One of the greatest things BizTimes.biz does each year, partnering with Her magazine, is recognize outstanding women making outstanding contributions that make an impact on our community. It culminates in special recognition in each of these publications, along with an awards ceremony and breakfast, this year set for Oct. 4 in the Diamond Jo Casino Harbor Room.

It’s a painstaking process, as there always are more incredible women nominated by their peers than there are awards to go around. And in our fifth year, 2023 has again highlighted four women who go above and beyond in their efforts to step up in making their community a better place.

This year, we honor Leslie Shalabi, of Convivium Urban Farmstead in Dubuque, as our Woman of the Year. Creating an innovative dining experience that honors the idea that food inspires community, Shalabi’s North End space not only serves as an eatery, but a space that caters to cooking classes, live entertainment and more.

Our Woman of Innovation is A. Alanda Gregory, of Tri-Phoenix Group in Dubuque. Driven by her passion for the arts, Gregory aims to create a platform to help local artists understand and develop a business model to help their creative voice reach the masses.

With brain health at the forefront of her attention, our Woman Who Makes a Difference is Mae Hingtgen, chief executive officer of Mental Health and Disability Service of the East Central Region. Her work as been instrumental in helping make brain health resources, accessibility and awareness for all ages and demographics more attainable.

And lastly, we always honor an up-and-comer in the community who is on the cusp of greatness and who we believe will only have bigger and better things to offer. As the founder of Centrally Rooted in Dubuque, Callie Mescher-Fitzgerald uses her passion for music and artistic expression as a catalyst for developing positive mental and emotional experiences for young adults.

And don’t miss our annual Salute to Women advertising component, profiling women from local businesses across the tri-states, in the second half of this month’s edition.

It all starts on page 5.