Young Leaders to be honored

Apr. 30—LIMA — A young business leader will soon be chosen for an award. The Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual gala Wednesday evening. The organization will choose one business to honor from seven different categories. The Young Leader of the Year award is sponsored by Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center.

To qualify for the award, applicants must be 20 to 40 years of age," Community Affairs Coordinator Ann Stiles said at the Chamber of Commerce Press Conference. "An individual must have a minimum of three years of professional experience within their current field, professional and personal growth and time devoted to improving the quality of life of others."

Megan Joseph, Jill Bakies and Brianna Theis are the finalists for this year's award.

Joseph is a care consultant for the United Health Group. She helps customers with their needs and plans to start new programs for the business. Joseph also gives back to the community through health and exercise. She helps children embrace an active lifestyle.

Bakies is the owner and operator of Beauty by Jill Salon and Spa. She opened the business in 2014. She now has moved to a new location after years of growth in the community. Bakies gives back by training other hair stylists and creating various events to bring awareness to cancer and human trafficking.

Theis is the assistant director and lead teacher at Rhodes State College's Early Learning Center. Theis began working at Rhodes State in 2020. She became the assistant director just three years later.

Theis gives back to the community through volunteering at various entities including Thanksgiving meals, a Mega Sports Camp and Bridge Kids Church.

The annual gala will be held from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1 at the UNOH Event Center, 1450 N. Cable Road.

For more information reach Julie Klingler at 419-222-6045 or visit www.limachamber.com.

Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.