Dr. Juliann Mazachek to be Honored as the 2025 Executive of the Year by Sales and Marketing Executives of Topeka
Sales and Marketing Executives (SME) of Topeka are excited to host their annual Executive of the Year banquet on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Washburn University Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, where they will honor Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, the President of Washburn University.
The celebration will kick off with a cocktail social at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner, the award presentation, and comments from Dr. Mazachek. She will discuss how Washburn is moving forward boldly with a vision that creates a premier learning experience for all Washburn students and provides collaborative partnerships to grow the Topeka community.
Guest tickets are $60 and can be purchased online at: https://www.smetopeka.org/february-meeting/
Dr. Mazachek is the 15th president of Washburn University. In her more than 30 years at Washburn, she has served as faculty, Dean of the Brenneman School of Business, CEO of the Washburn University Alumni Association & Foundation, and Vice President of Academic Affairs before ascending to the presidency.
Under Dr. Mazachek’s leadership, Washburn has experienced enrollment growth, welcoming the largest incoming freshman class in its 160-year history for fall 2024. Washburn Tech had the highest enrollment in history with over 1,500 students in Fall 2025, and Washburn Law welcomed its highest credentialed first year class in its 123-year history. Washburn was named a “Great College to Work For” in 2024 and was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a top 25 Public Regional University and a top Midwest University.
SME’s Executive of the Year award recognizes individuals who have contributed to the well-being of Northeast Kansans. Criteria for the award include an executive who has demonstrated a unique accomplishment during the year honored and a positive impact on commerce in the Topeka community. The first award was presented in 1970 to Kansas Governor Robert Docking. Past recipients of the award also include Governor Alf Landon, Dr. Jerry Farley, Joan Wagnon, Greg Schwerdt, and Cody Foster.
