GRAFTON, WI — The Ozaukee Nonprofit Center is proud to announce the nominees for the 2026 Ozaukee Impact Awards, an annual celebration recognizing the individuals, businesses, and organizations whose dedication and leadership strengthen the Ozaukee County community.
The Ozaukee Impact Awards honor those who make a meaningful difference through volunteerism, philanthropy, innovation, advocacy, and community service. This year’s awards will feature six categories, including the newly established Legacy Award, recognizing individuals whose long-term commitment has left a lasting mark on Ozaukee County.
“We are continually inspired by the incredible people and organizations who dedicate their time, talents, and resources to improving the lives of others,” said Carissa Barnes, CEO Ozaukee Nonprofit Center. “These nominees represent the very best of community leadership and service, and we are honored to celebrate their impact.”
Nonprofit Emerging Leader of the Year Nominees
Barbara Bates Nelson – United Way of Northern Ozaukee
Debra Bendt – Port Washington Lions Club
Bill and Anne Conley – The Stagecoach Inn and Timber Club Restaurant
Mike Cosgrove – Family Promise of Ozaukee County
Sarah Decorah – Sirona Recovery
Cassie Hammond – Warriors Way
Rebecca Jackson – Balance, Inc.
Leonard Johnson – Nourish & Health Foundation
Loretta Kryshak – Rebel Reform
Kelsey Kultgen – Ozaukee County 4-H
Sarah LaDuke – Community Service Navigator
Todd Lanfried – Stand Up and Play
Shannon McCann – Balance, Inc.
Dr. Michael McMahon – Port Washington-Saukville School District
Joel Miksch – Mequon Police Department and Advocates of Ozaukee
Tobey Neuberger – Lillies of Hope
Sally Wagner and Lauren O’Brien – Happy Place Cooking Space
Olga Paramonova – Adult Literacy Center of Ozaukee County
Tina Perry – Just Listen
Alina Prahl – Riveredge Nature Center
Daniel Shepherd – Balance, Inc.
Lillian Short – Balance, Inc.
Nonprofit of the Year Nominees
Adult Literary Center of Ozaukee County
Balance, Inc.
Blue Lotus Center
Family Promise of Ozaukee County
Just Listen
Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center
Luxembourg American Cultural Society & Center
Ozaukee Food Alliance
Riveredge Nature Center
Warriors Way
Community Stewardship of the Year Nominees
Ansay and Associates, Ansay Development, and Ansay International
Bank Five Nine
Carlson Tool & Mfg
Just Listen
Mequon Thiensville Sunrise Rotary
PWSB
The Stagecoach Inn and Timber Club Restaurant
Trader Joe’s
Witte’s Vegetable Farm LLC
YogaOne Studio
Volunteer of the Year Nominees
Grace Aiello – Movement Mentor – Balance, Inc.
Joyce & Scott Brost – The Food Pantry, Inc.
Miek De Graeve – Happy Place Cooking Space
Jennifer Doughman – Mutt Life Dog Rescue of Cedarburg
Alex Fritz – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ozaukee & PW Pride
Susie Hoppe – Mel’s Charities
Jean Horvath – Habitat for Humanity Ozaukee
Carole Hynes – NAMI Ozaukee
Dean Johnson – Mequon Thiensville Sunrise Rotary
Hope Kittel – Baskets Spreading Hope
Joan Kloehn – Lasata Senior Living Campus
Tom Krueger – Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County
Kelsey Kultgen – Ozaukee 4-H
Cheryl Lingle – Horizon Lawlis Family Hospice
Sara Pashak – Ozaukee Food Alliance
Tina Perry – Just Listen
Chanel Schmidt – Port Washington State Bank
Richard & Nicole Simon – Ozaukee 4-H
Chris Surfus – Friends of the Grafton Public Library
Community Collaboration of the Year Nominees
Community Services Navigator Program
Warriors Way
Just Listen
PIGments for a Cause
Happy Place Cooking Space/Balance, Inc.
Balance and Mel’s Charities
Mequon Thiensville Sunrise Rotary and Thiensville Mequon Rotary
Family Sharing of Ozaukee County, The Food Pantry, Inc., Independence First
Ozaukee Food Alliance and Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge
Pirates Cove @ Port Washington High School
Legacy Award Nominees
Mary Albrecht – Port Washington State Bank
Barbara Bates Nelson – United Way of Northern Ozaukee
Margaret Bussone – Friends of the Jonathan Clark House
Bill and Anne Conley – The Stagecoach Inn and Timber Club Restaurant
Joan Kloehn – Lasata Living Campus
Cheryl Lingle – Horizon Lawlis Family Hospice
Bill Moren – Port Washington Saukville Rotary, Kettle Moraine YMCA, Cedarburg Cultural Center, Restoring Lands, Port Washington Historical Society, Marine Life Sanctuary
Dorothy Parchin – Ozaukee County 4-H
Tina Perry – Just Listen
Steve Peterman – Mequon Thiensville Sunrise Rotary
James Schowalter – Port Washington State Bank
Donna Steffens – Habitat for Humanity of Ozaukee
Carole Stuebe – Portal
Award recipients will be announced at the 2026 Ozaukee Impact Awards celebration on July 23rd at The Ozaukee Nonprofit Center. Community leaders, nonprofit professionals, business representatives, volunteers, and residents will gather to honor the remarkable contributions of this year’s nominees and celebrate the spirit of service that makes Ozaukee County thrive.
For more information about the Ozaukee Impact Awards, sponsorship opportunities, or event registration, visit https://ozaukeenonprofitcenter.org/ozaukee-impact-awards/ or contact the Ozaukee Nonprofit Center at (262)376-5272.