MILWAUKEE — The Marquette University Institute for Women’s Leadership will honor three community and campus leaders with its Transformational Leadership awards as part of the fourth annual IWL Gala on Tuesday, April 14, at 5 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave.  

The IWL Transformational Leadership awards and recipients are: 

  • IWL Transform Award, which recognizes a community leader: Amada Morales, director of Welfare Warriors Inc. 
  • IWL Inspire Award, which recognizes a member of the Marquette campus community: Dr. Kati Tusinski Berg, professor of strategic communication and associate dean of academic affairs in the Diederich College of Communication 
  • IWL Engage Award, which recognizes a Marquette student: Loriann Chávez, a junior majoring in cognitive science with minors in Spanish, mental health applications and innovation leadership 

Biographical information on award winners follows. 

Media wishing to attend the IWL Gala or speak with event organizers should contact Melissa Barclay, senior communication specialist, at melissa.barclay@marquette.edu.   

The Institute for Women’s Leadership builds upon Marquette University’s historic role as the first coeducational Catholic university in the world beginning in 1909. The mission of IWL is to advance women’s leadership locally and globally through pioneering research, innovative programming and collaborative engagement. 

More information on award honorees 

For sixteen years, Morales has helped impoverished families as a court support advocate through her work at Welfare Warriors and Casa Maria Catholic Worker Hospitality House. Both organizations connect moms and caregivers with essential services they have frequently been denied. As a college student, Morales decided to lean into her life’s passion for human concerns and welfare rights after taking a theology course on Dorothy Day during her undergraduate studies at Marquette. 

Tusinski Berg’s research focuses on public relations ethics, lobbying as public relations advocacy and corporate social responsibility. She also serves as the faculty athletics representative for the university. She and her husband, Trent, live in Cedarburg with their three children, Emerson, Hadley and Graham,  and their Irish doodle, Darby. She enjoys running, hiking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.  

Chávez has found a deep love for her work as a resident assistant at Marquette and is passionate about relationship-building and exploring ways to support the mental health of others. She is currently conducting research at Marquette on student and instructor perceptions of the grading system. Chávez interns at Project RETURN, where she has found a love for supporting justice-impacted individuals. She also enjoys spending time with her animals, reading and crafting.    

About Marquette University 

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.