8th Annual ATHENA finalists
The Rotary Club of Jasper will host its eighth annual ATHENA International Leadership Award presentation Thursday evening, August 22, at the Huntingburg Event Center.
ATHENA recognizes women who demonstrate exemplary leadership in their communities and focuses on eight distinctive attributes: authentic self, relationships, giving back, collaboration, courageous acts, celebration and joy, learning and fierce advocacy.
Doors open at 6 p.m.; the event begins at 6:30.
This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Sue Ellspermann, has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, economic and workforce development, and public service.
In January 2018, under Ellspermann’s leadership, Ivy Tech launched its new fiveyear Strategic Plan. The plan’s vision is for Ivy Tech students to earn 50,000 high-quality certifications, certificates, and degrees per year aligned with workforce needs.
In May 2016, Ellspermann became President of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. She is the ninth individual to hold the position and the college’s first female president.
She most recently served as Indiana’s 50th Lieutenant Governor from 2013-2016.
As the vice chair of the Indiana Career Council, she led efforts to align Indiana’s education and workforce development system to meet the needs of employers. Her public service began in 2010 when she was elected State Representative for District 74.
Ellspermann formerly served as the founding Director of the Center of Applied Research and Economic Development at the University of Southern Indiana and also owned and operated Ellspermann and Associates, Inc., an independent consulting firm licensed in the training and facilitation of Simplex Creative Problem Solving. Early in her career, she spent time with Frito-Lay and Michelin Tire Corporation.
Ellspermann holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from the University of Louisville in Industrial Engineering and a B.S. from Purdue University also in Industrial Engineering.
“I’m honored to be the keynote speaker for the ATHENA International event in the Indiana county I still call home,” says Ellspermann. “From my experience, there is a lot to celebrate in Dubois County related to women in leadership, women mentoring other women and women providing valuable ‘quality of life’ community services.”
She is married to James Mehling, a former high school principal.
Ellspermann has a blended family of four daughters, three sons-in-law, two grandsons and two granddaughters.
2019 ATHENA nominees:
JANE BALSMEYER has served in the Marketing Department at German American Bank for over 30 years and currently serves as GAB Vice President of Marketing. Clay Ewing, President of German American Bancorp says, “Jane believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to advance and improve themselves. She actively works with the women at German American to attain their goals and improve their own leadership skills.” Balsmeyer has served as President of the Precious Blood School PTO, President of the Jasper Chamber of Commerce, and is a member on many boards including Jasper Endows Today and Tomorrow, Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s Mission Committee, Women Empowering Women, the German Club, and Anderson Woods. She teaches a spinning fitness class and serves as a Jasper Girls Softball League Coach.
DR. NANCY OTTE, an Optometrist for over 41 years, currently partners with Dr. Tom Buechler at Clay Street Eye Care. She is an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, where she served two years on the Church Council. Dr. Otte has served the community as President of the Strassenfest Committee, President of the Junior Achievement Board, President of the Jasper Chamber of Commerce, and served as founding member and Board President of Big Brothers/Big Sisters (now known as Mentors for Youth). Dr. Otte has served in countless leadership roles for the Southwest Indiana IU Alumni Chapter and on the IU Executive Council. Ken Beckley, former President and CEO of the Indiana University Alumni Association explains that, “Her record of service to Indiana University is admirable, and so is her personality. Never one to seek attention for herself, Nancy has volunteered and led for the sole purpose of helping others through programs and services.” Dr. Otte, passionate about youth sports, advocated for the creation of the Pat Zehr Memorial Endowment and the creation of the Jasper Girls’ Booster Club. Over the past 29 years, Dr. Otte has mentored countless female athletes as a JHS girls’ volleyball team volunteer. She is active with local schools through the HOSA program and worked to implement and maintain vision screening clinics for Kindergarten and first graders in the region.
JENNY FOWLER has served as a counselor for the past 19 years at Southridge High School. Brian Uebelhor, colleague and School Counselor at Jasper High School says, “I put Jenny right up there with the very most influential people in my life in regards to what she was able to teach me and how she helped me grow.” Fowler established a mentoring program at Southridge, pairing freshman students with upperclassmen to develop leadership skills and positively impact student morale. Chad Sickbert, Principal of Southridge High School shared, “The culture of Southridge High School has been shaped into a welcoming environment for our new students as a result of this mentorship.” Fowler partnered with Huntingburg Mayor Denny Spinner to create the Mayor’s Youth Council, and she remains a member today. She is a strong advocate for the Latino community and created the first Latino Advocacy Student Group at Southridge. Fowler is on the Latino Collaboration Table, a member of St. Joseph Parish, and a member of the Huntingburg Optimist Club, in addition to serving on many boards and committees related to her profession.
JILL WIGAND teaches Health and Physical Literacy at Jasper Middle School and owns and operates her own gym, Fit Together Fitness. Her passion for wellness, cheer, and dance has allowed her to inspire countless youth. Through her Fit Together Fitness gym, Wigand leads an adaptive fitness program for children and young adults with special needs and started a summer program for kindergarten through fifth graders called High Ponies, building self-esteem, community, and a sense of belonging among participants. Wigand also serves as the Jasper Middle and High School Dance Coach and previously served as the Jasper Middle School Cheerleading Coach. For the past four years, she has led the dance portion of the Whisker Walk at Fifth Street and Ireland Elementary Schools. Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide says, “Jill has been a great role model and organizer for our youth and adults in our community.”
JUDY JOCHEM-NINO has worked at Farbest Foods for over 29 years and currently serves as the Human Resources Manager. She was instrumental in recruiting the Latino community to Dubois County in the early 1990s. Recognizing the need to grow the workforce, Jochem-Nino met with other community leaders and formed the Dubois County Human Resources Group. She, along with Ted Seger, began visiting local high schools promoting local career opportunities. She was influential in helping the Latino community adjust to life in Dubois County, collaborating to create the Huntingburg Organization of Latino Americans and advocating for community services to be sensitive to Latino cultural norms and needs. Jochem-Nino has served as President of the PTO, President of the 4-H Leader Program, and on several community boards and committees including Destination Imagination, Band Boosters, Kappa Delta Phi, and the Step Ahead Council. She has volunteered as a recreational city league softball coach and is active in her church, chairing one of the food booths, and singing in the choir. Long-time colleague and community volunteer Vickie Lewis explains that, “Judy exemplifies the spirit of community-mindedness, being a mentor/leader, building relationships/networking, and helping others… I consider her as one of the great assets to the community and a primary reason for the success of so many programs and accomplishments in the area.”
DR. TRACY LOREY, over her 26-year career in education, has served as a teacher, principal, curriculum director, and currently as Superintendent of Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools (GJCS). Dr. Lorey served as the State Executive Vice President for the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (2018-19) and will continue as President-Elect for 2019-20. Dr. Lorey’s accomplishments as Superintendent of GJCS are numerous and include the creation of a School Resource Officer, expanded technology integration to create a 1:1 student/ device ratio, the creation of a Middle School/High School Career Counselor, expanded advanced placement and CTE course offerings, created eLearning Coach positions, and most recently, collaborated with the three other Dubois County school corporations to secure a four-year, one-million dollar Ready Schools Grant for the region—just to name a few accomplishments. Former President of the GJCS Board of Trustees, Nancy Habig, says, “In my 32 years on the School Board, I have never seen a better Superintendent. Tracy took on what was always a very tough job at a most difficult time for education. She’s guided our corporation and community through many tough decisions. Despite state budget cuts, time-consuming regulations, and ever-changing accountability measures, she has kept our schools financially and academically sound.