Mike Wolanin | The Republic Cindy Frey, president of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, welcomes guests to the Women in Leadership luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn in Edinburgh, Ind., Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2024 Women in Leadership honorees who will be recognized at the 2024 Women in Leadership Lunch on Aug. 23 at The Commons. The theme will be “Wiser Than Me.”
“Year after year, we celebrate the extraordinary contributions that women bring to both our professional arenas and our wider community. This year, we will also give a nod to the women of previous generations who serve as trailblazers and mentors,” said Cindy Frey, chamber president.
This year’s honorees are Cheryl Buffo, Laura Mount, Diane Robbins, and Nicole Wheeldon.
Cheryl Buffo, with over 30 years of experience in project management and strategic planning across various sectors, leads Community Programs for Columbus Regional Health Foundation and serves as program manager for Mental Health Matters. She has demonstrated professional excellence through roles such as leading Reams Asset Management Firm’s corporate identity redesign and overseeing over $15 million in strategic philanthropic projects for Irwin Management Company. Buffo’s commitment to community service is evident in her board participation with Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, kidscommons, and Centra Credit Union.
Lora Mount co-owns Voelz, Reed, & Mount, LLC, one of South Central Indiana’s largest elder law firms. She co-founded the Voelz, Reed, & Mount Foundation, providing annual grants to organizations serving seniors and individuals with special needs. Her community service includes roles on the Riley Children’s Foundation Professional Advisors Council, the Indiana University-Columbus Board of Advisors, and the board of Heritage Fund, along with her past presidency of the Indiana Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
Diane Robbins, currently the executive director of the Bartholomew County Historical Society, has dedicated much of her professional and personal life to service, community involvement, and leadership. She worked at Firestone Tire Company as a buyer early in her career. After a move to Columbus, she also served as Assistant Athletic Director at Columbus North High School and executive director of kidscommons. Her extensive volunteer work includes leadership roles in the Columbus Service League, St. Peter’s Church Council, Columbus Area Arts Council Board of Directors, and Columbus Area Visitors Center.
Nicole Wheeldon, Plant Manager at Cummins, Inc., has a rich background in engineering, holding degrees from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology and Purdue University. She is the current president of the Bartholomew Consolidated School Board, and she represents the board on the BCSC Diversity Leadership Council, and the Bartholomew County Redevelopment Commission, highlighting her deep commitment to the Columbus community. Nicole’s community involvement includes volunteering with United Way and Feed My Starving Children, showcasing her dedication to supporting local needs.
Tickets are $65. Tables of 8 are available for $500. Reservations are required and can be made on the Chamber website: www.columbusareachamber.com
