Susan Brychell, Purdue University North Central special events manager, has earned the 2015 Influential Women of Northwest Indiana award in the Marketing/Media category.
In addition, Marie-Claire Foster, director of Advancement, was a finalist in the area of Education - Up and Coming.
The awards are presented in 11 categories to recognize the region’s female professionals for their influence in business, industries and the communities. More than 150 women from six different Indiana counties were nominated for recognition, with the field narrowed to 79 finalists. Nomination categories are Business, Construction, Economic Development, Education, Finance, Government, Healthcare, Law, Marketing/Media, Non-Profit and Service/Tourism.
Brychell has been with PNC for 10 years, serving most of that time as director of Porter County. She became manager of Special Events in September.
“I am honored beyond words to have won this special award,” said Brychell. “There were so many impressive, intelligent women nominated who inspire every day. I give credit to Purdue North Central for allowing me to have the creativity and freedom to be so involved in the community and in my job.”
Brychell is a member of the board of directors of Valparaiso Events; Inspired Living Magazine and the Kiwanis Foundation. She is president of the Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club. She is a member of Tri Kappa and the Portage Chamber Business Opportunity Night committee, is a 10-year co-chair for the Mayor’s Charity Event, and teaches etiquette to PNC students and to the business community. She was a Valparaiso YMCA Volunteer of the Year nominee and earned Kiwanis Club Volunteer of the Year Award Honorable Mention.
Her pageant honors include Miss Indiana Teen, Purdue Grand Prix Queen, Miss Indiana USA and Indiana Rose Queen. She worked for Donald Trump and the Miss Universe Organization and continues to help young women prepare for the pageant experience.
Foster is a member of Tri Kappa and Valparaiso Rotary and serves on boards for the Memorial Opera House, Lubeznik Center for the Arts and the PNC Sinai Forum Advisory Board. She previously was a member of St. Mary’s Pastoral Council.
"It was an honor to have been chosen as a finalist,.” Said Foster. “Northwest Indiana benefits from the involvement of so many influential women and I am proud to be part of this group. The character and strength of these finalists and winners show the potential we have in continuing to enhance our region."
She earned her MBA from Purdue University and was awarded the 2015 MBA Student of the Year and served on the MBA Leadership Board. She was recently named to the “20 Under 40” list compiled by “BusINess” magazine. She has experience in business and higher education focusing on marketing, graphic design, business strategy, communication, social media, fundraising and agile project management. She has been involved in education at the secondary and college levels implementing innovative curricula involving community relationships to drive student success.