Insight Publications has named the recipients of its 2026 Women of Influence Awards, recognizing eight women who are shaping the future of business, nonprofit leadership and community development across Northeast Wisconsin.
The Women of Influence honorees will be featured in the August issue of Insight and at an awards celebration July 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oneida Casino Hotel in Green Bay. The event will include networking, lunch and speeches from the honorees who will share their leadership journeys and insights.
A selection committee, including a past Women of Influence honoree and members of Insight’s editorial team, chose the recipients of the seventh-annual Women of Influence Awards out of more than 75 nominations from across the 18-county region.
“Every year, we have the privilege of recognizing women whose leadership inspires everyone around them,” said Insight Publisher Angela O’Kray. “These eight women have built businesses, transformed organizations, lifted up their communities and opened doors for others to follow. We can’t wait to celebrate them.”
2026 Women of Influence honorees
- Business Owner: Michelle Tyo-Johnson, President/CEO, NorthCoast Media Group, LLC
- Corporate Trailblazer” Kathryn Hasselblad, Commission President, NEW Water
- Difference Maker – Community: Sridevi Buddi, VP Board of Governance, IndUS of Fox Valley
- Difference Maker – Nonprofit: Vickie Patterson, Executive Director, Bay Area Workforce Development Board
- Lifetime Achievement: Sharon Hulce, President/CEO, Employment Resource Group, Inc.
- Mentorship: Melissa Borowicz, CEO/Owner, The Utech Group
- Resiliency: Tina Prigge, Inspiration, Livin’ All Right
- Young Influencer: Mary May, Program Manager-Career Coach, gener8tor
Event registration is open now through July 23. To register, visit insightonbusiness.com/women. Insight Insider members will have an opportunity to meet this year’s Women of Influence at a members-only networking event March 9. Visit insightonbusiness.com/site/insight_insider_membership.html  to become a member.
The Women of Influence Awards program is made possible through the support of major sponsors Appleton Airport and Shea Electric, along with in-kind sponsors WHBY Radio and the Schreiber Institute for Women’s Leadership.
