Shining Gifts of Great Ideas
Before InSpire Magazine was launched in May of 2004, a priority was set to put together an advisory board. This group of local women would be the eyes and ears of the community, an outlet for ideas and stories from each of their communities.
These six women have proven to be just that, plus a whole lot more. The board meets regularly with the InSpire Magazine staff where they share thoughts, ideas, and feedback on past and upcoming issues. This communication has been proven valuable in so many ways.
As we reflect on many of the gifts of the season, we would like to share the talents and treasure that is the advisory board for InSpire Magazine. Their hard work and dedication is much appreciated, valued and downright inspiring. Each member has shared a little bit about what they do in the community and how all of us can share our gifts with the world around us.
Vicki Grant
Regional Director of Operations with Health Dimensions Group
Vicki and her husband Jeff reside in Randolph. They have one son, Tylor, who is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Vicki is a registered nurse as well as a licensed nursing home administrator. Vicki has worked in long term care since she was 18 years old and loves what she does very much. As the Regional Director of Operations, Vicki oversees the operations of six long and short term care facilities in the state of Wisconsin. Her work usually involves day travel but sometimes her schedule requires traveling out of state to assist other facilities or attend meetings at the corporate office in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Shelly Haberman
Senior Public Relations Associate with Agnesian HealthCare
Shelly has been with Agnesian HealthCare for 18 years as a member of its Public Relations team. She is married to Mitch Haberman, they live in Fond du Lac and have two children, Marisa and Justin. As a family, they enjoy camping, fishing and bowling. Shelly graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a degree in Journalism and started her career as wire editor with the Portage Daily Register and Baraboo News Republic. From there, she moved into public relations work with Perry Printing in Waterloo, Wis., and then to Agnesian HealthCare.
Shelly has served on the Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac Board of Directors since 2007 and as treasurer since 2008. She has been proud to serve on the InSpire Advisory Board since 2004, and in that time, Shelly said she has seen the magazine grow into a positive force for local women to connect and get valuable information to benefit their health and well-being.
In her position, Shelly works with a fantastic group of women that help to oversee all the communication and advertising efforts for Agnesian HealthCare. This includes anything from newsletters to news release to advertisements to media relations. They are responsible for any initiative that helps to bring the Agnesian HealthCare brand forward, as well as any communications that complements the mission and values. Shelly also has worked for many years with the associates at the switchboard at St. Agnes Hospital. They play an important role to ensure that anyone calling any Agnesian HealthCare service gets simply the best service and has their needs met.
Mary Jo Kuenzi
Clinical Admissions Specialist with Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center, Waupun
Mary Jo lives in Beaver Dam and is married with two children and five grandchildren. She has worked in the healthcare field for many years utilizing her nursing education as well as branching out into the marketing field. Mary Jo is the contact person for inquiries for admission to the Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center. She completes nursing assessments, determines the level of continuing care needed, and assist with the admission process. In addition, she coordinates and facilitates Marketing and Public Relations for the organization.
Most recently, Mary Jo has turned a hobby of collecting, repurposing furniture and decorating into a part-time venture when she joined the retail world at Twisted Sisters, a new store in Beaver Dam.
Linda Skjerly
Marketing Production Specialist at Beaver Dam Community Hospitals, Inc.
Linda has been working at Beaver Dam Community Hospital for 15 years in the marketing department. Linda is married to Steve Skjerly, who is the Plant Manager of Automated Pet Care Products in Juneau, Wis. Combined, they have five adult children and 10 wonderful grandchildren.
In her position, Linda is responsible for creating the Beaver Dam Community Hospital’s marketing and educational materials used throughout the organization. In addition, she coordinates community events and health fairs, educating the regional population about the types of programs and services BDCH offers to enhance their health care. In her down time, Linda enjoys playing volleyball and bowling with a great group of girlfriends, camping up north with the Skjerly clan, reading and spending time with her husband, family and grandchildren.
Patti H. Walker
Community Relations Coordinator at Columbus Community Hospital
Patti was born and raised in Kenosha, Wis. and has resided in Columbus since 1994. She is married to Tyler and has a six-year-old daughter, Lily. Patti has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, with a minor in Public Relations. At Columbus Community Hospital, Patti’s work includes writing, graphic design, photography, organizing special events and fundraisers, volunteer coordinator, Lifeline Program (home emergency response service) coordinator, and assistant to the marketing and foundation director.
Organizations that Patti is involved with are the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Board, Columbus Kiwanis Club, Columbus/Fall River Relay For Life Planning Committee, and the Volunteers of Columbus Community Hospital.
Jan White
Owner of Jan’s Optical, Waupun
Jan has lived in Waupun since 1963 and is a graduate of Waupun High School. She attended Fox Valley Tech in the Food Service Supervisor Program. In 1975, she began her career in paraoptometry and in 1993, opened Jan’s Optical. In her work, Jan is responsible for frame styling, contact lens construction, adjustment and repair of eyewear and office management.
Getting to Know What Inspires Them
The gifts of the season are many, and for the InSpire Magazine Advisory Board, these women recognize that gifts come in many different packages.
Family and friends were listed as important gifts for many of these women. Patti Walker recognized the involvement of her own family in sharing gifts with the community. She said, “I believe in strong support from family when giving back to the community. My husband and daughter are a big part of my ability to give. They are always willing to get involved and help others, whether it be joining in a community walk or donating time or resources to an event.”
Vicki Grant takes another perspective on the gift of family. “My husband has a cardiac condition, so we treasure each and every year of continued life, and recognize how fortunate we are that he remains healthy,” she said. “Our son is the greatest joy for us and has made us very proud. We always taught him that while being a good student and athlete was important, at the end of the day it is being a good person that will get you the furthest in life. I believe he is a very good person and will do good things with his life and for others.”
For Shelly Haberman, she has been blessed with family, friends and good health. “I treasure them all because I know how fleeting life can be, and how quickly it can change,” she said. “As part of a faith-based mission, I am fortunate that I can bring my personal values, including faith, to my work.”
Involvement in the community can be seen as a gift that branches out in many ways. In addition to serving on InSpire Magazine’s Advisory Board, Linda Skjerly is co-chair for the Focus on Women Resource Day. She is a member of the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce’s marketing committee and the Staff Appreciation planning committee. Linda is also on the planning committee of the annual Leadership Factor seminar, a member of the Optimist Club and serves as the Beaver Dam Community Hospital’s representative to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce. As a Junior Achievement volunteer, Linda teaches second grade students about how a community works.
“I know I am making a difference in people’s lives,” Linda said, “now and in the future, every time I attend a community event or health fair and share information that can improve their health and well being.”
Jan White is a volunteer in many different areas – Waupun Rotary, Lions, Christmas Club, Education Foundation, Waupun Area Recreation Project, Chamber of Commerce, Pella Lutheran Church and the Thanksgiving Day Meal and the American Optometric Association – Paraoptometric Section.
“I believe a caring heart, good health and a loving family are the greatest gifts,” Jan said.
Mary Jo Kuenzi is a member of Waupun Rotary. She believes that love and friendship are some of the greatest gifts, and that the gift of “time” is something given out of love and friendship.
“I see ‘community’ as more than where I live,” Mary Jo said. “I also have my work community, my social and family community. I enjoy and want to help babysit my grandchildren, help our parents when needed, and be a good friend and co-worker. In addition, being a member of a civic organization, like Rotary, provides the opportunity to help others in the community as well as internationally.”
Shelly said she was fortunate to be asked by a mentor to join the Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac. She has just joined the Leadership Fond du Lac group, and looks forward to selecting a service project that will enhance the lives of those individuals and families that live in her community. Shelly has also been actively involved in various church groups, as well as activities that her two children have been a part.
“I believe that we have all been given certain talents and creativity that can be beneficial to various organizations,” Shelly said. “By blending the talents and skills that are inherent in us all, the possibilities are endless and the community benefits as a result of these collaborations.”
While Vicki is not currently involved in community volunteering or service, she certainly has done her share in the past. She served as a village of Randolph trustee for two terms, was a member of the Randolph Chamber of Commerce for several years, and volunteered at the Randolph Christian School and Randolph High School when her son attended there.
“I try to make a difference by being a good neighbor and community person,” Vicki said. “I certainly know many of the people in Randolph, so when I am on walks or riding my bike it is special to stop and visit along the way, catch up with people and just enjoy the moment. When my husband and I owned High Street Studio, we met so many wonderful people. We really felt we made a difference in the community and that High Street was a gift to the community.”
Inspiration is important in the sharing of gifts; many times service to others is learned by observing generous people. All of the advisory board members have a special person in their life who were inspirations.
For Patti, that person is her mother. “She was a stay-at-home mom for many years, volunteering as a Girl Scout troop leader,” Patti said. “She then went on to graduate as a Registered Nurse at age 50 and was employed at a hospital and a nursing home. She took care of my father for several years as he battled cancer. Following his death, she became more involved in her community. She is always supportive and encourages me to get involved in my community and give to others.”
Vicki and Mary Jo also credit their mothers. Vicki said, “She was a very kind, gentle woman who always tried to see the good in people. She never meddled in other’s business and seldom had a bad thing to say about people. She was such a gentle person, although she died many years ago, I think of her often when I go about my day to day life.”
Mary Jo explained, “My mother has always been a hard worker. She instilled a good work ethic in me. Even as a child, I recognized that my mom was a leader. She volunteered her time to serve in leadership positions in church and social organizations and she could always be counted on to help family and friends when needed."
The inspiration for Shelly comes from both parents. She said, “My father was an engineer and my mother was a teacher. They are both enjoying retirement now. They were very dedicated to their careers and were wonderful mentors to their five children. They have always encouraged me to be the best I can, and have instilled in me the values I have carried forward to my two children. They continue, along with my husband and children, to be my biggest cheerleaders.”
Jan also has a cheerleader in the form of her Aunt Aleta. “She has encouraged me since I was a young girl,” Jan said, “helping my self-esteem and confidence.”
Attending the Leadership Beaver Dam program opened Linda’s eyes to all of the good things about her community, from the rich history to the excellent school system, and all of the agencies and resources that provide much needed services for those in need. In addition, the Leadership Development Program at Beaver Dam Community Hospital has strengthened her skills and her ability to provide the utmost in customer satisfaction, a quality she also learned from her mother who provided excellent service to customers of Bank One.
Just as these women have been inspired by others, they are also inspirations to each of their respective communities and they offered words of advice for other people to let their gifts shine forth. Jan said, “Share your passion with others, doing what you can to make your community a better place to live.” Patti added, “No matter what your talents in life, you are needed. Someone is out there waiting for you to raise your hand and say ‘yes’ I will help, ‘yes’ I will be there for you. The key is knowing that you are needed and taking that first step to offer to help someone. Share your gifts. While you may not feel your talents are worth sharing, for those who benefit from them, they are invaluable, and sometimes life-changing.”
Vicki believes everyone’s voice really does matter and women should not be afraid to speak up and give their opinion in a respectful way. “I think each person has a uniqueness about them that will only enhance what goes on in a committee. I believe that when you volunteer your time you gain so much more than you lose. I have met so many people and developed lasting friendships as a result.”
Be open to new opportunities, Shelly said. “While it may be unsettling at the time, as it becomes more familiar and you grow in your confidence, it is very rewarding to share your gifts with others, and then, you receive much more in return. I can look back over my years and remember with great fondness all the endeavors I have been part of, and know that I was able to make a difference.”
Mary Jo recommended that women step out of their comfort zone and join a civic group or simply share their time and talents by volunteering at a hospital, nursing home or school. “Slow down and take time for yourself,” she said. “When you give yourself the gift of time, you will be more inclined to ‘pay it forward’ by sharing your time and talent with others.”
There are so many ways to get involved in a community, Linda explained. All one needs to do is ask how you can help. It takes all kinds of people and talent to keep our communities strong and thriving and there is no greater feeling than giving back and helping support the great programs and resources our community has available.
“Find your passion and seek out opportunities to share it with your community,” Linda said. “There are so many volunteer opportunities where your talents can be instrumental in the success of a program. If each of us would find one community program to support either financially or by volunteering our time and talents, these programs would continue to grow and flourish. In addition, the warm feelings you get back from sharing of yourself cannot be beat.”
