42nd Annual YWCA Elgin Leader Luncheon, May 14

YWCA Elgin to hold its 42nd Annual Leader Luncheon, presented by Title Sponsor The Schrieber Group, on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at The Seville in Streamwood, Illinois. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m., with the program beginning promptly at 11:45 a.m. The event is part of YWCA Elgin’s 125th anniversary year, marking more than a century of service to the community.

“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,” says Alana Freedman, YWCA Elgin, Director of Marketing and Fundraising.

The following 25 women leaders have been nominated by their colleagues and peers in 8 award categories:

1 - Dr. Rise Jones (formerly Margaret Hillis) Award for the Arts: Selena Tapia, nominated by Sandra Perez;

3 - Beatrice Dorsey Award for Business & Professions: Donna Bessler, nominated by Prairie Community Bank; Sydney Davis, nominated by Ari Davis; and Maria Mannriquez, nominated by Advocate Sherman Hospital;

1 - Marguerite Henry Award for Communications & Technology: Leslie Wolko, nominated by Nancy Coleman;

4 - Harriet Gifford & Hattie Griffin Award for Education: Dr. Suzanne Johnson, nominated by Brian Lindholm; Pietrina Probst, nominated by Elgin Community College; Selena Tapia, nominated by Chris Holling; and April Wells, nominated by Tiffany Henderson;

5 - Myrtle Spiegler Gerberding Award for Public Service: Melissa Benesh, nominated by Fran Teti-Teal; Michelle Detert, nominated by Martell Armstrong; Detective Kayla Heal, nominated by Police Chief Ana Lalley; Beverly Johnson, nominated by Jamie Venson; and Kristal Thompson, nominated by Katie Thompson;

3 - Betty Brown Award for Racial Justice: Dr. Kristina Garcia, nominated by Elgin Community College; Aida Palma Carpio, nominated by Adriana Carpio; and Tena Raglin, nominated by Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein;

3 - Marie Grolich Award for Social Services: Tameron Keeffe, nominated by Janeth Barba; Jen Keller, nominated by Katie Thompson; and Tammy McMahan, nominated by Maureen Fox; Fabyola Ramirez Mercado, nominated by ELLAS - Elgin Latino Leadership Alliance for Seniors;

5 - Marjorie Leonard Award for Volunteer & Community Service: Diane Ahrens, nominated by Hannah Reynolds; Beatriz Alday, nominated by Maria de los Angeles; Tiffany Henderson, nominated by Brittany Barber; Patsy Hirsch, nominated by Joan Kanute; and Linda Ramirez, nominated by Gil Feliciano.

Awards will presented at the luncheon. For information about the luncheon, reservations, and/or sponsorship, contact the YWCA Elgin at 847-742-7930 or ywcaelgin.org/leaderluncheon.