American Business Women’s Association
Our mission is to bring together business women of diverse occupations and provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally, through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition.
CONTACT US ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS
Connect, learn and grow in the
American Business Women’s Association
Whether you are starting a new business, jump-starting a career, or searching for a job, the American Business Women’s Association is the place to be. Your membership in ABWA offers you a portfolio of benefits to fuel your personal and professional growth.
Enhance your business acumen in the Apex Campus, our exclusive online learning portal. Grow your professional network by attending ABWA’s National Women’s Leadership Conference. Stay current on business concepts and topics with your complimentary subscriptions to ABWA’s Women in Business® Magazine and Achieve Newsletters. And, save thousands of dollars on discounted business products and services!
Make an investment in you – join the leading association for working women and women business owners, the American Business Women’s Association.
WOMEN LEADING THE WAY
2022-2023 Chapter Officers
Micki Spors
President
Kim Radke
Recording Secretary
Roxanne Hellickson
Vice President
Leeann furness
Corresponding Secretary
Lisa Leisenheimer
Treasurer
2022-2023 Standing Committee Chairs
micki spors
Fundraising
MARGARET HEISE/Amy hakes
Hospitality
Cindy Sheppard
Membership
Lisa Munn/Rene Revier
Newsletter & Publicity
LuAnn buechler
Professional Development
danielle robards
Education
MEMBERS
Rae Baylark
Janet Brauckman
Semi-Retired
Brooke Burch
Brooke Burch Custom Sewing & Alterations
Letticia Callies
Joyfull Inspriations
Brenda Dahlstrom
HERS & OnTrack Boutique
Tamara Demuth
Home Federal
Branch Manager
Kim Dickerman
Cabi Stylist
Erin Dietz
LifeWise Wellness
Jennifer Driesch
Edina Realty Title
Closing Manager
Renee Erlandson
Elcor Realty
LeeAn Furness
Stamping Up
Jennifer Gowin
Premier Bank
Vice President
Commercial Loan Officer
Peggy Gray
Peggy Gray Photography
Amy
Hakes
JPowers & Events
Shaun Hamburgen
Mayo Clinic
Margaret Heise
SEMR MLS Compliance Officer
Southeast Minnesota REALTORS
Roxanne Hellickson
Vice President, Sr RE Lender &
Business Development
Della Krug
Mayo Clinic
Lisa Veigh Leisenheimer
Norwex
Pace Dairy
Deborah Lien
Dr. Deborah Lien Orthodontics
Lisa Munn
Retired
Nicki Novotne
Art On the Go
Owner
Shelly O’Groske
Rodan & Fields
Independent Consultant
Gina O’Neill
Jafra Cosmetics
Nancy Peterson
Nancy’s Home and Garden Extravaganza, LLC
Marlene Polansky
Edina Realty
Mayo Clinic
Sue Postier
Retired
Kim Radke
Leashes & Leads
Rene Revier
Keller Williams
Sara Vix Real Estate Group
Mayo Clinic
Danielle Robards
Empire Hotels Group
Susan Routh
Ruby Ribbin
Emily Schoebel
Emily’s Catering
Kathleen (Kath) Shaw
Rosen Method Bodywork Practitioner & Spiritual Director
Cindy Sheppard
LPL
Financial Advisor
Lorlee Steever
Mayo Clinic
Shelli Tradup
Firefly Poms
Breeder / Show Pomeranians
Tiffany Vedamuthu
Project Manager
Sara Vix
Keller Williams
Sara Vix Real Estate Group
Cindy Sheppard
Financial Advisor – LPL
FEATURED MEMBER
2021 Woman of the Year
Lorlee Steever
Lorlee is a Contract Manager within the Legal Department of Mayo Clinic. Growing up in Onida, South Dakota (population <800), she craved the anonymity of large city life. After graduating from the University of South Dakota with a degree in Business Administration in 1998, she moved her husband, son and daughter to Minnesota and eventually ended up in Rochester in 1999. She continued her education with Cardinal Stritch and obtained her MBA in 2004. Today, her adult kids are on their own and she enjoys connecting with her ABWA friends. If you are a Clifton Strengths follower, Lorlee’s top 5 strengths are Responsibility, Achiever, Learner, Consistency and Harmony.
FEATURED MEMBER
2021 Protégé:
Brenda Kardock
Brenda, after growing up in Lake City, Minnesota and graduating from Gustavus, began her career in Hollywood, California as a Paramount Pictures page. She worked at Sony Pictures’ Game Show Network, Los Angeles Unified School District’s KLCS-TV and Warner Brothers, while volunteering at Amanda Foundation, a dog rescue, and as a docent at Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, which led to learning how to weave plant fibers into rope. Brenda has finally put down roots here in Rochester with her rescued puggles, Alex and Shyla, working at a job she loves – the Rochester Public Library Foundation. She credits most of her real-life adventures to being inspired as an avid reader growing up, and learned that if things get difficult, once you turn to the next page or chapter, incredible surprises may turn your fortune in the blink of an eye!
Our SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
Empowering Women through Educational Scholarships
Today’s scholarship recipients are tomorrow’s leaders. ABWA members have provided opportunities for women to achieve their personal and professional best by championing educational opportunities through the Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund (SBMEF). Since 1953, SBMEF has awarded almost 18 million dollars in scholarships to more than 17,000 women. To learn more about available scholarships, go to sbmef.org.