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

Partnership Award

• Topeka Shawnee County Public Library