Springfield chamber set to honor pair of local leaders

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of two of its top annual leadership awards.

The Athena Award is going to Sandy Howard, a former longtime Springfield chamber executive, and the Virginia Fry Rising Star Award winner is Lauren Korbal, who works for Central Bank, according to a news release. Nominated by the public, the award honorees were chosen by an independent panel of judges.

“Our 2026 recipients exemplify the leadership, service and commitment to others that define the Athena and Virginia Fry Rising Star awards,” chamber President Matt Morrow said in the release. “Sandy and Lauren have each made a meaningful impact through their professional excellence, mentorship and dedication to strengthening our community. We are proud to recognize their achievements and the example they set for future leaders.”

Howard retired in 2023 from the chamber, where she worked for 18 years, most recently as its senior vice president of public affairs, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. According to the release, Howard has “focused her community service on creating frameworks for action that result in tangible solutions to local challenges.” Through the Junior League of Springfield, she was a founding leader in establishing Isabel’s House, an area crisis nursery, the release states, and her civic leadership spans nonprofits such as Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, Foundation for Springfield Public Schools and Springfield Innovation Inc. Howard also was a member of SBJ’s 2007 class of Most Influential Women. 

Korbal, whose banking career began as a teller in 2010, was recently hired by Central Bank to serve as banking center manager and retail officer of its Glen Isle branch, according to past reporting. Her past civic activity includes service with The Kitchen Inc. on the nonprofit’s foundation board and its board of trustees, according to the release. 

The awards are scheduled to be presented during a March 18 ceremony at White River Conference Center.

Last year’s Athena Award recipient was Stephanie O’Connor with City Utilities of Springfield, and Nacy Tai Ryerson of EnCompass Academy was chosen for the Rising Star Award, according to past SBJ reporting.