YWCA Elgin hands out awards at luncheon
The YWCA Elgin announced the winners of eight individual awards and one corporate award at its 27th annual Leader Luncheon on May 13. Wisconsin's first lady, Jessica Doyle presented the keynote speech for this very special event that recognizes women and businesses that have made positive contributions to their community.
• The recipient of the Margaret Hillis Award for the Arts is Rosalind Zager, nominated by Susan McIntyre. A professional musician, she has worked with some very impressive musicians and conductors, including Margaret Hillis. For the past 15 years, she has been a choral/vocal teacher for Elgin public schools, teaching kindergarten to 12th grades. Zager is able to motivate all levels of singers through her use of humor and positive reinforcement and is respected by students and colleagues alike.
• The recipient of the Beatrice Dorsey Award for Business and Professions is Merrie Derderian, nominated by Donna Burnidge. Derderian is an experienced, dependable and dedicated executive manager with more than 30 years of experience with W.R. Meadows Inc. Her position is executive vice president of public community relations, responsible for community outreach/participation and employee relations. She has been acknowledged by Provena St. Joseph Hospital for her leadership the past 15 years and by Elgin Community College Foundation for her leadership and dedicated involvement and commitment to excellence.
• The recipient of the Marguerite Henry Award for Communications/Technology is Susan Salach-Cutler nominated by AgingInfoUSA, LLC. A caregiving expert, she has made it her life's mission to assist family caregivers with finding the resources to educate and empower them while they journey through the maze of caring for an aging loved one. Her contributions to health promotion and education for family caregivers include close to 20 years working in the field of geriatric health care where through both professional and personal interactions and presentations she has assisted hundreds of families.
• Nominated by Elgin Community College, Connie Orbeta is the recipient of the Harriet Gifford & Hattie Griffin Award for Education. A professor of graphic design at Elgin Community College, she is considered a dynamic force advocating for student success. Her students and colleagues know her as an innovative, dedicated educator, a community builder, and a leader in both the fields of education and graphic design.
• Connie Patino, nominated by Dr. Clare Ollayos and Sherman Health, is the recipient of the Marie Grolich Award for Social Services. In her 39 years with Sherman Hospital, she has been promoted to, improved, or been asked to initiate a number of social service/community education programs which have benefited the whole community. Because of Connie's length of service, the quality of her leadership and the depth and breadth of her knowledge and people, she is a social connector and it is not an understatement to say that for many people, especially seniors, Patino is the face of Sherman Hospital.
• Jackie Tredup nominated by Shirley Rauschenberger is the recipient of the Myrtle Spiegler Gerberding Award for Public Service. Tredup has been a member of the Kane County Board for 14 years, as a member she is chairman of the enterprise committee. She was instrumental in saving a matching grant for the Ecker Center that was about to expire, helping the Crisis Center with the renovation of its building by securing financial help from the county board, and she is always seeking ways to help her board district (the city of Elgin) as a community as well as several social agencies.
• Libby Hoeft is awarded the Marjorie Leonard Award for Volunteer/ Community Service. Her interest in helping students with disabilities has been a lifelong passion but her passion and dedication does not end there. She has been involved with the local YMCA and YWCA, the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation, Elgin Symphony Orchestra Board and the Symphony League, the United Way of Elgin, Day One (formerly Kane-Kendall Service coordinators), Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice, American Association of University Women, Bethlehem Lutheran Church and PADS of Elgin (Public Action to Deliver Shelter).
• Andrea Fiebig nominated by Ed Hunter is the recipient of the YWCA Racial Justice Award. She values education and promotes it as an equalizer and tool for empowerment. She has devoted her life to helping empower women and their families who immigrated here. Fiebig is passionate about education and the power that education has for changing lives and building community. Andrea's work embodies the mission of the YWCA Elgin - to eliminate racism and empower women.
• Plante & Moran, PLLC nominated by George Cumpata, is the recipient of the Corporate Award. In addition to continuing female staff growth, Plante & Moran understands staff members are individuals first and staff members second. To that end, Plante & Moran has always followed the belief of their co-founder, Frank Moran, that "the whole person comes to work." That is, Plante & Moran views its female staff members not only in their professional roles as administrative assistants, CPAs, or consultants but as women who have children, spouses, parents and personal and community commitments that extend beyond work. The Northwest Chicago office is home to a "Mother's Room" which provides women the comfort and solitude away from their offices when needed. Both Chicago and Northwest Chicago offices, as well as all firm offices, provide child care services during the busy season. It has one of the highest percentages of female partners within the accounting profession.