Awards

We Have Award-Winning Members

Rockford Network of Professional Women is proud to have among its membership many award-winning women! We have an Awards Committee who make it their mission to make sure our members are recognized for their contributions—both in the workplace and in the community at large.

We encourage our members to recommend their RNPW member colleagues for nomination.  Contact our Awards Chairperson for further information.

Award Winners:

2024

  •  Jayme Durkee - RNPW Volunteer of the Year

2023

  • Jocelyn Kit Hare McLaughlin - YWCA's Promise Award

2022

  • Emily Burke - Beth Thacker - Northwestern Mutual - Rockford Chamber 40 People Under 40
  • Tracey Fultz - Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce Woman Business Owner of the Year

  • Mary Jo Kennebeck Hare - Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Presidential Volunteer Award and Hall of Fame Award

2021

  • Karen Arce - Medicare 411 - National Business Women's Week Award

2020

  • MembersAlliance Credit Union - Crusader Clinic Spirit of Caring Award

  • Teresa Kegley - Fitness Movement - Rockford Chamber 40 People Under 40

2019

  • Sue Snyder – RNPW Dolores Ford Outstanding Service Award
  • Danna Krischke - United Way Future Spirit of Caring Award

  • Tiffany Staman - Chamber 20 People You Should Know

2018

  • Karen Arce – RNPW Dolores Ford Outstanding Service Award
  • Bethany Mead - RNPW Dolores Ford Outstanding Service Award
  • Sherri Pritz-Enderle - Rockford Area Arts Award

  • Jocelyn Hare - Rockford Chamber Woman Leader of Tomorrow Award

2017

  • Sue Snyder – RNPW Dolores Ford Outstanding Service Award
  • Jan Bowman - RNPW Dolores Ford Outstanding Service Award
  • Yvonne Peterson - Rockford Chamber Woman Manager of Year Award

  • Yvonne Peterson - Gardant Management Shining Star Award

2016

  • Diane James – RNPW Dolores Ford Outstanding Service Award
  • Deanna Watts – RNPW Dolores Ford Outstanding Service Award
  • Dorothy Reddic - Rockford Chamber 40 Leaders Under 40
  • Jocelyn Hare - Rockford Chamber 40 Leaders Under 40

  • Jody Booher - Rockford Chamber 40 Leaders Under 40

2015

  • Barb Berman – AFP Outstanding Community Volunteer of the Year
  • Maleeah Cuevas – YWCA Mentorship Award
  • Dolores Ford – RNPW Dolores Ford Outstanding Service Award
  • Jacki Gommel – Rockford Chamber Business Owner of the Year
  • Mary Jo Hare and Jocelyn Hare of ServPro Rockford – Rockford Chamber Small Business of the Year

  • Kathy Velasco – Excalibur Award

2014

  • Janna Becherer – Rockford Chamber Woman Business Owner of the Year

  • Pastor Dola Gregory – YWCA Leader Luncheon Mentorship Award

2013

  • Stacy Wallace – Rockford Chamber Business Leader of Tomorrow
  • Shannon Scheffel – Rockford Chamber Business Manager of the Year

  • Kelly Vinje – YWCA Leader Luncheon Promise Award

2012

  • Patti Thayer – Rockford Chamber Business Owner of the Year

  • Lisa Miles – People You Should Know Honor

2011

  • Heather Kelley – Rockford Chamber Business Leader of Tomorrow

2010

  • Barbara Berman – Rockford Chamber’s Citizen of the Year
  • Mary Jo Hare – Rockford Chamber Woman Business Owner of the Year

  • Kathy Velasco – Crusader Spirit of Caring Award

2009

  • Shirley DeBenedetto – Lifescape Community Services Super Senior of the Year
  • Shirley DeBenedetto – YWCA Marcella Harris Award for Community Service

  • Mary Ann Norwood – YWCA Connie Tremulis Award for Business Owners

2008

  • Dee Premo – YWCA Connie Tremulis Award for Business Owners
    Patti Thayer – YWCA Betty Ann Keegan Award for Public Service

2007

  • Teresa Beach-Shelow – YWCA Connie Tremulis Award for Business Owners
  • Amanda Hamaker –Chamber of Commerce Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow
  • Holly Hanson – YWCA Betty Ann Keegan Award for Public Service
  • Lori Berkes-Nelson – Chamber of Commerce Woman Manager of the Year
  • Randa Noble – YWCA Caroline Griffith Award for the Professions – Not-for-Profit
  • Tonya Thayer – YWCA Janet Lynn Sports Award

  • Margaret Wilkerson – YWCA Alta Hulett Award for the Professions

2006

  • Barbara Berman – SwedishAmerican’s Betty Jane Henry Award for Community Service
  • Dr. Ramona Cornea – YWCA Dr. A. Frances Johnson Award for Science
  • Janyce Fadden – Chamber of Commerce Woman Manager of the Year

  • Janyce Fadden – YWCA Betty Ann Keegan Award for Public Service

2005

  • Holly Hanson – Crusader Clinic Spirit of Caring Award
  • Lynne Koenigsberger –YWCA Connie Tremulis Award for Business Owners
  • Joan E. Kole – Mayors Art Award
  • Joan E. Kole – YWCA Blanche Ellis Starr Award for the Arts
  • Shirley G. Sievers – SwedishAmerican’s Betty Jane Henry Award for Community Service
  • Kathy Velasco – YWCA Connie Tremulis Award for Business Owners

  • Margaret Wilkerson – Rockford Chamber of Commerce Woman Manager of the Year

2004

  • Barbara Berman – Lifescape Community Services Super Senior Award
  • Leslie Roxworthy – Chamber of Commerce Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow

  • Mary Jo Scordato – Chamber of Commerce Woman Business Owner of the Year