Valpo Chamber celebrates 2025 success and the people behind it at 2026 Salute to Leadership event

The Valpo Chamber welcomed hundreds of community members, business innovators, and civil leaders to Aberdeen Manor for the 41st annual Salute to Leadership event. The chamber gathered with its guests to celebrate business success throughout Valpo over the past year, as well as the leaders making it happen.

The evening’s program began with welcoming remarks from Northwest Health – Porter CEO Dan Doherty followed by a catered dinner. Salute to Leadership offers a perfect opportunity for business professionals to connect and network while honoring long-standing businesses in the Valparaiso community.

“We have a lot of people who do things behind the scenes. They do that for the betterment of the community,” Stephanie Edwards, vice president of programs and communications for the Valpo Chamber, said. “Tonight is a night where everyone from the community can get together to congratulate, celebrate, and just have a really great time together honoring those people.”

Following dinner, awards were presented to businesses that have stood the test of time and distinguished community members making a real impact in Valparaiso. This includes businesses like Bucher Technologies, Family Express Corporation, and Sanders Indiana Hardware, which were recognized 25, 50, and 75 years of serving the Valpo community, respectively.

“It’s a testament to how great it is to be a business in our community,” Edwards said. “Our people show up, and they support our businesses. Having two businesses tonight celebrating 75 year milestones is an incredible accomplishment.”

The Chamber also recognized five individuals with four awards:

• 2026 Legacy of Service awarded to Stewart and Kathryn McMillan
• 2026 Distinguished Community Leader awarded to Suman Das
• 2026 Chamber Champion awarded to James Tudor
• 2026 Emerging Leader awarded to Stephanie Swearington

“We have people who go to work, and then they come home and they get involved,” Edwards said. “They’re giving of themselves – whether it’s their time or their money – to make our community a happy place to live. This is a really great opportunity to acknowledge those people.”

Kathryn and Stewart McMillan of the McMillan Family Foundation were honored to be recognized at the event. The McMillans have been supporting the Valparaiso community for years with their time and energy.

“I am more proud of this award than any I’ve gotten before,” Stewart McMillan said. “The people who have received it before me are all personal friends, and I really respect what they’ve accomplished. I’m very proud to now be part of that group.”

Distinguished Community Leader Award Winner Suman Das expressed similar sentiments. Das has been involved in supporting education in Valparaiso for decades, and to be recognized for that effort left her emotional.

“I feel very humble because it’s a community effort,” Das said. “That’s why I’m here.”

The 41st annual Salute to Leadership event was presented by Family Express, NITCO, and Northwest Health. The full list of the night’s award winners includes 11 businesses recognized for their community longevity in addition to the four individual awards:

• 75 Years
  • Dykes Funeral Homes, Inc.
  • Sanders Indiana Hardware
• 50 Years
  • Family Express Corporation
  • Hoeppner Wagner & Evans, LLP
  • M&S Collision Center
• 25 Years
  • BucherTech
  • Culver’s of Valparaiso
  • Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
  • Hampton Inn & Suites
  • Marinosci Law Group, P.C.
  • Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center

As the Valpo Chamber celebrates the success of 2025, it’s already looking towards the rest of 2026. Projects like the Grand Gardner Hotel, the ChicaGo Dash buses, and the Valpo REC are all marking Valparaiso as the place to be in the coming years.

“Valpo continues to grow with new businesses and new expansions like the Linc and Grand Gardner Hotel,” Edwards said. “It’s going to bring more people to our community and our city. People are realizing that Valpo is a place where people want to visit and live. I can’t say enough what a great community Valpo is. Our town is small, our business owners are so involved, and it makes the community thrive.”

The Valpo Chamber works closely with businesses and organizations throughout Valparaiso and the surrounding communities. To learn more about its work or to become involved, visit valpochamber.org.