WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

Jennifer provided clarity and care for victims during a very dark time along with her service dog, Pepper, who joined the department in 2020 – to ease stress on their worst days, especially children impacted by crime.

After the parade, Jennifer provided on-the-ground support for the community almost immediately. She worked above and beyond to ensure people had what they needed.

Jennifer’s passion to comfort and support the victims of this tragedy was evident from the start. Her clear and concise communication, both through email and on the phone, provided much-needed guidance. She made the victims’ voices matter.

During the trial, she set up a room at the courthouse where the victims could gather. She and her staff were there with Pepper to offer a hug or comforting words as the victims had to relive their experiences from that horrible day. After the trial, her team organized a gathering for the victims and families to meet one another – helping to put closure on this tragic event.

Through the years, she’s helped thousands of crime victims – bringing light to darkness. Jennifer has also demonstrated compassion and calm in the face of violent events and leads the Mobile Victims Assistance Program. She also facilitated a partnership with the Department of Justice that resulted in the brand new United for Waukesha Resiliency Center, a one-stop center where survivors can access service navigation assistance and community support.

A leader in her field, Jennifer has helped create a service for Waukesha County that’s respected across the country. In 2010, the Wisconsin Victim Witness Professionals Association recognized her as the Service Provider of the Year.

She exemplifies the change we have seen in the financial sector where women are becoming senior leaders and even CEOs of banks.

She’s an excellent coach and career advisor for young women and encourages them to strive for leadership positions traditionally occupied by men.

Sarah is an amazing example of a woman who’s willing to get involved and give back to her community. Not only has she been successful in her professional career but also in the ways she leads in the community – juggling work, family and community commitments.

She serves as a policy board chairperson for the Waukesha County Business Alliance, advocating for Waukesha County’s economic vitality. She serves on the Advisory Board for the School of Business and Technology at Carroll University and Marquette University’s College of Business Administration Finance Program. Sarah serves as a finance committee member for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin and was also honored in Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.

In addition, Sarah has generously devoted time, talent and philanthropic support to further The Women’s Center’s mission of providing safety, shelter and support to all those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and human trafficking.

Sarah’s accomplishments are impressive, dynamic and unparalleled – inspiring change in the lives of those around her.

At ProHealth Care, Ildiko has worked tirelessly to ensure career pathways and opportunities to support women, particularly, to advance in their roles through training programs. Since 2019, 40 individuals have advanced in their careers due to these programs. She also works to empower the next generation as a mentor to many leaders. Ildiko sits on many collegiate-level boards and committees with a focus on influencing and inspiring future female leaders.

Her drive and passion to help others also extends into the community where Ildiko has shown a selfless dedication serving on boards of several nonprofits, helping the most vulnerable and most at-risk, including SafeBabies, Healthy Families guiding its partnership with Easter Seals.

Since 2020, Ildiko has served as president of the board at Hebron Housing Services, strengthening the organization to better serve those in need. She advocates for marginalized members of our community, understanding the great needs of women and children in the community. She logged more than 1,000 hours in service to Hebron House by focusing on sustainable practices in its management, compensation, recruiting and hiring, and onboarding.

As described by her daughter: “My mother is as unstoppable as Mother Nature with the intentions of Mother Teresa.” Born in Budapest, Hungary, Ildiko was able to immigrate to the United States as a teenager after her mother spent years in Wisconsin raising money to bring her here. Her drive, kindness and sincerity is palpable to anyone she meets.

As manager of the emergency departments at ProHealth Care hospitals in Waukesha and Mukwonago, she has supported and inspired her staff during the challenges of COVID-19 and subsequent nursing shortages. Her strength, her calm demeanor and her experience also shone during a terrifying time in Waukesha. Watching the 2021 Christmas parade with her sons and other family members, she witnessed the trauma caused by a driver whose vehicle slammed into marchers and onlookers. Sherry sprang into action, treating the injured and then rushed to Waukesha Memorial, where she mobilized her team to provide care for dozens.

Described by one supporter as “a natural leader with a deep passion for her community,” Sherry is president of the boards of the Mukwonago Education Foundation and the Phantom Lake YMCA Camp, where, as a volunteer, she supervises camp medical staff.

Trained in the care of sexual assault victims, Sherry manages a nursing program for victims and is involved in a county taskforce on human trafficking. Sherry’s sister lauded her as a “person (who puts) her own problems aside and takes on another’s burden.”

Another nominator noted her “positive attitude and fierce determination to advocate for children.” During her 11-year tenure at Dixon, she earned the respect and admiration of her staff by treating “everyone with equal consideration, compassion and understanding,” a colleague wrote. She mentored and supported teachers so they could do what they do best – teach and support students.

Jeanne shares her skills and passion with other organizations. She has organized successful food drives for The Women’s Center and works for the center triaging crisis calls and as an on-call advocate, a trained volunteer who responds to sexual assault and domestic violence emergencies.

She also spent time in Haiti, where she began the Adopt a Haitian Teacher project, and has been a coach for Special Olympics.

A chance meeting at a Special Olympics competition at which their sons participated got the dream off the ground. Sheila’s son Matthew and Susan’s sons Marvin and Max have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). They flourished in high school and, after senior year, all three participated in a public school transition program for students with IDD. Once they turn 21, however, the program ends and opportunities for independent living are limited.

Sheila and Susan set out to find a better solution – and Journey21 was born. After years of planning, research, fundraising and building relationships with businesses, community groups, families, schools and partners that work with adults with IDD, they will break ground this year on a 12-acre site in Pabst Farms in Oconomowoc. The $26 million project will include an Enrichment Center and a residential neighborhood, providing “a unique supportive living and learning community” for about 44 adults with IDD, their nominator wrote.

“Sheila and Susan are inspirational in their efforts to champion services for individuals with IDD,” wrote one supporter. “They are an example for others, demonstrating what can be accomplished with innovative thinking, hard work and passion.”

Recognized for their drive, determination and servant leadership, the two women “shine a spotlight on the need and human rights for adults with IDD to have an enriched life by living independently in a community that is safe, promotes wellness and enrichment for their mind, body and soul,” another supporter wrote.

Memories of a childhood when access to good dental care was not a given prompted DeAnne, who became a dental hygienist, then a dentist, to pledge her skills to help those in need. In addition to caring for patients who were able to pay, DeAnne provided critical care to those who could not.

Now semi-retired, she remains extremely active. Since Community Smiles Dental (formerly Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic) was founded 14 years ago, she has shared her considerable dental skills with both professional staff and patients. She is an active longtime member of the Lions Club and serves on its board, mentors dental students at Marquette University, and serves on the board and teaches at the Pankey Institute, which provides advanced dental education.

Those who work closely with DeAnne appreciate what they call “her inclusive style,” her ability to “fuel the passion of those around her” and her dedication to “model integrity in everything she does.” One supporter said: “… she truly personifies the spirit of a servant leader …”

She is also respected and appreciated by many for sharing her talents and mentoring other women. To that end, she expanded the Professional Women’s Development Network within the WCBA to help women learn the skills they need to become leaders in their professions. She also established the popular Manufacturing Alliance, which gives manufacturing executives the opportunities to share best practices, and provides hands-on opportunities for high school students to learn about careers in industry.

An active community volunteer, Suzanne has served on the board and Campaign Cabinet of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, advisory councils for La Casa de Esperanza and Carroll University, and the Board of Directors of Wisconsin Women in Government. She was named a 2012 Woman of Influence by the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Supporters describe her as a woman of integrity with “passion, enthusiasm and commitment,” “selfless determination and resourcefulness,” “a can-do” attitude” and “a humble example of moral human spirit … and intentional advancement for all.”

Linda spent the first years of her career as a critical care and coronary care nurse at hospitals in California and Milwaukee. At Children’s Hospital of Milwaukee, she was the first clinical specialist in the cardiology department and was then the department manager. It wasn’t long  before she took on leadership roles in education and public health. Her career included a decade as supervisor of health services for the Muskego-Norway School District, stints as an occupational health nurse, and vice president of Community Programs for the American Heart Association. Eventually, she became a consultant for school nursing services at the state Department of Public Instruction, sharing her expertise to help other school nurses deliver effective school health services.

Linda’s enthusiasm for healthier communities led to volunteer leadership roles with the American Heart Association of Wisconsin, the Mukwonago Area Schools Education Foundation, Phantom Lake YMCA Camp, Stillwaters Cancer Support Center, The Women’s Center, the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County, the Waukesha Area Food Pantry, the Waukesha Service Club, (the former) United Way in Waukesha County, and the Waukesha chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

The author of numerous school health-related publications and presentations, she was described by a nominator as “a consummate professional who is community-focused, service-oriented and passionate in all she does.”

The former co-executive director of Milwaukee’s Sojourner Family Peace Center, Angela joined the Women’s Center (TWC) in 2013. Anxious to move TWC forward while honoring its respected past, she led efforts to provide diversity training to staff, offer competitive salaries, start an employee assistance program and create a staff Wellness Committee.

In addition to leading TWC, she is president of the Board of Directors of the Housing Action Coalition of Waukesha County, which works with community partners to address homelessness, an issue Angela has worked hard to bring before the public. She was instrumental in opening a local overflow shelter for homeless families and individuals. She is also a United Way Campaign Cabinet member, an appointee to the Governor’s Council on Offender Re-entry, co-chair of the Waukesha County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, and co-chair of the Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence.

Angela is respected as an effective and passionate leader, but one who always makes time for her colleagues. Her nominator noted that she “goes above and beyond the expectations of her position to demonstrate care for her team.”

While advancing her own career, Sherri became a sought-after and trusted role model, coach and mentor for rising female managers. She held leadership positions in the GE Women’s Network, which fosters professional development to attract, develop and retain female talent in the company.

Sherri also has been an active and dedicated community volunteer and philanthropist, sharing her talents, experience and expertise to help area non-profits achieve their goals. She has served on the boards of The Bottomless Closet in Milwaukee, the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County, Ten Chimneys and Make a Wish Wisconsin. She is highly valued and respected for her contagious optimism and attitude. One supporter noted that she “is a natural leader with an outstanding gift of enthusiasm” who “unhesitatingly steps forward” to take on whatever tasks need to be done.

After retiring in 2017, Sherri became a member of SCORE (Service Core of Retired Executives), supporting entrepreneurs with her professional skills and business experience.

Baer’s professional resume includes 28 years in various roles at Cooper Power Systems, retiring as manager of North American Customer Service. She also worked for the United Way in Waukesha County and a was a substitute teacher for a short stint. But she is best known and revered for her work as vice president of community engagement for the Waukesha County Business Alliance. In that role, she worked tirelessly to meet the needs of Waukesha County businesses, helping to create and lead several of the alliance’s workforce development initiatives, including Schools2Skills™, a program that introduced young people to the opportunities for excellent careers in manufacturing.

Her volunteer and community service resume includes work with many organizations, including the Waukesha Rotary Club (past president), Waukesha County Public Health Advisory Committee (chair), Thriving Waukesha County Alliance, Waukesha County Community Foundation Advisory Committee, Carroll University, Waukesha Memorial Hospital and ProHealth Care, and the Food Pantry of Waukesha County.

A former member of the WCTC Board of Trustees, she helped raise $2 million in private funding to help build a world-class Integrated Manufacturing Center at WCTC. She was named Waukesha County Freeman Citizen of the Year in 2011 and a Woman of Influence by the Milwaukee Business Journal in 2015.

Dedicated to raising understanding of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and reducing the stigma associated with it, she helped establish the OCD Foundation-Wisconsin and serves on its board of directors.

Described by her nominator as “a quintessential servant leader,” Bush is respected in the Oconomowoc community for her leadership on a project to raise $500,000 in a short time to establish Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Oconomowoc.

A member of the Oconomowoc Rotary Club, she is also a former communications and public relations director for the Oconomowoc Area School District and is the executive director of Observation Tower, which provides leadership workshops. She also served on the board of directors of Gals Institute LLC, which offers mental health services for children and adults, including those who can’t afford it. She was named by the Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce as Oconomowoc Citizen of the year in 2016.

Described by a colleague in a letter of recommendation as “a leader who believes in teamwork and an inspiring mentor,” Langill has used her talents and expertise to benefit the community. A co-founder and first president of the Waukesha Education Foundation, Langill has played a key role in local and area education efforts for decades. She taught history at Carroll University, University Lake School and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She was a member of the Waukesha School Board for 14 years and co-chaired a successful school referendum for Waukesha School District in 2001.

Langill served as president of the board of directors of The Women’s Center, the United Way in Waukesha County and the Adaptive Community Approach Program. She also served on the boards of the Women and Girls Fund, the YMCA and the former YWCA.

The author of more than 25 history books, she was president of the Board of Curators of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin and is serving on the board of the Wisconsin Historical Foundation.

A former pastor at First United Methodist Church in Waukesha, Kris engages with donors, volunteers, community partners, clergy, service providers, elected officials and other stakeholders to end homelessness. Her staff credits her with seeking, listening to and valuing their perspectives, ideas and opinions.

Valued as a role model for women, she is widely respected for focusing on solutions needed to address critical community issues. Under her leadership, Hebron House of Hospitality was named 2017 Large Non-Profit of the Year at the Waukesha County Executive Awards luncheon.  

An ordained Methodist minister, Kris has nearly 20 years experience working with non-profit organizations. She is a member of the local Housing Action Coalition Board of Directors and serves as chair of the Emergency Overflow Committee. She is passionate about working to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home and the support they need to survive and thrive with dignity.

Described as a leader who “knows the way, shows the way and goes the way,” she is known as a champion of those with mental illness, using her energy, skills and passion to promote understanding and provide services for those whose illness often causes them to be stigmatized in the community.

Mary created partnerships and connections that help those with mental illness on their journey to productive lives. Under her leadership, NAMI, once a small and little-known agency, now has a staff of 13 and a community profile that attracts support from business and community leaders. New and expanded NAMI programs help family members, law enforcement, business leaders, first responders and others understand the challenges faced by those with mental illness. She has strengthened NAMI’s impact through crisis training, youth outreach and education, homeless outreach and services, and suicide awareness and prevention.  

Mary was named by the Milwaukee Business Journal as a 2016 Woman of Influence. In 2015, her agency was honored as the Small Nonprofit of the Year at the annual Waukesha County Executive Awards.

Mary is a graduate of Alverno College where she earned a degree in psychology.

JoAnn is a revered mentor dedicated to developing the talents of others. One district administrator said she “… created a culture where staff trusted and respected her leadership because they knew she was consistent, honest and thoughtful …” She is a sought-after speaker on leadership and innovation, and was one of 50 superintendents invited to the White House for a summit on innovation and personalized learning.

In 2010, the PSD won the Wisconsin Forward Award, the highest level of recognition in Wisconsin’s performance excellence program. In 2013, the district was honored with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

JoAnn serves on the Board of Examiners for the Baldrige National Quality Program and the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence. She is a member of the American Society for Quality and was recognized as Pewaukee’s Person of the Year in 2014 and Wisconsin’s Superintendent of the Year in 2013. She was also honored with the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Women of Influence in 2010. She now teaches at Cardinal Stritch University.