Christensen Group is proud to announce the winners of the 2nd Annual Ardelle Westman Award, a prestigious recognition honoring non-sales employees who go above and beyond in their roles. Named after Ardelle Westman, who devoted more than 30 years of service to supporting Gene Christensen’s clients, the award celebrates individuals who embody our 4 C’s: Clients, Co-workers, Carriers, and Community.

This year brought in over 70 nominations, an incredible testament to the dedication, talent, and heart within our organization. We also discovered something that makes us uniquely proud—among our industry peers, Christensen Group is the only company with a recognition program of this caliber that celebrates the vital contributions of non-sales employees.

The 2025 recipients exemplify the very best of CG. Ashton Sabatino is the definition of “make it happen,” showing up every day with hustle, heart, and a can-do energy that inspires everyone around her. She manages big, complicated accounts with skill and ease, always putting the client and the team first. Ashton is a glue-person—mentoring teammates, leading volunteer efforts, and making every client feel like they are the only one. Her carrier relationships are unmatched, and her professionalism and positivity have become legendary in New Ulm and beyond. Ashton lives the 5 C’s every single day, which is why she is a 2025 Ardelle Award winner.

Amy Courtright is one of the most tenacious and dependable people we know, never stopping until the job is done—and done right. She builds trust that lasts with clients, carriers, and coworkers, and she does it all with grace, grit, and heart. Whether solving tough client issues or simply sending a good morning message to a teammate, Amy’s presence lifts everyone up. Her carrier relationships are so strong that they greet her with hugs, and that says everything. She makes us better simply by being herself, which is why Amy is a 2025 Ardelle Award winner.

Sarina Khariwala was the steady hand and strategic thinker behind our EPIC project, guiding us through one of the most complex system rollouts we have faced. She consistently held the team and leadership to a higher standard, often reminding us that “data is key.” Her calm presence, clear communication, and commitment to doing what is right made a lasting impact. From listening deeply to coworkers to raising money for the MS 150 bike ride, Sarina brings thoughtfulness and purpose to everything she does. We are fortunate to have her at CG, and even luckier to call her a 2025 Ardelle Award winner.

Matt Warren is the calm in the storm—the person who makes everyone breathe easier just by being involved. He bridges the gap between clients and carriers, bringing empathy, patience, and clarity to every claim, no matter how complex. Whether helping a teammate or guiding a client through a difficult moment, Matt leads with compassion, professionalism, and heart. He also shows up in the community, such as by taking the Polar Plunge to raise money for special needs. Matt does more than his job—he makes CG better, and that is why he is a 2025 Ardelle Award winner.

The Ardelle Westman Award is not about being “the best.” It is about consistently and selflessly showing up for others. That is why we do not rank winners, but instead celebrate a group—because building a great company is a team sport. Each recipient will receive extra PTO and a monetary bonus to use however they wish. Whether it’s taking their grandkids to the Wisconsin Dells, building a dream garden, or diving into a new hobby, it is theirs to enjoy.

As we entered the second year of the program, we refined the process based on lessons learned last year, and the results were inspiring. More than 70 nominations were submitted, each telling an incredible story of impact. The Leadership Council reviewed every nomination, narrowing the list to 20 finalists. To ensure fairness, all names were removed during review to limit bias. From there, four individuals emerged as the 2025 Ardelle Westman Award winners.

To everyone who submitted a nomination—thank you. These stories and moments are what make Christensen Group more than a company; they make us a community. Let’s continue showing up for one another and celebrating the people who make this place truly special.

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