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500 S. State Street

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079

(734) 764-7272
Zoomed out image of the ballroom with all the award recipients

2026 Staff Recognition Award Recipients

Business & Finance is proud to announce the 2026 Recognition Award recipients, honoring individuals and teams whose dedication, leadership, and innovation strengthen our work and advance the University of Michigan’s mission. The B&F Recognition Program is an initiative designed to celebrate and acknowledge the valuable contributions of Business & Finance staff in ways that are meaningful to them. We hope to ensure that every staff member feels appreciated and recognized for their hard work.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Sustainability - Individual

Melissa Bustamante

Utilities - Facilities & Operations

The Individual Staff Award for Contributions to Sustainability recognizes exceptional leadership and dedication demonstrated by an individual who has significantly advanced sustainability initiatives within the organization.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Sustainability - Team Award

Ruthven Deskside Bin Removal Team: Nicole Berg, Anya Dale, Nancy Fulcher, Kathy Fuqua, Shannon Meeks, Virginia Schlaff and Taylor Haynes

Office of Campus Sustainability - Facilities & Operations

The Team Award for Contributions to Sustainability celebrates the collective efforts of teams that exemplify leadership and dedication in advancing practices in sustainability, climate action, living-learning laboratory projects and positive community impact within the B&F organization.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Leadership - Individual Award

Shaun Ashley

Pest Management - Facilities and Operations

The Individual Staff Award for Outstanding Leadership in Business & Finance highlights the contributions of those who lead by influence, inspiration, and collaboration, even without formal authority, as well as those who exceed expectations through innovative and inclusive leadership.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Leadership - Individual Award

Kaylin Hoffman

Student Financial Services - Finance

The Individual Staff Award for Outstanding Leadership in Business & Finance highlights the contributions of those who lead by influence, inspiration, and collaboration, even without formal authority, as well as those who exceed expectations through innovative and inclusive leadership.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Leadership - Individual Award

Lena Nichols

Student Loan Collections - Finance

The Individual Staff Award for Outstanding Leadership in Business & Finance highlights the contributions of those who lead by influence, inspiration, and collaboration, even without formal authority, as well as those who exceed expectations through innovative and inclusive leadership.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Leadership - Individual Award

Erika Johnson

Long-Term Disability Program - Human Resources

The Individual Staff Award for Outstanding Leadership in Business & Finance highlights the contributions of those who lead by influence, inspiration, and collaboration, even without formal authority, as well as those who exceed expectations through innovative and inclusive leadership.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Leadership - Team Award

Joanne Bernard, Jill Castro PsyD, Andrew Greifer Ph.D., M.S.W., Alexander Jendrusina, Bridget A Kerr, Janell Kilgore, Matthew Penkevich and Tom Waldecker

Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO), Health & Wellbeing Services - Human Resources

The Team Award for Outstanding Leadership recognizes teams that demonstrate leadership regardless of formal authority, showcasing how collective vision and shared effort can lead to exceptional outcomes.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Leadership - Team Award

Andrew Aiello, Kate Balzer, Melissa Church, Todd Coon, Greg Gabbard, Bennett Gillam, Jean Hazzard, James Householder, Kathy Mahony, Gillian Miranda, Ian Pepper, Sandra Romanchuk, Ashley Torres, Derek Toschlog and Yuri Vertkin

Tariff Response Team, Procurement - Finance

The Team Award for Outstanding Leadership recognizes teams that demonstrate leadership regardless of formal authority, showcasing how collective vision and shared effort can lead to exceptional outcomes.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Leadership - Team Award

Keith Byron, Ty Timothy Cole, Courtney McDonald, Connor Flynn, Brett Goecke, Brian Hall, Gail Kilander, Adam Kushner, Morgan Maurer, Michael John Rutkofske, DJ Scheller, Danielle Sheen, Lenard Smalls, Alan Swan and Eugene Weincouff

Safety Committee (FOSC) - Facilities & Operations

The Team Award for Outstanding Leadership recognizes teams that demonstrate leadership regardless of formal authority, showcasing how collective vision and shared effort can lead to exceptional outcomes.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Core Values - Individual Award

Terese C Theophilus

Childcare - Human Resources

The Individual Award for Contributions to Core Values recognizes sustained and/or particularly meaningful commitment to ensuring that B&F values are ever-present in our workplace, making contributions that advances them, and demonstrating consistent attention to promoting them through words and actions.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Core Values - Individual Award

Milena Sambiagio

Award accepted by Melissa Church

Property Disposition - Finance

The Individual Award for Contributions to Core Values recognizes sustained and/or particularly meaningful commitment to ensuring that B&F values are ever-present in our workplace, making contributions that advances them, and demonstrating consistent attention to promoting them through words and actions.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Core Values - Team Award

Kate Balzer, Lisa Brown, Kateri Eisenhut, Amanda Ellison, Karin Feher, Jeanette Frost, Becky Geskey, Kelly Grider, Daniel Harp, Lisa Koors, Eric Kruse, Margaret Leonard-Shubsda, Miesha Sims, Ashley Torres and Sanida Zelijo

Travel & Expense Team, Procurement Services - Finance

The Team Award for Contributions to Core Values recognizes sustained and/or particularly meaningful commitment to ensuring that B&F values are ever-present in our workplace, making contributions that advances them, and demonstrating consistent attention to promoting them through words and actions.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Core Values - Team Award

Jacqueline Adams, Rachel Andrzejewski, Lisa Baleja, D'Vosha Brown, Megan Carpus, Scott Cazares, Amber Fabrizio, Mikaela Crespo, Kristen Dubisky, Amanda Frank, Joseph Gilhooly, Morgan Grunkemeyer, Shawndra Hazel, Brittany Hurley, John Laymon, Renee Mackie, Nada Mertz, Kyle Mitchell, Lori Raudio, Kellye Richmond, Denver Sayomac, Jessica Tyler and Keisha Williams

SSC HR Customer Care Team, HR Customer Care - Shared Services Center

The Team Award for Contributions to Core Values recognizes sustained and/or particularly meaningful commitment to ensuring that B&F values are ever-present in our workplace, making contributions that advances them, and demonstrating consistent attention to promoting them through words and actions.

Recognition recipients accepting award

Core Values - Team Award

Paul Clark, Adam Drain and Jeff Lampman

LTP Parking, Logistics, Transportation & Parking - Facilities & Operations

The Team Award for Contributions to Core Values recognizes sustained and/or particularly meaningful commitment to ensuring that B&F values are ever-present in our workplace, making contributions that advances them, and demonstrating consistent attention to promoting them through words and actions.