. Next to her, a woman with long dark hair in a beige dress waves and smiles, standing in front of a beaded curtain.
Two women are on stage at an awards event; the woman on the left is smiling as she receives an award from the woman on the right, who is speaking into a microphone. The background features a projected logo and decorative curtains.
People gathered around a table with wrapped gifts at a gift exchange event.
Two women stand together smiling in a room with a presentation screen and chairs behind them. One woman holds a basket of gold-wrapped chocolates, and the other holds papers.
Group of women standing and talking in a hotel lobby with a staircase in the background.
Three women standing together indoors, smiling at the camera, wearing professional attire, with name tags and badges. Behind them is a decorative curtain and a wall.
Three women standing at an indoor event, dressed in formal attire, smiling and wearing name tags, with a decorative curtain behind them.
Group of five women standing together indoors in front of decorative beaded curtains, all dressed in business or formal attire.
Three women standing side by side indoors, smiling, with a decorative beaded curtain in the background.
Four women standing side by side indoors, smiling at the camera, with name tags and a beaded curtain behind them.
Group of five women standing together indoors, smiling, wearing business casual clothing and name tags.
Two women standing side by side, smiling for the camera. The woman on the left has shoulder-length red hair and is wearing a black and white floral dress, holding a glass award. The woman on the right has short brown hair, is wearing a dark suit jack
Two women stand together, one holding a glass award, at an awards ceremony with a presentation screen in the background displaying event details. The woman on the left is wearing a green dress, and the woman on the right is wearing a black and white
People sitting around tables at a banquet with chandeliers in a large decorated hall.
Two women sitting at a dinner table during a banquet or formal event, surrounded by many other guests seated at decorated tables in an elegant banquet hall.
Three framed event programs on black easels at a conference, featuring sponsor and organization logos, with a beige wall and a speaker in the background.
Two women smiling, standing close together at a social event; the woman on the left has red hair, wears a black and white floral top, and has a name tag; the woman on the right has dark hair, wears glasses, and a beige blazer over a white top. They a
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Thank You, 2026 Leader Luncheon Sponsors!

2026 TITLE SPONSOR - $5,000

A group photo of five financial advisors, three men and two women, dressed in professional business attire, standing in front of a blue background with text about The Schrieber Group.

$2,500 Anonymous Donor

LEADER CIRCLE TABLE SPONSORS - $1,400

Laird Funeral Home logo in white cursive text on a black background.
Logo of the Elgin Area Chamber featuring three orange circles with white 'e', 'a', 'c' in the center and black text below that reads 'Elgin Area Chamber'.
Logo of Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation with a tree and text
Elgin Community College logo with a stylized blue and black starburst symbol and the college name in blue text.
Logo for The Housing Authority of the Building and Changing Lives, featuring a cityscape with tall buildings, a winding pathway, and a stopwatch with leaves.
Logo for H&C Construction Companies LLC featuring a black and yellow road symbol and bold black text.
Logo of Advocate Sherman Hospital with a purple cross and black text
Logo for Elgin Special Events Cultural Arts featuring a blue and gray skyscraper above the text.
Saint Joseph Hospital logo with a maroon cross and medical symbol, next to the hospital's name in black text.
Logo for Goebbert's Farm featuring a green barn with a large orange pumpkin on its roof and text in green and white, with the words "GOBERT'S FARM".
Blue logo with a snowflake and text reading 'H3 HVAC Parts'
Illustration of a woman with glasses holding a large bouquet of colorful flowers, wearing a pink dress and pink high heels, alongside the text 'Graceful Blooms' in green and pink fonts and the tagline 'Where moments blossom'.
Logo for Elgin, Illinois, featuring a stylized blue and gray skyscraper above the words 'ELGIN' in black and 'THE CITY IN THE SUBURBS' in blue.

Gold Star Sponsors - $500

Text graphic with the words "Cristina Castro" in red and blue, and "State Senator - District 22" in black.
Logo celebrating W. R. Meadows' 100 years from 1926 to 2026 with a gold number 100, a stylized bridge, and an illustration of a construction worker in black and white, with a green border.
Logo for True Insurance & Benefits featuring a blue geometric flower-like design and text in black and blue.
Logo of a real estate group featuring a house outline and bold text.

Art & Nancy Schueneman

Betty & Steve Rauschenberger

Carol Elias

Carol Gieske

Edward & Karen Schock

Karen Fox

Kathryn Canny

Nancy Coleman

Official sheriff's badge of Kane County with a star shape, gold color, and the words 'Sheriff's Office' and 'Kane County' written on it.
LiUNA! Local 582 logo with slogan 'Feel the Power'
Morales Law Group logo with gold and black text
Elgin State Bank logo with name and tagline below
Logo for Smallest Material Construction, with the word 'SMC' in large blue letters and the company name underneath.
Logo of BFR Hospitality with a mascot resembling a bear's face and the text 'BFR X'.
Campaign button with candidate name Anna Moeller, 43rd District, State Representative
LAUDERDALE ELECTRIC logo with yellow lightning bolts and red and black text.

Silver Star Sponsors - $250

Anonymous

AAUW-EA American Association of University Women Elgin Area

Dr. Clare M. Ollayos, Chiropractic Physician

Dana & Gary Vierck

Edward Jones, Financial Advisor - Justin Budd

Jody Schmeck

KO Fleet Maintenance, Inc.

Lena Scheflow

McCarthy Farms - Horse Board & Riding Lessons

Murna Hansemann

Elgin Poet Laureate Project Gareth Mann- Elgin Poet Laureate Emeritus

Elizabeth Hoeft

First UMC Elgin

Fox Valley Interior Design, Lois Myers-Bauer

Goodly Creatures Theatre

Pam Katalinich Eggum/Jim’s Drywall

Ronell DeLoncker/Jim’s Towing & Automotive

Steve & Felicia King

U.S. Fire & Safety Equipment Co.

125th Anniversary Sponsors - $125

Anonymous (2)

Brittain's Express Oil & Lube

Chamber Music on the Fox

Diane Mason

Donna J. Anderson

Food for Greater Elgin

Linda Knight

Marge & Don Haefliger

Maureen Manning

Patricia Chamberlain

Patricia Piper Golden

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

The Atrium at Oak Crest

Velma Sept

Greater Family Health

Grindstone Video Productions

Jessica Lee-Cole

Kathleen Rusniak

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

    2026 Selena Tapia

  • 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

    2026 Maria Manrriquez

  • 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

    2026 Leslie Wolko

  • 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

    2026 Pietrina Probst

  • 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.)

    2026 Kristal Thompson

  • 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

    2026 Dr. Kristina Garcia

  • 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

    2026 Jen Keller

  • 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

    2026 Tiffany Henderson

  • 2003 Myrtle Spiegler Gerberding

    2013 Marlene Shales

    2014 Myra Becker