2016 ATHENA Leadership Award Program

31st ANNUAL

Award

LEADERSHIP

PROGRAM

®

O ’ M A L L E Y A U T O M O T I V E P R O U D F O U N D I N G S P O N S O R O F T H E AT H E N A AWA R D

3405 Stewart Avenue | Wausau WI (715) 842-2131 | www.omalleyautos.com

3405 Stewart Avenue | Wausau WI | (715) 842-2131 | www.omalleyautos.com

ATHENA Leadership Award® Program agenda Welcome Profiles of this year’s finalists Recognition of past recipients Awards presentation Closing Today’s Master of Ceremonies is Rebecca Ribley of WAOW Newsline 9.

Rebecca is from Medina, Ohio and joined the Newsline 9 team in May 2014 as the Wood County Bureau multimedia journalist. Rebecca made the move to the Wake Up Wisconsin Anchor desk in 2015. Rebecca enjoys water skiing and singing in her free time.

Rebecca Ribley WAOW Newsline 9

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n Nominees who choose to do so, complete the application

Ethics.

Character.

Trust.

n Applications are reviewed and scored by a selection committee* using the criteria provided by ATHENA International

Winner of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Wisconsin Foundation’s Torch Award for Business Ethics and Integrity – 2016.

The ATHENA Selection Process: n A call for nominations is sent to Chamber members and announced to the general public n Applications are sent to nominees

n The scorecards are tallied to determine the recipients n Recipients are announced at the ATHENA Leadership Award® Program *The ATHENA Selection Committee is comprised of several individuals including past ATHENA recipients and representatives from a variety of industry segments.

844.365.4968 eojohnson.com

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ recipients: 1986: Jane Sternberg 1987: Betty Peters 1988: Taffy Williams 1989: Cheryl Davis 1990: Justice Ann Walsh Bradley 1991: Barbara Hunger 1992: Jean Kruncos 1993: Evelyn Rosen 1994: Waltraud Karkar 1995: Julie Kryshak 1996: LaVon Jensen 1997: Judge Dorothy Bain 1998: Susan Lang 1999: Ann Lucas 2000: Mary Jo Johnson

2001: Patrice Pergolski 2002: Rosemary Barnes 2003: Mary Weller 2004: Joanne Leonard 2005: Mary Radke 2006: Mary Krueger 2007: Dr. Sally Mattingly 2008: Diane Postler-Slattery 2009: Josie Paleologue-Pierce 2010: Linda Larson Schlitz 2011: Dr. Lori Weyers 2012: Jeny Nieuwenhuis 2013: Karen Katz 2014: Tee Daly 2015: Dean Dietrich

ATHENA Leadership Award® Finalist

Suzanne Buska-DeSautel Buska Retirement Solutions Inc

As president and owner of her business, Suzanne has mentored a number of women on her staff, most notably at a new location in the Eau Claire area. Sue has also helped to develop an Empowering Women workshop for her business and co-hosts a weekly radio program, often discussing financial topics specific to women.

Suzanne has organized client events in partnership with local charities such as the United Way’s Fill A Backpack, Fill A Need, the Humane Society of Marathon County, the Boys & Girls Club and The Neighbors’ Place.

Suzanne Buska-DeSautel

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Barbara Ermeling Village of Weston

Barbara has served the Village of Weston and Marathon County in a variety of elected roles. As a member of the National Association of Counties and Wisconsin Counties Association, she has served on a Women in Government Committee which was tasked with finding ways to encourage women to run for public office. Barbara has also helped women who were interested in serving their community, but were unsure how to start.

Barbara is an active member of Peace United Church of Christ.

Barbara Ermeling

ATHENA Leadership Award® Finalist

Kimberly Fischer

Central Beer Distributors Inc Following years as a stay-at-home mom, Kim serves as the president of her business. Kim was required to become certified as a ‘successor owner’ before taking over for her father. Kim is now one of only a handful of female presidents within her distribution network.

Kim is an active member of the National Beer Wholesalers Association and the Wisconsin Beer Distributors Association and a member of the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.

Kim supports a variety of events that raise funds for community projects or that attract visitors to the region.

Kimberly Fischer

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

William Hsu

Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises Inc Will, as vice president of operations, has implemented an enterprise resource planning system which has given women in the company a platform to play key roles in processes like inventory accounting and purchasing.

Will has been an advocate at his business for continuing education and was honored this year with a University of Wisconsin Alumni Association Forward Under 40 Award.

Will is a member of the University of Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association board of directors.

Will is also a trustee and elder at First Presbyterian Church of Wausau.

William Hsu

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Meleesa Johnson

Marathon County Solid Waste As the director of her organization, Meleesa believes that the best and most profound way to assist other women is to serve as a positive role model.

Meleesa is an alderperson for Stevens Point and a member of the Portage County board. She is also a member of the Portage County Aging & Disability board, the Portage County Justice Coalition and the League of Women Voters and president of the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin. Meleesa has also served as an instructor at the College of Natural Resources at UW-Stevens Point.

Meleesa Johnson

ATHENA Leadership Award® Finalist

Heather Martell Peoples State Bank

In a career focused on servant leadership and customer service, Heather’s current role as a cash management specialist offers her opportunities to empower others to succeed, benefitting the entire community.

As co-founder of SAM Foundation Inc, a non-profit formed in memory of her infant son, Heather has collected donations for the Aspirus Prenatal Grief Program. She has also served as an ambassador for the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce, as president of the DC Everest Idea Charter School and on the board of the Central Wisconsin Children’s Theatre. As a performer with Hip Pocket, Heather has entertained at a variety of fundraisers.

Heather Martell

ATHENA Leadership Award® Finalist

Debra Pagel Schenck SC

Early in Deb’s career she knew that she wanted to pursue a meaningful vocation, allowing her to work with and help people. In her position as director - human resource consulting, Deb tries to do more than is expected of her each day. Often this involves assisting clients in achieving goals through their most important asset, their people.

Deb is a founding member of the United Way’s Women in Action, a co-chair for the Festival of the Trees and a member of the board for Junior Achievement and Wausau Child Care. She is also a member of the church council at Mount Olive Lutheran Church.

Debra Pagel

ATHENA Leadership Award® Finalist

Kari Solomonson Peoples State Bank

Kari understands that her actions at work, as vice president retail team leader, can have a profound impact on those around her.

Kari has served as a SEED mentor and teacher for four young women in the Northcentral Technical College program. She has also held roles on the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s Women’s Conference advisory board and Financial Literacy board. Kari is a committee member for the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Conference and a member of the United Way’s Women in Action.

Kari Solomonson

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Mary Thao

Stockbridge-Munsee Community As the chief information officer and a member of the Wausau School Board, Mary encourages girls and women to dream big and take an interest in math, science and technology. She believes that professional leadership is realized when influence can be exerted without force, allowing partners to grow by understanding their desires and passions.

Mary is a member of Christian Fellowship Church, a volunteer with the Lincoln Elementary PTO and sits on the steering committee for WIPSS at UW-Marathon County.

Mary Thao

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Maysee Yang Herr UW - Stevens Point

Maysee is an associate professor of education with a passion for working with college students. She is also the co-founder of Camp Phoojywg - Friend, a Hmong language and culture program for children.

Maysee serves on the boards for the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, the Marathon County Child Development Agency and the Marathon County Diversity Affairs Commission. She was a 2014 20 Under 40 recipient and earned a Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award from the UW-System in 2012.

Maysee Yang Herr

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ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Finalist

Rose DeHut

Center for the Visual Arts As the executive director, Rose hopes to improve engagement with the arts of the community. Through increased connections with others in the region, Rose has been able to further the mission of her organization, including a large renovation project. Rose has shown support to women as artists and students during her tenure, notably through the current ‘Ancestral Women’ project in the Caroline S. Mark Gallery.

Rose is a member of the Art of Healing committee and helped form the Journey Tree Project at the Women’s Community.

Rose DeHut

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Beth Goetsch

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin Beth aims to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported relationships in her role as program director. She believes that volunteerism can have a strong, positive effect on a community.

Beth serves on the Rasmussen College Advisory Board - School of Justice Studies and is a member of the Partnership for Youth. She also teaches Sunday School at Covenant Community Presbyterian Church.

Beth Goetsch

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Janelle Gokey

Domtar Paper Company LLC In her position as engineering and maintenance administrative assistant, Janelle has participated in the Earth Choice Ambassadors Team and riverfront and boat landing clean-ups.

Janelle volunteers for Junior Achievement and serves as the show director for the Central Wisconsin Water Ski Show Team (Water Walkers).

Janelle was honored as a Homegrown Hero earlier this year.

Janelle Gokey

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Finalist

Katie Hamel

Church Mutual Insurance Company Katie has served as the liaison in growing the Chamber’s initiative for young professionals in Merrill. Along with her role as marketing/communication consultant, Katie has led a group of young employees in an effort to connect them to the company and the community.

Katie serves as a mentor to college students at The Commons in Milwaukee. She has also planned United Way fundraisers in her workplace. Katie is a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Thorp.

Katie Hamel

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Finalist

Nora Hertel

Daily Herald Media As public issues investigator, Nora’s readers have ‘a million things clamoring for their attention.’ Nora draws upon her creativity and personal drive to tell important stories in interesting ways. She has also served as a peer mentor to several young reporters.

Nora has been an active participant in West Side Pride, a group that grew out of one of her stories. She is also a volunteer leader with the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes and the founder and coordinator of the Wausau Book Club for Big Readers.

Nora Hertel

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Allison Liddle

Allison Liddle Consulting, Prosper Wealth Management Allison is a John Maxwell Team certified leadership speaker, corporate trainer and executive coach. She is also the president and owner of her business and is listed among the Women’s Choice Award Financial Advisors.

Allison has participated in Pay It Forward Projects and was a founding sponsor of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Northwoods Color Run. Allison also led The Great Start Collaborative in two counties in Upper Michigan.

Allison Liddle

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Finalist

Amanda Murphy footlocker.com/Eastbay

Amanda has displayed a passion for bringing new talent into her workplace in her role as employment brand strategist on her company’s talent acquisition team.

Amanda is a member of the United Way of Marathon County’s Emerging Leaders group and the Chamber’s young professionals group. She has also co-formed and led a ministry program for young adults at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Amanda serves as an assistant cross country coach and is a member of the Wausau Curling Club. She was also involved in organizing the relocation of Rebecca’s Closet to a new space.

Amanda Murphy

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Kristina Neyrinck

Forward Service Corporation Krissy works as a W2 team leader, overseeing case managers and financial employment planners who work one-on-one with individuals in need of assistance. Her goal at work is to help parents with dependent children become self-sufficient.

With Greater Wausau Christian Services, Krissy has taught the Breaking Barriers program to inmates in the Marathon County Jail and launched a similar program in Langlade County. Krissy is also the president of the board for the organization.

Kristina Neyrinck

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Laura Scudiere

North Central Health Care As the senior executive-human service operations, Laura has mobilized more than 800 staff members to become involved in community advocacy for mental health services.

Laura founded the Wausau Urban Community Gardens which assist low-income families with growing their own produce and has mentored local young women as they’ve ascended professional ladders. She has also served on the Marathon County Board of Health along with the board for the United Way of Marathon County and Family Planning Health Service.

Laura Scudiere

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Finalist

Erika Van De Yacht footlocker.com/Eastbay

Erika’s role as the manager of learning and development enables her to empower and inspire others in her workplace to make the most of their talents. She has formed professional and leadership development programs, which were shared with other businesses in the community. Erika also serves as an Emerging Leader Mentor in another program she developed.

Erika serves on the United Way committee at her employer and has volunteered with the Women’s Community.

Erika Van De Yacht

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Nicole Williams

QPS Employment Group As an account executive, Nicole is the membership chair of the Stevens Point Area Human Resource Association and an ambassador of the Chamber’s young professionals group. She is also a member of the Central Wisconsin Society for Human Resource Management.

Nicole is a former member of the US Army and earned a pair of Army Achievement Medals for displaying initiative and achieving goals. She led training programs for soldiers aimed at personal and professional growth.

Nicole Williams

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Shanna Yonke Ruder Ware LLSC

Shanna was inspired to become an attorney through a volunteer experience at the Tubman Legal Clinics in Minneapolis. She assisted hundreds of women in obtaining Orders for Protection against abusive partners. In her current role, she prepares clients for the future in an effort to preserve their legacy.

Shanna has served a term as the co-chair of the Marathon County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and has helped develop the Wills for Veterans program. She has served as the chair of the United Way’s Emerging Leaders and Women in Action groups.

Shanna Yonke

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