Seventy-two women, men, and businesses have been nominated for The EMBES – A Tribute to Women (formerly Tribute to Women) awards. Now in its 53rd year, The EMBES has shone a light on those doing right by EmBe’s mission since 1973.
The EMBES – A Tribute to Women, is the longest-standing award ceremony in the Sioux Empire. The event has honored outstanding community members and their contributions since 1974.
This event is a vital fundraiser supporting EmBe’s mission of empowering and enriching women’s lives and providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. “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,” said Anna Wiederrich, Donor Engagement & Events Coordinator.
The impact of The EMBES extends far beyond one evening of recognition. Community giving fuels EmBe’s ability to create opportunities that empower children, women, and families to reach their full potential. Every donation helps advance EmBe’s work in education, youth development, women’s leadership, and workforce development—investments that strengthen families and, ultimately, our entire community. When women excel, entire communities rise with them. Women’s growth – professionally, personally, and in leadership – has a multiplier effect on families and communities. EmBe invests in women’s confidence, autonomy, and responsibility because that investment is always paid forward. We invite the community to continue that momentum by giving to EmBe and investing in the potential of the people who call Sioux Falls home at embe.org/giving.
The honorees were nominated in one of the nine categories, ensuring that all outstanding individuals are acknowledged for their contributions: Banking and Finance, Business Achievement, Community & Public Service, EmBeliever Award, Healthcare & STEM, Outstanding Educator, Performing & Visual Arts, Sylvia Henkin Mentoring Award, and Young Woman of Achievement. The awards will be presented at the 2026 The EMBES: A Tribute to Women event on October 1 at Canopy by Hilton.
Here are the nominees and their employers:
Banking and Finance
Brooke Penn, Experience Sioux Falls
Hiddy Heinz, American Bank & Trust
Jess Evans, South Dakota Development Corporation
Kristi Metzger, First Interstate Bank
Maggie S. Fitzgibbons, Fitzgibbons Seliski Wealth Management Group
Richelle Hofer, Impact Wealth Management
Business Achievement
Carrie Thompson, AMC Collective
Emmie Uitts, The Playground-Indoor Softball Facility
Krystal Lohff, Integrated Care and Consultation/CALM WATERS
Megan Raposa, Sioux Falls Simplified
Sarah Carnes, 9 Clouds
Stephanie Thi, In Flower
Community & Public Service
Betsy Schuster, Active Generations
Christina Oey, South Dakota Humanities Council
Dawn Marie Johnson, Midwest Street Medicine
Jessica Wells, LifeScape Foundation
Nicole Hofer, Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Rylie McMullen, Pathways Shelter for the Homeless
Sandy Berven, tre Ministries
Shannon Ward, Good NAtured
Wendy McDonnel, Active Generations
EmBeliever Award
Bluestone Federal Credit Union
Bradyn Medrano, Sioux Falls School District
Christine Dillard, AI Architects/Microsoft Author
Dan Johnson, First United Methodist Church
First United Methodist Church
Jennifer Schuette, Kinder Academy
Jodi Merritt, Reverence Counseling
Katrina Yde, Forward Counseling Jorgen Yde Foundation
Dr. Jill Kruse, Dr. Kelly Evans Hullinger, Dr. Debra Johnston & Dr. Andrew Ellsworth, Prairie Doc Programming
Steffanie Holtrop, ‘hood Magazine, MED Magazine, Familyfest Fun Cruise
Healthcare and STEM
Delayne Severson, Sanford Health
Dr. Allison Watson, Sanford Health
Molly Uhing, MD, Avera Medical Group
Jayme Nelson, Sanford Health Hospice
Kris Denevan, Sanford Health
Dr. Lauren Wood Thum, Urology Specialists
Rachel Rodel, MD, Sanford Health
Taylar Hash, Avera
Outstanding Educator
Ceca Cooper, University of Sioux Falls
LeeAnna Rabine, Hawthorne Elementary
Ann Rosendale, Augustana University
Sarah Siemonsma, Avera
Stacy Nelson, Sanford Health
Stacy Warwick, Cleveland Elementary
Valerie Peters, Emily’s Hope
Performing & Visual Arts
Alexandra Lunstra, A.L. Art & Prints
Allison Mickelson, Eugene Field A+ Elementary School
Anna Hudelson, Mosaic Arts & Events
Liz Heeren, University of South Dakota
Hannah Stromseth, Results Townsquare Media, Hannah Stromseth Art
Jill Blom, Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
Maren Engel, City of Sioux Falls
Raena Rasmussen, Balleraena Dance Studio
Riley Block, Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club, Augustana University
Sylvia Henkin Mentoring Award
Amy Pokela, AMPO Nonprofit Solutions
Erica DeBoer, Sanford Health
Faith Minnich Kjesbo, Avera
Lynn Gillette, Lynn Gillette Empowered Living
Natalie Eisenberg, Click Rain Inc.
Renee Schulz, Sanford Health
Young Woman of Achievement
Alexis Mahlen, Lloyd Companies
Ashley Sorenson, Ashley Lane LLC/FarmSTEAM LLC
Chelsea Munson, Self-Employed – Vitality Salon
Elsa Rae Fokken, Songbird Kombucha
Hailey Duncan, Calvary Elite Gymnastics
Hanna Bartels, Midco
Jaci Pieters, Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
Jade Delaney, Lemonly
Michelle Harwood, Sanford Health
Myah Selland, Sioux Falls School District
Rika Peterson, Maximizing Excellence
Attend The EMBES – A Tribute to Women Awards
Individual tickets are $95 (including admission and a plated meal) and a table of eight (including admission and plated meals for eight guests). Tickets are available for purchase at embe.org/tribute. Public social hour will start at 6pm. Awards ceremony starts at 7:30pm. By attending The EMBES, guests actively contribute to the advancement of the community and the empowerment of women to reach their full potential.
Join us for a remarkable evening of recognition and appreciation on October 1, 2026, at Canopy by Hilton. 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.