Aspire Announces Winners for Women Leaders Awards
Awards recognize an individual and a company that are leading the way to support and elevate women in leadership
Aspire Economic Development + Chamber Alliance today announced the winners for its 2024 Women Leaders awards. The Champion of Women Award recognizes an organization that prioritized women in leadership and provided women with opportunities for growth, both inside and outside their workforces. The Woman Leader of the Year Award recognizes a woman who has made a significant contribution to her company or organization as an influencer, leader, and ally.
A surprise third award category at the event was announced as well. The Impactful Leader Award recognizes a woman leader who has demonstrated strong leadership and measurable achievements while overcoming barriers and/or adversity. The Impactful Leader has created success and growth for her organization that truly impacts the community. The winner in each category was revealed at the Woman Leaders Workshop on March 8. The event was held at the Valle Vista Golf and Conference Center.
Winners by award and category are:
- Champion of Women – Stage I Dance Academy
- Woman Leader of the Year – Melahni Ake with Everyday Leaders
- Impactful Leader – Carmen Young, Director of Administration for the Town of Whiteland
Stage I is a woman owned and operated studio for over 60 years that has supported generations of young women in both the arts and business. Stage I was chosen for the Champion of Women award because of their hard work in creating an environment where women support and learn from each other.
The Stage I CEO, Katie Stahlhut, is president of the nonprofit, Dance Every Journey, which brings dance classes to adult populations who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. With 24 of their 25 employees being women, Stage I has created a wealth of personal and professional opportunities for development and growth for women in the community.
Melahni Ake is a coach, speaker, author, and organizer who has supported the professional development of women in her community for her entire career. Ake developed a youth leadership program for at-risk high school female students and coordinates passionate women serving community youth to facilitate daily leadership development programs. Due to the success of the program, it has already been funded for the next school year.
In 2022, Top Floor Women, a program that allows women to prepare, practice, and deliver their business strategies in front of other women who are passionate leaders and learners, was moved under Ake’s leadership. The group has grown to serve over 60 women.
Carmen Young was chosen for the Impactful Leader award for her role in leading and rebuilding her community after severe tornado damage impacted Whiteland residents and businesses last year. Young’s role at the time was Community Development and Planning Director, but due to the then town manager’s leave she stepped up to accept the role of Acting Town Manager, organizing staff and helping manage the town’s clean-up efforts.
Young also personally reached out to every resident and business owner in Whiteland affected by the tornado. She helped establish a locally led long-term recovery group for tornado victims, spearheaded a move-back-in gift program for families returning to their homes, and as late as last month arranged open meetings for residents to meet with insurance agents to ensure they are getting needs met.
“Over the years this program has provided great content targeting professional development for women,” said Angela Vandersteen, Vice President of Investor Development and Relations at Aspire. “Aspire is grateful for how the programming has evolved to address today’s leadership needs and has expanded to celebrate the impact women leaders have in Johnson County.”
As the state recognized economic development organization for Johnson County and its chamber of commerce, Aspire believes the Women Leaders Workshop is a platform to focus on the contributions women make in the business community and provide further leadership training. Last year, Aspire added quarterly leadership development programming for women and is continuing to offer these sessions in 2024. Aspire’s 2024 Women Leaders Workshop is presented by Johnson Memorial Hospital. The awards program is presented by Ageless Aesthetics and VisionQuest Eyecare.