COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP CELEBRATION
Please help us recognize outstanding community leaders with these special awards
Nominations for the 2025 awards must be submitted by Friday, February 7th.
2025 Chamber Community Leadership Celebration
Thursday, March 13th 7:30-9:00am | Willmar Conference Center
Stay tuned for more information!
Emerging Young Leader Award / 5 Under 45
The Emerging Young Leader Award (ELA) is awarded to an individual 45 and under who demonstrates outstanding leadership that benefits the community and its citizens. Areas of outstanding service include working with youth, adults, and families to improve the Willmar Lakes Area quality of life. Leadership qualities include creativity, volunteerism, responsibility, problem solving, respectfulness, cooperation, and organizational skills. Leadership qualities are not limited to Chamber activities and may include work for other organizations.
Past Recipients of the Emerging Young Leader Award:
Robert Mathiasen
Heritage Bank, N.A.
"MILO" Award
The "MILO" Award is named after long-time Chamber volunteer, Milo Halberg who passed away in 2001. Milo served a three-year term on the Board of Directors and was a longstanding member of the Membership Committee until his retirement from "volunteerism" in 1998. During his years of service to the Chamber, Milo personally signed over 100 Chamber members, and many times was requested by certain members to have him personally pick-up their membership check as part of the overall retention program.
The award was established in Milo's name to recognize local business leaders who exemplify Milo's leadership in the areas of volunteerism, community leadership, involvement, and dedication to the Chamber of Commerce. The "MILO" Award will be presented to a Chamber member who is 40 years or older who has provided leadership and commitment not only to the Chamber, but also to other community organizations and programs as well.
Past Recipients of the “MILO” Award:
Bob Dols
Northern States Supply
Exemplary Leadership Award
The Exemplary Leadership Award (ELA) is designed to honor someone who has achieved recognition in their field and has made significant contributions to the respective profession and business or organization of which the individual is a part of. The award is open to a man, woman, or business that has demonstrated a successful and exemplary history of leadership resulting in noteworthy accomplishments for the business or organization that the leader serves. In addition, the recipient will have been successful in serving his/her profession in a manner that inspires others in the profession to recognize the person as a leader in the field. Ideally, community members also will readily identify the recipient as being successful as a leader.
Past Recipients of the Exemplary Leadership Award:
Kathy Leedom
Willmar Public Schools
Legacy Award
This award is designed to honor someone who has made significant contributions to the Willmar Lakes Area community. In honor of long-time Chamber President Ken Warner who retired in 2023, the award is presented to a person that has persevered in a community leadership role and has made the Willmar Lakes Area a better place to work, live, and raise a family.