YWCA St. Joseph announces 2026 Women of Excellence nominees

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- YWCA St. Joseph announced the nominees for the 25th Annual Women of Excellence awards.

The winner of each category will be announced at the Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon & Fundraiser on Thursday, June 18 at the St. Joseph Civic Arena.

The event will be emceed by Jennifer Milbourne. She will be joined by guest speaker, Miss Missouri 2025 and KQ2 Hometown This Morning Courtney Rowe.

The Lifetime Achievement in the Workplace award will be presented to former President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Esther Georger and the Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism award will be presented to local arts and historic preservation of Saint Joseph advocate, Jo Anne Grey.

The 2026 Women of Excellence nominees are:

Emerging Leader:

• Madison Douglas
• Ashley Cook
• Tannah Buhman
• Hannah Parks
• Cassy Thornton
• Courtney Rowe
• Kelsey Jensen
• Makayla Brassfield

Future Leader:

• Joslin Ungles
• Ambrielle Jones
• Brooklynn Johnson
• Emilee Dulcan
• Lily Phillips
• Gracie Ide
• Melody Montgomery
• Eliana Arambula

Women in Volunteerism:

• Jen Kline
• Marileidy Marques Arraga
• Traci Magee
• Allison Atkinson
• Shanen Middendorf
• Judy Hausman
• Stacie Sanders

Entrepreneur of Excellence:

• Miu Sutton
• Adrienne Waggoner
• Amy Brooks

Woman in the Workplace:

• Nikkole Biever
• Siobhan Jackson
• Erin Bradley
• Debbie Griffith Fujinami
• Ashley Grippando
• Chastity McCourt

Woman in Workplace Leadership:

• Chanler Williams
• Kelly Lock
• Trish Blakely
• Dawn Lanning
• Trina Clark
• Rachel Copeland
• Robin Caton
• Michelle Mears

Employer of Excellence:

• Western Reception Diagnostic Correctional Center
• Tolly & Associates Inc
• Mosaic Life Care - Women's Health Clinic

Seat Reservations will be available to the public beginning Thursday, April 30.

Individual seats are $50 each and a table of 10 is $500.

Reservations can be made by calling 816-232-4481 during regular business hours.