Photos & video: Awards honor women who inspire Lincoln community; see who they are
The 11th annual Inspire Awards luncheon was held at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Sept. 24, 2025.
Brenda Kasaty, owner of Rose Cat Coffee Company, speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Ava Thomas, president of the Lincoln Journal Star, speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Guests make their way to their seats at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Master of Ceremonies Deanna Walz speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Amy Green, owner and founder of Ivanna Cone, reacts after winning the Excellence in Business Small/Medium award at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Abla Hasan, professor of practice of Arabic language and culture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Erin Hart, innovation and continuous improvement manager at Duncan Aviation, speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Lincoln North Star High School student Rafa Ahmed speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Kayla Abel, WIC director for Family Service Lincoln, speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Sandra Rojo, senior associate director of ELL programs at Lincoln Literacy, speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Erin Hart, innovation and continuous improvement manager at Duncan Aviation speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Hart won the Excellence in Large Business category.
Amy Green, owner and founder of Ivanna Cone, waves to her family at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Kayla Abel, WIC director for Family Service Lincoln, speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Anne Burkholder, artist and gallery owner at The Burkholder Project, speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Women with the local nonprofit Fresh Start pose for a group photo at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Dr. Farrah Plate, doctor of dental surgery at Align Dental, speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Master of Ceremonies Deanna Walz speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Lincoln North Star High School student Rafa Ahmed speaks at the Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday. Ahmed was the winner of the Young Leader's Award and a finalist for Woman of the Year.
Angie Schreiner, is the SVP of Marketing at Liberty First Credit Union.
Heather Hilgers is the co-founder and CEO of Hilgers PLLC.
AJ Kerwood is the Controller of Husker Auto Group.
Woods Aitken LLP, along with the Lincoln Human Resource Management Association and the Lincoln Journal Star, has announced the finalists for the 2026 Best Places to Work in Lincoln awards.
From family to friends, Lincoln Journal Star's Ava Thomas reflects on the women who shaped her life — and why now is the time to nominate someone for Inspire.
Jenna Vitosh is the founder, CEO and wealth advisor at Chloey Wealth.
Nicole Kubik is an athletic administrative assistant and coaches reserve volleyball, JV basketball and varsity track and field (long and triple jump) at Lincoln Public Schools.
The deadline for nominations for the 2026 Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards is coming up fast. Here's how to nominate someone you know.
Whether you're cheering on athletes at the State Games, enjoying a summer musical in the park, or sampling wings for a good cause, there's no shortage of events this week.
