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Woman of Achievement Nominees for 2026

 Laura Brady  


Laura Brady is the Franchise Owner of Spherion Staffing & Recruiting in Owatonna and a leader in workforce development. From starting as a temporary associate to becoming franchise owner, she has built her career on discipline, integrity, and belief in others’ potential. Laura’s impact extends from empowering students to strengthening employers and employees across southern Minnesota.

 Lisa Korbel


Lisa Korbel is an early childhood educator and owner of an in-home daycare in Owatonna, where she has cared for more than 68 children over 14 years. Through her “Kindness Crew” initiative, she and her students have raised over $25,000 for local causes. Lisa’s work is rooted in compassion, resilience, and teaching the next generation that even small acts of kindness can change the world.

 Karen Legault


Karen Legault, Owner of Legault Images, is an Entrepreneur, Marketing Strategist and Creative Freelancer who lives her values and sees failures as growth opportunities. Karen has served as a board member for organizations such as the Owatonna Business Women, Profinium Dreams Foundation, Junior Achievement and United Way of Steele County. She is known for her visionary leadership and commitment to empowering women.

 Annie Priebe


Annie Priebe is Vice President, Director of Public Affairs & Advertising at Federated Insurance and a dedicated community leader in Owatonna. As a tenured leader, her career has been shaped by a deep commitment to personal growth and fostering the growth of others. Annie’s impact can be seen not only in her organization, but in the countless individuals she has helped grow and succeed.

 Lindsay Thompson



Lindsay Thompson is the Area Director for YoungLife in Owatonna, where she mentors youth and leads five outreach ministries. She founded the ReaLife program to support teens facing difficult life circumstances and continues to walk alongside students with compassion and consistency. Lindsay has volunteered for Owatonna High School programs including Thriving Minds, National Honor Society and After Prom and coached Owatonna Girls Hockey.



On March 14th at Spare Time Entertainment, starting at 6:00 p.m., we are honoring women of Steele County in three different categories.

Below is the criteria for each:


1. Woman of Achievement

Purpose of the Award:
To honor business and professional women living or working in Steele County who have distinguished themselves in their careers and impacted our community. A panel of independent and impartial judges chooses a final recipient.

Criteria for Woman of Achievement Nominee:

  • Nominees should live and/or work in the Owatonna and Steele County community and represent the mission of the Owatonna Business Women to promote personal empowerment, professional development and political awareness.
  • Nominees do not need to be a current/former member of the Owatonna Business Women.

    2. Young Careerist

    Purpose of the Award:
    The Young Careerist Award is presented to a young business woman of Steele County for her accomplishments thus far in her career and highlights the promise she shows in her future endeavors.


    3. Lifetime Achievement

    Purpose of the Award:
    The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a woman of Steele County over the age of 60 who by her perseverance and leadership carved significant footprints in the community and world at large. By doing so she created positive role models for women coming after her.

    Deadline for submitting nominations: Monday, December 15, 2025, at 5 p.m.

    Nominees for all three awards should demonstrate success and/or have an impact in some or all of the following areas:

    • Successful achievement in their career.
    • Assistance to others in their careers; or assistance to youth and young careerists.
    • Volunteer effort in service/professional organizations.
    • Public policy activity, empowerment or awareness particularly on behalf of women/family issues in the workplace.
    • Other leadership roles within the community.

    A panel of 3 judges helps determine the Woman of Achievement award winner; however, the information on the nomination form helps us narrow the field of candidates to approximately five final nominees prior to judging. The information that you provide is helpful in the initial phase and for contacting the nominee.

    Questions? You can contact the Woman of Achievement Nominations committee at obwnominations@gmail.com.

    NOTE: INCOMPLETE OR APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.



    2025 Young Careerist Award Recipient: Madeleine Haberman

    2025 Lifetime Achievement Recipient: Bev Cashman

    Contact Owatonna Business Women
    PO Box 942, Owatonna, MN 55060-0942

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