21st Annual Leaders for Life Celebration to be Held on May 8
2/16/2026 1:00:00 PM | Creighton Athletics, Ath. Development
This year's Leaders for Life luncheon will take place on Friday, May 8 at 12:00 p.m. at D.J. Sokol Arena, inside the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center. Creighton Athletics will honor Cindy M. Heider with the Believe & Achieve Award and Mary E. Chase, Ed.D. with the Leader for Life Award. Both women have made an impact at Creighton and in the Omaha community.
Cindy M. Heider
Cindy M. Heider is a Community Volunteer and President of The Heider Family Foundation. Cindy has been actively involved with the Foundation since its inception in 1999. In addition to her community engagement, Cindy is responsible for the financial information and reporting for the Foundation. Cindy and her husband Scott have focused their efforts on at-risk youth, education, child welfare and the arts.
Cindy was born in Omaha and attended Westside High School. She graduated from The University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in business administration with the first graduating class from The Professional School of Accountancy in 1986. She previously held a CPA certificate in Nebraska. Cindy and Scott have two children (Grant & Courtney) who both recently graduated from Creighton University.
Cindy's volunteer vocation began over 30 years ago when she joined the Junior League of Omaha. She currently serves on the boards of the Child Health Research Institute, the Child Saving Institute Foundation, Christ the King Education Trust, Children's Nebraska, Creighton Prep, Film Streams, Jesuit Academy, and The Presenters (Omaha Performing Arts). Cindy previously held leadership positions with capital projects and events with the Child Saving Institute, The Bemis, Creighton Prep, Creighton University, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, Duchesne Academy, Children's Nebraska, The Madonna School, the Omaha Children's Museum and CUES School System.
In her free time, Cindy enjoys attending sporting events (specifically Creighton University), exercise, film, reading and horse racing with her husband Scott.
Mary E. Chase, Ed.D.
Mary E. Chase, Ed.D., has been at Creighton University since 2003 and currently serves as the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management. During her time at Creighton, the University has enrolled 23 of the 24 largest freshman classes in school history, culminating in record overall enrollment. Academic profile and diversity have also increased under her leadership.
Dr. Chase takes great pride in being involved in the lives of Creighton students, especially those who are student-athletes. She offers support and direction with a strong desire to assist students in realizing their full potential. Even with her demanding schedule, she will always make time to meet with a student.
She began her career at Buena Vista University, serving in the admissions office and as head women's golf coach. As an undergraduate student, she played golf and was a member of the NAIA national championship runner-up team her final year. Today, she continues to find joy on the course.
Dr. Chase is an active member of the Board of Trustees at Creighton Preparatory School and a former member of the Boards at Marian High School and the National Association of Catholic College and University Admissions Association. She also served on the Advisory Committee of the Educational Advisory Board. A graduate of Briar Cliff University, she has a master's degree in higher education from University of Iowa and completed her Ed.D. at Creighton University.
She and her husband Doug enjoy an active lifestyle filled with live sporting events and traveling. They are proud parents of Timothy (23) and Michael (20).
Ready to reserve your spot, ruffle a few feathers, and have some fun? Register at https://cvent.me/RaZ5nQ?RefId=Athletics. In addition, people are encouraged to follow along online for the entire week. You can visit the @GoCreighton Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages, along with GoCreighton.com to learn more about Creighton's outstanding female student-athletes.
Annually held each May, Leaders for Life is a fundraiser for annual and endowed scholarships that directly increase tuition assistance for outstanding female student-athletes. Can't attend but still want to ruffle some feathers? Donate here: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1250/20-giving/form.aspx?sid=1250&gid=1&pgid=4391&cid=8454&dids=148.
The 2026 Leaders for Life Committee members include
Karli Blossom
Lisa Chipps, BA'97, MS'00, EDD'19
Diane Duren, BSBA'81 – Chair
Shelley Guthrie Gates
Anne Harty, BSN'97, MS'00, FNPC'00, EDD'19
Julie Hefflinger, BA'70
Amy Hennings
Stephanie Kremla Heng
Wende Kotouc – Co-Chair
Karisa Malchow, BSBA'12
Pat Manion
Brandy Menaugh
Anne McGuire, BSN'73
Jenna Meehan
Karen Nelsen, MBA'89
Kat Olsen
Judy Pritza, BSN'92, MS'96
Erin Swanson Russell, BA'02, MA'08
Patsy Sumner, BSBA'98
******
Believe and Achieve Award
The Believe and Achieve Award honors a business/civic leader that has impacted the community-at-large. Nomination criteria for this award assumes that the recipient volunteered in the community for the betterment of others, emphasizes women's issues and female empowerment, demonstrates a more positive and supportive environment through service to the public, recognizing the individual's accomplishments and outstanding mentorship of women leaders and show outstanding professional virtue, work to enrich their communities and give women leadership opportunities. The award is presented at the annual Leaders for Life Luncheon in May.
Leader for Life Award
The Leader for Life Award honors women who have demonstrated a truly outstanding and consistent support for women's athletics at Creighton University. Nomination criteria for this award assumes that the recipient manifest qualities in her personal life that mark her as a successful person of high moral principles. The person must have contributed to the athletic program through leadership contribution at Creighton University. The Leader for Life Award may be presented posthumously. The award is presented at the annual Leaders for Life Luncheon in May.
Leader for Life Award
2025 – Debbie Conry, BA'77
2024 – Brandy Menaugh
2023 – Katie Grier, M.D.'01
2022 – Lisa Meekins, BSBA'02
2021 – Laura Baker, BS'95
2020 – Lisa Chipps, BA'97, MS'00, Ed. D,'19
2019 – Sharon Hanson
2018 – Shannon Hoos-Thompson, BS'99, MD'03
2017 – Judy Pritza, BSN '92, MS '96
2016 – Kirsten Bernthal Booth
2015 – Tanya Warren, BSW'88
2014 – Erin Swanson Russell, BA'02, MA'08
2013 – Pam Gradoville Simon, BSN'88
2012 – Heidi Geier Woodard, BA'99
2011 – Connie Yori, BA'86
2010 – Connie Ryan, BA'75
2009 – Rosemary Gross, BS'57
2008 – Mary Higgins, BA'73
2007 – Carol Ketcham
2006 – Olive Odorisio Circo, BA'41
Believe and Achieve Award
2025 – Jane Green Alseth, JD'72
2024 – Julie Nicholsen Hefflinger, BA'70
2023 – Wende Kotouc
2022 – Mary Pat McCormick, BS'62
2021 – Josie Abboud, BSN'95
2020 – Anne McGuire, BSN'73
2019 – Ruth Scott
2018 – Dorothy Nipp
2017 – Rhonda Hawks
2016 – Melissa Kean, MA'93
2015 – Gail Werner Robertson, BA'84, JD'88
2014 – Val Ackerman
2013 – Deb Macdonald, BA'72, JD'80
2012 – Lisa Roskens
Cindy M. Heider
Cindy M. Heider is a Community Volunteer and President of The Heider Family Foundation. Cindy has been actively involved with the Foundation since its inception in 1999. In addition to her community engagement, Cindy is responsible for the financial information and reporting for the Foundation. Cindy and her husband Scott have focused their efforts on at-risk youth, education, child welfare and the arts.
Cindy was born in Omaha and attended Westside High School. She graduated from The University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in business administration with the first graduating class from The Professional School of Accountancy in 1986. She previously held a CPA certificate in Nebraska. Cindy and Scott have two children (Grant & Courtney) who both recently graduated from Creighton University.
Cindy's volunteer vocation began over 30 years ago when she joined the Junior League of Omaha. She currently serves on the boards of the Child Health Research Institute, the Child Saving Institute Foundation, Christ the King Education Trust, Children's Nebraska, Creighton Prep, Film Streams, Jesuit Academy, and The Presenters (Omaha Performing Arts). Cindy previously held leadership positions with capital projects and events with the Child Saving Institute, The Bemis, Creighton Prep, Creighton University, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, Duchesne Academy, Children's Nebraska, The Madonna School, the Omaha Children's Museum and CUES School System.
In her free time, Cindy enjoys attending sporting events (specifically Creighton University), exercise, film, reading and horse racing with her husband Scott.
Mary E. Chase, Ed.D.
Mary E. Chase, Ed.D., has been at Creighton University since 2003 and currently serves as the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management. During her time at Creighton, the University has enrolled 23 of the 24 largest freshman classes in school history, culminating in record overall enrollment. Academic profile and diversity have also increased under her leadership.
Dr. Chase takes great pride in being involved in the lives of Creighton students, especially those who are student-athletes. She offers support and direction with a strong desire to assist students in realizing their full potential. Even with her demanding schedule, she will always make time to meet with a student.
She began her career at Buena Vista University, serving in the admissions office and as head women's golf coach. As an undergraduate student, she played golf and was a member of the NAIA national championship runner-up team her final year. Today, she continues to find joy on the course.
Dr. Chase is an active member of the Board of Trustees at Creighton Preparatory School and a former member of the Boards at Marian High School and the National Association of Catholic College and University Admissions Association. She also served on the Advisory Committee of the Educational Advisory Board. A graduate of Briar Cliff University, she has a master's degree in higher education from University of Iowa and completed her Ed.D. at Creighton University.
She and her husband Doug enjoy an active lifestyle filled with live sporting events and traveling. They are proud parents of Timothy (23) and Michael (20).
Ready to reserve your spot, ruffle a few feathers, and have some fun? Register at https://cvent.me/RaZ5nQ?RefId=Athletics. In addition, people are encouraged to follow along online for the entire week. You can visit the @GoCreighton Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages, along with GoCreighton.com to learn more about Creighton's outstanding female student-athletes.
Annually held each May, Leaders for Life is a fundraiser for annual and endowed scholarships that directly increase tuition assistance for outstanding female student-athletes. Can't attend but still want to ruffle some feathers? Donate here: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1250/20-giving/form.aspx?sid=1250&gid=1&pgid=4391&cid=8454&dids=148.
The 2026 Leaders for Life Committee members include
Karli Blossom
Lisa Chipps, BA'97, MS'00, EDD'19
Diane Duren, BSBA'81 – Chair
Shelley Guthrie Gates
Anne Harty, BSN'97, MS'00, FNPC'00, EDD'19
Julie Hefflinger, BA'70
Amy Hennings
Stephanie Kremla Heng
Wende Kotouc – Co-Chair
Karisa Malchow, BSBA'12
Pat Manion
Brandy Menaugh
Anne McGuire, BSN'73
Jenna Meehan
Karen Nelsen, MBA'89
Kat Olsen
Judy Pritza, BSN'92, MS'96
Erin Swanson Russell, BA'02, MA'08
Patsy Sumner, BSBA'98
******
Believe and Achieve Award
The Believe and Achieve Award honors a business/civic leader that has impacted the community-at-large. Nomination criteria for this award assumes that the recipient volunteered in the community for the betterment of others, emphasizes women's issues and female empowerment, demonstrates a more positive and supportive environment through service to the public, recognizing the individual's accomplishments and outstanding mentorship of women leaders and show outstanding professional virtue, work to enrich their communities and give women leadership opportunities. The award is presented at the annual Leaders for Life Luncheon in May.
Leader for Life Award
The Leader for Life Award honors women who have demonstrated a truly outstanding and consistent support for women's athletics at Creighton University. Nomination criteria for this award assumes that the recipient manifest qualities in her personal life that mark her as a successful person of high moral principles. The person must have contributed to the athletic program through leadership contribution at Creighton University. The Leader for Life Award may be presented posthumously. The award is presented at the annual Leaders for Life Luncheon in May.
Leader for Life Award
2025 – Debbie Conry, BA'77
2024 – Brandy Menaugh
2023 – Katie Grier, M.D.'01
2022 – Lisa Meekins, BSBA'02
2021 – Laura Baker, BS'95
2020 – Lisa Chipps, BA'97, MS'00, Ed. D,'19
2019 – Sharon Hanson
2018 – Shannon Hoos-Thompson, BS'99, MD'03
2017 – Judy Pritza, BSN '92, MS '96
2016 – Kirsten Bernthal Booth
2015 – Tanya Warren, BSW'88
2014 – Erin Swanson Russell, BA'02, MA'08
2013 – Pam Gradoville Simon, BSN'88
2012 – Heidi Geier Woodard, BA'99
2011 – Connie Yori, BA'86
2010 – Connie Ryan, BA'75
2009 – Rosemary Gross, BS'57
2008 – Mary Higgins, BA'73
2007 – Carol Ketcham
2006 – Olive Odorisio Circo, BA'41
Believe and Achieve Award
2025 – Jane Green Alseth, JD'72
2024 – Julie Nicholsen Hefflinger, BA'70
2023 – Wende Kotouc
2022 – Mary Pat McCormick, BS'62
2021 – Josie Abboud, BSN'95
2020 – Anne McGuire, BSN'73
2019 – Ruth Scott
2018 – Dorothy Nipp
2017 – Rhonda Hawks
2016 – Melissa Kean, MA'93
2015 – Gail Werner Robertson, BA'84, JD'88
2014 – Val Ackerman
2013 – Deb Macdonald, BA'72, JD'80
2012 – Lisa Roskens
Creighton Athletics - Title IX at 50 Years
Wednesday, June 22
2022 Creighton Athletics Leaders for Life - Lisa Meekins - 5/6/22
Friday, May 06
2022 Creighton Athletics Leaders for Life - Mary Pat McCormick -5/6/22
Friday, May 06
2022 Creighton Athletics Leaders For Life - 5/6/22
Friday, May 06
