Kelsey Varner 26 Occupation: Assistant treasury management officer Email: kelseyvarner@carrolltonbanking.com Education: Bachelor’s in business administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; 2025 graduate of Illinois Bankers Association’s Future Leaders Alliance Family: Husband, John; dogs, Tuff and Bandit Affiliations/community activities: Ambassador/team captain for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce; 2022 Leadership Springfield graduate; Friends of Sangamon County […]
Special Issues
Brandi Goodin
Brandi Goodin 39 Occupation: Vice president of marketing communications, BUNN Email: brandi.goodin@bunn.com Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Family: Spouse, Eric; children: Max, Pierce and Brooke Affiliations/community activities: Board member and executive committee member of United Way of Central Illinois What is your guiding principle in life? My guiding principle is simple: Work hard. […]
Manasi Hulyalkar
Manasi Hulyalkar 39 Occupation: Pediatrician and pediatric obesity specialist Email: mhulyalkar85@gmail.com Education: MD, MBA, Diplomat ABOM Family: Husband and two boys Affiliations/community activities: Asian Indian Women’s Organization What is your guiding principle in life? I treat my patients with the same care I want for my family. What led you to your current career? I wanted a […]
Brandon Damm
Brandon Damm 37 Occupation: Public information officer, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Email: damm.brandon@gmail.com Education: Bachelor of arts in communication from University of Illinois Springfield Family: Wife, Jill; son, Braydan Affiliations/community activities: Volunteer director for Rock & Run for Mental Health, member of Springfield Road Runners Club What is your greatest hope for Springfield? I hope we […]
Women Of Influence 2025
For 22 years, Springfield Business Journal has partnered with Security Bank for the annual Women of Influence program, which honors local women for their contributions to the Springfield area community. Selected by their peers through submitted nominations, all have made important contributions to the community at large. We hope you enjoy reading the profiles of […]
Monica Walls-Butler
In any one day, Monica Walls-Butler might be setting up a tea for young girls, helping teenage boys learn to tie a tie, taking voting-age teens to the polls, helping facilitate peer-to-peer discussions or mentoring a student. As a family and community engagement liaison for Springfield Public School District 186 at Southeast High School, Walls-Butler […]
June Agamah
June Agamah lives a life of purpose, inspired by her deep faith. Even when witnessing incredible adversity, she finds joy. She also radiates joy – through her warm smile, friendly disposition, caring attitude and the colorful clothes she wears. June’s mantra comes from Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, […]
Vidya Sundareshan
Vidya Sundareshan is a doctor, educator, clinician, mentor and public health advocate. She is not only a woman of influence in Springfield but also nationally and internationally due to her focus on combining the fields of medicine and public health in all she does. As a professor and chief of infectious diseases for Southern Illinois […]
Best Places to Work 2025
Springfield Business Journal holds a variety of awards programs throughout the year, but Best Places to Work is unique because it requires employees to nominate their own company for recognition. Instead of simply trading their time for a paycheck, these employees realize that their work is serving a larger purpose and they feel valued and […]
Green Nissan
Green Family Stores acquired the Nissan franchise in 2011 from Royal Oaks Nissan. The company boasts a large line of new and pre-owned vehicles, as well as electric vehicles. But perhaps its greatest success is in how it treats its employees, customers and the community. “We take pride in servicing our community and making an […]
Knob Hill Landscape Co.
Landon and Jamie Kirby started Knob Hill Landscape Co. in 2011. Working with a spouse in a new business comes with its share of challenges, but Landon Kirby said he wouldn’t have it any other way. Currently, he serves as the CEO while Jamie is the CFO. “You get to share the same goals and […]
Isringhausen Imports
Isringhausen Imports is a family-owned, luxury automotive dealership based in Springfield representing prestigious brands such as Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. The company was established in 1981 and has since built a reputation for excellence in customer service, automotive expertise and an unwavering commitment to quality. “Over the years, our dealership has evolved by embracing […]
