Outstanding Women In Business Awards

SDCEO West
Women In Business Awards are designed to celebrate the impact of outstanding businesswomen across the state of South Dakota for their business acumen and contributions to their community and the state. The list below highlights all past award recipients who have exemplified these values through their leadership, innovation, and service.
 

Nominations will open soon for the 2026 Outstanding Women In Business Awards

Award applications for 'Enterprisng Young Entrepreneur,' 'Enterprising Woman Entpreneur,' and 'Enterprising Woman Intrapreneur' will open soon for the 2026 awards. 

This woman entrepreneur has created a successful business by demonstrating outstanding skill and commitment. She demonstrates leadership qualities in her community and/or industry. This woman:

  • Owns the business (51% or more)
  • Has owned her current business for a minimum of 3 years
  • Is 35 years or younger as of May 2025
  • Is a small business entrepreneur as defined by the U.S. SBA (500 employees or less for manufacturing and mining industries and $7.5 million or less in average annual receipts for non-manufacturing industries; is organized for profit; operates primarily within the U.S. or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor; is independently owned and operated; is not dominant in its field on a national basis)
  • The business must be located in South Dakota.
Our awards committee will review your and the other nominations to select the top 3 candidates as finalists for the awards ceremony. If your nominee is chosen as a finalist, you and the candidate will be notified via email.

This dynamic business woman has achieved substantial success and demonstrates significant leadership in her industry and community. She demonstrates outstanding skill, commitment, and accomplishment, while successfully navigating obstacles. She also mentors and encourages others. This woman:

  • Owns the business (51% or more)
  • Has owned her current business for a minimum of 7 years (as of May 2, 2024)
  • Is a small business entrepreneur as defined by the U.S. SBA (500 employees or less for manufacturing and mining industries and $7.5 million or less in average annual receipts for non-manufacturing industries; is organized for profit; operates primarily within the U.S. or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor; is independently owned and operated; is not dominant in its field on a national basis)
  • The business must be located in South Dakota.

Our awards committee will review your and the other nominations to select the top 3 candidates as finalists for the awards ceremony. If your nominee is chosen as a finalist, you and the candidate will be notified via email.

This woman may work for a business of any size. She is not the owner, but has used her entrepreneurial qualities to implement or serve as a catalyst to innovative changes within her organization that have led to increased revenues, expansion/growth of the company, improved systems, or other quantifiable improvements/advancements of the organization. She can work at any level of the organization, and demonstrates significant leadership qualities at work and within her community. The business the woman works for must be located in South Dakota.

Our awards committee will review your and the other nominations to select the top 3 candidates as finalists for the awards ceremony. If your nominee is chosen as a finalist, you and the candidate will be notified via email.

Past Winners

 

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The SD CEO, Women's Business Center, is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Ashley Wingert at Ashley.Wingert@BHSU.edu or 605-642-6948.

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