ATHENA Leadership Awards Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts
Sheboygan
County Chamber
AGENDA
WELCOME
• Symphony Quartet -Josh Hernday - Executive Director, Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra
“What is honored in a country will be cultivated there.” -Plato
• Welcome -Deidre Martinez - Executive Director, Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce • Welcome & Introductions - Chad Hamilton General Counsel, Sargento Foods, 2019 ATHENA Award Recipient • Keynotes - Laura E. Kohler - Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Stewardship & Sustainability, Member Board of Directors - Kohler Co.
- Billie Jean Smith, Attorney, Boyle Fredrickson S.C Intellectual Property Law
• Top 5 ATHENA Honorees Presented by Deidre Martinez, Sheboygan County Chamber • 2020 ATHENA Leadership Award
Presented by Chad Hamilton - 2019 ATHENA Award Recipient
Premier:
ATHENA Sponsors:
Diamond and Keynote: Friend
Ruby
Special Thanks to:
This annual award honors those who promote and encourage women to higher levels of achievement and leadership. Founded in 1982 by Martha Mayhood Mertz, ATHENA International is a non-profit organization that seeks to support, develop and honor women leaders. The program inspires women to reach their full potential and strives to create balance in leadership worldwide. More than 7,000 ATHENA Leadership Awards have been awarded since its inception. The ATHENA Leadership Model, developed through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, identifies eight distinct attributes that are reflective of women’s contributions to leadership: living authentically, learning constantly, advocating fiercely, acting courageously, fostering collaboration, building relationships, giving back and celebrating. These personal traits that are intuitive to women, combined with the strongest aspects of traditional leadership – humility, taking risks, assertiveness, hard work –prepare women to be successful leaders in the 21st century. In Memoriam Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's quiet, forceful, brilliant voice of leadership rocked the world. We revere her as one of the most distinguished role models in our time. We were honored to welcome her into our family as a Global ATHENA Recipient in 1995 and to see the ATHENA sculpture, and the meaning it conveyed, in her Chambers for 25 years. She used the law to frame the rights of women and reframed the definition of leadership to include women's ways of leading. She exemplified the ATHENA leadership principles of Fierce Advocacy and Building Relationships as she towered above the contentiousness around her. Her wisdom and example will inspire generations to come. Martha Mertz, Founder ATHENA International
ABOUT The ATHENA® Leadership Award Program: Supporting, Honoring and Developing Women Leaders The ATHENA Leadership Award was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment qualities embodied in the ATHENA® Leadership Model. The Award is unique in both scope—local, national and international—and the ATHENA mission upon which it is based. The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to a woman —or man—who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. Since the program’s inception in 1982, more than 7,000 exemplary leaders in over 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Award in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Leadership Award Program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives. The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented annually by chambers of commerce, women’s organizations and universities. The award is established through local host organizations in partnership with ATHENA International’s national underwriters, local businesses and individual sponsors. Nominations are solicited and an ATHENA sculpture is awarded to an individual in the community who meets specific criteria listed below. ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients are individuals who: • Have achieved the highest level of professional excellence. • Contribute time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community. • Actively assist others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential.
2020 SPEAKERS Laura E. Kohler Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Stewardship & Sustainability Member, Board of Directors - Kohler Co. Laura E. Kohler is a business leader who is passionate about driving purposeful change in our workplace and world while serving alongside three Kohler family members leading one of the oldest and largest privately held companies in America. Under her leadership, Kohler’s global social impact strategy focuses on environmental sustainability, Innovation for Good, stewardship, associate volunteerism and the renowned Arts/Industry program. Her passion for making the world a better place is evidenced by Kohler’s partnership with many nonprofit organizations, particularly with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Vision, Water Mission and others to address safe water and sanitation around the world.
Billie Jean Smith
Attorney, Boyle Fredrickson, S.C. Intellectual Property Law Billie Jean Smith is well-known for her involvement with not-for-profit organizations and charitable causes and for her work helping dreamers, designers and innovators protect their intellectual property rights. She has more than 25 years of experience as a multi-disciplined intellectual property attorney. Smith earned a degree in biomedical engineering from Marquette University and a juris doctor degree at the University of Wisconsin Madison. She is an adventure travel enthusiast who is constantly seeking the next out of the way adventure. Her adventures include summitting Mt. Kilimanjaro, exploring Antarctica and Bhutan, sailing along the Amazon River and through the Galapagos Islands, trekking through the Sahara on a camel, and rock climbing around the world, just to name a few.
2020 NOMINEES Laura Anderson
Owner/Operator Biggby Coffee of Sheboygan "I believe that as leaders we have an obligation to give back to the community that gives us unwavering support. After leaving a promising career as an Accountant, I started building a business and life that I love, believing that if you love what you do, you will lead others to love what they do".
.Laura graduated from Western Michigan University with a Masters in Science of Accountancy and spent the next ten years in Financial Planning and Analysis at both Kohler Co. and Sargento Foods. She joined the Sheboygan Service Club to help promote powerful women while also serving and supporting the community. She leads her life and staff with faith, confidence and courage so that she and they, may reach their highest potential.
Beth Borgen
President-Elect Lakeland University "Leadership in the future must include the ability to inspire, align and respond to the changing environment. Alignment includes the people and resources that ensure a leader's vision can be realized. A true leader must help people envision what "could be", and then must support the team and the community to ensure that vision can become a relevant reality". In her 15 years at Lakeland University, Beth quickly progressed from an Assistant Alumni Relations Director to Executive Vice President to now President Elect the highest administrative role held by a female in the institutions 158 year history. She has actively placed females in leadership roles on the team she manages and provides as a great role model for them. Beth also created teams to implement SOAR-Women Reaching Higher, an annual professional development and networking conference for women.
2020 NOMINEES Courtney Booth
President and Co-Founder Booth Leadership, Igniting the Power of People
" The bigger the vision, the more you have to grow to achieve it. The greatest reward of pursuing a vision is who you become as a result"-Diane O'Conner, mentor. "I vision leadership for myself, marriage, family, business and community built on trust, collaboration, motivation and responsibility for success". Through Booth Leadership, Courtney is committed to helping others discover their key values, powerful gifts and greater potential. She is a Leader to Leader Certified Facilitator, Independent Certified Coach and Trainer and Speaker through the John Maxwell Team. Courtney is involved with several organizations that are geared toward mentorship and leadership development for girls including the Plymouth Boys and Girls Basketball Boosters, World Dairy Expo, Wisconsin 4-H Foundation and the Sheboygan County Fairest of the Fair Program.
Lindee Brill
Marketing and Event Co-Chair Samaritan's Hand
" My vision of leadership in the future means believing in my heart that giving back will also lead to success. When we invest in our community and those who need us most, God will always reward us ten fold. I envision always reaching to the fringes of our society and lifting them up. Lindee is a passionate person who constantly is driven to do more and better. She is a role model for Samaritan's female clients who need support from other women and when she is around the clients she invests in them. For the last four years she has organized, prepared and served at Samaritan's 2nd Friday Suppers. Once a month she makes sure that clients have a home cooked meal before they attend meetings. Lindee has been a volunteer for Samaritan's Hand Gala for the last five years, breathing new life into the event by bringing in new donors, fun and of course donations for the mission. She also works at Anchor of Hope, where she was a former board member.
Deb Edgerle Owner Salon 511
" All women at some point lead - their families, daughters, friends, clubs, jobs, etc. At every level, mentorship/role modeling is happening already with out putting the label of mentorship on it. Bring the subject into everyday conversation so everyone has the opportunity to join in".
Jill Hand
Director of Nursing Sheboygan Senior Community
"My vision is that women in leadership are respected for the skill sets that they bring to their jobs and to encourage area industries to participate in education for women".
Deb is celebrating 23 years of owning and operating a successful business, this accomplishment alone demonstrates excellence, creativity, initiative and tenacity. Deb is a coach to her team, listening and helping women be empowered, successful citizens and leaders. She deeply cares about her team, their happiness and success. She is passionate about learning and has lead by example with her hard work and dedication. She is a shining example of a servant leader.
As Director of Nursing, Jill is ultimately responsible for the well-being of every resident at Sheboygan Senior Community. She has successfully lead an 85 bed skilled nursing and assisted living facility through a pandemic without any major outbreak. She is a member of the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care. Jill is the main point of contact for the co-op and youth apprentice students through the Inspire Program. She consistently lifts others up through her warm prsonality and is the type of person who makes you feel beyond capable of any task after simply just talking to her.
Mally Henne
Cynthia Howley
Director of the Board of Governance Sheboygan Senior Community "Leadership is manifested in the belief of equality and teamwork and my leadership manifests itself in my behaviors. My vision of leadership will be defined by specific value-based goals and there shall be no discrimination for any opportunity based on gender, age, ethnicity or preference. We achieve more volume, strength and progress working together". Mally is using her professional experience to serve as mentor to two "up and coming" female members of the Sheboygan Senior Community Executive Leadership team and invites SSC staff to Rotary Club meetings to create opportunities to expand professional and personal networks. She is among the first to volunteer, whether it be cooking food for the homeless shelter, working at Making Spirits Bright, delivering Meals on Wheels or any number of chances to be of "service above self". Mally is also committed to positively impacting the environment and has done so with the ROOTS Project to help alleviate the impact of the Emerald Ash Borer. She is passionate about giving back to the community.
Senior Manager-Kohler Stewardship Kohler Co.
"My Vision for the future is collaboration. Now, more than ever, we need leaders that bring people together. People that are able to draw out common goals and be able to move people forward, not divide them". Cindy has held numerous roles in her 42 year career at Kohler Co. from leading the Design Center to formalizing Kohler's social impact program to directing associate events. She inspires people to take action in their communities to improve the lives of others including disaster relief, supply drives, days of service and non-profit advocacy. Cindy has served on the board of United Way Sheboygan County for eight years, been the Music Director for 25 years at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and has been a performer and supporter of the Sheboygan Youth Theatre Company for 25 years. She was also awarded the 2017 Alumni of the Year Award from Lakeshore Technical College. Just about every morning Cindy starts the day with "I have an idea..." it is those ideas that take the work she does from good to great and from OK to excellence. Cindy's passion is evident in all that she does.
Christy Jacobs
Practice Development Manager Falls Financial Associates - Thrivent "The leadership of the future needs to be different. It needs to involve the growth of all, not a focused group of people or even a single person. The more we help each other with our goals, the more gratifying and successful our lives are". Christy is the President of the Professional Women's Connection-Sheboygan Chapter, a member of the Sheboygan Falls Lions Club and the Sheboygan Elks Service Club. She is a volunteer and member of Bookworm Gardens and was a team captain four years in a row for the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Christy is so committed to her community and always encourages women to take chances in their profession and works hard to make connections for other women to help them succeed. Her enthusiasm and positive energy is really inspiring.
Dione Knop
Victim Witness Services Coordinator Sheboygan County District Attorney's Office
"I believe that leadership needs to help support and recognize the richness that is a result of our differences. True leadership inspires others to find their own path and values the unique contributionsthat we each can make. We should never underestimate the power of female role models. The right exposure makes all the difference in the world". Dione has worked with the District Attorney's Office with crime victims and witnesses for over twenty nine years. She provides guidance on court procedures and emotional support, advocacy and helping victims prepare for what to expect in court. In 2018 she was honored by the Attorney General with an appointment to the statewide Crime Victim Council. She has also been a "Big Sister" for over twenty years. As a Breast Cancer survivor she created the "Polka Dot Dress Party" which so far has raised $33,499 for Project Angel Hugs which supports children going through cancer treatments. She is an assistant minister at St. Peter Lutheran Church, is the designated Chaplain at the Sheboygan Yacht Club and is a marriage officiant.
Emily Kaiser
Director of Donor Engagement United Way of Sheboygan County
" Future leaders are created one by one as they grow and develop throughout their lives. I believe we are lifelong learners who will continue to improve ourselves as we lift others. We can have a positive impact on one another in so many ways. What may seem like a small moment to one person may make a lasting change in another's life". Emily's passion for serving others has guided her career across a number of positions and has given her a unique perspective. Emily is a "Big Sister" through Big Brothers Big Sisters and is working to help other young people get involved by creating programs like "Emerging Leaders". She often pushes her colleagues, who are women, to challenge the status quo and themselves to be more than they imagined. Because of this, she is looked at as a confidant and a mentor, often to people who are considered her contemporaries.
Leslie Laster
Associate Director for Diversity and Inclusion Moraine Park Technical College " It is important that there are programs to develop women in leadership positions and then support them in those positions. Employers should have fair, unbiased interview processes and gender neutral job descriptions to attract all talent pools and remove hidden barriers for women to be successful". Leslie worked for the Sheboygan Area School District for ten years in two different roles, both focused on mentoring and guiding young people. Her positions as the Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Prevention Facilitator and as a counselor for Horace Mann Middle School allowed her to have a direct and lasting impact on hundreds of students at a pivotal time in their lives. She also served as Director of Equity, Engagement and Belonging and Associate Provost at Lakeland University for four years, where she educated students, faculty and staff on issues of social justice and diversity and inclusion through training and activities. Leslie serves on the Lake Country Academy School Board, the Central High Governing Board and regularly volunteers at her church. She is also the Director for the newly formed nonprofit, the Black American Community Outreach Group.
Karen Lepisto
Vice President - Human Resources and Community Relations Sargento Foods "As a community, one of the most impactful things we can do is work together to provide resources to break generational beliefs that get in the way of building a place of inclusion and belonging". Karen is one of the most respected female leaders in the Sargento organization. Her positive "can-do" attitude and sound business decisions are the primary reasons so many people look to her for guidance and support. She serves on a number of area Boards including: Junior Achievement Board of Directors, Partners for Community Development, Kiel Area School District Parent Advisory Council and the Kiel High School Booster Club. In September 2020 Karen was among eight "Inspiring Female Leaders to Know" recognized by - Employ Humanity - a top leadership development and cultural design firm based in the Midwest.
Melissa Prentice
Public Services Manager Mead Public Library " Anytime we feel the urge to elevate a person because of their family legacy or years of living or working in the area, we should ask - who is being left out and what voices we never hear when we do this. Democratic, horizontal organizing is the best method for empowering leaders at all levels of an organization". Melissa manages a diverse and robust staff and her oversight has allowed the Library to add innovative programming that serves diverse audiences. This led a team to rewrite the mission and goals of the Library to make it an inclusive and safe space for all of Sheboygan County. She is actively involved with the Wisconsin Library Association, the League of Women Voters and was just added to the Governor's nonpartisan maps commission. Melissa is an instructor at TechGyrls and works with elementary and middle school aged girls encouraging their interests in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
Cheryl Nack
Director of Operations Family Service Association of Sheboygan Inc.
"Leadership in the future should include open communication to encourage shared ideas between peers and younger generations that will make brilliant ideas flow with learning from each other." Cheryl has a strong work ethic and has devoted her career to always doing her best, whether it's working as part of a team or leading the team. She uses her role in leadership to encourage and support those she works with as they aspire to grow in their own careers. Cheryl leads by example and gives young ladies the opportunity and encouragement to share ideas and take on challenging responsibilities and finds mentoring to be the most satisfying part of her career. She is on the forefront, looking for ways to cross train and develop staff to increase retention and to challenge them to reach their full potential.
Emily Rendall-Araujo
Fund Development Director Safe Harbor of Sheboygan County "My leadership philosophy is to hire good people and get out of their way so that they can do amazing things with my support. I want to be challenged and learn from them and I want them to be successful and fulfilled long term". Emily is an active member of the Early Bird Rotary Club and serves on the Board of Directors for the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra. She also serves on numerous leadership teams and enjoys volunteering at Camp Anokijig and her church. Emily has been instrumental in assisting the Black American Alliance organization that was founded this past summer. She is one of 6,300 Certified Fund Raising Executive(CFRE) professionals world wide. She was nominated for the Best Under 40 Award and was in the Coastal Young Professionals Network. Emily is truly a huge part of the community and is someone who has built up women to take on leadership roles and believe in themselves.
Mary Sands
Office Manager Just Kids Dental "We need to encourage women in all fields to excel and take initiative in whatever they do, both in their professional and personal lives and also be compassionate, understanding and listen with interest". Managing an office full of women, Mary leads by example. She shares her knowledge and advocates for continuing education for each woman to realize their potential. Mary is a volunteer and past Board Member for Rainbow Kids. Her compassion, empathy and guidance helped serve many community members and it was her desire to be a role model in leading this organization to a higher standard of accountability. Mary is always the first person to volunteer to help out and support this great community.
Cassandra Van Gompel
Assistant State Public Defender Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office President Sheboygan Jaycees "I envision leadership in the future to be focused on empathetic learning. The way to most enrich our lives and develop well rounded ideas, is to learn from others who have had different experiences than our own and try to understand how those experiences lead to their opinions". Cassie received one of two Virgina A. Pomeroy scholarships from the Wisconsin Association of Women Lawyers and was inducted into the Marquette University Pro Bono Society with 120 hours volunteering with the Domestic Violence Injuction Hearing Clinic, the Milwaukee Justice Center Family Law Help Desk and served on the advisory board for the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic. Cassie has been a Public Defender for Sheboygan County for five years and has been active as a Jaycee for over three years, now serving as the President. She now has the Sheboygan Chapter actively involved in assisting Safe Harbor.
Mary Schueller
Oncology Clinical Nurse Educator HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital
"If we want to elevate the role of women in our community as leaders, we need to promote them to leadership roles and then celebrate them. We need to provide a culture where there are opportunities for females to thrive and need to be strategic about helping women shape their careers". In Mary's 42 year career with St. Nicholas Hospital she has dedicated herself not only to the care of patients, but has invested a large majority of her professional and personal life to the education and professional development of nurses. She is a member of many organizations including the Oncology Nursing Society, with which she was among the first delegations of nurses to visit China and Cuba. Mary was one of three Wisconsin registered nurses to earn the title "Nurse of the Year" for 2020, achieving gold star acclaim for her professional accomplishments.
Teresa Van Horn
Co- CEO Van Horn Automotive Group
" I believe one of the best things we can do to increase the number of female role models is to be one ourselves. Leading by example is the best way to show someone how they can make a difference. Learning by doing has the most lasting effect on people". Teresa is a volunteer with Plymouth Professional Business Women's Association, which promotes women in leadership throughout Sheboygan County and chairs their Cheesehead Chase every year. She is the primary driver behind the Van Horn Gives program which provides sponsorships and donations to organizations such as Safe Harbor, the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity. She serves on the board at Samaritan's Hand, Quit Qui Oc Athletic Organization and on the Finance Committee at St. Mary's Springs where she also coaches Cross Country and Track and Field. Teresa has taught so many the importance of giving back and getting to know the people of our community, where she is a mainstay and works to elevate the people around her.
Deborah Wente
Immediate Past Co-President Sheboygan Rotary Club " In our Club, females have been president seven of the last ten years. These examples encourage new women members to take leadership roles. Leadership needs to be diverse and inclusive and organizations need to recognize the value of differing opinions". Deborah has assisted in and organized Rotary missions that traveled to Africa to eradicate Polio and also to Melawi with the Kohler Girls of Melawi in an initiative to achieve clean drinking water there. She has organized a weekly "Women in Rotary" meeting to help support and encourage women in the club who are on the front lines both in healthcare and serving the neediest in our community. Deborah has onboarded so many fantastic business women into the Rotary Club and actively engages and supports multiple issues including raising awareness of human trafficking in Sheboygan County.
Denise Wittstock
Chief Executive Officer Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sheboygan County " My vision of leadership in the future includes a move to equality, a return to empathy and a clear articulation of a society and forward direction that people can embrace without fear and want to share and follow". Denise is a consummate non-profit professional, never satisfied with the status quo and actively seeks out ways to improve. She has an amazing personal conviction to serve the youth of our community in ways that can truly change outcomes in the quality of their lives. Denise has successfully onboarded two female executive team members for roles in Community Relations and Recruitment and Fund Development. She has consistently mentored her female team in the successful operation of a large non-profit agency and, as such, showed the characteristics of a true leader.
Fay Wingrove
Owner, CEO, CFO, CPA and CMA Innovative Solutions for Business LLC " Leadership in the future is to keep believing in and assisting others to see that leadership is color and gender blind. There is ample evidence that diverse teams combined with inclusive work environments lead to greater innovation, agility, performance and engagement". Fay goes above and beyond to innovate and guide women through business, not on just a personal level but also at the political and county level. She served on the County Board from 2013 - 2019 and is active in the Professional Womens Connection and coordinated a community effort with other organizations to recognize and present over a dozen awards to women owned businesses. Her company, Innovative Solutions is also a sponsor for programs such as The Lakeshore Leadership luncheon and the Excellence in Leadership series in which women are provided role models, including women leaders.
Olivia Zeman
Branch Manager UnitedOne Credit Union " I believe recognizing women who have the drive and the passion to make big changes in the world is an amazing step in helping others to take the next step in their journey. We should continue to provide programming that helps educate and advance women in workplace leadership roles and in politics". Olivia has taken on the task of mentoring women through her role as Financial Advisor to Gamma Phi Beta Sorority where she helps collegiate women grow into future leaders. She also mentors new emerging leaders at UnitedOne by encouraging their professional development and also mentors teams of young women and men through the INCubator program and Career Connections at local schools. She is currently in a position that highlights the strides the women before her and she, herself have made in male dominated fields to show other women, including her daughters, anything is possible when you are a passionate leader, no matter your gender. Olivia was nominated twice for the Coastal Young Professional's Top 10 Best Under 40 Award.
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