Springfield Business Journal and Security Bank are proud to announce the 2019 Women of Influence: Leuwania Baker, Vernessa Glover, Amanda Long, Abby Sgro and Stacey Skrysak.

Security Bank’s Women of Influence award recognizes local women for their achievements, honoring women from both the public and private sectors for their contributions to the Springfield area community.

Leuwania Baker is retired from Springfield District 186, where she served as director of student support services, working with students with disabilities. Her nominator, Jennifer Gill, noted that Baker was responsible for creating the Disabilities to Possibilities annual conference, among other advocacy efforts.

Vernessa Glover is the business manager of surgery at HSHS St. John’s Hospital and has also worked as the executive director of the Carol Jo Vecchie Women’s and Children’s Center. In addition, she  has served on the board of directors for the Kidzeum of Health and Science, United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois.

Amanda Long is the assistant director of budget and fiscal affairs for the Illinois Board of Higher Education. She was nominated by her former supervisor, Chief Kenneth Winslow of the Springfield Police Department. He noted, “She is that rare individual who is sincere in her efforts and a person of high moral character. She is a natural leader with a bright future who, without a doubt, will succeed no matter where life takes her.”

Abby Sgro is an attorney in private practice with Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes who also works pro bono for the Illinois Innocence Project and Sojourn Shelter & Services. In addition, she has been involved in fundraisers for the St. John’s Hospital NICU after her own daughter was born prematurely.

Stacey Skrysak is a news anchor for WICS News Channel 20 who also shares her personal experiences through her blog, “Perfectly Peyton,” which has inspired readers across the country. After having triplets born prematurely, Stacey and her husband, Ryan, created a nonprofit called the Triplet Heart Foundation to support other families with children in the NICU.

Please join us for a reception and awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Island Bay Yacht Club to honor the 2019 Women of Influence. There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP to info@springfieldbusinessjournal.com.

The May issue of Springfield Business Journal will include full profiles on each of the recipients, along with portraits from Terry Farmer Photography.