Three Honored at 2023 Women of Distinction Luncheon in Lawrenceburg

Thursday's event was all about recognizing female leaders in the county that have made a positive impact on the community.

(Left to right): Darci Bayne, Liz Sedler, and Sheryl Haag Miller. Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Three women who have left a positive impact on Dearborn County were honored on Thursday.  

Darci Bayne, Liz Sedler, and Sheryl Haag Miller took center stage at the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce's 17th annual Women of Distinction Luncheon at the Lawrenceburg Event Center. 

Each were selected as 2023 Women of Distinction award recipients by an all-female selection committee comprised of past winners and area leaders. 

At the luncheon, Bayne, Sedler, and Miller were highlighted by video packages featuring themselves and the individuals that nominated them. 

Darci Bayne was the first to be recognized. She currently serves as the Dearborn County Regional Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator and Coordinator for the Dearborn County Superior Court 1 Drug Court program.

Bayne was nominated by Steve Kelly, Director of Court Services. 

"Darci's unwavering commitment to serving our Veteran and recovery community to bring about positive change deserves recognition and celebration," said Kelly. "Darci is the instrumental force in the coordination of the Dearborn County Regional Veterans Court, which plays a vital role in addressing the unique challenges faced by Veterans in the legal system." 

"I am incredibly thankful to receive such a prestigious award and to be recognized on a list of such amazing women," said Bayne. A special shoutout to the problem solving court team as I could not do any of this without you. You are absolutely vital to the success of this program and I'm lucky to work with each and every one of you." 

Bayne added that she hopes the program continues to promote change, accountability and trust to each of the individuals who come through the programs. 

Sheryl Haag Miller was the next honoree. She was nominated by Suzzi Romines for her giving spirit, dedication to numerous organizations and causes throughout the county, and thriving as a business owner. 

"Sheryl has done so many great things, stepping up to be the owner/principal of Haag Ford Sales, a business that has been in our area for over 60 years," said Romines. "She's also been the kind of friend and leader that has reached out and helped our local schools, animal shelters, 4-H clubs, FOP lodges, and probably many other organizations we don't even know about." 

When Haag Miller learned that she had won the award, she was shocked, overwhelmed and wondered if she was even worthy of accepting it. 

"We are very fortunate to live in a community with so many caring people and so many of them do things on a daily basis that should be rewarded and I wondered if I fit in their company," said Haag Miller. "This award is very special to me because I have known and admired so many of the past recipients, and to be placed in their company is an honor."  

The audience then heard from Karen Snyder, Director of United Way Greater Cincinnati Southeast Indiana. Snyder nominated Liz Sedler for her spirit and dedication to Dearborn County through her work with the Archaeological Research Institute, and volunteerism on several boards throughout the area. 

"I've watched her take ARI from a team of two to a team of 16," said Snyder. "One of the things that really impressed me the most with her was I found out since we have a housing shortage within our community and bringing her staff in, she has created housing for them on property that she owns."  

Sedler extended her thanks to Karen Snyder for the nomination and all the people that help and support her in running ARI, which included her Board of Directors, family, business coach, boyfriend, sister, close friends, and staff. 

"My staff at ARI, I could not do all the things and be involved on all the different boards without all of you and all of your support and big ideas," said Sedler. 

Thursday's luncheon included a presentation from Angel Beets, a partner with Gillman Partners, on leadership. 

Among the attendees were past Women of Distinction honorees, and thanks to Ivy Tech Community College, four tables were filled with female students from East Central, Lawrenceburg and South Dearborn high schools.