Description

Join us for another unforgettable evening at the prestigious Excellence in Business Leadership Awards Night! This event celebrates the visionary leaders and innovative pioneers who have significantly contributed to the prosperity and vitality of the greater Wausau region.

Suggested Dress Code: Business Casual

Sponsorship Opportunities

Present your brand prominently by choosing from a range of sponsorship options designed to enhance your visibility and association with excellence. From exclusive video messages to prime advertising placements, align your business with the region's most prestigious business awards event.

For more information, you can view all available sponsorship options here or contact Kaycee Packard at kpackard@wausauchamber.com.

Liz Tillisch Heart of the Chamber Award 
Liz Tillisch has served as an ambassador for the Chamber for decades. This award honors a dedicated member who exemplifies servant leadership through their exceptional volunteerism to the Chamber. Since 1912, volunteers have been core to the organization, supporting efforts in areas like the Board of Directors, ambassadors, event committees, and signature events. This award recognizes a member who generously offers their time, talent, and passion to further the mission of the Chamber and strengthen the local business community.

2026 Recipient: Dean Dietrich | Weld Riley S.C.

Dean has practiced in the areas of employment law and labor relations representing public and private sector clients for 50 years. His representation has included proceedings before the NLRB, WERC, EEOC, and Wisconsin Equal Rights Division as well as other agencies. Dean has also practiced in the areas of municipal, school and local government law representing all types of public sector clients. In addition, Dean has represented clients in the areas of lawyer ethics and professional responsibility for more than 40 years. He has represented attorneys in matters before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Office of Lawyer Regulation and consults with law firms and lawyers regarding compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Dean is a Past-President of the State Bar of Wisconsin. He serves on the Senior Lawyers Division Board, the Wisconsin Law Foundation Board, and serves on the Access to Justice Commission. Dean is a member of the ABA’s Center for Professional Responsibility and the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Wisconsin Bar Association, and Marathon County Bar Association. Dean is also a member of the Society of Human Resources Managers and the National and Wisconsin Public Employer Labor Relations Association. He is also a member of the Municipal Attorney Section of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities as well as the Wisconsin School Attorneys Association and has served as President of both of those organizations.
With a long history of community service, Dean has held various positions for the United Way of Marathon County, Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce, the Early Years Coalition, Aspirus Inc., and Marathon County Youth Hockey Association. Dean has been a member of Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association for many years and currently serves as its legal counsel. He was the first male recipient of the Athena Award (Wausau) and the Charles L. Goldberg Distinguished Service Award of the Wisconsin Law Foundation. He also was the recipient of the 2025 Senior Lawyers Division Leonard Loeb Award.
Dean R. Dietrich is a shareholder with Weld Riley, S.C. He is a graduate of Marquette University Law School

G. Lane Ware Innovator Award
A distinguished attorney, G. Lane Ware was the consummate professional with a sincere drive to make the Wausau region a better place for life and for business. He was tireless in his support of entrepreneurship and innovation. Often heard saying, ‘If you’re not growing, you’re dying on the vine,’ he realized the critical nature of innovation in business. While Lane worked with businesses of all sizes, it was the entrepreneurs and small businesses that inspired and excited him the most. 

2026 Recipient: Grebe's

James J. McIntyre Cornerstone Award 
For several decades, Jim McIntyre was an impactful leader who worked tirelessly to advance the competitiveness of the Wausau region. Both a strong advocate for business and a champion for advancing the community as a whole, this award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of both the business community and the public good. 

2026 Recipient: Mary Jo Johnson | EO Johnson

ATHENA Leadership Award 
Celebrating excellence in leadership, the ATHENA Leadership Award honors women who demonstrate the highest levels of professional achievement, community service, and leadership. The ATHENA Leadership Award recognizes professionals of any age who have made meaningful and exemplary contributions to their communities, mentoring and paving the way for the success of others. This year's recipient will be named live during the program!

Finalists for the 2026 ATHENA Leadership Award:

Samantha Diedrich | McClone Insurance
With a depth of experience across worksite culture and B2B, Samantha Diedrich has built her career around helping people and organizations grow, lead, and create meaningful environments. She currently works as a Business Development Executive with McClone Insurance, bringing her experience in healthcare, SaaS technology, and business strategy to help organizations navigate risk, benefits, and the people strategies that support their success.
In the past year alone, Sam has served as President and Chair of Women United and on the United Way of Marathon County Board, supported trauma-exposed youth through the D.C. Everest New Horizons program, and authored Joy Toolbox, a nonfiction book focused on finding opportunity, purpose, and personal growth. She also continues to support the marketing and community outreach efforts of the Wausau Curling Club. Sam believes leadership is about creating opportunities for others, giving generously, and helping people recognize what is possible for themselves and their communities. Sam isn’t just in our community; she has an engaged presence in our community.

JoAnn Draeger | Park City Credit Union 
JoAnn Draeger serves as Vice President of Business Development at Park City Credit Union and is a dedicated community leader in the greater Wausau area. A Chamber Ambassador for nearly 25 years, JoAnn is passionate about fostering business growth, building strong community partnerships, supporting and empowering women, and advancing initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the region. In addition to her professional role, JoAnn is actively involved in numerous civic and nonprofit organizations. She currently serves as a Board Member for the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce, MCDEVCO, Crime Stoppers, and the Wausau Early Birds Rotary Club. JoAnn is also actively involved with Never Forgotten Honor Flight, where she serves as Chairperson and originated the Never Forgotten Honor Flight Golf Outing, leading and supporting the event for the past 16 years while advancing fundraising and community engagement efforts.Throughout her career, JoAnn has been committed to connecting people, creating opportunities, and making a lasting positive impact in the communities she serves. Her leadership is rooted in relationship-building, collaboration, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
JoAnn has been married to Dennis for 35 years, celebrating that milestone in November, and is the proud parent of a son, Mitchell, and a daughter, Stephanie.

Nicole Gaiche | Chase Outdoors

Bio coming soon!

Linda Koepke | Big Brothers Big Sisters
Linda Koepke has dedicated her career to strengthening her community and improving the lives of youth and families. For the past 25 years, Linda has been proud to serve Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin, where she has devoted her life’s work to mentoring others and ensuring that youth in our community feel safe, loved, supported, and guided toward their full potential.
Throughout her career, Linda has extended her commitment to service well beyond Big Brothers Big Sisters. She served as Board Chair for WAVE (Wausau Area Virtual Education) from 2018–2026 and as Board President of Parents of the Performing Arts for the D.C. Everest School District from 2015–2021, supporting opportunities for young people to grow and thrive through the performing arts.
Linda served on Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Selection Committee for the United States Service Academies from 2013–2025. She also served as a United States Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer from 2020–2026, helping guide and support young people interested in pursuing an education and a future of service through the Naval Academy.
Linda served on the United Way of Marathon County Board of Directors from 2017–2018 and was honored with the 2016 United Way of Marathon County Service Award in recognition of her commitment to the community. She was also the recipient of the 2015 Spotlight Award through the Alcohol and Other Drugs Partnership.
At the heart of Linda’s work has always been a deep belief in the potential of young people. Whether through mentoring, education, community leadership, or volunteer service, she has spent her career advocating for youth and helping create opportunities for them to thrive. Linda has devoted much of her life to making sure youth in our community know they are safe, loved, valued, and have caring adults to guide, encourage, and believe in them.
Linda has been married to the love of her life, Rick, for 31 years, and together they have two wonderful children, Hannah and Max. Outside of her professional and community involvement, Linda enjoys traveling, walking her dogs, snowmobiling, and playing pickleball.
After 25 years of service with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin, Linda is especially proud of the countless youth, families, volunteers, colleagues, and community partners who have been part of her journey and who share her belief that every young person deserves someone in their corner.

Erika Van De Yacht | Weinbrenner Shoe Company
Erika Van De Yacht is Vice President of Human Resources at Weinbrenner Shoe Company, manufacturer of Thorogood® footwear. With more than 20 years of experience in human resources and organizational leadership, she has built her career at the intersection of people and business strategy, with expertise in leadership development, organizational effectiveness, culture, and talent development.
At the heart of Erika’s leadership philosophy is a deep belief in human potential. She believes one of the most meaningful things a leader can do is help people see what they are capable of, create opportunities for them to grow, and empower them to achieve more than they thought possible.
That belief extends beyond the workplace and shapes how Erika serves her community. She is passionate about advancing organizations that support children and families — and especially girls and women — in recognizing what is possible for themselves and having access to the resources and opportunities to achieve it.
Erika is Board President of Healthfirst, Inc., serves on the boards and committees of the Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area and CASA of Marathon County, and is President of her local cheer booster organization, supporting opportunities for young female athletes. She has also held leadership and volunteer roles with United Way of Marathon County and Mosaic of North Central Wisconsin. Erika also shares her experience and passion for developing people as a guest speaker at various local, state, and national conferences.
Erika earned her master’s degree in Employment Relations & Human Resource Management from Penn State University and her bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Continuing her own commitment to learning, she is beginning a PhD program at Purdue University this fall.
Outside of work and community involvement, Erika enjoys golfing, cooking, and traveling with her husband, Tim, and their children, Jackson and Cailyn.

And honoring our Small Business & Non-Profit of the Year Award Recipients
We will celebrate the achievements of our local enterprises during the event by honoring the recipients of the Small Business of the Year and Non-Profit of the Year awards. These awards, chosen at our annual Business EXPO, recognize outstanding contributions and achievements within our business community and non-profit sector, highlighting their commitment to excellence and community service.

2026 Small Business of the Year Recipient: NorthStar Restoration Services

2026 Non-Profit of the Year Recipient: Bridge Street Mission

This program/event is being hosted by the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) and is intended to provide information, education, and/or entertainment to individuals and businesses.  The content presented does not necessarily represent the position of the GWCC Board of Directors, staff, sponsors, member investors, and/or the membership as a whole.

Media Release:  The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to use any audio and/or video recorded during this event without the expressed written permission of those included within the audio or video. The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce may use the audio or video in publications or other marketing materials produced, used or contracted by the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce.

Refund Policy: By purchasing a ticket, you are agreeing to the GWCC Refund Policy. You can review the policy in detail here.