Women’s conference highlights leadership
More than 500 attendees explored the power and purpose of leadership in a dynamic business landscape during the 2025 Professional Women’s Conference recently.
The event, presented by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association and sponsored by ArcelorMittal and ArcelorMittal Global Research and Development at Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City, brought together rising leaders, seasoned professionals, and changemakers from a wide range of industries for an opportunity to network and become inspired by insights from some of the region’s most motivating speakers, according to a release.
A series of breakout sessions gave attendees the opportunity to learn in areas that best fit their interests and career stages and also provided networking opportunities and an exhibitors’ showcase.
Lake Council recognizes volunteer work
Carol Cody was honored by the Lake County Council after she was recently named The Blind Social Center of Gary’s Volunteer of the Year during the center’s 10th Annual Dining in the Dark fundraising gala, a release said.
Cody, who works for the county council, has been a volunteer with the Blind Social Center for more than five years. Each month, Cody supports the Center’s First Friday Fish Fry fundraiser by collecting lunch orders from her coworkers at the Lake County Government Center for the center, the release said.
Centier again named best place to work
Centier Bank has been ranked the Best Bank to Work For in Indiana by American Banker’s 2025 Best Banks to Work For list, according to a release.
It is the eighth year in a row for the honor, the release said. Centier also ranked No. 5 nationally on the list of the top 90 banks, up from No. 11 in 2024, the release said.
American Banker, a nationally renowned industry publication, partners with Best Companies Group to identify banks that excel at creating positive and supportive workplaces for employees. To learn more about the Best Banks to Work For, visit bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-banks-to-work-for.
Bank adds top staffers in three locations
Centier Bank has announced three personnel updates in Northwest Indiana.
Jerry Del Real has been hired as an Investment Executive, a release said. Sean Highsmith has been hired as the Branch Manager of Centier’s Whiting location and Andrew Santangelo has been hired as Centier’s Director of
Treasury Management.
Del Real, who will be based at Centier’s Merrillville office, 8310 Broadway, is a registered Investment Executive with experience in the investment industry since 2018 and the banking industry since 2008.
Highsmith is the new Branch Manager in Whiting, 1500 119th St. and has more than 15 years of management experience, holding management positions at Heat Wagon Inc. and Walgreens. Santangelo joins Centier
as its director of Treasury Management at the Corporate Center, 600 E. 84th Ave., Merrillville. Santangelo brings nearly 25 years of experience in treasury management prior to joining Centier, most
recently as the director of treasury management at Busey Bank.
Duneland YMCA marks fundraising success
The Duneland Family YMCA’s Dancing Like the Stars – Color Ball generated approximately $250,000 in support of scholarships and financial assistance for childcare, memberships, senior initiatives, and a wide range of community programs, according to a release.
Nine local celebrity dancers, paired with professional partners and performing original choreography by Powerhouse Dance Company, performed at the Nov. 8 event at Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City. The release said 750 guests attended.
The event set a fundraising benchmark, making it the most successful philanthropic event in Duneland Family YMCA history, the release said.
PNW Innovators launch Spark Series
The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has officially launched the Spark Series, a video library designed to help students, educators and aspiring entrepreneurs learn directly from real-world innovators across Northwest Indiana, a release said.
The series highlights stories, challenges and insights designed to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers and creators. Each 12- to 14-minute episode is paired with classroom-ready discussion guides and linked to Indiana’s high school entrepreneurship pathway standards, the release said.
The first season of the series features innovators from a wide range of industries, from food and wellness to marketing and manufacturing. The series is part of the Society’s broader SparkED initiative to strengthen youth entrepreneurship.
Porter County looks to fill board, commission seats
The Porter County Council has a number of positions to fill on various county boards and commissions that need to be filled in January, a release said.
They include:
Porter County Redevelopment Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; CRV – Tourism Board, 2-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Park Board, 4-year term, must be Democrat; Porter County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals board position, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Chesterton Economic Development Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Porter Economic Development Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Valparaiso Economic Development Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Town of Hebron Economic Development Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary.
Individuals interested in being considered for a board position should visit the Porter County Council office, 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 207, Valparaiso, to obtain an application. The application deadline is Dec. 31.