Events

Celebrate the 2026 Top Leaders Under 40 and Future Leaders at the Top Leaders Recognition Dinner on Thursday, November 19 at Keller Convention Center.

This year, 29 individuals were selected from a record-setting 54 nominations, including nine Future Leaders and 20 Top Leaders Under 40.
Future Leaders recognizes high school students who are already demonstrating leadership, involvement and a commitment to their schools and communities. Top Leaders Under 40 recognizes individuals ages 20–40 who live or work in Effingham County and are making an impact through their careers, community involvement and leadership.

Come celebrate the students who are emerging as the next generation of leaders alongside the professionals helping lead Effingham County today.
The event is presented by HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital and Lake Land College, with additional sponsorship from Siemer Milling Company and Woods Advisors.

The Effingham County Chamber partners with Effingham Teutopolis News Report for the Top Leaders program, with ETNR publishing the official keepsake publication highlighting this year’s recipients.

Waffordhouse Studios is the official photographer for the 2026 Top Leaders program

Future Leaders
Aevery Bogdajewicz – Dieterich
Mara Braun – Effingham
Laney Doty – Beecher City
Addie Lauritzen – St. Anthony
Brant Niebrugge – Teutopolis
Frank Scheidemantel – St. Anthony
Kennedi Schultz – Altamont
Violet Turner – Teutopolis
Brady Wilson – Effingham 

Under 40
Kristina Arney – Wright Choice Counseling
Kyle Boose – Law Group LTD
Zoe Bridges – CASA for Kids
Traci Bruns – Wright Family Center
Janelle Cain – Kohl’s
Kelley Grewell – Sarah Bush Lincoln
Drew Hanfland – Drew Hanfland Studio
Emily Kreke – Sarah Bush Lincoln
Mitch Meinhart – COUNTRY Financial
Ethan Miller – W.S. Broom & Co.
Jessie Palmer – Lake Land College
Samantha Probst – HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital
Jadyn Pruemer – Luminous Digital Marketing
Dr. Jonathon Serafini – Stanfield Chiropractic
Jason Smith – HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital
Ashlee Tharp – Goldie’s Baking Co.
Brooke Westjohn – J&J Gaming
Kyle Willenborg – Willenborg’s Reconditioning
Morgan Wilson – Effingham Unit #40
Madison Woelfer – J&J Gaming 

Time:
5p | Recipient Cocktail Reception & Group Photo
5:30p | Cocktail Reception
6p | Dinner & Awards

Location:
Keller Convention Center
1202 N Keller Dr., Effingham

Fees/Admission:
$40pp | adults
$20pp | children

Sponsor:
Consider becoming a sponsor to help inspire, encourage, & congratulate our Top Leaders for creating a positive impact in our community.

Presenting | HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital & Lake Land College
Visionary |
Influencer | Sarah Bush Lincoln & Siemer Milling Company
Rising Star |
Mentor | Woods Advisors-Emerging Leaders Institute
Photo | Waffordhouse Studios

Contact Information:
Nicole Morrison
nmorrison@effinghamcountychamber.com
(217) 347-6282

CANCELLATION POLICY
*CANCELLATIONS OF REGISTRATIONS AND REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED IN FULL IF RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE NOON A WEEK (SEVEN WEEKDAYS) PRIOR TO THE EVENT. AFTER NOON CST ON SAID DATE, NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED. IF THE EVENT IS RESCHEDULED, ALL REGISTRATIONS WILL BE HONORED FOR THE RESCHEDULED DATE OR MAY BE REFUNDED IN FULL OF A REFUND REQUEST**. IF THE EVENT IS CANCELED, ALL REGISTRATION WILL BE REFUNDED IN FULL. **REFUND REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING BY EMAIL TO NICOLE MORRISON. PLEASE ALLOW UP TO FIVE (5) BUSINESS DAYS TO PROCESS YOUR REFUND REQUEST.

PHOTO & VIDEO DISCLAIMER
EFFINGHAM COUNTY CHAMBER (CHAMBER) RESERVES THE RIGHT TO USE ANY PHOTOGRAPH/VIDEO TAKEN AT ANY EVENT SPONSORED BY THE CHAMBER, WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THOSE INCLUDED WITHIN THE PHOTOGRAPH/VIDEO. THE CHAMBER MAY USE THE PHOTOGRAPH/VIDEO IN PUBLICATIONS OR OTHER MEDIA MATERIAL PRODUCED, USED, OR CONTRACTED BY THE CHAMBER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BROCHURES, INVITATIONS, BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, TELEVISION, WEBSITES, ETC. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED/VIDEO, PLEASE INFORM THE CHAMBER.

ANY PERSON OR ORGANIZATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH CHAMBER MAY NOT USE, COPY, ALTER, OR MODIFY CHAMBER PHOTOGRAPHS, GRAPHICS, VIDEOGRAPHY, OR OTHER SIMILAR REPRODUCTIONS AND RECORDINGS WITHOUT THE ADVANCE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF AN AUTHORIZED DESIGNEE FROM CHAMBER.