2025 Leaders of Distinction Awards

2025 Leaders of Distinction Reception Recap

McLean County Chamber of Commerce and The Pantagraph Celebrate 2025 Leaders of Distinction Honorees

Bloomington, IL — The McLean County Chamber of Commerce and The Pantagraph hosted the 2025 Leaders of Distinction Awards Reception on Thursday, November 6, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomington, honoring the 2025 distinguished and emerging community leaders

Emceed by Jeff Mavros, Executive Director of Admissions and Recruitment Marketing at Illinois State University, the event celebrated three prestigious recognitions: the Pantagraph 20 Under 40 Awards, the Liz Larson Rising Leader Award, and the ATHENA Leadership Award.

The evening was filled with celebrations, gratitude, and stories of individuals who are making a lasting difference in McLean County.

2025 Pantagraph 20 Under 40 Honorees

Twenty outstanding young professionals under the age of 40 were recognized for their leadership, professional achievements, and community involvement.

This year’s honorees are:
Emily Buhrow, Joshua Crockett, Wesley Ernst, Katy Gesell, Lyndsey Girod Ramsey, Shanna Hargitt, Ethan Jenkins, Molly Johnson, Noah B. Lamb, Ashlie Marcy, Michael J. Meyer, Destiny Ramsey, Aaron Schaidle, Sean Seibring, Noah Tang, Jada L. Taylor, Laura Vollmer, Ashley Waring-Sparks, PhD, Rev. Matt Wilcox, and Andy Zilch.

"Tonight, we celebrate 20 young professionals in McLean County under the age of 40 who have already made a difference in our community, achieved significant career accomplishments, and have shown a passion for the future success of our community," said Mavros.

2025 Liz Larson Rising Leader Award

Presented by Samantha Mlot, Economic Development Advocate for the City of Bloomington and 2024 Liz Larson award recipient, the Liz Larson Rising Leader Award honors someone who embodies the passion, energy, and community spirit of Liz Larson.

"Liz’s vibrant personality and love for life was immediately known by all she encountered. She was a go-getter, and someone everyone wanted to surround themselves with. Liz inspired many to live every day to its fullest, to always be yourself, and to go after any and all dreams," said Mlot.

This year’s award was presented to Jada L. Taylor, owner of Brighter Smiles & Beauty and founder of the McLean County Beauty Network. Taylor was recognized for her entrepreneurial success, dedication to empowering other professionals, and commitment to community engagement.

29th Annual Athena Leadership Award

Past ATHENA Award recipients Aimee Beam and Sue Seibring led the presentation of the 29th Annual ATHENA Leadership Award. This internationally recognized honor celebrates individuals whose professional achievements, community service, and commitment to uplifting others—particularly women—reflect the true spirit of leadership. Through their example, recipients inspire strength, wisdom, and opportunity across McLean County and beyond.

Finalists for the 2025 ATHENA Award were:

Darla Price Heath, Executive Director, Faith in Action
Laura Berk, Professor of Psychology Emerita, Illinois State University
Peggy Hardy, Retired Educator and Founder Pads4Girls
Vivian Kong Doctora, Co-Owner, Kobe Revolving Sushi Bar

This year’s ATHENA Leadership Award was presented to Dr. Laura Berk, Distinguished Professor of Psychology Emerita at Illinois State University. A renowned scholar, author, and community advocate, Dr. Berk has spent her career advancing education, equity, and empowerment. Her internationally published textbooks have shaped the field of child and lifespan development, while her commitment to service has inspired real-world impact through initiatives like Illinois Art Station, which she founded to provide creative and educational opportunities for children of all backgrounds. Beyond her academic achievements, Dr. Berk has been a tireless mentor, championing women in academia and encouraging future leaders to use their voices and talents for good. Her legacy of scholarship, compassion, and vision embodies the very essence of the ATHENA Award.

A Celebration of Leadership & Service

The Leaders of Distinction Awards Reception brought together business and community leaders, family, and friends to celebrate the individuals who make McLean County a stronger, more vibrant place to live and work.

“Events like this remind us of the power of one person to make a difference,” said Mavros in his closing remarks. “Tonight, we’ve seen how leadership, service, and collaboration create lasting change in our community.”

Guests were invited to continue celebrating with refreshments and networking, while sharing their experiences and congratulations on social media.

This event would not have been possible without generous support from our sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: Pantagraph Media
Emerald Sponsors: Little Jewels Learning Center & OSF Healthcare
Ruby Sponsors: Comcast Business, GROWMARK, Heartland Community College, Wilber Group
Sapphire Sponsors: Chestnut Health Systems, Clock Tower Community Bank, Heartland Bank and Trust
Topaz Sponsors: Bloomington Bison, Parke Regency Hotel & Conference Center and Bonchon, Teresa Klokkenga Photography