BRAVA MarchApril 2025 by Nei-Turner Media Group

Women-Led Startups, Funds and Accelerators Making Their Mark Venturing

The Money Issue

Stylish Home Hacks

Save While Shopping Cheap, Tasty Restaurants

John DeMain, Conductor

Madison Symphony Chorus, Beverly Taylor, Director

Amanda Majeski, Soprano

Kirsten Lippart, Mezzo-Soprano

Martin Luther Clark, Tenor

Matt Boehler, Bass

The lasting impact of two composers, Richard Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is explored through their final works in this concert. After opening with one of Strauss’ great tone poems Don Juan, soprano

Amanda Majeski takes the stage with the orchestra for what Strauss himself called his Four Last Songs. Majeski, mezzo-soprano Kirsten Lippart, tenor Martin Luther Clark, bass Matt Boehler, and the Madison Symphony Chorus come together for Mozart’s Requiem, the work he wrote from his death bed and left unfinished. When he passed, his associate Franz Xaver Süssmayr completed the composition. It lives on as one of the most profoundly beautiful works ever created.

Richard Strauss, Don Juan, Op. 20 Richard Strauss, Four Last Songs Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Requiem in D minor, K. 626

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Rosemarie and Fred Blancke

MAJOR SPONSORS

The Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor’s Club

Martha and Charles Casey Skofronick Family Charitable Trust

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

Rodney Schreiner and Mark Blank von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

Wisconsin Arts Board

Joseph Young, Guest Conductor

Time For Three: Nicolas Kendall, Violin Charles Yang, Violin Ranaan Meyer, Double Bass

Guest conductor Joseph Young gives us an idea of what to anticipate in this exciting concert. “This program is an aural invitation into the ideals of peace, love, and connection that carries forward long after the final notes.” We begin with Samuel Barber’s concise and dramatic Second Essay for Orchestra. Next, the eclectic and genre-bending string trio Time for Three joins our Symphony performing Kevin Puts’ Contact, a Grammy-winning piece written specifically for the group. Intended to premiere in the summer of 2020, Contact took on new meaning as an expression of yearning for human contact during the peak of the pandemic. Maestro Young’s selection of movements from one of the greatest ballet scores of the 20th century, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, will leave us longing for more.

MAJOR SPONSORS

WMTV 15 News

Madison Symphony Orchestra League

Nancy Mohs

University Research Park

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

Robert Benjamin and John Fields DeWitt LLP

Wisconsin Arts Board

Samuel Barber, Second Essay for Orchestra, Op. 17 Kevin Puts, Contact* Sergei Prokofiev, Selections from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64

*MSO Premiere

Venturing Into Venture Capital

Exploring the current landscape of funding for women-led startups and the impact of female venture capital and accelerator programs.

Nurturing Change

A group of passionate advocates work to improve health outcomes for Black women — particularly in the maternal health arena. 57

L-R: Chandra Lewis and Uchenna Jones

MONEY SMARTS

BY KIM SPONEM

I have money set aside in a savings account but feel like I should be doing more with it (investing, certificates, etc.). How do I choose the right option?

Congratulations on growing your savings. Once you have at least $1,000 in an emergency fund and have regular deposits in place to build that balance up to three months of expenses, it’s a good idea to look at other ways to save to get your money working for you. Here are some common options and background to help you choose.

1. Savings Account

•Pros: Low risk, easy access to funds, federally insured (NCUA for credit unions in the U.S.)

•Cons: Low interest rates, so money grows slowly and may not keep up with inflation

•Best for: Emergency fund or short-term goals (large purchase, vacation) with quick access to cash

2. Certificates of Deposit

•Pros: Higher interest rates than regular savings accounts, fixed rate with a guaranteed return, low risk, federally insured

•Cons: Penalties for early withdrawal, limited access during the term, potential lower returns compared to investments in stocks or bonds

•Best for: Medium-term savings goals (a down payment on a house) when you don’t need immediate access but want a guaranteed return

3. Money Market Accounts

•Pros: Higher interest rates than savings accounts, relatively accessible, may come with checks or debit card access, federally insured

•Cons: Interest rates can be lower than investments, potential minimum balance requirements

•Best for: A bit more yield than a savings account and easy access to funds

4. Investing in Stocks

•Pros: Higher potential for long-term growth, can be a hedge against inflation

•Cons: High risk, potential for significant losses, requires research and understanding of the market

•Best for: Long-term investment (e.g., retirement, longterm wealth growth), if you can tolerate market volatility and want to grow your wealth over time

5. Bonds and Bond Funds

•Pros: Lower risk than stocks, more stable income through interest, more flexible on investment period than certificates, can diversify a portfolio

•Cons: Lower returns than stocks, interest rate risk (bonds lose value when rates rise)

•Best for: More stability and income, typically for medium- to long-term investment

6. Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

•Pros: Diversification (spreads risk across multiple stocks or bonds), managed by professionals (mutual funds), low-cost options available (ETFs)

•Cons: Management fees (mutual funds), trading fees (ETFs)

•Best for: A diversified portfolio without selecting individual securities

How to decide which option is right for you

1. Assess your financial goals

•Short-term (<1 year): Savings account or money market for easy access

•Medium-term (1-5 years): CDs or bond funds offer higher interest rates with low risk

•Long-term (5+ years): Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds or real estate to grow wealth over time

2. Determine your risk tolerance

Risk-averse: Savings accounts, certificates of deposit and bonds. Comfortable with some risk for potentially higher returns? Stocks, ETFs or mutual funds.

3. Consider needs for access to your money

If you need to access funds quickly: Savings account or money market account. Don’t need immediate access: Certificates or investments like stocks and bonds.

4. Evaluate your investment knowledge

New to investing: Mutual funds or ETFs that offer built-in diversification and are less risky than individual stocks. Confident in your understanding: Individual stocks or diversify with a mix of asset types.

I’d also suggest you consult a financial advisor. A professional, like a Summit Financial Advisor, can help you build a strategy tailored to your specific situation.

Kim Sponem is CEO & President, since 2002, of Summit Credit Union, a $7.5 billion, member-owned financial cooperative with more than 266,700 members. Kim has a passion for empowering people to improve their financial well-being for a richer life.

Ask Kim your money questions at MoneySmarts@SummitCreditUnion.com.

PROFILING CHANGE - MAKERS

I’vealways loved “Shark Tank.” The drama of an entrepreneur presenting a 90-second pitch in the hopes of garnering an investment of thousands, even millions, of dollars to build their business is inspiring to me.

A little over 10 years ago, I worked at a Madison-based startup company. It was one of the most rewarding, yet challenging, jobs I’ve had. I helped the CEO put together pitch decks, wrote product copy, directed product shoots and more. The startup world is exciting to work in. Our “Venturing Into Venture Capital” feature (P. 42) reports on the state of women-owned venture firms, startups and accelerator programs in the Madison area.

Three women who collaborate often in this space are Richelle Martin, Katie Rice and Heather Wentler. At the cover shoot in January, the women shared an easy rapport . Martin runs Winnow Fund, the state’s first woman-run venture fund. Rice is venture relations manager for WARF Ventures, which provides seed and growth funding to startups that are commercializing UW-Madison technologies. She’s also director of UpStart, a free entrepreneurship program for women and BIPOC founders. And Wentler is co-founder of Doyenne Group, a nonprofit that provides professional development, networking and mentoring for women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs. We are proud to feature them in this issue.

SCRIMP AND SAVE I had fun compiling “Practical Ways to Save Big” (P. 29). BRAVA staffers even contributed their ideas on how they save a few bucks. Check it out.

ARTISAN GOODS

If you haven’t visited Rowe Pottery in Cambridge, I encourage you to do so. It’s located in a 1920 building that was fully restored by owner Beverly Semmann in 2017. It’s gorgeous! (P. 9)

After speaking with several women over the past year on the topic of Black maternal health, I knew we needed to write about it again. Two of our 2024 Women to Watch, Uchenna Jones and Qwantese Winters, are Black doulas, which are birth care workers that advocate for the birthing parent and child and provide emotional support. I reached out to both of them for the “Nurturing Change” feature to talk about how they got into doula work and how doulas can foster healthy pregnancy and postpartum outcomes.

I also spoke with Lisa Peyton of The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness. My conversation with her was eye-opening because she spoke about the chronic stress many Black women are under — and how it contributes to poor health outcomes.

“... This is impacting Black women’s quality of health, their lives and how their health plays out — whether they are pregnant or not — across the lifespan. That contributes to higher chronic illness rates, birth disparities and earlier deaths. And it’s unacceptable. It’s solvable,” she says.

THE CHARM OF CLAY

Cambridge’s Rowe Pottery is still going strong, 50 years later.

BY SHAYNA MACE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNA WOLF

Beverly Semmann’s journey with Rowe Pottery, an artisan pottery business, started back in 2007. Semmann was in charge of sales and marketing for the brand, and she could see the business had untapped potential.

In 2013, Semmann bought the flagging business from owner Ed Starostovic, ready to transform it.

“I kept thinking of all the changes that could be made to reduce expenses and grow sales [so] the business could be profitable again,” she says.

Semmann started by moving into a smaller building, replacing old equipment and forming strategic partnerships with other companies. Ironically, the newer equipment she bought was from Rowe Pottery’s founder, Jim Rowe — who started the business back in 1975. Rowe still made artisan pottery and personally owned newer equipment, which he was looking to part with. (Rowe sold the business in 2004 to Starostovic.)

She explains that Rowe’s products are “functional pottery — we always want it to be useful in your home. It’s microwave-, oven- and dishwasher-safe. It’s not something you just set on your shelf and look at — we encourage people to use it.”

Although their pieces look salt-glazed, Semmann explains the technique isn’t used in pottery production anymore due to environmental concerns. Rowe Pottery’s glaze engineer developed a cleaner firing and glazing alternative that replicates the look in their pieces. Adding to the hyper-local appeal, the business’s clay is made at Paoli Clay Company using a custom recipe from Rowe Pottery.

In addition to their classic stoneware pieces, Rowe Pottery introduces seasonal lines four times per year. The product caliber is unmatched for the price, says Semmann.

“[We offer] quality for a reasonable price — and it’s handcrafted. [Each piece] is touched by 25 hands before it gets to you. The average person can afford to buy it,” she says.

Semmann has enjoyed reviving the artisan brand and has done private-label lines for national brands including Room & Board, Jenni Kayne and Revelry.

“[Those pieces have] the brand [name] stamped on the bottom — but it also says ‘handcrafted by Rowe Pottery in Cambridge, Wisconsin.’ So, people know we’re making it.”

SHOP LOCAL

GROW YOUR OWN HERBS

Fresh herbs at your fingertips! Get growing with an herb garden kit from Olbrich’s Gift Shop. Perfect for a garden, container or windowsill, this kit features eight organic culinary herbs, chosen for their ease in growing, culinary versatility and ornamental value. Pictured: Herb Garden Kit from Potting Shed Creations. Open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily!

OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS

3330 Atwood Ave. Madison, WI 53704

608.246.4550

olbrich.org

OUR FREE GIFT TO YOU

Simply visit bravamagazine.com to sign up for a complimentary subscription — it’s that easy! BRAVA Magazine covers the issues Dane County women care about, including health and wellness, money, career, style and profiles of notable women.

THE MOST COMFORTABLE SLEEPER SOFA

With over a dozen styles available, from transitional to modern sleeper sofas and sectionals, you’re sure to find the best centerpiece for your living room. The Comfort Sleeper redefined the custom sofa bed industry, elevating it to a new level of comfort. Shop at Rubin’s to find the best sofa bed for your living room or guest bedroom today.

RUBIN’S CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE

2300 Badger Ln., Madison

608.255.8998

670 S. Whitney Way, Madison 608.274.5575 rubinsfurniture.com

CHAUETTE HOME AND FASHION

1827 Parmenter St. Middleton, WI 53562

608.836.5366

shopchauette.com

IT’S A SPRING THING

Express your playful side in this lush Joseph Ribkoff pencil skirt decorated with embroidered flowers. A satin elastic waistband adds to its luxurious appeal, while the back slit offers ease of movement. Part of Joseph Ribkoff’s Signature collection.

HOW TO SHOP SMART AT SECONDHAND STORES

Bonus: You can save money, look good and be environmentally friendly in the process.

BY KRYSTLE MARKS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILLARY SCHAVE

Krystle Marks at Style Encore

Secondhand shopping offers a unique opportunity to experiment with trends and refine your personal style — without the high price tag. Here’s how to nail your next secondhand shopping trip like a pro.

TEST BOLD TRENDS

Secondhand stores are perfect for exploring styles you might hesitate to try at full price. Pieces like statement animal print jackets or wide-leg trousers let you experiment with fashion risks without the investment.

EMBRACE TIMELESS VINTAGE

Vintage is always in style, and when mixed with modern staples, it feels fresh. Look for high-quality vintage jackets, designer handbags or a classic band tee to add individuality and personality to your wardrobe.

INVEST IN LUXURIOUS FABRICS

Secondhand shopping lets you indulge in luxurious fabrics like silk, velvet and cashmere at a fraction of the price. These fabrics give outfits panache and are timeless, making them worthwhile investments for your wardrobe.

CHECK MULTIPLE SIZES

Sizing can vary by brand, so don’t hesitate to try on multiple sizes — particularly for pieces like denim, jackets or dresses. (This is especially true for vintage items, which often have different sizing than you’d normally wear.) You may find the perfect fit in a size you wouldn’t normally consider.

SELECT FLEXIBLE STATEMENT PIECES

Look for bold items that can still be styled in multiple ways. A printed skirt or eye-catching coat can be paired with basics to create versatile, statementmaking outfits that work year-round.

STYLE MAVEN

Get to know Krystle Marks, owner of Krystle Marks Personal Styling.

Tell us about your business. Krystle Marks Personal Styling helps clients build wardrobes that reflect their unique style, body type, lifestyle and personality. From closet audits to wardrobe refreshes and shopping guidance, the goal is to make getting dressed effortless, fun and stress-free.

Some people think “it’s just clothes” — but you beg to differ. What I love most about styling is seeing the moment someone puts on an outfit that truly reflects who they are. It’s not just about the clothes; it’s about helping people feel confident, empowered and excited to show up as their authentic selves. When you feel great in what you’re wearing, it shifts how you move through life, making everything feel a little more fun and effortless. That’s the most rewarding part for me.

Tell us about your best secondhand find.

A Michael Kors trench coat. For years, I struggled to find a trench that suited my frame, so when I stumbled upon this one, it felt like a true victory. Not only did it fit perfectly, but it’s also a timeless piece that I know will remain a staple in my wardrobe for years to come.

Where do you like to secondhand shop?

Style Encore, The Yada Project, St. Vincent de Paul (on Williamson Street), Plato’s Closet, Recycled Sally’s (Baraboo) and The Next Generation (Stoughton).

PIECES THAT ARE WORTH SPLURGING ON

Some wardrobe staples are worth investing in — not only for their lasting quality, but also for their cost-per-wear value. These key pieces will step up your style and stand the test of time.

A High-Quality Leather Bag

A premium leather bag ages beautifully, developing a unique patina that only improves with time. It’s a timeless investment that elevates any outfit.

A Tailored Blazer

A well-fitted blazer is one of the most

versatile pieces in your wardrobe. It can easily transition from casual to formal and is a staple for polished looks.

Premium Denim

Investing in high-quality denim ensures a better fit and durability. Unlike cheaper alternatives, premium jeans maintain their shape and color, making them wardrobe essentials you’ll wear often.

A Trench Coat

A classic trench coat is a spring essential.Stylish,practicalandversatile, it’s perfect for layering and adds effortless sophistication to any outfit.

High-Quality Tees

A great tee made from a soft, durable fabric like cotton is a must-have. It retains its shape and softness wash after wash, making it a go-to staple in your wardrobe for years to come.

Krystle Marks is owner of Krystle Marks Personal Styling.

LAUNCHING DREAMS INTO FLIGHT

Longtime philanthropist

Diane Ballweg’s many passions include the arts, social justice and aviation.

BY MARY BERGIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILLARY SCHAVE

Madison philanthropist

Diane Ballweg is making lunch for friends and that involves four fromscratch soups. She calls one “the seven c’s” because of the key ingredients (chicken, corn, carrots, cream). Clipped to a cookbook holder is a recipe for chocolate pecan banana bread, which she serves freshly sliced. At each table setting is a mini loaf to take home.

While prepping the meal, Ballweg floats a two-word question to her guests: “What if?” The simple inquiry encourages her visitors to dream big. Clearly, Ballweg thrives on ambition and isn’t at ease with mental lounging — she’s a natural teacher and a dreamer.

Ballweg is the owner of Endres Manufacturing (started by her grandfather in 1926), a steel fabricating business. She’s best known for her deep support of the arts in Madison and has galleries, performance spaces and concert series named after her. She has donated millions of dollars and countless hours to an alphabet soup of Madison-based acronyms: Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO), Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (WCO), International Women’s Forum (IWF),

Diane Ballweg

Madison Children’s Museum (MCM), Madison Community Foundation (MCF), Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO), Children’s Theater of Madison (CTM) and Madison Youth Choirs (MYC).

On Ballweg’s front burner is leading fundraising efforts for the new WYSO building at 1118 E. Washington Ave. It’s a $33 million project, with $5 million to go. Once again she’ll also chaperone WYSO’s summer youth concert tour, this year to Spain and Portugal.

“For decades Diane has made invaluable contributions to WYSO, investing in the programs that build not only fine young musicians but fine human beings,” says Bridget Fraser, WYSO’s executive director.

****

Ballweg’s influence reaches much farther than the arts. In 2023, Ballweg formed the Madison Justice Team to help improve the criminal justice system — no easy task. The idea came to her during her advanced leadership initiative studies at Harvard University. One of her homework assignments was “to make the world a better place,” she explains.

Ballweg says the work aims to “educate people on the problems in our system, because people can’t act on what they don’t know,” and encourages collaboration among roughly 50 relevant agencies.

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett calls her “a transformative criminal justice leader, with innovative philosophies for reform and rehabilitation” and someone who “prioritizes evidence-based solutions that address the needs of our most vulnerable population.”

****

Another of Ballweg’s loves is aviation. Her newly published book, “Into the Wind, Above the Clouds: Love at First Flight!” shares life lessons from Ballweg’s decades of experience as a private pilot. Ballweg dispenses wisdom such as, “A truly happy person

In her book, Ballweg dispenses wisdom such as, “A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour,” and, “the death of fear is doing what you fear to do.”

is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour,” and “the death of fear is doing what you fear to do.”

She’s flown colleagues to weddings and sports events in her four-seat Cessna, arranged small-plane flights during international travel and introduced dozens of teens to flying through her aviation classes at Edgewood High School. Thanks to Ballweg, some Edgewood alums are commercial and military pilots, airport architects and flight instuctors.

Life-changing support quietly emerges in additional ways too: Just ask photographer John Kincaid of Verona. About 5,700 miles separate Madison from Bora Bora in French Polynesia, but Kincaid is closing that gap because of Ballweg’s investment and inspiration. He’s producing an eight-part series and is ready to approach streaming services with the project.

The series is broken into themes, such as change and loss. Primary subjects range from a three-generation pearl farm to a stingray named Juliet who is loved like a dog. The underlying theme of the project is treating people, animals and the planet with more respect. Kincaid says the Polynesian Islands series will demonstrate “how we’re more alike than different. Even animal life is so much closer to us than we think.”

“Diane is the reason why this got off the ground — she saw the big picture,” Kincaid adds.

And that’s always been Ballweg’s uncanny skill — seeing the potential of a person, nonprofit or project — and launching it into flight.

Freelance writer Mary Bergin met Diane Ballweg in 2003, during their goodwill trip of 10 women to Chiba, Japan, a Wisconsin sister city.

FORBES

America’s Top Women

Wealth Advisors

It’s time to talk about the women’s care no one talks about.

50 % 40 % 1 in 4

will experience pelvic organ prolapse will have urinary leakage will endure bowel incontinence

The biggest fact?

All of these conditions are treatable. So let’s talk about it.

The first step in overcoming pelvic floor issues is understanding what’s going on. At UW Health, we’re dedicated to delivering the knowledge, access and answers that all women need—all united under one program that puts women’s care first, so their health will never be last. Welcome to Integrated Specialty Care for Women. Let’s get into it!

The pelvis is the group of bones that contains the bladder, uterus, rectum and vagina—all supported by a group of muscles, tissue and ligaments called the pelvic floor. And due to age, childbirth and other common factors, this area can experience a stretching, weakening, shifting or loss of control. When this happens, it creates complications for women.

The most common pelvic conditions

SYMPTOMS

Pelvic Organ Prolapse An uncomfortable bulge or feeling like your pelvic organs are falling out.

Urinary Incontinence

Urine leaks out of the bladder when you don’t want it to—often after sneezing, laughing or exercising. Other times, it’s more of a sudden urge to pee or inability to empty your bladder fully.

Bowel Incontinence Trouble controlling gas or stool.

DEFINITION SOLUTIONS

One or more pelvic organs have dropped from their position, called a “prolapse.”

Stretching or weakening of the pelvic area causes “incontinence,” better known as leakage or a loss of bladder control.

Physical therapy, dietary changes, surgeries or support devices.

Physical therapy, medications, surgeries, Botox or other injections and devices.

Damage to your pelvic floor muscles or nerves can lead to accidental bowel leakage.

Physical therapy, dietary changes, medications or support devices.

Nearly half of women will experience these issues, yet we never talk about the solutions. That ends now. At UW Health Integrated Specialty Care for Women, we’ve built a uniquely integrated program—uniting academic research, leading care and world-class specialists all under one roof. Now it’s easier than ever to get back to living better.

Visit uwhealth.org/iscw to learn more.

EASE YOUR MIND

How mindfulness and meditation can calm a busy, anxious brain.

BY MARYBETH MATZEK

Eating healthfully, exercising and having strong social connections are the building blocks of good health. Your mental health is also a crucial component of your wellbeing. Practicing mindfulness and/or meditation fosters positive mental health, can improve stress management and promotes better sleep — along with other benefits — according to the American Heart Association.

Mindfulness is a practice that involves being aware of thoughts, feelings and sensations in the present moment without judgment, which can reduce stress and relax the body and mind. Meditation is the deliberate focusing of attention to bring about feelings of calm and heightened energy and awareness.

Those definitions sound similar but there’s a difference — meditation is a formal practice, while mindfulness is applied to all aspects of life. The two work well together or can be practiced on their own.

“You practice mindfulness by paying attention to small, present moments — like how your coffee tastes or the feel of the wind on your skin,” says Nicole Gorski, owner of HydraSoul, a breathwork and meditation studio.

Gorski turned to mindfulness and meditation “as tools of healing and transformation during a period of deep personal growth.” They helped her “reconnect with my inner self, quiet the mental chaos and access a sense of peace and clarity I had never experienced before.”

Renee Cannizzo of the Shambhala Center of Madison, a meditation center, says meditation and mindfulness can reduce anxiety and stress levels.

“My daily practice has helped me with anxiety and has helped me navigate some mental health issues,” she says.

GETTING STARTED

When starting out, keep it simple. Gorski says to begin your practice with just three to five minutes a day and stay focused on your breath.

“Be gentle with yourself and remember there’s no ‘right’ way to meditate. Meditation is a practice, not a destination, and even small steps can lead to profound changes,” she says.

If your mind or focus begins to wander during those few minutes, don’t worry since that’s common, says Dave Creswell of the Madison Insight Meditation Group. The key is getting back on track.

“Distractions come up and when they do, guide your attention back to your breath,” he says. “Bringing meditative practices into your daily life is mindfulness. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.”

Most people benefit from guided meditation, says Mark Blumenfeld of the Shambhala Center of Madison. Some people start out with an app, but may eventually progress to taking a class.

“It really helps strengthen your practice to do it with others. There’s an important sense of connection,” says Blumenfeld.

Attending a class also allows you to ask questions, such as what to do when your mind wanders. It’s a common question people have.

“Everyone is nervous the first time they come [here] but we’re very

welcoming and try to pair a new guest with someone who’s been here before,” Blumenfeld says. “It’s a very supportive atmosphere.”

As for wandering thoughts, he says just circle back to your breathing. “The goal is not about stopping thinking but to make space for that thought, let it go and come back to focusing on your breath. The more you do it, the easier it gets,” Blumenfeld says.

Gorski says letting go of perfection in your mindfulness and meditation practices is essential.

“Meditation isn’t about stopping thoughts — it’s about observing them without attachment. Each time you redirect your focus, you strengthen your practice,” she says.

MaryBeth Matzek is a Wisconsin-based freelance writer and editor.

EXPLORE MORE

Interested in learning more about mindfulness and meditation? Visit these centers online or in person for a deeper dive:

• HydraSoul: hydrasoulwellness. com/madisonstudio.html#

• Madison Insight Meditation Group: madisonmeditation.org

• Shambhala Center of Madison: madison.shambhala.org

The Madison-based Center for Healthy Minds offers the free Healthy Minds Program app to help people learn the skills to “thrive and flourish,” according to its website. Learn more at hminnovations.org meditation-app.

YOUR HOME FOR BUILDING HOME

Whether your journey leads to a luxury custom home or a customizable plan based on one of our models, we bring passion and owner-involvement to each project. Our approach helps you scale your project to your budget, lifestyle, and preferences so you can enjoy a truly versatile, customized approach to building home – whatever home means to you. The decision to build a new home is a big one, and the new construction process can sometimes seem daunting. Just know that our team’s goal, throughout the building process, is to ensure a quality experience. As your Madison area home builder, we invite you to get to know our story, our process, and our team and let us guide you along your journey.

Visit Our Model Homes This Weekend!

OPEN SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS, FROM NOON TO 4 PM, OR BY APPOINTMENT. CLOSED HOLIDAY WEEKENDS.

AtUnityPoint Health – Meriter, we understand that the childbirth journey is unique for every family. Here’s a breakdown of the roles of obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs), midwives and doulas, and how they support birthing parents and families.

OB-GYNs

Role: OB-GYNs are medical doctors who handle all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care in both the primary care clinic and hospital. They are trained to manage healthy pregnancies, monitor both the baby’s and birthing person’s health throughout the pregnancy and perform surgical interventions (such as C-sections).

When to choose an OB-GYN:

• Care in a clinical setting

• Preference for a hospital birth with quick access to advanced medical interventions

Midwives

Role: Midwives are healthcare professionals specializing in low-risk pregnancies and normal deliveries. They provide personalized care, emphasizing a natural birthing process. Midwives often work in birthing centers or hospitals or provide home birth services.

When to choose a midwife:

• Low-risk pregnancy

• Preference for minimal medical intervention

The Roles of OB/GYNs, Midwives and Doulas in Birthing

UnityPoint Health – Meriter breaks down the important roles of each of these birthing professionals.

• Desire for a more personalized, continuous care experience

Doulas

Role: Doulas are trained professionals who provide emotional, physical and informational support to the birthing parent before, during and after childbirth. Doulas do not provide medical care, but focus on enhancing the birthing experience through comfort measures, advocacy and education. They are advocates for the birthing parent and baby throughout the pregnancy journey.

When to choose a doula:

• Need for emotional and physical support

• Desire for a personalized birthing experience

• Additional support for the birthing partner

Collaborative Care for a Positive Birthing Experience

OB-GYNs, midwives and doulas often work together to provide comprehensive care.

OB-GYNs and midwives: Midwives can manage most prenatal care and normal deliveries, while OB-GYNs are available for consultations, emergencies and surgical interventions if needed.

Midwives and doulas: Midwives handle medical aspects while doulas offer continuous support, enhancing the mother’s

comfort and overall experience.

OB-GYNs and doulas: Doulas support mothers through the emotional and physical aspects of labor, even in hospital settings with OB-GYN-led care.

Birthing Resources at UnityPoint Health – Meriter

We offer a variety of resources for birthing parents before, during and after childbirth.

Birthing classes: Comprehensive classes cover labor, delivery, breastfeeding and newborn care.

Lactation support: Certified lactation consultants are available for breastfeeding guidance.

Birth center: Our state-of-the-art facilities provide a comfortable, family-centered birthing experience. This includes delivery rooms and water birth options.

Postpartum care: Support services include follow-up visits, postpartum depression screening and parenting resources.

Maternal fetal medicine: Provides care for high-risk pregnancies through Meriter’s Center for Perinatal Care.

For more information, visit our birth and newborn services page at unitypoint.org.

Five Steps to Eliminating Debt

With

Aswomen balance careers, family responsibilities and personal obligations, the weight of mounting debt can feel like a constant strain. Add to that the statistical wage gap between men and women, and financial stress can quickly escalate.

Despite these challenges, achieving financial freedom is entirely within your reach.

Park Bank’s Danessa Bishop and Eglantina Anderson shared five actionable steps women can take to effectively conquer debt and build a path to lifelong financial success.

1. ASSESS YOUR CURRENT SITUATION

The first step in eliminating debt is understanding where you stand. By developing a complete picture of your finances, you can confidently prioritize which debts to tackle first.

“Start by creating a simple spreadsheet listing your income, expenses and outstanding debts,” says Bishop, Vice President – Market Manager & Branch Strategy at Park Bank’s Capitol Square location. “This includes any debts from student loans, medical bills, credit cards and collections.”

When you know exactly where you stand, you can move forward with confidence.

2. CUT UNNECESSARY EXPENSES

Once you have an overview of your financial situation, it’s time to review spending habits and cut back on non-essential expenses that are preventing you from paying down your debt faster.

“It’s easy to overlook small, recurring costs like online subscriptions or memberships we no longer use,” says Anderson,

When you pay off a small balance, it gives you a sense of a win and you’re motivated to move onto the next one. — Danessa Bishop ” “

AVP Branch Manager at Park Bank’s Hilldale location. “By cutting back on these, you can free up money that will help you pay down your debt more quickly.”

3. CHOOSE A REPAYMENT STRATEGY

Bishop and Anderson recommend two repayment strategies: the snowball method and the avalanche method.

The snowball method prioritizes paying off the smallest debt first, providing a psychological boost.

“When you pay off a small balance, it gives you a sense of a win and you’re motivated to move onto the next one,” said Bishop.

Conversely, the avalanche method prioritizes the highest-interest debt, helping you save money in the long run.

“If you have high-interest credit card debt, for example, focus on paying that off first,” Bishop says. “This approach will save you more on interest over time.”

The strategy you choose ultimately depends on your current financial situation and personal preferences.

4. CONSIDER DEBT CONSOLIDATION

If you’re juggling multiple debts with varying interest rates, consolidating them into one loan could simplify the repayment process.

“Consider combining highinterest debts into a single loan with lower rates,” Bishop suggests. “This could save you money and reduce the stress of keeping track of multiple payments.”

Consolidation can help streamline your finances, making it easier to focus on long-term goals.

5. STAY COMMITTED AND PATIENT

Finally, keep moving forward and give yourself grace.

“It can be easy to get overwhelmed, but the key is taking consistent, actionable steps,” Bishop says. “Seek help from financial advisors who can guide you through the process and stay focused on your longterm financial independence.”

PARK BANK HAS THE SUPPORT YOU NEED

At Park Bank, women can confidently take the first step towards financial wellness by

Physiological Barriers in Debt Management

According to Anderson and Bishop, women often face these common physiological challenges in managing debt:

• Fear of Judgment

As a relationshipbased bank, we take the time to understand each client’s unique goals and work together to create personalized solutions.

— Eglantina Anderson “ ”

connecting with their banker — a trusted, supportive partner in financial planning.

“We provide a non-judgmental space where clients can openly discuss their financial situation with us,” Anderson says. “As a relationship-based bank, we take the time to understand each client’s unique goals and work together to create personalized solutions.”

Women may feel hesitant to discuss their debt due to feelings of shame or embarrassment.

• Lack of Confidence in Financial Decisions

The gender gap in financial resources and opportunities can leave women feeling uncertain about their ability to make confident financial decisions.

• Emotional Spending

For some, shopping is a way to cope with stress.

How Can Park Bank Help?

“We’ve guided women to achieve many of their goals. Through open conversations and tailored action plans, we’ve helped women better their credit scores, enabling them to secure their first vehicle, home and so many other things,” Anderson says.

HOW TO GET WHAT YOU’RE WORTH AT WORK

Top tips for salary negotiation.

BY NIKKI KALLIO

Whether you’re interviewing for a new position or are prepping for your annual review, your compensation is likely top of mind. Are you ready to ask for the salary you deserve?

This is important since women are still earning less than 84% of what men do, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, a Hewlett Packard report found that women tend not to apply for a role unless they meet all of the desired qualifications — whereas men will apply if they meet about 60% of them.

“I think we are stuck with that idea of wanting to be humble, wanting to be nice, questioning ourselves ... about our own skills and not being super confident,” says Jennifer Winding, founder and executive search consultant for Tapestry Talent. “And I think men are really better at ‘fake it ‘til you make it.’ I think that women have to step up and say, ‘Yes, I’ve never done this before — but I could.’”

Winding offers a few tips that can help when you’re negotiating a salary for a new job or the job you already have:

• Research salary ranges first. “Most organizations do post pay ranges not only for a new hire, but also for a

promotion, especially in bigger organizations where you have different pay grades,” Winding says.

• Be honest about the number that feels right. “There’s a balance of two things — there’s a skills and experience side — what do I bring to the table to justify asking for [this salary]?” There’s also an emotional component: What you feel you’re worth. “You shouldn’t even be applying for jobs if the salary isn’t in that range of what makes you feel good,” Winding says. “Look for the jobs that [pay] within that range, go for that and don’t settle for less, because usually people are unhappy if they do.”

• Ask for what else you want. Non-monetary perks are becoming more important, especially as millennials are moving into executive roles, Winding says. You can ask for benefits like more vacation time or more time working at home versus a higher salary if that’s what’s most important to you.

• Make a list. Winding encourages women to look back on their career and write down all the things they’ve done that can justify a salary bump — and be specific. It means going beyond being responsible for a team

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of five people and a budget of $3 million, Winding says.

“That’s great, but that’s just the responsibility you had — what you did with that responsibility is more valuable,” Winding says.

“… Talk about what you can do, what you have done and remind yourself of that. Be bold in sharing that information.”

“[First], figure out what that emotional number is for you, and [second], be really honest about what you’ve done that makes you feel like you can justify [the salary] — and be able to share those things.

— Jennifer Winding

These tips hold true whether you’re accepting a new role or seeking a promotion or pay bump, Winding says.

Winding encourages women to have a document on their computer where they keep track of their successes. When it’s time to negotiate, print out those bullet points, keep it in front of you and work them into the conversation, she says.

“It helps you feel ready to grow your career and validate it to an employer when you’re able to remind yourself of what your successes have been.”

Nikki Kallio is a Wisconsin-based writer and author of the short story collection “Finding the Bones.”

WHO WE TALKED TO

PRACTICAL WAYS TO SAVE BIG

Looking for ways to be money-savvy right now? We’ve got some ideas.

COMPILED

SHAYNA MACE

Icome from a line of women who brag about what items they scored at Goodwill and how much money they saved while grocery or clothes shopping. With today’s inflation, all of us are looking for ways to cut back. Here are some great tips to help you do a little scrimping and saving.

EVERYDAY BUDGETING

• Avoid impulse buying. Add items to your shopping cart and revisit them another day to see if you still want them. Shopping can give you a quick rush, but it may hurt your finances in the long run.

• Save first. Create an automatic transfer from your main bank account to your savings account. Paying yourself first helps you build a financial safety net.

• Budget for fun money. Allocate a set amount each month for discretionary spending to enjoy guilt-free splurges.

• Consider buying a used car. Cars lose value quickly. Opting for a used car with low mileage can save you a lot of money.

• Invest in timeless fashion. Keeping up with fast fashion trends can be pricey. Buying a few classic, versatile pieces to mix and match can save money while keeping your wardrobe stylish.

• Be smart with luxury purchases. If you’re buying a luxury item, ensure you have enough cash in your bank account to cover it — even if you’re paying with a credit card.

— Victoria Thayer

• My husband and I love doing a yearly money-saving challenge we found on Pinterest. You can find free templates on Pinterest and pick a challenge that varies from $1,000 to $5,000 in savings for the year. Each week, we stash away different amounts based on the chart, and by the end of the year, we have a vacation fund. It’s a fun, low-stress way to save for trips — and we always look forward to seeing where our savings will take us next year.

• Every year, I commit to a dry month challenge, and it’s amazing how much money I save just drinking water at dinner instead of cocktails or wine!

Jessica Duren, SVP private lending, Greenwoods State Bank

Victoria Thayer, president, Novii CPA

Shyla Gorham-Martin, transaction manager-healthcare advisory practice, Cushman & Wakefield

Brittany Wenninger, realtor/owner, Front Porch Realty, Real Broker LLC

Bonus: It keeps me feeling healthy, hydrated and ready to take on new adventures. — Shyla

Gorham-Martin

TALKING TAXES

• Maximize business deductions. If you run a business or side hustle, make sure to claim business mileage and a home office deduction on your taxes! Apps like QuickBooks Online and MileIQ simplify the process and help you avoid missing out on tax savings.

• Don’t forget about childcare tax credits: Expenses like summer camps often qualify for the childcare tax credit. — Victoria Thayer

CONSIDER CREDIT CARDS

• [Think about getting] a travel rewards credit card that offers complimentary airport lounge access to save on food, WiFi and other amenities during layovers. Additionally, sign-on bonuses are very generous, and you will be earning points on travelrelated purchases that can help offset future travel costs — provided the balance is paid in full each month. — Victoria Thayer

REAL ESTATE CONSIDERATIONS

• If your mortgage includes private mortgage insurance (PMI), make extra payments whenever possible. Removing PMI could save you hundreds per month and should be a priority after addressing high-interest debt. — Victoria Thayer

• Instead of decreasing the purchase price [of a house offer], talk to your real estate agent about asking the seller for a seller credit that will allow you to keep more money in your pocket at the closing table.

• Not too keen on offering over the asking price or competing with other buyers? Plan ahead and consider purchasing a home in the fall or winter to compete less and negotiate more. — Brittany Wenninger

HEALTH CARE HACKS

• If you don’t have employer-provided health insurance, consider [direct primary care, or DPC, which is] an affordable monthly subscription to a place like Solstice Health. (Editor’s note: Solstice Health is outside of Madison. Advocate MD, rootsMD and Dedicated Family Care are all DPCs located in Madison.) For $39–$79 per month, you can get unlimited doctor visits, wholesale labs, imaging and medications. Businesses can also enroll employees for a significantly cheaper alternative to traditional health insurance. — Victoria Thayer

• If you can start a health savings account (HSA) tied to your insurance plan, hack your taxable income by contributing the maximum allowed annually. If you choose to use those HSA dollars to pay for qualified health-related goods beyond just prescriptions, hsastore.com is a one-stop shopping site that also assists with expense tracking. To explore using those tax-free dollars for more creative wellness-related products and services (think: red light therapy, saunas, massage, yoga classes) truemed.com can do a quick health assessment and provide you with a letter of medical necessity if you are eligible. — Jessica Duren

TRAVEL TIPS

• When looking for a vacation rental on Airbnb or Vrbo, look at both websites to compare prices. Typically hosts will list their home for less on Airbnb because their host fees are cheaper and hosts will increase the price on Vrbo to make up for the host fee margin. — Brittany Wenninger

• If you’re flexible with travel dates and destinations, you can score some incredible deals. Websites like Going and Google Flights send amazing deals, but you’ve got to be quick to grab them.

— Shyla Gorham-Martin

HOW WE SAVE MONEY

BRAVA staffers share their favorite money-saving hacks.

“One of my favorite hobbies is reading. Since I read several books a month, I only purchase the books from my favorite authors for my personal library and get the rest from my local library. Putting books on hold has been a great way to read new releases and explore new authors without spending any money.”

— Dena Frisch, sales manager

“Buying higher-quality clothing not only saves you money in the long run due to not having to replace it [as much], but it’s also good for the environment. I love thrift store shopping — often you can find just what you’re looking for at a thrift store for a quarter of the price.”

— Cici Rindy, social media manager

“Get a membership to the Madison Children’s Museum. They have a reciprocal program so you can visit other children’s museums throughout the U.S. There are also Wisconsin attractions (like the Milwaukee County Zoo) that if you purchase an annual membership, you can get free or discounted admission to over 150 American Zoological Society-accredited zoos and aquariums.”

— Melissa Moody, graphic designer

“Those who know me are aware of my devotion to imPRESS’s press-on nails. They range in price from $6.99-$9.99 per set, are non-damaging to your nails, can last up to two weeks and don’t chip! Truly life-changing for busy people who don’t have the time or money to get a manicure — but want fabulous nails.”

— Shayna Mace, editorial director

The Future of Real Estate Has Arrived in Madison.

Aaron

Becca

Husky

A Resource for Perimenopausal Women

Perimenopause and menopause are being talked about more often now — and for good reason. Perimenopause is an important transition in a woman’s life and may last for up to 10 years. It can cause a variety of symptoms including sleep disruption, hot flashes and mood changes. This stage happens in the years leading up to menopause as hormone levels change as the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone. Menopause is defined as having no menstrual cycle for 12 months; however, menopause symptoms may persist for years and lead to new health issues.

Meet Dr. Glinberg

Board certified in endocrinology and internal medicine with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Simone Glinberg opened her own endocrinology practice in Madison so she could spend more time with her patients discussing complex issues such as perimenopause and menopause and the associated changes in physical and mental health.

“I opened this practice to have time to listen to my patients, to form supportive relationships and to provide healing rather than systematized healthcare,” she says.

Dr. Glinberg treats a variety of endocrine disorders such as thyroid

dysfunction, osteoporosis, diabetes and polycystic ovarian disease. She has a particular interest in treating perimenopause and menopause as women experience a variety of hormone and aging-related changes affecting sexual function and heart, bone and mental health.

Caring for Women

Dr. Glinberg notes that every woman should have a thorough discussion with her doctor about her menopause treatment options. That includes whether a woman would benefit from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to address symptoms, her sense of wellbeing and longterm health.

“I take a holistic approach ... I look at every patient’s health history and discuss health and wellness goals. There has been an explosion of research and there are effective therapies for menopause symptoms and to promote healthy aging.”

However, Dr. Glinberg says caring for women and promoting healthy aging is about more than just HRT: “Taking care of women at midlife and beyond is complex,” she notes.

Initial appointments with Dr. Glinberg are typically at least an hour and aren’t rushed. She takes the necessary time to get to know her patients and meet their needs.

Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms

Women going through perimenopause and menopause can experience a variety of symptoms as their estrogen levels change, including:

Irregular periods: Ovulation becomes unpredictable and the time between periods may be longer or shorter.

Hot flashes: They can vary in length, intensity and frequency.

Sleep disruption: Hot flashes and night sweats can affect sleep.

Sexual health: Vaginal tissues may lose lubrication and elasticity and sexual desire may be diminished.

Mood changes: Risk of increased irritability, mood variations and an elevated risk of anxiety and depression.

Loss of bone: Bone loss accelerates, which increases the risk of osteoporosis.

Cholesterol change: Increased risk of cholesterol disorders.

Simone Glinberg,MD

What You Need to Know About Your Finances and Divorce

Divorce

is not just a major life change; it also has a significant financial impact on your everyday life, requiring thoughtful planning and careful consideration. Understanding the financial implications of divorce is essential to ensure a fair and equitable settlement for both parties.

Assessing Your Assets and Liabilities

The first step in addressing your finances during a divorce is to take stock of all assets and liabilities. This includes real estate, personal property (including vehicles), bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, debts and loans. Both spouses are entitled to a fair share of the marital assets, and understanding the full financial picture is crucial for negotiating a comprehensive settlement.

Understanding Property Division

Wisconsin is a Community Property state. This means that marital property is divided equally between the divorcing parties. Note that property such as gifts and inheritances are considered separate, so be careful not to comingle separate assets with joint assets if this is a concern. Property division negotiations occur between

the parties and if an agreement is reached, the court will sign off on it if it is reasonable and equal for both people.

Managing Maintenance and Child Support

The term maintenance is also known as alimony in Wisconsin. In general, it means giving financial support to a lower-earning spouse. Child support covers the costs of raising children. The amount and duration of these payments depend on factors such as income disparity, length of marriage and the needs of the children. Understanding your obligations and entitlements is key to ensuring financial stability post-divorce.

Planning for Post-Divorce Finances

Once the divorce is finalized, it is essential to create a new financial plan that reflects your changed circumstances. This includes budgeting for new living expenses, adjusting savings and investment strategies, and updating wills and beneficiaries. Working with a financial planner can help you navigate this transition and set you on the path to financial independence.

Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor

When navigating the financial complexities of divorce, it is vital to ask your financial advisor the right questions to ensure a comprehensive understanding of your situation.

Key questions include:

• How will the division of assets impact my financial future?

• What are the tax implications of each of these asset types?

• How can I best protect myself and continue to work toward my retirement goals?

• What strategies can help in budgeting for post-divorce expenses?

• How should I update my estate plan and beneficiaries?

These questions can guide you in making informed decisions and achieving financial stability during and after the divorce process.

10 Terrace Ct., Ste. 103 Madison, WI 53718

Crystal Cox, Senior Vice President, MBA, CDFA®, CFP® 608-416-4402 crystal.cox@wealthspire.com wealthspire.com

A GREEN SWEEP

It’s

easier to be green at home than you think.

BY SHELBY DEERING PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNA WOLF

Being eco-friendly at home serves a dual purpose — to be kinder to the planet, of course, but also to be kinder to your body and health. While we may use products that we believe to be perfectly fine overall, there are often even better, healthier alternatives.

Sasha Stone

Sasha Stone, owner and founder of Green Life Trading Co. (and BRAVA 2021 Woman to Watch), offers her top tips for replacing not-so-green items for ones that the earth, and your family’s wellbeing, will love.

Swap Microfiber Cloths for Reusable Alternatives

Washable and reusable microfiber cloths are pretty great, right? Well, according to Stone, these cloths are made up of super-small strands of polyester or another synthetic fiber that release microplastics — tiny fragments of plastic that experts increasingly believe impact the environment and health — into the water system. Instead, Stone recommends using plant-based, reusable, washable products, like cotton and plant-based Swedish dishcloths and eco sponges.

Swap Tea Bags for Loose-Leaf Tea

As a tea drinker, I was surprised to learn from Stone that almost all tea bags, even the paper ones, contain plastic “to keep them from

bursting open or to heat-seal the bag together,” adding that this is unsettling because tea bags are heated to boiling temperatures before we consume the brew. Essentially, each cup of tea can release up to a billion microplastics, Stone says.

“Luckily, there’s a simple alternative — loose-leaf tea,” she says. “All

you need is a loose-leaf tea steeper made of safe-to-consume materials like stainless steel, silicone, cotton or even bamboo.”

Swap Dryer Sheets for Dryer Balls

Stone explains that most dryer sheets are made of polyester coated in fragrances and softeners that

melt onto clothes as the dryer heats. Over time, this coating makes items like towels less absorbent and coats the inside of your dryer, which could potentially clog the machine. “They are also single use and end up in the landfill,” she adds.

harborathletic.com

While it can be tempting to swap all of your conventional products to sustainable options, we do not recommend it. We don’t want to be filling the landfill in order to make the switch and overhauling all of your products at once is overwhelming! We recommend either swapping one product a month or swapping as you run out of what you have.

“ ”

— Sasha Stone

Instead, she suggests using dryer balls, a swap that can save you money. Typically made up of wool, hemp or alpaca fibers, the balls absorb water, which can help the clothes dry faster. (The balls separate clothing as they bounce around the dryer, which also reduces drying time.) Then once the items are dry, the moisture releases back into the load, steaming the fabrics and ironing out wrinkles. The swap means you won’t have to buy one-use dryer sheets anymore and the quicker drying can reduce energy costs.

melissa@harborathletic.com 2529 Allen Blvd lvtiddleton

NuCare Senior Living is proud to introduce NextGen Provider Solutions. The future of assisted living support is here — we are your remote nursing and operational support partner.

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Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer living in Madison.

mschreier@restainohomes.com

DESIGN ON A DIME

Discover inexpensive ways to perk up your place.

BY SHELBY DEERING

When you spot gorgeous homes in your social media feed, you might feel a bit green with envy — especially if you see areas in your own home that could use a glow-up. It’s only natural to think that an Instagram-worthy space will require you to empty your wallet, but

this is not the case. In fact, there are things that you can do today that will give your spaces a lift and go easy on your budget, too.

SHOP YOUR STASH

CREATE A GALLERY WALL

Gallery walls are continuing to have a moment, but they only look expensive

Kelly Mlsna, owner and designer of Cake+Jelly Design, recommends looking at your current spaces and storage rooms to see what decor you already have. She says, “A mirror you have tucked away in the basement may bring new life to your entryway. A set of pillow covers that you forgot about in your linen closet can freshen up your living room.”

to put together. Sure, you can splurge on original art prints, or you can do what I’ve done and purchase printables on Etsy. You only need to spend a few dollars on an artistmade grouping of pieces that you can print yourself and the bonus is that you won’t need to track down each individual piece to create a cohesive look.

SCORE SECONDHAND FINDS

Let’s say that you just need something different and fresh to add to your home, but your budget bottom line is top of mind. This is the perfect time to head to local thrift stores for treasures. As a frequent thrifter, I shop on weekdays when I can and get to the stores right as they open. And as Mlsna points out, know that you’ll likely

need to dig a little harder, and perhaps work your DIY magic, to make an item your own. Think side tables, frames, lamps and beyond.

“Ultimately, shopping secondhand allows for you to tap your creativity and introduce pieces in your home that not everyone else is going to have,” Mlsna says.

GET PAINTING

“Everyone knows that a fresh coat of paint can change a room dramatically, but you can also think ‘outside the walls,’” Mlsna says. “Repaint your dining room ceiling in a semi or glossy finish to add some drama. Freshen up interior doors in a darker color to add depth and sophistication. Introduce contrasting trim in an office for a spark of energy.”

SWAP IN NEW HARDWARE

Brand-new cabinets might not be in your current budget. And painting them seems fraught and overwhelming. For an alternative

Atomic Antiques

Event design and floral displays are the heart of Opal Market Flowers. Christy, owner and lead designer, brings creativity, positivity, ingenuity, and the LOVE for all things FLOWERS to your event. The customizable traveling bouquet bar with Opal Market Flowers will elevate your event, however big or small. Flowers are an opportunity to express your vision and style; they are the cohesive element that makes your special event or wedding truly yours.

DWELL

that will still give your cabinetry a revamped look, consider installing new hardware, an approach that you can also take to switch plates, heating grates and doorknobs.

The trick is to coordinate your hardware with other metals in the same tones. For example, Mlsna says that if you have cool-tone chrome plumbing fixtures, stick with chrome or matte black hardware to complement them.

DECORATE WITH HOUSEPLANTS

I love how houseplants add life to a space. The green pops invigorate every type of room, from offices to bathrooms to bedrooms, and they never break the bank. Head to a local gardening store, like The Bruce Company in Middleton, to purchase a pothos for less than $20, or head to Facebook Marketplace for plants that need rehoming — it’s an ideal way to find large houseplants that can be a bit more expensive.

L-R: Richelle Martin, Katie Rice and Heather Wentler

Venture Capital Venturing Into

Exploring the current landscape of funding for women-led startups and the impact of female venture capital and accelerator programs in Madison.

BY AMANDA WEGNER

Opportunity can lie in the most unlikely places — including the Jazz at Five beverage tent. It was while volunteering at this annual event that Richelle Martin met Jazz at Five board member Ken Johnson, an angel investor and owner of the investment firm Kegonsa Capital Partners. Martin was working at UW-Madison’s Office of Industrial Partnerships, which helps researchers partner with for-profit businesses to obtain funding for research projects to advance innovation. The two connected on their enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and the desire to fill the gap in early-stage funding for companies coming out of Wisconsin’s colleges and universities.

As their conversations continued, Johnson encouraged Martin to start a new venture fund with the commitment of being her mentor and also investing on behalf of a different fund he managed.

From there, Winnow Fund was born, with Martin (who has a law degree from UW-Madison) as the managing partner. This early-stage venture capital fund has a particular interest in investing in companies spun out of Wisconsin’s higher education institutions but will invest in any company that meets its criteria. To date, it has made 10 initial investments; for instance, one investment was in RoddyMedical, which was started by a Wisconsin nurse who developed an armband that organizes and prevents a patient’s IV lines and tubes from accidentally dislodging. Winnow Fund has also made three follow-on investments, which is an additional investment in a company the fund has already supported.

“Quitting that job and signing up for 10 years of something that I had never done before was scary,” says Martin, explaining the initial investment fund has a 10-year lifespan. “I had to go into it with a ‘Why not?’ mentality ... I was genuinely interested and it was an opportunity to help an underserved group of startups.”

And an opportunity to bring another woman into the space. At the time, Winnow Fund was the only solely women-led venture fund in Wisconsin.

Opening the Door Wider

The venture capital, or VC, space is traditionally a male-dominated one. According to the fourth edition of Deloitte’s VC Human Capital Survey, a biennial report last released in April 2023, female employees comprised 26% of all professionals in the VC space in 2022 nationally. Partners, or senior team members who help identify and evaluate investments, make up 19% of the sector’s workforce nationally.

“It was uncomfortable to go to events when I started [Winnow Fund] in 2018. There weren’t a lot of other women,” says Martin. “It’s not like anyone ever intentionally made it uncomfortable. It’s just that it was change, and with change, there will be a level of discomfort for everyone. I think everyone needs to accept that there will be some discomfort — that’s not good or bad, it just is.”

The door to the VC and startup space will continue to open wider via the same mechanism that brought Martin to start the Winnow Fund: connections

Richelle Martin

“Working in venture capital is all about building trust and forming strong connections with founders, teams and peers,” says Darcey Nett, principal with HealthX Ventures, a digital health-focused venture fund. “While the industry is predominantly male, my success has come down to creating meaningful relationships, offering my unique perspective and using my skills to support innovative ideas to drive impactful growth.”

Katie Rice, venture relations manager for WARF Ventures, which provides seed and growth funding to startups that are commercializing UW-Madison technologies, adds that the VC space is a great opportunity for women who are good at building relationships and connecting. Rice and Martin both emphasize that there is no venture capital degree and no requirement for a specific academic or business background.

“The more diverse your background, the more beneficial it is to your role in venture. Whether you’ve been on the business side, you’re in HR or you’ve had experience in a number of different sectors as an operator, it really benefits you,” says Rice, who serves as both venture relations manager for WARF Ventures-backed companies and director of UpStart, a free entrepreneurship program for women and BIPOC founders. As venture relations manager, she provides post-investment support to companies, ranging from helping new businesses find a fractional CFO to connecting them with other investors in the space to support future funding rounds.

A diverse background is what has allowed Nett to thrive at HealthX Ventures. With experience at Fortune 500 companies, as an entrepreneur and successfully growing three startup businesses, these

While the industry is predominantly male, my success has come down to creating meaningful relationships, offering my unique perspective and using my skills to support innovative ideas to drive impactful growth.”

— Darcey Nett

Katie Rice

Darcey Nett

Being a startup founder and CEO can feel like a thankless job at times. But I consider it a deep privilege to work alongside so many talented individuals ... and bring something entirely new into the world — and something that could change lives and industries for the better."

— Abigail Barnes

What Is Venture Capital?

Venture capital (VC) is funding provided to startups and small businesses with growth potential. A VC fund or firm raises money from diverse investors, such as individuals and corporations, then invests that money into promising companies. In exchange for their investment, VC funds become part-owners of the company.

Another type of funding available to startups and young

experiences gave her firsthand insight into how digital health solutions can transform care delivery.

“Venture capital became the perfect avenue to channel my entrepreneurial mindset — identifying and supporting the best founders, tackling complex challenges, and collaborating with both founders and investors to drive meaningful change in the healthcare space,” says Nett.

It’s the potential for meaningful change that keeps Abigail Barnes, founder and CEO of Amulet, a company that makes a portable food allergen and ingredient sensor, driving forward. “Being a startup founder and CEO can feel like a thankless job at times. But I consider it a deep privilege to work alongside so many talented individuals each day and to bring something entirely new into the world — and something that could change lives and industries for the better,” says Barnes. “There’s a certain magic in that — a magic I try to remind myself of, especially on the tougher days.”

Changing the Calculus

Rice explains that venture capital grew out of San Francisco and Silicon Valley, primarily through men in finance or early-stage builders doing handshake deals with friends and repeat entrepreneurs. “Because that’s how the whole industry initially grew, it’s been harder for others to break in.”

Funding numbers reflect this, but luckily, Wisconsin’s numbers outpace national metrics. According to Wisconsin Technology Council’s 2024 Wisconsin Portfolio, of the 107 investment rounds in 2023, 18% were with female founders or CEOs who secured $47 million, which is 10% of the total funding. In contrast, just 2% of startup investments nationally were secured by women in the same year.

The Tech Council’s report goes on to say what numerous founders have also said and experienced: “… there is still much progress to be made to achieve more parity between men and women in the early-stage market.”

However, as a function of numerous conditions — relationships, the economy and more — raising capital is inherently difficult.

“It is challenging for all entrepreneurs to get the capital they need in the current environment, and this problem is even more acute for women and diverse founders,” says Maggie

companies is angel funding, where an individual, called an angel investor, directly provides capital for a business startup.

Martin explains venture funding is like investing in a mutual fund, where a qualified firm does the homework to vet the investments and spread the risk. Conversely, angel funding is more like directly investing in the stock market, where the investor researches the stocks and it’s their own money on the line.

Abigail Barnes

... At a national level, there is still a dynamic whereby social networks make it easier to get funded, which means only 2% of venture dollars go to women and less than 1% go to founders of color.”

— Maggie Brickerman

Brickerman, partner at gener8tor, a venture capital firm and startup accelerator. “Especially at a national level, there is still a dynamic whereby social networks make it easier to get funded, which means only 2% of venture dollars go to women and less than 1% go to founders of color.”

Dr. Guelay Bilen-Rosas, founder of AyrFlo Innovation Labs, Inc., knows the challenge of fundraising firsthand.

“It is very difficult to raise funding; it’s the hardest thing anybody will do. I don’t necessarily believe that it was because of my gender, but it certainly is different because of my gender,” explains Dr. Bilen-Rosas.

Dr. Bilen-Rosas notes that she gets different questions than

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Maggie Brickerman

It is very difficult to raise funding; it’s the hardest thing anybody will do. I don’t necessarily believe that it was because of my gender, but it certainly is different because of my gender.”

—

Dr. Guelay Bilen-Rosas

male founders when pitching potential funders. The questions she receives are more preventionoriented, meaning they have an undertone of doubt or question the science and theory of her technology as well as her capability to lead a startup. In contrast, promotion-oriented questions focus on the founder’s hopes and achievements.

“Women are asked more prevention questions than their male counterparts, who get asked promotion questions during pitches,” says Dr. Bilen-Rosas. “That is just our reality. It only makes me stronger, and it self-selects people, such as investors and other leaders, who are a good fit for me as a woman-founded and woman-led startup.”

Dr. Bilen-Rosas has raised about $1.4 million for her respiratory monitoring sensor to date, which has primarily come through angel

Doyenne Group’s Investor Accelerator

The next Investor Accelerator will be held in fall 2025. Applications are rolling, and the program costs $750.

The program is open to anyone, and there are no prerequisites or requirements, such as being an accredited investor or having a certain net worth.

Learn more and register at doyennegroup. org/programs/investor-accelerator.

Dr. Guelay Bilen-Rosas

If you can bring more women into the game, playing on equal terms, it’s a win for everyone. The Wisconsin community doesn’t get stronger if it doesn’t bring in and embrace a more diverse set of leaders and founders.”

— Sue Wallace

investing. (Typically angel investors invest in a startup’s early stages and are less involved in operations; venture capitalists usually invest in later stages and often take an active role in the company’s operations.) She is just about to begin her first VC-led investment raise for her seed round and knows it will be difficult, yet isn’t giving up hope to find the right investment partners.

Fariba Assadi-Porter, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Isomark Health Inc., has successfully secured venture funding, but needed assistance. She continues to fundraise, noting lack of funding can be a barrier to success.

“As a woman founder, I had to bring in a male colleague to help move forward with venture and private funding,” she says. Isomark has raised $3.5 million for its animal health technology, with about two-thirds from VC.

Changing the data on women’s success in securing funding hinges, in part, on expanding and bringing more diverse voices into the startup space and venture capital space.

“If you can bring more women into the game, playing on equal terms, it’s a win for everyone,” says Sue Wallace, Ph.D., CEO of VOXIMETRY. “The Wisconsin community doesn’t get stronger if it doesn’t bring in and embrace a more diverse set of leaders and founders. We are decreasing our competitiveness if we don’t.”

Meet the Companies

Amulet PBC

CEO: Abigail Barnes

What it is: Amulet is shining a light on invisible threats in the food system with its portable electrochemical sensor system. Allergy Amulet, its consumer line, allows consumers to detect food allergens at the table, and Amulet Scientific, its commercial line, equips food manufacturers with technology to target toxins and contaminants. amulet-inc.com

AyrFlo Innovation Labs, Inc.

Founder & CEO: Dr. Guelay Bilen-Rosas

What it is: AyrFlo seeks to eliminate preventable respiratory complications in patients after surgery by creating a wearable breathing monitoring sensor called SmartAyrpatch. ayrflo.ai

Isomark Health Inc.

Founder & CEO: Fariba Assadi-Porter, Ph.D.

What it is: Isomark’s technology evaluates animal health status in real time by collecting animal breath, which is then analyzed using AI technology to determine the presence of an infection and metabolic disease. isomark.com

VOXIMETRY

CEO: Sue Wallace, Ph.D.

What it is: This health tech software and services company is pioneering patient-specific treatment planning in advanced-stage cancer patients. voximetry.com

Sue Wallace

Winnow Fund’s Martin believes that increasing diversity on the investor side is one of the most effective ways to make change across the board. She works with Heather Wentler, executive director and co-founder of Doyenne Group, a nonprofit that provides professional development, networking and mentoring for women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs, on Doyenne’s Investor Accelerator. This eight-week program introduces participants to the investing process and investor networks.

“The Investor Accelerator came from talking to women who said they would love to become an investor but felt the only options for their personal wealth were philanthropy or investing in the stock market or traditional funds,” says Wentler. “What they felt was holding them back was access to the investor networks and the education that usually goes hand-in-hand with those networks.”

To date, 15 individuals have completed Doyenne’s accelerator program, which is open to all genders. Through the first two cohorts (data from the 2024 cohort is not yet available), 70% of participants had made first-time investments, either directly into companies or through investment funds, and two became decision-makers within VC funds in Wisconsin.

While things are improving, as a 14-year veteran of the space, Wentler continues to have many of the same conversations about the gender gap in funding and founding, but she’s mindful of highlighting the bright spots.

“We are seeing more women sitting on both sides of the table. We are seeing more opportunities. We’re seeing a shift,” says Wentler. “Yet the work is hard, and I don’t feel like the shifts are happening fast enough. And so, it goes back to remembering that we’re not in a sprint — we’re in a marathon.”

And it will happen by making the table larger and inviting more to sit at it.

“I am lucky to have been mentored and given this opportunity,” says Martin. “I feel like I learned all the secrets and now I want to share them with everyone. I love that I get to share this forward.”

Amanda Wegner is a local freelance writer, and communications and marketing professional.

We are seeing more women sitting on both sides of the table. We are seeing more opportunities. We’re seeing a shift. Yet the work is hard and I don’t feel like the shifts are happening fast enough. ... It goes back to remembering that we’re not in a sprint — we’re in a marathon.”

— Heather Wentler

Funds and Organizations

Doyenne Group: doyennegroup.org gener8tor: gener8tor.com

HealthX Ventures: healthxventures.com

WARF Ventures and WARF UpStart: warf.org/warf-ventures, warf.org/programs-events/upstart Winnow Fund: winnowfund.com

Heather Wentler

at home

52 CLASSIC CUSTOM HOMES OF WAUNAKEE

Incorporating the right balance of trendy designs.

54 56

DREAM HOUSE DREAM KITCHENS

The charm of a Craftsman home.

URSO BUILDERS

A better build.

INCORPORATING THE RIGHT BALANCE OF TRENDY DESIGNS

So you’ve decided to build a new home. You plan to embrace trends and styles that reflect your design aesthetic and make perfect design sense, both visually and functionally for your home. Before you build that oh-so-perfect modern farmhouse or midcentury modern gem, it’s important to strike the ideal balance of trendy versus classic design elements when firming up your house plans.

According to Brea Bartelt, senior designer and project coordinator at Classic Custom Homes of Waunakee, fresh, invigorating new home designs and the latest construction products take center stage in today’s home designs.

“Staying on top of trends is key for resale and relevance, but what works for your lifestyle is just as important,” says Bartelt. “If a trend doesn’t align with how you live or how you feel comfortable, it won’t be sustainable and you won’t get the most out of it. Plus, integrating trends that match your personal style or routine just makes it feel more authentic, which people notice.”

The team at Classic Custom Homes works across many different architectural styles. The company works with clients to get a good sense of their personal style, what features and styles they may be most enamored by, and balance those with fundamental principles of good design — proportion, symmetry and balance, and function — to make sure that they have a unified vision for the home. The Classic Custom Homes team understands that a home is an everevolving structure that changes with the lives of its occupants. They also ensure homeowners don’t incorporate overly trendy designs that will be passé soon after the build or renovation is complete.

“You want to make sure trends are incorporated in a way that’s easy to adjust or remove later on without major

headaches or costs. It’s all about finding a balance between embracing the trend and creating a timeless foundation that stays adaptable,” Bartelt says.

What are the key design trends that homeowners are incorporating into their homes today? Bartelt says warm, medium wood tones are here to stay for a while, surpassing the previous trend of dark wood tones. Incorporating classic farmhouse elements in moderation also continues in popularity as homeowners seek to blend natural elements with classic design styles.

“It’s all about creating a space that feels like you. If color on the walls makes you happy, go for it,” Bartelt says. “Your home should reflect your personality and lifestyle, not just what’s trending. As much as trends can be fun, it’s the things you genuinely enjoy that will make the space feel comfortable and inviting long-term.”

THE CHARM OF A CRAFTSMAN HOME

Some design styles, such as the Craftsman aesthetic, never go out of style. Many find homes from the early 1900s appealing — especially in southern Wisconsin — where the Arts and Crafts movement produced beautiful Craftsman homes with distinctive, tasteful details.

Preserving the charm of an older home can be tricky when a homeowner wants to update its design or functionality. However, with advances in building materials and remodeling techniques, it’s now possible to enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of a home without compromising its character.

Rachael Parker, senior interior designer at Dream House Dream Kitchens, enjoys creating spaces in which contemporary conveniences meld with Craftsman sensibilities.

“Keeping the original architecture in a home while updating it with modern amenities is very rewarding. Many clients with older homes come to us wanting to make everyday areas more functional while preserving the character of their home,” Parker explains.

Parker begins by assessing the different areas of the home and talking to the homeowners about what they’d like to improve. She typically finds that kitchens and bathrooms often need updating, followed by bedrooms and storage areas.

“I ask people what they like in terms of colors and decor, how they use different rooms and how they lead their daily lives. Little details, like a special shelf for a favorite collection, or a garden view while rinsing dishes, make a big difference,” she says.

Homes built before 1940 often have smaller kitchens and today’s larger appliances can make the “working triangle” of refrigeration, preparation and cooking zones awkward. Seamless additions, or even a new kitchen layout, can improve the flow and add purposeful storage.

Parker sometimes designs around the

window placements and advises window inserts over replacements, keeping the original window trim.

Once a design plan is agreed upon, cabinetry, hardware and finishes are chosen to match or complement the home’s original attributes to blend in beautifully. Craftsman homes often feature natural wood flooring and trims, brick and stone, and warm, earthy palettes. Built-ins are also common in Craftsman homes, so storage cabinets and shelving can be created to fit in seamlessly.

Even the exterior of a Craftsman home can be styled to express the design sensibility, with broad wood trim elements and a simple color palette. With thoughtful choices, a home with historic character can be updated for today’s lifestyle while maintaining a timeless look.

Function is a hallmark of the Craftsman style, which enables homeowners to incorporate modern amenities while staying true to the design aesthetic.

— Rachael Parker, senior interior designer

original

A BETTER BUILD

Integrity, craftsmanship, competency and creativity reflect Urso Builders in every custom home they build. Based in McFarland, Urso Builders has earned a solid reputation for building oneof-a-kind custom homes, offering full customization in all aspects of each client’s home.

Urso Builders also sees each project as a partnership between the client and the Urso Builders team — designing and tailoring each home to the client’s visions. All finishes are selected by the homeowner, so the home is uniquely theirs. In addition to custom home

builds, Urso Builders also provides remodeling — from small bathroom redesigns to renovated kitchens to whole-house remodels.

One unique facet of Urso Builders is its partnership with regional Amish carpenters who work closely with the team through all phases of the home design and construction process. The custom-built cabinetry provided by these Amish partners are high-end, heirloom-quality pieces that reflect each client’s unique specifications while enhancing the overall home design and construction.

Being creative is seeing what everyone else has seen, and then thinking about what no one else has thought of. That’s how we bring our clients’ vision to life.

— Eileen Urso, director of operations

at home

NURTURING CHANGE

A group of passionate advocates work to promote and improve health outcomes for Black women — particularly in the maternal health arena.

BY SHAYNA MACE

Every April, Black Maternal Health Week (this year April 11-17) is “a national week of action that aims to raise awareness around racial inequities in maternal health outcomes in the United States,” according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

It’s a well-documented phenomenon that medical care is not equitable for people of color. According to the February 2025 article “Racial disparities in intrapartum care experiences and birth hospital characteristics,” co-authored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Tiffany Green, Ph.D., director of the Reproductive Equity Action Lab and Gloria E. Sarto, MD, and Ph.D. chair in Women’s Health and Health Equity Research: “While all birthing people are entitled to respectful and person-centered care, in practice, Indigenous and Black birthing persons are more likely than their white counterparts to endure negative intrapartum experiences including disrespect and lack of responsiveness to their needs.”

Several area women have made it their priority to not only improve prenatal and postnatal experiences for Black birthing people, but to influence systemwide change. Here are their stories.

L-R: Uchenna Jones and Chandra Lewis

“... We founded our community-based doula programming to ... strengthen community knowledge and partnerships, and to advocate for systemic change in our maternal health outcomes here in Dane County.”

— CHANDRA LEWIS

Compassionate Care for All

At Harambee Doula Care and Holistic Services, director of doula programming Chandra Lewis says their focus is “the Black birthing body.” Harambee’s essential doula and midwife services, along with perinatal education, are filling an important need for the primarily lowerincome, Black pregnant people they work with.

“We serve everyone. We just prioritize the Black birthing body and those that would be unable to pay. The ability to pay and cost of services have become a barrier to equitable access. And we wanted to combat the lack of support, education and awareness we were seeing in the community. So, we founded our community-based doula programming to combat that and strengthen community knowledge and partnerships, and to advocate for systemic change in our maternal health outcomes here in Dane County,” says Lewis.

About 90% of the people the community-based organization serves are eligible for, or are on, Medicaid. Lewis explains that their offerings, which are intended to complement a pregnant person’s primary care provider appointments, include prenatal and postpartum midwife appointments, birth doula services and lactation education. All are free or low-cost to eligible participants. Project Babies, another local community-based direct services organization, provides Harambee with diapers and car seats, and community donations supplement Harambee’s supplies, which include cribs, clothing and other baby needs that they give away to clients.

Building trusted bonds between a pregnant person and their care team is crucial, says Lewis. The reasons are many, but one is this: “… Black infants are two to three times more likely to die in Dane County than white infants,” she states.

The other is a historic lack of trust in the medical system.

“… We hear about Henrietta Lacks, we hear about the Tuskegee experiment … . Those stories are passed down. We don’t go to the doctor because we may not make it out of the hospital,” says Lewis. “A lot of what we’re hearing initially [from clients] is, ‘I’m looking for a doula because I’m afraid I won’t live.’ ‘I don’t want to go to the hospital and be by myself.’ Or even, ‘They don’t listen to me during my appointments and I want to make sure I’m heard. I want my wishes honored.’ There is definitely medical distrust in the community, and we do a lot to fix those relationships … here in Madison, provider by provider. Think about it: Your OB may only have 15 minutes with you — that’s not a lot of time to build a trust-based relationship with someone. So [we do] a lot of advocacy and empowerment.”

Harambee is the perfect fit for Lewis, who initially pursued studies to become an OB-GYN before transitioning to a different path.

“I realized [that was] not what I wanted to do because I felt like I wouldn’t have enough time to make an impact — and I wanted to make an impact in maternal health disparities,” she says.

Lewis, who is also a certified full-spectrum doula, grief support specialist and childbirth educator, now brings that keen sense of clarity to her work at Harambee.

“[My] lived experience informs all of what I’m doing today because I’ve been on Medicaid, so I understand the limited choice of doctors even accepting Medicaid … . I’ve [also] had private insurance. The time that’s spent with you when you have public insurance versus private insurance is different, and everyone deserves dignity of care, no matter their insurance level. Being on both ends of the spectrum, I want to bring equity to maternal [and] child health here in Dane County.”

Data-Driven Successes

Lewis says Harambee tracks healthy birth outcomes using clients’ breastfeeding initiation, pelvic versus surgical births, whether babies have healthy birth weights (above 5 pounds, 8 ounces) and what gestational age (greater than 37 weeks) babies are born at.

“In 2024, we had 163 referrals. 85% of those families initiated breastfeeding, and 82% continued breastfeeding. The anecdotally reported caesarean rate for Dane County hospitals was about 25%. The caesarean rate within [Harambee] was about 22%. So, it’s a small change, but we were able to decrease some unnecessary caesareans. We’re hoping to build on that trend so it continues to be lower than the hospital rate. We

A Community Health Champion

As the oldest active Black doula in Dane County, Uchenna Jones has helped birth over a thousand babies. She’s also witnessed the increase of more doulas of color joining the ranks over her 23-year tenure.

“I did my [doula] training through Doulas of North America (DONA) because they’re the pioneer and leader in doula training. I [went back for] more advanced training about 16 years later. In that [timeframe], it went from a pretty much all-white space to an all-brown space. I watched that shift happen, which is pretty amazing because when I [trained] 23 years ago, I was the only Black student, and there was another student of Asian descent,” says Jones.

She says being a Black doula is a privilege and honor.

“The only body I’ve been in is Black, so that’s the only perspective that I can contribute. What I do love is being from a marginalized community has already made me sensitive when it comes to the needs of other marginalized communities. So when I serve a Black birthing person, I look at that person as if [they’re] me,” she says.

are also seeing babies born at later gestational ages (average gestation at 38 weeks),” says Lewis.

To give historic context, in 2018, Lewis says the breastfeeding rate at hospital discharge at UnityPoint Health – Meriter was 84.4% for white babies versus 57.7% for African American babies.

A small (40-participant) 2021 pilot between Meriter and Harambee showed that breastfeeding initiation was 98% at discharge and exclusive breastfeeding was around 80% at discharge for Black mothers and infants — a marked improvement. Lewis says the pilot also included year-long educational sessions on implicit bias and cultural sensitivity training with Meriter NICU faculty and leadership staff — which continues to this day.

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Thursday, May 1

11:30AM-1pm Lunch will be served

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Once Jones became a practicing doula, she realized she wanted to learn even more about birthing. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing and was a registered nurse for 15 years — 10 of which she spent in labor and delivery. Although she enjoyed nursing, she left three years ago to join United Way of Dane County as a community impact director of health, a position she holds today. This job, along with being a practicing doula (she owns her own business and also contracts with Harambee), marries Jones’ passions of cultivating maternal and community health throughout the entire life span.

“Being a labor and delivery nurse is great, but you don’t have the sense of community because you’re just providing care to whomever comes through the door. Being a doula means you’re in a community … I get to see my moms that I helped deliver their babies and find out what’s going on in their lives,” she explains. “[And] I have the joy of doing community engagement and working with agencies that are doing the work as it pertains to health.”

As a doula, her nursing background has been invaluable. Sometimes she’ll reach out to former colleagues to talk through maternal health scenarios or to refer a high-risk patient to a primary care provider.

“I’m able to provide customized care for my clients. A lot of Black birthing people are really nervous and scared about being treated poorly [or] not being heard or seen. So, my job is to make sure they’re seen,” says Jones.

In fall 2025, Jones, who was a 2024 BRAVA Woman to Watch, will complete her three-year training to become a certified midwife. Her goal is to open her own midwife practice.

“What do I want to be? I want to be great. And if I’m going to be great, that means I have to stay connected. I have to stay involved. I have to continue to feed my brain all things birth,” she says.

“What I do love is being from a marginalized community has already made me sensitive when it comes to the needs of other marginalized communities. So when I serve a Black birthing person, I look at that person as if [they’re] me.”

— UCHENNA JONES

A Determined Doula

When we speak over video chat on a sunny winter afternoon, Qwantese Winters appears radiant, discussing her journey to becoming a doula. Winters is founder of Oasis Maternal Care and care coordinator for First Care Clinic, a pregnancy resource center for women offering free, confidential services including counseling, pregnancy and STI testing. She’s also a 2024 BRAVA Woman to Watch.

Although Winters is steadfast in her life’s direction and purpose, it wasn’t always that way. At the age of 20, she was experiencing homelessness, living in Minneapolis. She hung out with other women experiencing homelessness, and after a friend came back around after giving birth, Winters inquired how her birth experience went.

“She told me [about] … how horrible she felt while she was in the hospital room and how afraid she was. After hearing more about her experience, I walked away feeling really angry and [wondering], ‘What can I do about this?’ And how can I do my part to make sure other women who are marginalized don’t go to the hospital and fear for their life, or their child’s life — or whatever the case may be?”

Winters says this, along with Ricki Lake’s documentary “The Business of Being Born,” kick-started her doula journey. After she completed her doula training, Winters founded Oasis Maternal Care in 2021. In 2024, she shifted her focus to serving exclusively low-income women and those experiencing homelessness. Last year, she helped 30 women.

“I used to mainly serve women who could afford my services, and I’ve kind of taken a step back from that because it wasn’t why I initially got into this work. I wanted to serve those who are marginalized,” explains Winters. “These women are actively trying to find a place to live or find a job — things like that. That’s a really huge stressor while they’re pregnant.”

Additionally, as a Black doula, Winters relates deeply to her clients.

“Most of my clientele are Black women because they have a harder time finding doula care from people who understand their experience … I just think that Black women have that extra level that forces them to be more selective with who they get care from.”

To complement her doula work, Winters also teaches women what to eat during and post-pregnancy and cooks and drops off meals for postpartum mothers. Currently, Winters partners up with Farms to Families, a nonprofit that gives free produce to families.

“There’s a lack of information or even acknowledgement that food is medicine. Something that I see a lot within my family and other Black families is the lack of information about proper nutrition, which is why I’m so passionate about it,” she says.

“Most of my clientele are Black women because they have a harder time finding doula care from people who understand their experience … I just think that Black women have that extra level that forces them to be more selective with who they get care from.”

— QWANTESE WINTERS

Her doula work is a side gig for Winters, and she doesn’t charge clients for her services. She’s in the process of applying for grants to help grow Oasis Maternal Care.

“My focus [for now] is just getting a very solid program running so that I can serve more women than I can by myself. I want to be able to serve a hundred women — so I need more people, and money — all the things,” she says, with a smile

Qwantese Winters

Black Women at the Forefront of Change

In 2019, BRAVA’s feature titled “Empowering Mothers and Saving Babies” detailed how Madison-area Black women were leading the way toward lower infant mortality rates.

Between 2019 and 2021, the Black infant mortality rate was 13.2 per 1,000 live births, compared to 4.4 per 1,000 for white babies (courtesy “Wisconsin Data Resource: Birth Outcomes, 2021”). Put simply, the Black infant mortality rate was nearly three times higher. In 2023, that number edged down slightly to 12.8 infant deaths per 1,000 for Black babies. White mortality rates stayed the same at 4.4 per 1,000 live births, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Infant Mortality Dashboard.

The 2019 feature explained: “Changing these statistics is currently the No. 1 health priority of the Dane County Health Council, which includes all four major area health care providers (UW Health, SSM Health, UnityPoint Health – Meriter, and Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin), along with the Public Health department, United Way, Madison Metropolitan School District and other stakeholders.”

In 2018, The Dane County Health Council enlisted The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness (FFBWW) and strategic-planning firm EQT by Design to conduct an engagement study on the issue and causes of low Black birth weights as well as infant mortality rates. In 2019 the FFBWW released the “Saving Our Babies” report, which is available on their website.

“This [report was released] after nine months of community engagement with over 300 Black women, men and childbearing-age youth in the Madison Metropolitan School District, along with health care workers and social workers,” explains FFBWW CEO and President Lisa Peyton.

The report identified 10 core themes that “stressed Black family systems” and “are main drivers of inequities in low birth weight and mortality,” according to the Saving Our Babies website page.

The report reinforced a myriad of issues for Black women and families that Peyton already knew.

“We know that at the root of racial birth disparities are many interwoven and complex factors including broken and biased systems of care and services, generational economic insecurity among Black families and chronic stress. This is impacting Black women’s quality of health, their lives and how their health plays out — whether they are pregnant or not — across the lifespan. That contributes to higher chronic illness rates, birth disparities, and earlier deaths. And it’s unacceptable. It’s solvable,” she says.

Based off of the report’s findings, the foundation and EQT By Design proposed a set of strategies, solutions and

“We have come and modeled the way for how an organization led by Black women and efforts led by Black women can be real players in shifting the level of public accountability towards Black women’s health ... ”

— LISA PEYTON

recommendations, coined the Saving Our Babies Initiative, to the Dane County Health Council to improve healthy outcomes for Black babies.

The first recommendation was to expand the presence of community doulas, says Peyton. In response to this, the FFBWW built the Well Black Doula Partner Collective.

“We found doulas, we recruited them, we formed the powerful collective and we designed the model, the processes and the dual workforce across clinic and community and

Lisa Peyton

mobilized it. Now in year three, this has become a very promising standard of care that is demonstrating significant early signs of moving the needle in the right direction,” Peyton explains.

Micaela Berry-Smith, senior program manager of community and maternal and child health Initiatives at the FFBWW (and a doula herself), says doulas can be a key member of a woman’s care team. Berry-Smith oversees the Well Black Doula Partner Collective and manages the dayto-day services that doula partners provide to patients referred to the foundation by health system partners as part of the Saving Our Babies Initiative.

“The drive to improve maternal health and change the narrative around birth outcomes for Black families has been the foundation of my work as a doula. The historic and ongoing trauma caused by racism — both systemic and interpersonal — plays a significant role in these disparities. Black women need a care team they can trust, and they often need that extra level of advocacy to ensure their voices are heard, their concerns are addressed and they feel safe and empowered throughout their pregnancy and birth,” explains Berry-Smith.

Peyton says another crucial area the report highlighted was the need for streamlined care coordination across health care systems, between clinics and the community to support highrisk patients.

“We asked ourselves, how should that look? How do we design a care coordination system or a tool or a strategy that bridges clinic and community services, that builds a perinatal workforce, that allows us to do powerful screening to identify social determinants of health needs and the proper care?” she says. “So we collaboratively built a model called ConnectRX Wisconsin (Connect RXWI), which merges screening technology with tangible, clinic and community wraparound support, including doula services and community health worker support.”

ConnectRXWI is utilized at all Dane County Health Council partners, including Access Community Health Centers, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, SSM Health, UnityPoint Health – Meriter and UW Health. It begins with a universal screening for social determinants of health during health care appointments.

From there, “Black pregnant women and birthing patients with identified support needs are referred by their care team to community health workers who will connect them with trusted community agencies to gain access to resources like housing and employment assistance and mental health services,” according to a 2022 SSM Health press release.

Patients identified with the highest levels of health risk are offered doula support, coordinated by the FFBWW, for their pregnancy journey. The aim is to reduce pregnancy complications and foster postpartum health.

In the almost three years since ConnectRXWI has been introduced, Peyton says the results are promising.

“We’re seeing that women who are served by ConnectRXWI are bringing babies to term at a higher rate. We’re seeing fewer premature births, longer gestational age, fewer pregnancy complications, fewer medical interventions during the birthing process, higher levels of breastfeeding uptake, lower self-reported levels of postpartum depression and more stabilization around their social determinants of health needs,” she explains. “There are community health workers that we have placed at clinics and working at FFBWW. So [pregnant people’s] housing, food, transportation and income needs are being met, all while strengthening communication and collaboration between patients, doulas and providers. We’re moving in the right direction to support better maternal [and] child health.””

Peyton explains that placing Black women at the forefront as leaders and catalysts for change and solutions has been another key strategy of the Saving Our Babies Initiative. The FFBWW organized and co-chairs the Black Maternal and Child Health Alliance (BMCHA), a group of advocates and women with lived experience working on maternal and child wellbeing. The FFBWW also has a governing presence on the initiative and informs strategy, implementation and advocacy efforts. On April 17, the FFBWW and the BMCHA will hold their fifth annual virtual Black Maternal Child Health Summit to coincide with Black Maternal Health Week.

“In five years, this has become a national, sought-after space where we are shaping a powerful narrative on how Black women and partners in this movement are driving solutions,” says Peyton.

Much of Berry-Smith’s work also involves keeping the FFBWW at the forefront of these conversations with community partners, as well as managing maternal health outreach programs. Berry-Smith says the FFBWW tracks all of their programs so they can use data-driven insights to continuously improve services.

“All of these efforts aim to create an environment where Black women and families are not only supported in their immediate health needs but are empowered with the tools, resources and knowledge to make informed decisions about

Micaela Berry-Smith

“Our ultimate goal is to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities and ensure every woman and birthing person has access to quality care and support.”

— MICAELA BERRY-SMITH

their health and wellbeing. Our ultimate goal is to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities and ensure every woman and birthing person has access to quality care and support,” says Berry-Smith.

One exciting development that’s come about because of the foundation’s continuous leadership in the maternal and child health space is their new partnership with Quartz to provide commercially reimbursed doula services to their HMO patients. (Doula services are not typically covered by health insurers.) To support this work, Peyton and Gabe Doyle, the foundation’s chief health initiatives officer, and his team have spent the last year designing and launching UMAMA Birthing Services as another move to expand doula care and to drive sustainable payment pathways for these birth workers.

While the FFBWW has made significant strides in tackling

Black maternal and child health, Peyton is clear that there’s still much work to do in the Black women’s health arena.

The FFBWW’s Well Black Woman Institute is one way the Foundation is continuing to tirelessly push for progress by educating cohorts of Black women statewide to become leaders and advocates in their own communities. In March, a new group of 18 women will begin training.

“We have come and modeled the way for how an organization led by Black women and efforts led by Black women can be real players in shifting the level of public accountability towards Black women’s health. There are many more Black women’s organizations in Dane County [that have started] since we’ve been here. And I think this is a ripple effect. Black women’s leadership is a key part of the solution of eliminating disparities in Dane County and Wisconsin,” says Peyton.

Healthy Heart, Healthy Parent

Dr. Kara Hoppe, fetal medicine doctor and associate professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, has the best of both worlds: She meets with patients as well as spearheads important research concerning hypertension in birthing people during and post-pregnancy.

“I feel like research is the way to make changes that inform care and to … improve care for people. I wanted to make sure research was a part of my career. So much so that I started a master’s degree in clinical investigation at the university here when I joined the faculty,” explains Dr. Hoppe.

Cardiovascular disease and hypertension have always interested Dr. Hoppe, particularly how they influence poor outcomes in pregnancy.

“[These are] high drivers of maternal morbidity and mortality. We were seeing all of these people be readmitted after birth [for high blood pressure]. Our rate was 3 to 5% when I got here. In some places across the country, it’s as high as 10%.”

She explains the standard of care for most postpartum patients is to come to the clinic seven to 10 days after birth and have their blood pressure checked. However, she noticed many patients would come to the ER prior to this with elevated blood pressure readings, often leading to hospital readmissions. Dr. Hoppe wondered why this was the case. She knew that (non-pregnant) patients with heart failure went home with a heart monitor that was monitored remotely had improved outcomes. Why couldn’t they give postpartum patients a blood pressure device to use remotely at home?

“I started really small in 2017 with some pilot seed funding from the Meriter Foundation. They gave me 30 devices to send people home with. Within a month, my devices were all gone, and the program was highly desired!”

Dr. Kara Hoppe

Dr. Hoppe’s study revealed that if patients used the blood pressure device postpartum compared to the standard of care (no blood pressure monitor), she and her staff could easily call in blood pressure medications for those with elevated readings so their blood pressure was controlled at home. When the trial ended in 2019, Dr. Hoppe says the hospital readmission rate was significantly reduced. Those with the devices had a 0.5% readmission rate compared to a 3.7% readmission for those without the devices.

When creating a new care model, she notes that closing the gap on disparities and reaching all populations equitably should be built in. After she and her staff broke down the numbers from their pilot study, they came across an interesting finding.

“We specifically saw our Black participants had lower submissions of blood pressure [readings]. We thought if we could combine community and the health care team together, maybe we could get better engagement and support,” she says.

Dr. Hoppe and her staff held focus groups to inquire about barriers for Black birthing people and the idea of collaborating with community doulas was implemented. Her program has partnered with both Harambee Doula Care and Holistic Services and The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, among other statewide health care organizations.

Today, Dr. Hoppe’s brainchild, Staying Healthy After Childbirth (STAC), is a success story. It’s a fully funded program that’s monitored thousands of patients annually.

“It’s the largest [postpartum blood pressure monitoring] program across Wisconsin and one of the biggest in the country too,” says Dr. Hoppe. “And it was all because I felt [there] was a problem with the way we were caring for people and there was a solvable answer. I think it’s the wave of the future.”

“We specifically saw our Black participants had lower submissions of blood pressure [readings]. We thought if we could combine community and the health care team together, maybe we could get better engagement and support.”

— DR. KARA HOPPE

Women in Law

Meet the city’s top lawyers who are dedicated to providing individuals with dynamic, effective legal advice and solutions.

Protecting Your Profits, Power and Peace of Mind

Every business decision has legal consequences. We empower women entrepreneurs with proactive legal strategies, so they can grow with confidence and protect what they’ve built.

— Carolyn Jahnke, Founding Attorney and CEO

At Athena Legal Solutions, we believe that every woman entrepreneur deserves proactive, pragmatic legal guidance to safeguard what she’s built. Founded by Carolyn Jahnke, a seasoned attorney and business strategist, Athena provides comprehensive legal solutions tailored to small business owners and nonprofit leaders. We assist with business formation, contracts, compliance, partnership agreements and succession planning so women-led businesses can thrive — without the legal headaches.

What makes us different? We’re not just lawyers — we’re business partners. As a woman-owned,

majority-female firm, we understand the challenges women face in entrepreneurship. Our team takes a personalized, collaborative approach, ensuring you feel empowered, informed and protected every step of the way. With over 20 years of experience, Jahnke has led high-impact teams across corporate, nonprofit and startup sectors. She and her team don’t just offer legal advice — they build legal strategies that align with your business’ goals and values.

At Athena, we’re not just here to solve problems — we help you prevent them so you can grow your business with confidence. Ready to protect what you’ve built? Let’s talk.

CAROLYN JAHNKE

Lifelong Trusted Advisors

We build lasting bonds and walk alongside our clients through their journeys, ensuring they feel heard, valued and supported.

”

— Stephanie Thompson, Owner

AtKrueger Hernandez & Thompson SC (KHT), we are committed to providing exceptional legal services with a personal touch.

As a law firm specializing in estate planning, long-term care planning, probate and trust administration, our mission is clear: to be the trusted advisors who guide real people through life’s legal complexities.

We blend our expertise with compassion to create secure, customized solutions that safeguard your future and the legacy you’ve built. At KHT, we are your lawyers and advocates, dedicated to ensuring your peace of mind in every stage of life. At the heart of KHT, we are a family of passionate individuals dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

What truly defines us is our deep-rooted commitment to our community and the people

within it. Our work is driven by a profound sense of responsibility where we strive to be a positive force for change. What distinguishes KHT is our unique blend of exceptional skills, expertise and a strong work ethic. As a team of accomplished women, we bring diverse perspectives and a collaborative spirit to everything we do. Our positive attitude and reputation for consistently exceeding expectations sets us apart in the legal field.

Above all, we are real lawyers for real people. Our relationships with our clients are built on trust, empathy and understanding. We don’t just provide legal services — we build lasting bonds and walk alongside our clients through their journeys, ensuring they feel heard, valued and supported. Being part of KHT means being part of a family that cares deeply about making a meaningful impact every day.

L-R: RENEE NEHRING, NICKI YOUNG, SADIE MINOBE AND STEPHANIE THOMPSON

Building Success in Business and Beyond

“ ”

I love playing quarterback for my clients to help them accomplish their goals.

— Michelle Behnke,

Attorney

Attorney Michelle Behnke finds her satisfaction in making a meaningful impact for her clients and her profession.

“I love playing quarterback for my clients to help them accomplish their goals,” she says. “As a business attorney, my clients seek me out for strategies related to a variety of issues, including forming new business enterprises, providing general business advice or assisting with the transfer of their business to the next generation.”

Michelle says being a good attorney and advocate for her clients is about more than knowing the law — it’s about seeing potential issues before they can cause disputes or problems and helping clients take advantage of opportunities.

“I can help clients see the big picture and bring in other attorneys when needed to address

specialized issues like tax planning and intellectual property,” she adds.

Michelle gets equal satisfaction from the opportunity to work with smart people to serve the legal profession and the community. As the president-elect of the American Bar Association, Michelle works with lawyers from around the country to improve the profession and ensure that our justice system works as intended.

“I also get to connect with law students who are just embarking on a legal career. This energizes me and reminds me of why I became a lawyer. I am so lucky to be able to be doing what I love: helping clients navigate legal challenges, educating people about our legal system and supporting lawyers by serving the profession. Each day, I get a chance to make a difference for someone.”

MICHELLE BEHNKE

Your Family Is Our Focus

At Your Family Law Center, our top-rated, experienced attorneys provide compassionate and vigorous advocacy in family law matters, including divorce, legal separation, paternity, custody changes, stepparent adoption, grandparent rights, guardianship and child or spousal support.

We are committed to achieving outcomes that minimize trauma for children and prioritize their best interests, while safeguarding our clients’ rights and assets. While many clients prefer resolving matters through settlement, whether via mediation or alternative dispute resolution, our attorneys are ready to take a case to court when necessary. We have a proven track record of success in courts across the state, including at the appellate level.

Read about our accomplishments and reviews on martindale.com, superlawyers.com, avvo.com or yourfamilylawcenter.com.

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Family lawyers support clients and families through life’s most stressful times. Our approach is steadfast, thoughtful, and client-centered.

Attorney Megan Phillips combines degrees in psychology and journalism for exceptional client counseling skills along with her communication talents, allowing her to powerfully convey a client’s wishes. Our clients pay for a relationship — not just legal services — with their goals as our central focus. We use exceptional skill and care, so our clients know they have the best advice around from people who genuinely care.

Read more about Megan and see client reviews at superlawyers.com and avvo.com

We tackle difficult family law problems by partnering with our clients and brainstorming unique solutions. —Megan A. Phillips, Attorney

TOP L-R: GINGER L. MURRAY AND MEGAN E. CORNING BOTTOM L-R: CHELSEA E. SANDERS AND JADE PROCTOR

MEGAN A. PHILLIPS

MADE IN MADISON

Otehlia Cassidy’s Madison Eats Food Tours offers locals and visitors the chance to explore and savor the city from a culinary perspective.

BY HYWANIA THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILLARY SCHAVE

Madison Eats Food Tours owner Otehlia Cassidy recalls her first test tour on Williamson Street in 2012. It involved a lot of negotiation and communication with restaurants about the content of the experience and what would be included.

Otehlia Cassidy

Over time, Cassidy says she “grew those ideas together” with eateries around town to give tour-takers a peek into Madison’s bustling food scene.

Cassidy blends her passion for food, sustainability and connection into her tour company — and is also a travel agent that leads international culinary trips through her second company, Otehlia Travels.

Madison Eats has five distinct tours. The popular downtown tour gives a glimpse into Wisconsin history, weaving in stories of German settlers and their food, as well as Indigenous cultural information.

“The food lies more heavily on Wisconsin pasties, cheese, beer, pretzels, a good ol’ slice of pizza and ice cream,” says Cassidy.

Another favorite is the Atwood tour, which Cassidy says is a fun neighborhood with both classic Wisconsin tavern history and a newer, more diverse culinary scene.

The Bike N’ Bites tour, which began during the pandemic, is a partnership with Madison BCycle and a “fun way to explore the city.” It starts and ends at Garver Feed Mill, leading a small group toward the end of Willy Street, and then along the lake path.

Madison Eats Food Tours is as

unique as the neighborhoods and businesses guests visit during their time. The experiences Cassidy and her employees curate are about relationships, community building and great food.

“I want people to experience a slice of Madison. I want them to feel welcome; I want people to know places,” Cassidy says. “When you go to the restaurants or businesses and you taste something ... you might think, ‘Oh, this is so delicious’ — but I believe

much of that deliciousness comes from the passion of the person who is behind it.”

Hywania Thompson is a freelance writer living in the Madison area.

L-R: Monsoon Siam

CHEAP EATS

Rising costs got you down? These restaurants offer tasty eats for good prices.

BY KEVIN REVOLINSKI PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILLARY SCHAVE

TAI’S ASIAN BISTRO & NOODLE HOUSE

In a strip mall just north of Odana Road off of Whitney Way, this eatery offers a Chinese menu supplemented with some pad thai options. Lo mein choices run about $10, but for a few dollars more, try the stir-fried eggplant or General Tso’s

with your choice of meat or tofu. You even get a discount for paying with cash. taismadison.com

PALENQUE MEXICAN BAR & GRILL

The fajitas and house horchata are most popular at this

Tai’s Asian Bistro & Noodle House

neighborly McFarland joint, but try the Acapulco chimichanga with chicken, steak and shrimp. While the Molcajete — served in the namesake traditional stone mortar — runs just over $20, it combines chicken, steak,

chorizo and shrimp and is big enough for two people!

palenquemexicanbarandgrillwi.com

THE SIDE DOOR GRILL & TAP

Downstairs from Samba Brazilian Grill,

the Side Door is rarely super busy, yet the food is great — it comes from the same kitchen as Samba! And the prices are reasonable. The restaurant makes its own loaded tater tots, which can be a meal in itself. Try the all-you-can-eat

The Side Door Grill & Tap

fish tacos on Fridays. thesidedoorgrill.com

COTTAGE CAFÉ

At this simple diner tucked away in a strip mall off Cottage Grove Road, nearly everything on the menu is under $10, with only steak or walleye with eggs clocking in a bit over that, at $10.50. Breakfast is served until 2 p.m., and includes waffles and a couple of Benedicts, and the lunch menu has some of the cheapest burgers in town. cottagecafe.co

PAUL’S PEL’MENI

Paul’s started out as a late-night munchies joint, and while it is still

The Side Door Grill & Tap

Palenque Mexican Bar & Grill

WAY OF DANE COUNTY

2025 Women United Philanthropy Honoree, Dr. Martha Stacker Friday, May 16 | Madison Marriott West | 8:30-11:00 am

www.unitedwaydanecounty.org • 2059 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704 • (608) 246-4350

Capital City Dogs

Think your pup has what it takes to be the pride of our capital city? Whether they’re a local legend at the dog park or the best bud in town, BRAVA Magazine wants to see them!

Submit your pup’s photo for a chance to be featured

bravamagazine.com/submit-your-dog-brava

Enter between March 5-April 4, 2025

counter service, the current location on Gilman Street has a full bar. The menu is simple: an order of little Russian dumplings — potato, meat or mixed — seasoned with curry powder, cilantro, a mild sriracha-based sauce and a side of sour cream. They hit the spot for $7 (half order) or just $2 more gets you a full order. paulspelmeni.com

MURPHY’S BAR AND RESTAURANT

Home to an affordable and delicious Friday fish fry, this oft-overlooked bar and grill in Westport serves a wide assortment of burgers, wraps and sandwiches hovering around the $10 mark. Watch for nightly dinner specials from lasagna to prime rib. murphysbarwestport.com

MEDITERRANEAN CAFÉ

While State Street has changed a lot in recent years, this unassuming café, opened in 1996, remains an old reliable, serving delicious hummus, shawarma, lamb, vegan lentil soup and daily specials. Where else can you get a soup/salad/pita combo for less than $10? medcafemadison.com

THE SOW’S EAR

This Verona coffee shop (that doubles as a yarn retailer!) has a few simple breakfast items, sandwiches a soup of the day and a couple of salads. Try the daily quiche or the Main Street — toasted cheese on sourdough with garlic mayo. knitandsip.com

THE VILLAGE

A Middleton institution, the familyowned tavern with a divey, comfortable vibe has a notable fish fry at a reasonable price, but also numerous burgers, sammies and salads, with a kid’s menu and some vegetarian options. Watch for weekly lunch specials. vgtavern.com

Kevin Revolinski writes about travel and food, and often travels for food.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT

Looking for date-night deals? Here are a few places courting couples for a night out.

Turnkey Supper Club

Thursday is Cheap Date Night: an appetizer, two entrees, dessert and a bottle of wine or pitcher of beer for $60. turnkeymadison.com

Cento

Get tickets to a show at Overture and come here for the three-course Theater Menu for $50 per person. centomadison.com

Grampa’s Pizzeria

Tuesday date night offers a small plate or salad, a specialty pizza, dessert and bottle of wine for $60. grampaspizzeria.com

L’Etoile

Watch for Tapas Nights through spring, featuring Spanish tapas, paella, Basque cake and wine pairings. letoile-restaurant.com, exploretock.com/letoile

The Melting Pot

“Thursdate” features a four-course dinner for two with chocolate fondue, rose petals and candles and an optional bottle of Prosecco. meltingpot.com

SPRING INTO THE ARTS

Intriguing live music performances, comedy acts and an annual film festival are all must-dos.

BY JESSICA STEINHOFF

THEATER AND DANCE

“A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL”

March 18-23, Overture Center

If there were a “city with the most ‘Sweet Caroline’ fans” award, Madison would be a shoo-in. Join this elite club for a Broadway show about the anthem’s singer — and prime sing-along opportunity — starring “American Idol” winner Nick Fradiani. overture.org

“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM”

April 4-6, Overture Center

Madison Ballet presents a new one-act rendition of Shakespeare’s enchanted, dreamy romance, which features choreography by artistic director Ja’ Malik and a score by Felix Mendelssohn. madisonballet.org

“INNER PASSAGES”

April 24-26, Overture Center

Kanopy Dance presents the crème de la crème of guest stars for this program, including Blakeley White-McGuire, former principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company. She’ll premiere two

TWYLA THARP DANCE

April 15, Overture Center

The legendary troupe celebrates 60 years of melding modern dance and ballet with a new take on Philip Glass’ “Aguas da Amazonia,” which was arranged by musicians from Third Coast Percussion. overture.org

new pieces of choreography, including an introspective piece inspired by Missy Mazzoli’s “These Worlds in Us.” Audiences can also marvel at the final segment of “Renascence,” an ode to rhythm and the natural world’s wonders by the company’s artistic directors, Robert E. Cleary and Lisa Thurrell. kanopydance.org

“Inner Passages”

Twyla Tharp Dance

“A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical”

LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY

“ROOMFUL OF TEETH”

April 9, UW Memorial Union

Technically, this is a concert of a cappella vocal music, but don’t expect a scene from “Pitch Perfect.” This ensemble’s wildly experimental spirit helped them win a Grammy Award in 2024. artsticketing.wisc.edu

“YEARNINGS”

April 11-13, Overture Center

The Madison Symphony Orchestra is doing all kinds of splendid things this spring, from a presentation of Mozart’s “Requiem” with the Madison Symphony Chorus (March 14-16) to an exploration of the music from the seventh “Harry Potter” film (April 5), but don’t miss this concert featuring guest conductor Joseph Young, Sergei Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” and Kevin Puts’ pandemic-inspired Grammy winner “Contact,” performed by the Time for Three string trio. madisonsymphony.org

ZIWE’S AMERICA

April 18, Barrymore Theatre

Writer, comedian and television host Ziwe Fumudoh has been the queen of lists lately, landing on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” and Time’s “100 Next Gen Leaders” rundowns. Her saucy takes on race and politics, plus satirical songs such as “Stop Being Poor,” are full of heart, but not for the faint of heart. barrymorelive.com

TOM SEGURA: COME TOGETHER

April 19, Alliant Energy Center

Few acts can fill the Alliant Energy Center’s giant Coliseum, but Segura, star of five Netflix stand-up comedy specials, has a good shot. “Sledgehammer,” his latest special, debuted in the streamer’s top slot in 2023, and “Your Mom’s House,” the podcast he hosts with wife and fellow comedian Christina Pazsitzky, is one of the brightest in the biz. alliantenergycenter.com

DEHD

April 24, Majestic Theatre

This Chicago trio proves that indie rock is still relevant, merging garage rock, post-punk and wall-of-sound pop in poetic ways on their latest album, the aptly titled “Poetry.” majesticmadison.com

VISUAL ART AND FILM

WISCONSIN FILM FESTIVAL

April 3-10, Various locations

Thrilling dramas? Check. Envelopepushing comedies? Check. Documentaries that make your blood boil? Check. There are even special screenings for K-12 students, all of which showcase the power of storytelling. wifilmfest.org

“WHATEVER HOME IS”

Through April 13, Overture Center

Curated by Fanana Banana’s Amal Azzam and Nayfa Naji, who highlight work by Muslim, Middle Eastern and North African artists, this exhibition explores how places, culture and memory shape our sense of home. wisconsinacademy.org/gallery

Jessica Steinhoff is a Madison-area mom, writer and mental health professional.

NEW ART GALLERY CELEBRATES A MILESTONE

Bringing an independent exhibition space to downtown Madison — and keeping it there — is no small feat, but King Street’s Carnelian Art Gallery has survived the first year in style. Evan Bradbury, who also launched Bright Red Studios in 2012, started this venture to help local and regional artists grow their careers while nurturing Madison’s creative spirit.

More than 30 artists have exhibited work in the King Street gallery since its doors opened in March 2024, primarily at group shows. This year Bradbury’s working toward mounting more solo shows and offering representation for a small set of artists.

“They’d essentially be our house artists, with their work on display here all the time,” he says, noting that having the artists’ work on hand makes it easier to sell.

Bradbury also wants artists to pitch ideas for shows, classes and more, and for anyone who’s curious about art to hang out in the gallery. Passersby can walk in after nearby events like the Dane County Farmers’ Market or attend exhibition openings such as Carnelian’s second anniversary fête on March 14, which will feature live painting and ekphrasis, a type of poetry that responds to visual art.

“We’ve made Carnelian a relaxed and welcoming place because we want people to realize that art is for everybody,” he says. carnelianart.com

LAST LOOKS | Top left: Founded in 1975, Cambridge’s Rowe Pottery is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Shown are jars from the brand’s classic teaberry line, featuring signature cobalt blue designs (P. 9). Top right: Sasha Stone, a 2021 BRAVA Woman to Watch, owns Green Life Trading Co., a sustainability-focused store specializing in bulk goods and green products for home and personal care (P. 35). Bottom: Cover women Richelle Martin, Katie Rice and Heather Wentler are all lady bosses in their own right, working in venture capital and the startup accelerator world (P. 42). Middle: Colorful dishes from Monsoon Siam sit, ready to be enjoyed (P. 71).

TOP LEFT, RIGHT SHANNA WOLF

BOTTOM HILLARY SCHAVE

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