Elgin YWCA recognizes 2026 Leader Luncheon recipients

Over 400 community members attended the 42nd annual YWCA Elgin Leader Luncheon Awards at The Seville in Streamwood on Thursday, May 13, 2026.

Leader Luncheon honorary chair Carol Gieske, CEO/President, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, welcomed guests and expressed appreciation to past recipients and the event’s major sponsors including 2026 Title Sponsor, The Schrieber Group, for their support and with congratulations to all of the 2026 nominees. Following an invocation by Dr. Brittany Barber of Hamilton Wings, keynote speaker Erin Ramirez of Real Change Studio presented an inspiring talk on leadership and the value of adaptability. She heralded the important work done by the Elgin YWCA and their signature 125th anniversary this year.

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Closing words were given by Felicia King, chief operating officer, Elgin YWCA.

Individual Awards co-chairs Clare Ollayos, DC and Linda Siete announced the recipients of the 2026 Leader Luncheon Awards in the following categories.

• Dr. Rise Jones Award for the Arts: Selena Tapia
• Marguerite Henry Communications & Technology Award: Leslie Wolko
• Marie Grolich Social Service Award: Jen Keller
• Myrtle Spiegler Gerberding Award for Public Service: Kristal Thompson
• Betty Brown Racial Justice Award: Dr. Kristina Garcia
• Marjorie Leonard Volunteer & Community Service Award: Tiffany Henderson
• Beatrice Dorsey Business & Professions Award: Maria Manrriquez
• Harriet Gifford & Hattie Griffin Education Award: Pietrino Probst

The new 2026 Youth Leadership Award & Scholarship was presented to Mia Satterfield of Larkin High School in Elgin.

An individual professional portrait of each recipient will be taken by Ruben Ramos Photography in Elgin. The tradition has continued which Cathy Neuhalfen, owner of Interesting Developments in Algonquin and her mother, the late Molly Konitzer, who had taken portraits of every recipient since the YWCA Elgin Leader Luncheon was founded in 1984 through 2016. This year over 302 portraits were on display depicting the community leader recipient in each category. They filled both sides of the large banquet room in the Seville.

The YWCA Elgin is proud to honor women leaders in the community who strive towards its mission of empowering women and promoting racial justice in Elgin. Visit ywcaelgin.org.