Leadership Greater Topeka Awards are designed to honor and celebrate Leadership Greater Topeka alumni and supporting organizations in Topeka and Shawnee County who demonstrate their capacity to lead for the greater good, both personally and professionally.
2018 Inaugural Awards
Rising Star Award
- Lindsay Freeman, Advisors Excel
- Angel Romero, United Way of Greater Topeka
Activator Award
- Wendy Wells, U.S. Bank
- Fred Patton, Patton Law Office, LLC
Marsha Sheahan Legacy Award
- Marsha Sheahan, Retired-Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce
2019 Awards
Rising Star Award
- Enedina Patch, Manager, Community Health Engagement, Stormont-Vail Health
- Luis Estrada, Migrant Recruitment Specialist, Greenbush – The Southeast Kansas Education Service Center
Activator Award
- Lance Royer, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Inc.
- Michelle De La Isla, Mayor, City of Topeka
Marsha Sheahan Legacy Award
- Herman Jones, Colonel, Superintendent, Kansas Highway Patrol
Partnership Award
- Capitol Federal Savings Bank
2020 – No Gala
2021 – No Gala
2022 Awards
Rising Star Award
- Chelsea Huston, General Manager, Axe and Ale
- Susana Maria Ortiz, Owner/LPC & Counselor Educator, Ad Astra Per Aspera Counseling & Emporia State University
Activator Award
- Jacob Wamego, President and CEO, Prairie Band, LLC
- Dawn McWilliams, Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka
Marsha Sheahan Legacy Award
- Roger Underwood, Retired from Banking, Board of Directors, Community Bank
2023 Awards
Rising Star Award
- Kelly Rippel, RCIS Crop Adjuster – Zurich North America
- Ryan Bishop, Digital Media Specialist, Stormont Vail Health
Activator Award
- Trey George, President/CEO, Topeka Housing Authority
- Danielle Dempsey Swoops, Director University Diversity and Inclusion, Washburn University
Marsha Sheahan Legacy Award
- Michel’ Philipp Cole, Retired energy company executive, Evergy Inc.
2024 Awards
Rising Star Award
- Jennifer Goetz ’20, Partners, Creative & Strategy Director, Compass Marketing & Advertising
- Rene Cabrera ’20, Washburn University Student Owner, Sueno’s Shop
Activator Award
- Pamela Johnson Betts ’90, Executive Director, Topeka Public Schools Foundation
- Greg Schwerdt ’90, President, Schwerdt Design Group Inc.
Marsha Sheahan Legacy Award
- Vince Frye ’84, Retired
Partnership Award
- Bartlett & West
2025 Awards
Rising Star Award
- Caitlyn Halsey, founded Dialogue Coffee House
- Michael Odupitan, Founder and CEO of Omni Circle Group
Activator Award
- Jim Ramos, Founder, Shades of Theatre of Topeka
- Marlou Wegener, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.
Marsha Sheahan Legacy Award
- Vickie Brokke, Retired CEO, of The Topeka Civic Theatre – Class of 2001
Partnership Award
- Topeka Shawnee County Public Library