Dedication Award
Each year, Tapestry is dedicated to a female role model whose positive activities have encompassed aspects of life, including family, community, and/or profession. The honor is awarded to women who exemplify a balanced life, the empowering of others, leadership, compassion, a positive attitude, service to the community, strength of character, vision, and implementation.
Linda Ruffolo received the Tapestry Dedication Award posthumously in 2016, and, due to her tireless work and commitment to supporting Tapestry and the university at-large, Tapestry’s steering committee felt it appropriate to name the dedication award in her honor.
2020 Linda L. Ruffolo Award Honoree
Tapestry is honored to announce Debra Niezer as the 2020 Linda L. Ruffalo Dedication recipient. Debra Niezer is a professional business leader who cares deeply about supporting our community. A Fort Wayne native through and through, she has given back to the place she calls home for over 40 years by volunteering her time and talents. Deb is genuine in her quest to make a difference through her board work with the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne as well as service to the University of St. Francis, Bishop Dwenger High School, Tower Bank, Kappa Kappa Kappa sorority, and Erin’s House.
Deb worked in banking for 13 years, both in Fort Wayne and LaPorte, Indiana managing trust departments and employee benefits. She is now the Chief Operating Officer for her family’s business, AALCO Distributing Company. She and her brother Greg Dahm are proud to be the third generation to carry on the business, which has been in operation since 1949. She is also excited to welcome the fourth generation of family to carry on the tradition as the area’s leading wholesale beer distributors.
Deb’s husband of 44 years, Barney, also shares in her love of giving back to the community. The couple have two married daughters, Laura and Katie, along with four grandchildren, Luke, Jude, Grace and Bernie, who all live in Fort Wayne. Deb enjoys traveling, golf, babysitting and spending time at Lake Wawasee with family. Her travels include Costa Rica, Maui, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and soon to be Alaska.
Deb has a balanced life of family, faith, leadership, compassion, positive attitude, community service and career that make her a valued member of our community. As a 2011 “Pink Power Player” in the Vera Bradley Classic, she represented an extraordinary survivor, making a difference in breast cancer awareness. Through her years of service and leadership, Deb has touched the lives of many and looks forward to many more time spent with family and friends.
Tapestry honors Debra Niezer with the Linda L. Ruffalo Dedication Award at this year’s Tapestry celebration as an inspiration to women of all ages because of her dedication to our community, her professionalism and her genuine commitment to her family and friends.
Past Recipients
- Sue Ehinger
- Mary Ann Ziembo
- Cheryl Brockmann
- Linda L. Ruffolo
- Hana Lee Stith
- Dorothy Kittaka
- Weezie Doermer
- Patricia Miller
- Barbara Bradley Baekgaard
- Patricia Kunkel
- Ione Auer
- Harriett and Julie Inskeep
- Colleen Benninghoff
- Suzon Motz
- Patty Martone
- Betty Stein
- Bette Harris
- Dorian Maples
- Donna Emley
- Pat Parker
- Patsy Dumas
Tapestry Partners
