2017 ATHENA Leadership Award program

32nd ANNUAL

Award

LEADERSHIP

PROGRAM

®

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 Newsline 9 anchor desk full-time in 2015. Rebecca enjoys water skiing and singing in her free time.

Rebecca Ribley WAOW Newsline 9

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 Nominees who choose to do so, complete the application n Applications are reviewed and scored by judges* using the criteria provided by ATHENA International n The scorecards are tallied to determine the recipients n Recipients are announced at the ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Program *The ATHENA judges are individuals including past ATHENA recipients and representatives from a variety of industry segments.

ATHENA Leadership Award® 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 Hardel 2013: Karen Katz 2014: Tee Daly 2015: Dean Dietrich 2016: Kari Solomonson

Dedication.

Determination.

Leadership.

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ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Cynthia Baumann

Creative Communication & Design Cindy is the co-creator of a woman-owned advertising agency that earned the 2016 Small Business of the Year Award.

Cindy lost her son, Shaun, in a hunting accident and is inspired to reach out to other mothers who have lost sons, counselling them through their grief.

Cindy has served on the boards of the UW-Marathon County Foundation and Integrity First Bank and has volunteered with Junior Achievement, the American Cancer Society, the YWCA and the United Way.

Cynthia Baumann

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Rebecca Coushman Domtar Paper

Rebecca searches for ways to empower co-workers to become the best they can be and encourages them to give back to their communities.

As the coach of her daughter’s softball teams, Rebecca stresses that all players should treat each other with respect, try to do their best on the field and have fun while playing and practicing.

Rebecca has served as a volunteer at the Warming Shelter and with Junior Achievement.

Rebecca Coushman

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ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Ann Dahlke UMR

Ann enjoys seeing growth in those she mentors, particularly when they realize that they have within themselves the ability to become strong and effective leaders.

Ann has held a variety of leadership positions with the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

She serves on Northcentral Technical College’s Administrative Professional Advisory Committee and has volunteered at the Wausau Conservatory of Music, the Festival of Trees and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Ann Dahlke

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ATHENA Leadership Award® Finalist

Mai Her

Wausau World Market Mai and her husband were forced to leave their home in Laos during the Vietnam War. She spent time in a refugee camp in Thailand before resettling in central Wisconsin.

Mai found the community to be more than she expected, with a great public education system, job security and the opportunity for financial success.

Mai has hired and mentored women who have shared her interest in the culinary arts and has served as a member of the First Hmong Missionary Alliance Church’s Women’s Leadership Board.

Mai Her

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Dr. Kelly Kapitz

Marathon County Special Education In her role as the director of special education, Kelly encourages and supports the talented individuals she works with. Kelly strongly believes that she works in a helping profession, in concert with other women, not in competition.

Kelly has served on the board of the Wisconsin Council for Administrators of Special Services and has volunteered with Wisconsin Deerhunters Inc, the Wittenberg-Birnamwood Booster Club and School Forest and on the School Administrators Alliance.

Dr. Kelly Kapitz

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Trena Loomans

The Caring Tree Children’s Counseling Center With more than 20 years of experience working in education and in the area of mental health, Trena noticed the growing need for mental health services specific to children. This observation led to the creation of her business, aided by a group of strong and talented women.

Trena has served on the board for the Wisconsin School Counseling Association and has volunteered with the Girl Scouts and the Crisis Prevention Institute.

Trena Loomans

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Dr. Corina Norrbom

Wisconsin Institute of Public Policy & Service, Medical College of Wisconsin, Aspirus Cori was influenced by her experiences as a doctor in central Wisconsin and New Zealand to become involved in health policy. She organized a conference on the Affordable Care Act, developed Community Health Business Partnerships and partnered with the Early Years Coalition.

Cori has also been involved with the Toward One Wausau project, aimed at creating a community that is welcoming to everyone. Cori has served on the boards of the Good News Project, UWMC Foundation Board and North Central Community Services.

Dr. Corrina Norrbom

ATHENA Leadership Award® Finalist

Margaret P’ng

Blessings in a Backpack of DC Everest & Wausau Margaret co-created the local Blessings in a Backpack program in 2012. Inspired by stories of hungry students at her child’s school, Margaret organized funding and volunteers, the large majority of whom are women, to address this issue. The organization now serves 1,100 students each week at 13 schools in the area.

Margaret has tried to maintain a positive outlook as she recently completed 16 months of chemotherapy following a diagnosis of inoperable brain cancer.

Margaret P’ng

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Ellen Rock-Reineck River Valley Bank

Ellen is one of four senior women leaders at her company and was directly responsible for the professional growth of three other women within her marketing department.

In 2010, Ellie led a local fundraising effort to build a home for a family with special needs children. The effort raised more than $100,000 in monetary and material donations.

Ellie has served on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Shared Blessings and the Central Wisconsin Children’s Theater.

Ellen Rock-Reineck

ATHENA Leadership Award® Finalist

Jennifer Smith

Bridge Community Health Clinic Jennifer has created and managed women’s health programs for organizations of all sizes. She believes that excellence evolves from a foundation of personal and professional intiative and from the ability to draw together people with a broad array of experiences.

As co-developer of the new Marathon County School-Based Counseling Consortium, Jennifer is working to provide access to counseling for students.

Jennifer has served on the board for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and is the co-director of the children’s choir at Community Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Jennifer Smith

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Elizabeth Tillisch Ms Liz Naturals

Elizabeth has served as an Ambassador for the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce for more than 25 years.

During that time, Liz has mentored many new Ambassadors on the finer points of networking.

Liz has served on the NutriMetics International Board of Directors as the director of motivation and fashion.

Liz has volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul and founded the Smart Chicks & Old Bags fundraiser for St. Michael’s Parish.

Elizabeth Tillisch

ATHENA Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Bridget Wenman

Perspectives Training & Consulting Mentoring other women has been an important part of Bridget’s life. She believes that too few women hold executive positions in the region. Bridget co-founded The Alliance of Women Leaders in 2005. This group was specifically designed to provide personal and professional development opportunities and support for professional women.

Bridget has served on the boards for Junior Achievement of Wisconsin - North Central District, the Rotary Club of Wausau and the Boy Scouts of America - Samoset Council.

Bridget Wenman

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Amber Anderson SC Swiderski LLC

Amber works as a senior accountant and constantly seeks to improve her employer’s processes, both in financial management and employee engagement.

Amber serves as a volunteer at her church, Christian Assembly, supporting women in a small group setting and teaching children.

Amber also sells custom-designed coffee mugs through her own business, Little Oak Marketplace.

Amber Anderson

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2018

Women’s Leadership Conference

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

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ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Robyn Bretl

lightbodY LLC, Weston Family Dental Robyn has taught more than 1,500 yoga sessions to classes filled mostly by women. She welcomes first-time participants of all ages in her classes.

Robyn is an active member of Living Well Church and has volunteered as a children’s yoga teacher at the Boys and Girls Club. Robyn has also served as the secretary for Rib View Cemetary.

Robyn Bretl

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Finalist

Katrina Felch

Northcentral Technical College Katie encourages other women at all levels to get involved in activities and committees in her workplace.

She has served as a mentor to several women with young children and has always stressed the importance of putting family first.

Katie has served as a board member for the DC Everest Idea School, on the foundation of Ascension’s Saint Clare’s Hospital and as a decorator at the Aspirus Foundation’s Festival of Trees.

Katrina Felch

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Finalist

Katie Hoff

Church Mutual Insurance Company Katie is an active member of her employer’s Women’s Leadership Initiative. Katie has also led a group of young employees in an effort to connect them to the company and the community. These efforts eventually led to the company’s involvement with the Chamber’s young professional group, hype.

Katie has helped her company’s Think Insurance Retreat grow as a recruitment tool aimed at attracting college students.

Katie Hoff

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Finalist

Allison Liddle

Prosper Wealth Management, Allison Liddle Consulting Allison seeks to empower women to design lives they love and to further this pursuit has recently published ‘Life Under Construction’ and traveled to Paraguay with John Maxwell on a leadership trip.

Allison has volunteered for a local moms club, served as the co-coordinator for the Wausau Mastermind group, has spoken at a Chamber event for young professionals and led The Great Start Collaborative in two counties in Upper Michigan.

Allison Liddle

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Samantha Mallo Aspirus Business Health-Wellness

Samantha enjoys spreading the message that everyone can achieve optimal health and happiness. To that end, Samantha created Healthy Fitness Girls online and has served as a contributing writer for Queen of the Castle magazine.

Samantha has volunteered with the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Lung Association, serving as a mentor and day camp leader at the Asthma Youth Camp.

Samantha Mallo

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Kayeng Moua Peoples State Bank

Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, Kayeng lost her mother at the age of seven before immigrating with her family to the United States at the age of 11.

Kayeng has held several positions with her employer and has sought to motivate Hmong women to seize personal, academic and professional opportunities.

Kayeng volunteers with the United Way of Marathon County on a variety of initiatives.

Kayeng Moua

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Tina Riehle Deluxe

Tina has served with a team of co-workers on an initiative to develop an inspired workforce and inspire community involvement.

Tina is passionate about caring for animals and has served as a mentor for those fostering pets around the region. Tina has participated in her employer’s gardening club, as well as maintaining a garden of her own. Fresh produce from these efforts have been donated to local food pantries.

Tina Riehle

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Finalist

Erika Van De Yacht Sentry Insurance

Erika co-founded a group for women’s engagement at a previous employer and has sought opportunities to serve as a corporate learning professional for organizations primarily serving women and children.

Erika was a speaker at the Chamber’s 2017 Women’s Leadership Conference and has also spoke as a volunteer to organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Marathon County and the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Erika has also volunteered with the United Way of Marathon County and The Women’s Community.

Erika Van De Yacht

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership AwardÂŽ Finalist

Erin Witucki Wipfli LLP

Erin has acted as a peer advisor at her employer, heading up training efforts and offering guidance for staff members and interns.

Erin has volunteered at a number of organizations, including Catholic Charities, the United Way and Fill a Backpack, Fill a Need. Erin also has served as a board member for United Way’s Emerging Leaders group and for the Rib Mountain Bowmen archery club. Erin has coached volleyball at Wausau East.

Erin Witucki

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award recipients:

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