Celebrating Local Leaders: Highlights from the Chamber Excellence in Business Leadership Awards

This past week, I had the honor of photographing the very first Excellence in Business Leadership Awards hosted by the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce at the beautiful Grand Theater in downtown Wausau. The event celebrated local leaders who inspire others, give back, and strengthen our community. Four awards were presented, including the 40th Athena Leadership Award, recognizing exceptional leadership and service.

The Grand Theater is such a stunning historic building, and it felt extra special to be part of a meaningful night in a space filled with warmth and connection. As I moved through the crowd, camera in hand, I loved capturing those little in-between moments—the hugs, the handshakes, the laughter, and the way people lit up when greeting old friends.

Unlike some events where I can stay tucked away, this time I was right there on the same level with everyone, weaving through the audience. And while my flash made me a little less of a “fly on the wall” than usual (sorry, friends), it allowed me to capture the energy of the night beautifully.

It was a joy to meet so many wonderful people and to witness our community come together to celebrate leadership and impact.

Here are just a handful of favorite images from a truly inspiring evening.

If you enjoy seeing moments like these from our community, follow along for more stories, events, and photography highlights from Wausau and beyond!

~Carissa