Awards and Newsworthy Moments
2024 Downtown Mainstreet Inc. Volunteer of the Year Awardee
Recognized at the organization’s Annual Meeting for leadership and dedicated service supporting the mission and growth of Downtown Mainstreet Inc. During my three years with the organization, I served as Committee Chair of the Organization and Membership Committee, as well as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. In these roles, I helped lead membership initiatives, oversee bylaw updates, support operational and compliance efforts with WEDC, and guide volunteer programs and key events including the Taste of Downtown and the Annual Meeting. I also supported leadership transitions within the organization and worked alongside fellow board members to strengthen governance, operations, and member engagement.
Servant Leadership Feature: Why Servant Leadership Still Matters
Featured by Viterbo University News for leadership and professional impact, highlighting how servant leadership has shaped my career and approach to marketing, leadership, and community involvement. In the feature, I reflect on my journey since graduating from Viterbo and the role servant leadership has played in shaping how I lead and serve others. As I shared in the piece, “servant leadership is about putting people first and creating environments where others can grow, succeed, and lead.” These principles continue to guide my leadership style, professional growth, and commitment to serving the organizations and communities I am fortunate to be part of.
Rising Star Awardee
As a winner of the 2021 Rising Star under 40 award hosted by 7 Rivers Alliance, I have to admit that I was incredibly humbled by the entirety of the experience. We are so lucky to have such amazing humans in the La Crosse, Wisconsin area and I cannot believe that I would even be considered to be within that group.
I am so thankful for the nomination and for the Board selecting me as a winner. I constantly strive to give back to the community and want to continue to not only push myself but the Coulee Region to be better than we were yesterday. We can always accomplish great things when we are working together and I just want to be a part of it!
Just remember, to be a leader you don't have to maintain a certain title and it doesn't have to be in a professional organization. It can be within your community, your niche area, or your sphere of influence. You can be a leader and inspire others every day with every interaction. And remember "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will NEVER forget the way you made them feel."
Leadership is about empowering others, empowering your community, and empowering yourself to step outside of your comfort zone get vulnerable, and truly pour into those areas that are important to your success. Leadership is about investing in others and helping bring the very best out of them. Leadership is about showing up for people, on time and ready to go in whatever capacity is necessary. Leadership is about being a servant to those around you because if it's in your heart, it comes naturally.