Winners at the 2026 Mountain View and Neighbours Women in Business Awards. (L-R) Patricia McKean (Woman In Business: For Profit, Mountain View County), Peggy Good (2026 Woman of Influence, Mountain View County), Jean Carveth (Woman In Business: Not For Profit, Mountain View County), Jillian Skeels (Rising Star Award, Clearwater County), Donna Aarsby (Woman in Agriculture, Mountain View County), Tracey McCrimmon (Woman In Energy, Sundre) (rdnewsNOW/Jordan Rein)

By Jordan Rein

Mountain View, Kneehill and Clearwater

Trailblazers recognized at Mountain View and Neighbours Women in Business Awards

Mar 9, 2026 | 2:15 PM

Women from across central Alberta were recognized for their leadership and community contributions during the third annual Mountain View and Neighbours Women in Business Awards in Olds.

The March 6 ceremony at the Pomeroy Inn honoured women from Mountain View, Clearwater and Kneehill counties across a number of categories recognizing business leadership, community involvement and mentorship.

One of the afternoon’s highlights was the presentation of the first-ever Rising Star Award, recognizing the contributions of young women in the region. The award went to Clearwater County’s Jillian Skeels.

“I am very proud to be representing Clearwater County,” said Skeels. “I came in not expecting anything huge, but I’m proud of myself and all the other nominees for the Rising Star Award.”

Skeels was recognized for her contributions to the American Poultry Breeders Association. At a young age, her work has already led her to give presentations to 4-H groups in Alberta and Saskatchewan about raising poultry.

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She was also honoured for her involvement with Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps 198 Yukon.

While she did not place first in the categories she was nominated in, Genny Mehlhaff said the afternoon was inspiring and highlighted the accomplishments of young women in the region.

“As a 4-H leader and advocate, I see it in our youth every day, and it’s amazing to see them represented here and rewarded for all their hard work,” she said.

Mountain View County Reeve Angela Aalbers, who was also nominated in the Woman of Influence category, agreed and encouraged young women to connect with experienced mentors in their communities.

Mountain View County Reeve Angela Aalbers speaks at the Mountain View & Neighbours Women in Business Awards, March 6, 2026

“If you’re looking for mentors or someone to share ideas with, please contact any of the ladies here — they’re willing to share knowledge and inspiration with you,” she said.

Taking home the Woman of Influence Award was Peggy Good of the Rosebud Health Foundation.

Good said the honour was “overwhelming” given the number of accomplished women recognized during the afternoon.

“It takes many people and volunteers who give their time and energy to make our community run,” she said. “There isn’t one person in one community — there are many.”

The Rosebud Health Foundation serves the Didsbury, Carstairs, Water Valley and Cremona areas and raises funds for local health needs, including more than $112,000 for the Didsbury hospital in 2025.

Ahead of International Women’s Day March 8, the packed house at the Pomeroy received a “visit” from two members of Canada’s Famous Five women. Mrs. Louise McKinney of Claresholm (portrayed by Mary Hayes) and Mrs. Nellie McLung of Calgary (portrayed by Betty Hersberger) told the gathered crowd about women’s struggles through the early twentieth century, including in Canada’s suffragette movement.

Nominees in each category:

Rising Star Award

Winner: Jillian Skeels

Nominees for Rising Star in alphabetic order: Aneleigh Sinesipo (Trochu, AB), Jillian Skeels (Clearwater County), Noa Cottrell (Acme, AB), Raelynn Sande (Mountain View County), Sara Neufeld (Water Valley, AB), Sarah Scott (Olds, AB), and Teagan Beattie (Carstairs, AB) (rdnewsNOW/Jordan Rein)

Woman In Ag

Winner: Donna Aarsby. Runners up: Brenda Pereversoff, Kelly Worthington

Nominees for Woman in Ag in alphabetical order: Amber Overguard (Mountain View County), Brenda Pereversoff (Mountain View County), Christina Kaye (Olds, AB), Donna Aarsby (Mountain View County), Dr. Debbie Thompson (absent) (Olds, AB), Genny Mehlhaff (Clearwater County), Kelly Worthington (Mountain View County), Peggy Good (Mountain View County) (rdnewsNOW/Jordan Rein)

Woman In Energy

Winner: Tracey McCrimmon

Nominees for Woman in Energy in alphabetical order: Joan Kennedy (Mountain View County), Karlee Overguard (Mountain View County), Monica Rosevear (Mountain View County), Tracey McCrimmon (Sundre, AB) (rdnewsNOW/Jordan Rein)

Woman In Business (Not For Profit)

Winner: Jean Carveth (Mountain View County). Runners up: Carlie Bradley, Tami Brown, Karen Mengersen, Sarah Cormier

Nominees for Woman in Business (Not for profit) in alphabetical order: Amanda Kinniburgh (Three Hills, AB), Carlie Bradley (Carstairs, AB), Jean Carveth (Mountain View County), Karen Mengersen (Olds, AB), Lucinda Watkins (Olds, AB), Michelle Manning (Water Valley, AB), Samantha (Sam) Docherty (Mountain View County), Sarah Cormier (Carstairs, AB), Tami Brown, (Rocky Mountain House, AB) (rdnewsNOW/Jordan Rein)

Woman In Business (For Profit)

Winner: Patricia McKean (Mountain View County). Runners up: Dawn Lashmar, Katrina Kerr, Paige Albrecht, Shawna Kontzie

Nominees for Woman in Business (For Profit): Amanda Shaw (Sundre, AB), Christal Grier (Olds, AB), Colleen Hurst (Olds, AB), Courtney Bell (Mountain View County), Darci Schapansky (Didsbury, AB), Dawn Lashmar (Mountain View County), Dr. Chelsea Paget (Carstairs, AB), Jacee Lynn Trozzo (Sundre, AB), Jennifer Fisher (Sundre, AB), Joanne Toller (Mountain View County), Katrina Kerr (Olds, AB), Kristin McCauley (Rocky Mountain House, AB), Laurie Fisher (Didsbury, AB), Lindsay Fancie (Sundre, AB), Monique Firth-Wilson (Water Valley, AB), Niki Brown (Olds, AB), Paige Albrecht (Kneehill County, Patricia McKean (Mountain View County), Rebecca Garrett (Carstairs, AB), Shantel Cooke (Clearwater County), Shawna Kontzie (Rocky Mountain House, AB), Sherri Wold Berg (Three Hills, AB) (rdnewsNOW/Jordan Rein)

Peggy Good (center) is the winner of the 2026 Woman of Influence Award at the Mountain View & Neighbours Women in Business Awards. She is pictured with her 2024 and 2025 Woman of Influence predecessors. (rdnewsNOW/Jordan Rein)