Seventy-four women, men, and businesses have been nominated for The EMBES – A Tribute to Women (formerly Tribute to Women) awards. Now in its 52nd year, The EMBES has shone 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. At this year’s awards, we will celebrate the inspiring contributions of past and present honorees who embody EmBe’s mission while looking ahead to the future of EmBe Women’s Programs,” said Anna Wiederrich, 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 2025 Tribute to Women event on October 9 at the Orpheum Theater Center.
The nomination process covers nine categories, ensuring that all outstanding individuals are acknowledged for their contributions.
Here are the nominees and their employers:
Banking & Finance
Rhonda Jones, First Interstate Bank
Jill Mollner, Cornerstone Financial Solutions
Sara Schauer, Expansion Capital Group
Hannah Entenman, Abacus Wealth Partners
Ann Fiorita, Waddell & Reed
Business Achievement
Mary Campbell, The Breaks Coffee Roasting Co.
Amanda Gilliland, Articulate Interiors
Kristen Zueger, Lloyd Companies
Kate Stock, Sanford Health
Trisha Dohn, Well365
Teisha Upward, JD’s House of Trophies
Wendy Dooley, Sanford Health
Mel Guse, Gist Wine Shop
Madeleine Titze, Bridges Consulting
Cindy Monnin, Friessen Construction Co.
Lindsey Meyers, Avera Health
Kristin Catlett, Glow & Go
Mariah Brunz Parker, Farm Fresh Content / Business Woman Sioux Falls
Jaden Miller, Verily
Carrie Anderson, Central Payments
Katie Hughes, Farmers Business Network
Community & Public Service
Tammie Denning, Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership
Amy Carter, Helpline Center
Nicole Hofer, Sleep In Heavenly Peace
Angela Kennecke, Emily’s Hope
Kate Feilmeier, Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety
Rhonda Erickson, Midco
Erinn Williams, The Beauty Room
Christine Hallenbeck-Ask, Sanford Health
Tana Zwart, Community Advocate
Tamera Jerke-Liesinger, The Banquet
EmBeliever Award
Alyssa Klaudt, Lifescape
Anna Fischer, Southeast Technical College
Joe Segeleon, Sanford Health
Anna Jankord, Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
Angela Drake, Two Men and a Truck/Two Men and a Junk Truck/Fight Like a Ninja
Kristin Hoefert, Northwestern Mutual
Shauna Fox-Hamilton, RoOTed- Occupational Therapy Services
Healthcare & STEM
Shannon Emry, M.D., Midwest Street Medicine
Tracy Salameh, Sioux Falls VA Healthcare System
Brooke Madson, DO, Sanford Health
Katherine Wang, MD, Avera Medical Group
Karoliina Slack, Sanford World Clinic
Erica DeBoer, Sanford Health
Outstanding Educator
Jodi DeHaven, Sioux Falls School District
Dana Dyer, Sioux Falls School District
Esther Crandall, Harrisburg School District
Taylor Gustad, Irene-Wakonda School District
Laura Kniffen, Sioux Falls School District
Sarah Sutter, Canton School District
Rachel Stallinga, Sioux Falls School District
Sarah Muller, Sioux Falls School District
Sherri Nelson, Brandon Valley School District / Self Employed
Amber Sundvold, Sioux Falls School District
Performing & Visual Arts
Lisa Conlin, Good Night Theatre Collective, LiRa Dance Theatre, Spotlight Theater Company, Move to Heal, Conlin Choreography
Em Nguyen, Em Nguyen Photography / Art by Em Nguyen
Anna Hudelson, Mosaic Arts & Events
Mel Cotton, Rose and Eugene Presents
Andrea Carlson, Augustana University
Sylvia Henkin Mentoring Award
Haley Samuelson, Haley Samuelson Coaching
Michelle Erpenbach, Sioux Falls Thrive
Tamera Larsen-Engelkes, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center
Cindi Johnson, Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort
Megan Brown, American Bank & Trust
Jean Magnuson, Community Advocate
Heather Schelling, Northwestern Mutual
Young Woman of Achievement
Jackie Sorenson, Thorson Heating Inc.
Sara Waldner, Lawrence & Schiller
Clara MacIllravie Canas, Avera Health
Bethany Buitenbos, Chick fil A
Krystal Lohff, Integrated Care and Consultation/ CALM WATERS
Marcela Salas, BibiSol + Salas Salsas
Shelbi Backhaus, Backhaus Excavation & Undergrorund, LLC
Sarah Siemonsma, Avera Health
Melissa Otten, American Bank & Trust
Bergen Lindner, Epicosity & The Playground Indoor Softball Facility
Attend The EMBES – A Tribute to Women Awards
Tickets are $89.53 (all in pricing) for general admission and are available for purchase at www.embe.org/tribute. Hors d’Oeuvres and social hour are included in the general admission cost and will start at 6 pm. The awards ceremony starts at 7 pm.
Join us for a remarkable evening of recognition and appreciation on October 9, 2025, at the Orpheum Theater Center. For sponsorship and donation opportunities, please contact Anna Wiederrich, Donor Engagement & Events Coordinator, at awiederrich@embe.org.
Let’s celebrate the exceptional women who inspire us all.