Here are the recipients of the 12th annual 7 Rivers Alliance Rising Stars Under 40 program. The winners were recognized in a reception held Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Haley Allen, La Crosse
We’re here to celebrate the individual accomplishments of recipients like Haley, a La Crosse-based entrepreneur and owner of Handled by Hailstorm. But it’s her work helping other businesses and organizations that Haley is most proud of.
That network, Haley says, has allowed her to bring together the different parts of her professional background – business, project management, technology, marketing and design – to help others be successful.
“Relationships have opened doors, created opportunities, led to collaborations and allowed me to work on projects I genuinely care about,” Haley says. “Looking around the community and seeing the success of businesses, organizations and people I’ve had the opportunity to work with makes me incredibly proud.”
Haley co-organizes the La Crosse Snow Ball and guides its marketing efforts. The event benefits Children’s Miracle Network. It’s a chance to give back to an organization that supported her family as Haley and her brother were both Children’s Miracle Network Champions as kids.
Her advice to others? “Ask questions. Be dependable. Stay curious. Say yes to opportunities that scare you a little. And when you don’t know how to do something, don’t be afraid to admit it, then take the initiative to figure it out.”
Dillon Constant, La Crosse
Many of our recipients tonight have received well-deserved individual awards and accolades but there is a drive that makes them work for a world beyond themselves. Meet Dillon, the zoning and planning manager for La Crosse County.
Dillon grew up in Newton, Iowa and holds a master’s degree in planning from the University of Iowa. He joined the county planning department in 2020 before assuming the manager role in the county’s Land Services Department earlier this year. He is known for his collaborative approach, consensus-building skills and forward-looking perspective. He volunteers as the Southwest Representative on the American Planning Association (APA) Wisconsin Chapter Board and was a member of the La Crosse Downtown Mainstreet (DMI) Economic Vitality Committee.
Dillon says he was compelled to work in the field of planning because he is dedicated to advocating for the public good. “Involvement in local government and planning is one of the best ways for someone to create direct, positive changes in their community,” Dillon says. His work is helping the county achieve its sustainability and decarbonization goals.
Planning takes patience, especially with long-range planning, and perseverance to build consensus.
.“Don’t let others’ cynicism kill ambition,” he says. “Working to accomplish ambitious goals is necessary to continue to grow personally and professionally. Build up others around you, even if you don’t always agree with them”
Cassandra Douglas, La Crosse
The nomination says it best: Some people volunteer because they are asked. Others volunteer because service is simply part of who they are. When you consistently see someone giving their time, talents, and energy across multiple organizations, you know you have found someone truly remarkable.
Meet Cassandra, the marketing director for Gerrard-Hoeschler Realtors. Cassandra came to the region to attend UW-La Crosse and never left.
Among her community engagement activities are La Crosse Chamber Young Professionals Committee, various La Crosse Area Buildings Association committees, North La Crosse Business Association, Onalaska Area Business Association Membership Marketing Coordinator and Economic Development Committee member for the La Crosse County. In 2026, she received the Volunteer of the Year Award for the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce, which Cassandra said is her proudest professional accomplishment.
She credits her boss, Doug Billings, for pushing her to get involved in the community. “I like knowing I have had an impact on the Coulee Region through each of these groups,” she says.
Her advice to others? “Just get involved in what you care about and take that to the moon. Doesn’t matter if it’s through work or in your personal life; just spend time doing what matters to you, and you’ll find success.”
Anneliese Eddy, Black River Falls
Serving others is certainly a common theme with our recipients tonight, but Anneliese took that charge to the next level when she moved to Black River Falls a few years ago.
After stepping away from her nursing career to raise her family, Anneliese in 2021 helped start the Black River Area Foster Closet Inc., which provides support to local families caring for children in foster care. The program is going strong today with a strong partnership with a local church.
In 2023 Anneliese also launched the All-Abilities Park in Black River Falls, spearheading fundraising and grants of $1.1 million for an $850,000 project that allowed for the expansion into a multigenerational playground where grandparents can play with grandkids. The project received an award from the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association.
This past year she was the project manager of $1 million project for a new concession stand, bathrooms playground and concrete pads for the Marks Field youth baseball and softball facility. She also volunteers with other organizations and leads the Black River Falls Area Foundation with $6 million in assets.
For Anneliese, being a leader isn’t knowing everything, but knowing how to find the answers and leading people to work together.
Her advice to others is not surprising given her history. “Get involved in as many different areas as you can to increase your awareness of the community around you,” she says. “Determination and trying a new idea is where growth happens. Everyone makes mistakes, even great leaders, but it’s how you learn from your mistakes that impacts your growth as a leader and organization.”
Ashley Erickson, Onalaska
Listen to the words from Ashley: “Life is unpredictable. Some of its turns are painful, some are beautiful, and sometimes they’re both. My path has been a little windy, but every turn has brought me to where I am today. And I truly wouldn’t change anything about it.”
Ashley’s description of her ascent over the past 11 years at Emplify Health from a scheduler to chief of staff shows the result of hard work and people who believed in her. Ashley was enrolled at UW-La Crosse as a freshman when her mother passed away. After feeling lost and uncertain, she joined Gundersen Behavioral Health as a scheduler and grew from there.
Ashley said she is proud of helping to facilitate a cross-functional executive group across two regions to develop and implement an enterprise governance structure during a merger. “She has a gift for tackling sticky problems with grace and collaboration, helping teams work through complexity with clarity, confidence, and a shared sense of purpose,” her nominator said.
She helps organize a team each year for the Polar Plunge supporting Special Olympics Wisconsin and looks forward to more community involvement when her children get older.
Her advice to others is to take the opportunity and stretch yourself. “Most importantly, show up with humility, empathy, and a little humor,” she says. “You don’t have to have all the answers, and you certainly don’t have to take yourself too seriously. Be willing to learn from everyone around you and remember that how you make people feel matters.”
Tristan Fink, La Crosse
When Tristan was 15 years old, he began a summer job at Walsh Golf Center. Through lessons in discipline, turf care and customer service, he now is the owner. It’s a result of sweat equity, loyalty and grit.
Those qualities also are on display in his second business – Midwest Outdoor Services – that he started with a partner five years ago. The business provides extensive services, including irrigation, custom patios, snow removal, grass mowing and landscaping with around 10 employees.
Tristan’s career journey also included working at Festival Foods during the winter while in high school, where he learned about business, leadership, managing and customer service. In 2025 he took over ownership of Walsh Golf Center and has made many improvements to the course.
“He manages with a servant-leadership style, never asking an employee to do something he wouldn’t do, and with a caring hand. He does all the hard work, getting his hands dirty, literally,” his nominator says.
Tristan says there was no single defining moment of inspiration that resulted in his leadership but was a series of small choices. “It just happened by taking responsibility for the work right in front of me while maintaining long-term vision,” he says.
His advice to others is to see the journey through. “Early in your career, ideas are cheap and excitement is easy, but genuine leadership is built on follow-through when the novelty wears off,” he says.
Andrew Fjerstad of Holmen
Andrew’s journey into leadership is shared by many of our recipients tonight. Leadership was never a professional aspiration.
But the Vice President of Customer Experience at Organic Valley says he has always been encouraged to do things the right way by helping and assisting when opportunities arise. Over time, Andrew says, he learned the impact he could make through supporting and growing others by building strong teams and understanding what motivates others.
Andrew also serves on the board for the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce, where is president elect, serves on the board of Aptiv, Holmen Lutheran Church and is a past board member for the Great Rivers United Way. Andrew says he finds fulfillment in supporting a strong regional business environment, helping organizations create opportunities for people in our area, and contributing to a faith community. “I am my best self when I use my skills and experience to make a difference while learning from and growing with others who make our region a better place,” he says.
Andrew’s advice for others is to invest in relationships, stay curious and get comfortable being uncomfortable and lead like yourself. “Understand your strengths, surround yourself with people who both complement AND challenge them, and find the way of leading that is authentically yours,” he says
William Gaines, La Crosse
Inspirations for leadership come from many people in our lives, but for William, an enterprise account executive at Authenticom, he didn’t have to look far from home. William says his single mother made sure her children were strong and supported, which spilled out into the community.
“She instilled in me as a young man that supporting people in your community no matter what their situation and sharing love will make the world better,” William says. “I believe that to this day. I have grown up in La Crosse, fell in love with the people, environment, and foundations that make La Crosse what we are.”
William has volunteered for La Crosse Mobile Wheels since he was 7 years old, supports charities and volunteer work through Trinity United and is involved in SOLIK – Serving Others in Loving Kindness – an organization started by the leaders at Authenticom.
William has been promoted at work not just because of his sales success but because of his wiliness to engage and learn through training and leadership. His advice to others: “Put yourself out there and take a chance of failing.”
Jacob Graboski, Onalaska
Many of our recipients possess a unique combination of career skills, professional achievement and community impact. That’s Jacob’s story and it’s an impressive one.
At the ripe old age of 33, Jacob has founded a successful healthcare organization, launched a nonprofit serving adaptive athletes, developed partnerships across multiple sectors and is leading a transformational investment that will positively impact the region for generations.
Jacob is a licensed physical therapist and owner of Adapt Physical Therapy and Fitness of Sparta, founded in 2021 to provide high-quality healthcare and wellness services for individuals of all abilities and all ages, including individuals with disabilities. He also is owner and manager of JRG Ventures, the company that will oversee the commercial property construction of a new Sparta facility that will not only house his business but also other fitness, health and wellness professionals in his rural community.
Jacob also is the founder and executive director of Dairyland Sports — a Madison-based nonprofit working to foster inclusion and access to adaptive sports for people with disabilities.—and also finds the time to work as a part-time physical therapist with Emplify Health.
A major part of Jacob’s motivation is serving individuals with disabilities and investing in the future of healthcare in our community to serve everyone. He has built strong partnerships with athletes, families, volunteers, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and recreational programs to create inclusive opportunities where individuals of all abilities can participate, compete, and connect.
“I believe in a world in which humans choose every day to be altruistic, empathetic, generous, empowering, inclusive, equitable, and kind,” Jacob says. “I believe that a single idea can catalyze change in our communities, so long as we have leaders willing to bring those ideas to life.”
Jacob’s advice to others: “Listen with intention to your community. Fail often but maintain your tenacity. Be bold in your vision and stay the course.”
Erin Heiderscheit, New Albin, IA
As a registered nurse for Emplify Health by Gundersen, Erin says she is most proud of maintaining what drew her into the profession: caring for patients. Her work and leadership are helping her to drive meaningful change as one of Emplify’s first Virtual Nurses, leveraging technology to deliver more comprehensive patient education, stronger admission and discharge support, and ultimately better outcomes for patients at home and in the community. Being able to support patients and learning from coworkers is a role Erin calls incredibly rewarding.
Erin volunteers as a member of the New Albin Improvement League because she believes you need to invest in the place you call home to make the community better. “If we want our town to be a place where families can thrive and where our kids are proud to grow up, then we have a responsibility to be part of making that happen,” Erin says.
Leadership for Erin is not about titles or authority, but about showing up, contributing, and using whatever influence you have to make things better for people around you. She is able to do that with her involvement in Emplify’s Nursing Professional Governance.
Her advice to younger leaders is to say yes to opportunities – even when you’re unsure where they’ll lead. “You never know where that one “yes” might take you or who you might become along the way,” Erin says.
Harrison Heilman, Soldiers Grove
The qualifications for receiving Rising Stars recognition are varied, but being a dedicated community leader, entrepreneur and public servant is a great place to start. That describes Harrison, whose agricultural initiatives, civic leadership, and commitment to economic vitality make a mark across Crawford County.
Harrison is the co-owner and steward of 1913 Kickapoo Orchard, Kickapoo Orchard West, and Roots to Fruits Nursery in Gays Mills, as well as Tobacco Warehouse Inn in Soldiers Grove. Harrison has helped preserve and innovate within Gays Mills’ iconic apple-growing tradition at the orchards and nursery. He also supports local youth through hands-on agricultural projects.
Harrison is a member of the Crawford County Board of Supervisors, representing District 9 and has previously served the community as a Soldiers Grove Village Trustee, was on the Soldier Grove Library Board and on the Bethel Home Committee Board.
Service is ingrained in Harrison, who served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 2010 to 2012 in the Philippines. “I’ve always known I wanted to do some sort of service,” Harrison says.
His advice to others is to first put in the work. “And you have to follow all the little rules,” Harrison says. “If you make it easy to follow the little rules, it will be easier to follow the big rules. You may not change the world, but you can always change someone’s world.”
Megan Hoffman, Holmen
Megan is the associate director of human resources for compensation, benefits and compliance at Western Technical College, a role where she excels because of what her nominator calls “principled courage.”
“Megan is never afraid to ask the difficult questions or challenge established practices if she perceives an inequity,” her nominator said. “She navigates sensitive, complex concerns with a rare combination of empathy and institutional responsibility, ensuring that every voice is heard and every concern is addressed with dignity.”
Megan is proud that she has grown into a trusted leader and built relationships that have allowed her to build and improve systems, policies and processes that promote fairness, consistency, compliance and a positive co-worker experience.
Megan volunteers at New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Center because she believes everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and supported.
Leadership was not an aspiration for Megan, who just wanted to be someone people can rely on, help others succeed and make things better. Leadership, she says, is about showing up, taking responsibility and using your position and experience to make a positive difference for others.
Megan’s advice is to not be afraid to take on opportunities – even if you don’t feel ready. “Some of the most rewarding experiences of my career have come from stepping outside my comfort zone.”
Alison Lila Kolek, Holmen
Every one of our recipients tonight represents the future success of the 7 Rivers Region. Alison has the pleasure of working with younger leaders like you as part of her daily job.
Alison is the senior director of operations and community engagement for the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce. A major part of that role is to lead the Chamber’s Young Professionals program, an initiative that through events and networking opportunities creates a space for emerging leaders to grow. She will be speaking about the success of the program at the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in Milwaukee.
Alison is board member of the Great Rivers United Way and notes that volunteering is a key part of the Young Professionals program.
Alison’s credits others for providing leadership examples that have allowed her to grow and better serve the chamber and the community.
“Life is full of teachers, from the people who inspire us to the moments that test us,” she says. “By putting yourself out there and trying new things, you can both build meaningful connections and while continuously developing your abilities. “
Leslie Meulemans, Onalaska
Some people believe that titles need to be a part of being a leader. Not if you ask Leslie, who is a team lead relationship manager with Trust Point.
“Everyone can have an impact each and every day whether that be at work, in their homes, or in their community activities,” Leslie says. “Having a servant leadership mindset to bless others while utilizing your talents and strengths that you most enjoy is a win for everyone.”
Leslie grew up in La Crescent, attended Luther High School and graduated from Winona State University with an accounting degree. She joined Trust Point as an intern in 2013 and as her nominator says, she stood out for her dedication, strong work ethic, and willingness to help wherever she was needed.
Leslie was promoted several times to her current position and has earned her Certified Public Accountant designation. She serves on the board and on the finance committee with the Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse and is a member of the financial management team at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Onalaska. She says both roles help her make a positive impact as well as utilizing her financial background. “I love numbers and budgeting,” she says.
Leslie’s advice to others is to be open and try new things. “Saying yes to opportunities helps gain experience, it helps find your likes and dislikes, and any failure along the way is only a stepping stone to get you where you ultimately need to be.”
Shelby Neubauer, Holmen
Exceptional leadership, innovation, community impact, and an unwavering commitment to making the region stronger for future generations.
Those qualities described by her nominator make it easy to see why Shelby, the senior director of transition and adult services at VARC, is one of tonight’s recipients. Shelby’s role is to provide leadership and oversight for employment, transition, and adult service programs that support individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals and living meaningful lives.
The past two years have been particularly challenging and rewarding as Shelby has helped navigate and support VARC’s team through two substantial mergers. “I’m proud of how far we’ve come as an organization and am excited to continue supporting individuals with disabilities throughout Wisconsin as we grow our impact across the state,” Shelby says.
Shelby is the parent of four young children and is actively involved with Tornado Youth Hockey, serving as board secretary.
Her advice to other younger leaders is to not be afraid of change, stretch outside your comfort zone and find work that speaks to the heart. “When you find something you truly care about, it makes the hard work worth it.”
Isaac Pooler, Trempealeau
The jobs we have are not always the result of a straight career path or through a direct application. Sometimes we simply need to raise our hand.
That’s the case with Isaac, who was the treasurer for the village of Trempealeau and there was no administrator. With plenty to do and no one to do it, Isaac helped out where he could. Less than a year later, he was asked to take over as administrator.
Isaac also serves as the utility manager and this year he was recognized by the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin with its Next Generation Leader Award for his leadership, outstanding financial management, commitment to continued learning, and efforts to improve customer service and operational efficiency.
Isaac is most proud of his leadership in helping revive a dormant park project that began in 2014 but never completed. Thanks to his work and collaboration with private donors, the nearly $6 million project will not increase property taxes.
Isaac is also proud that he obtained his CPA license on his first attempt after spending nearly 10 months studying balancing the demands of his first daughter and working long hours.
His advice to others is to not fall into a trap thinking that others are better than you. “Nobody has it all figured out,” he says. “We’re all just learning lessons at our own pace so don’t give up, keep going.”
Briana Prindle, Onalaska
Let Briana’s own words introduce her: “I am someone who is deeply passionate about growth, connection, and living life fully. I believe that some of life’s greatest lessons happen when we step outside our comfort zones, whether that’s through leadership, travel, trying something new, or simply being willing to reflect and grow. My personal philosophy is rooted in curiosity, authenticity, resilience, and the belief that every person has potential that is waiting to be discovered.”
Briana is the Nurse Manager of outpatient Cardiology practices and Resource team at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, CNA Instructor with Quality CNA at West Salem High School, and Founder and Co-Owner of Eld and Co Experiences, a micro forest sauna retreat.
Briana became a nurse during COVID in 2020 and has moved up into areas of leadership. Her current scope includes the Cardiology Clinic, Stress Testing, Cardiac Rehab, and Cardiac Device Clinic, along with leadership of the Ambulatory Resource team. She is a former recipient of Mayo’s Daisy Award for compassion. Briana enjoys travel, nature and continuous learning.
She says relationships matter as much as technical skills. “Every person brings unique experiences, perspectives, and strengths to the table,” she says. “The things that make you different are often the very things that will help you succeed. “
And take care of yourself, Briana says. “You cannot pour into others if your own cup is empty.”
Sam Przywojski La Crosse
What’s the secret of being named the Best Workplace in Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation in recognition for a culture that fosters growth at all levels and a place where people love to work?
Sam – the chief executive officer at Vendi Advertising – says one secret is getting great with the boring stuff, which creates the foundation for creativity. “Know your product inside and out,” he says. “Nail the workflow process. Get the big things right.”
Sam is a Central High School and UW-La Crosse graduate. He joined Vendi – which was started by his mother in 2004 – in 2019 after spending eight years in sales with Inland Packaging. Since then, the team has grown from 19 to 37 employees and billings have increased by nearly 300%.
Sam is a committee member of River Clean Up La Crosse and a member of La Crosse Downtown Rotary. Vendi Share is a pro bono program that in 2025 donated $284,000 in agency services across 12 Coulee Region organizations.
Sam says he practices leadership through gratitude for both external customers and for his colleagues. “I have the privilege to stand between them every day, and I’ve never stopped feeling lucky about it,” he says.
His other advice to younger leaders – along with getting great at the boring stuff – is to become the best listener in the room. “Let your curiosity become your first instinct,” he says.
Napela Shim, Trempealeau
Napela is a family law and civil litigation attorney with Johns, Flaherty & Collins who excels at helping folks that are often experiencing the worst moments of their lives, and she helps clients through their situations with compassion and zealous advocacy, as her nominator says.
Napela has family roots in Trempealeau earlier this year was sworn in to serve as a Supplemental Court Commissioner for the La Crosse County Circuit Court. “There is no greater honor than being entrusted to uphold our laws and serve our community with fairness, respect, and a commitment to equal justice,” she says.
Napela recently finished a term as a board member of Junior Achievement-Coulee Region, which reflects her interest in organizations that invest in education. She worked on pre-K through 12 and higher education policy for a state legislature before becoming a lawyer. She provides pro-bono legal services to nonprofit organizations and represents children as their guardian ad litem.
She says she was inspired to be a leader by the people who invested in her and demonstrated what meaningful leadership and service to one’s community looks like. She urges others to continue to learn.
“Leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about being willing to ask questions, listen to others, seek out different perspectives, and learn from both successes and mistakes.”
Nathaniel Slack, Viroqua
Communities thrive because of people who are willing to invest their time, talents, and energy into maintaining and supporting them. Nathaniel is one of those people, constantly working with and on behalf of his community with a clear vision: to create a better world for his children’s generation.
Nathaniel, a certification specialist at MOSA, finds a way to balance the responsibilities of holding an elected office, a career, a family, and dedication to community service. He is a Vernon County Board supervisor, represents Vernon County on the CouleeCap board of directors and volunteers with the Viroqua schools wrestling program.
Nathaniel studied Agribusiness at Western Technical College, preparing him for a career that would allow him to combine his education with his lifelong connection to farming. Over the years, he has worked in several areas of agriculture, including as an organic research gardener, an ag teacher, and an organic farm inspector.
Nathaniel is also a recent cancer survivor, an experience that has given him another perspective on life and strengthened his appreciation for the people that matter most.
“My family is my constant motivation,” Nathaniel says. “I have an incredible wife who supports me in all my endeavors and two sons who I want to grow up in an ever-improving community.”
His advice is not to worry that you will spend a large portion of your life unsure of your choices and whether you are taking the right path.
“This is OK,” Nathaniel says. “Everyone goes through this. The important part is that you keep moving and keep doing.”
Sabrina Steger, Onalaska
The challenge everyone faces at some point is the implementation of a new process, system or procedure and the impact on your business or organization.
Sabrina, the financial services director/treasurer for the city of Onalaska, helped lead the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning system and timekeeping system – a major organizational project that required significant planning, collaboration, problem-solving, and effort from many people across the city.
While Sabrina led the project, she says the success was truly the result of a dedicated team and the willingness of so many employees to collaborate, adapt, and put in the work necessary to make the implementation successful.
Formerly a teacher at Viterbo University, Sabrina says she has enjoyed bringing people together, solving problems, and helping teams accomplish goals that may initially seem challenging. She says that she has learned that it is important to create a balance between professional responsibilities, community involvement and family.
“I hope to demonstrate to my children that it is possible to pursue meaningful goals, give back to your community, and continue growing while also making family a priority,” she says.
Her best advice for younger leaders is to get involved in the things that bring you joy.
“It is much easier to give your time, energy, and talents when you are passionate
about what you are doing,” Sabrina says.
Lauren Thompson, La Crosse
Lauren chased her dream in 2023 when she made the decision to leave her job and start her own hair salon. She carefully researched, planned and saved, opening Daydream Hair by Lauren, a place where anyone and everyone can feel like they belong.
“Starting my own business has taught me that even when you don’t feel ready for a big change, sometimes that change is exactly what you need to enter the next chapter of your life,” Lauren says.
Lauren believes that inclusivity is an important part of serving the community, so she offers gender-neutral service options. She also works with cosmetology students looking to build a career in the industry.
“To me, leadership isn’t about having all the answers or being the most successful person in the room,” Lauren says. “It’s about being willing to share what you know, support the people around you, and show others that you can be your authentic self and still be successful.”
Lauren’s advice to others is to be yourself. “It’s easy to feel like you have to put yourself into a box to fit in, but some of the most rewarding parts of this career come from letting your creativity and uniqueness shine.”
Amy Vach, La Crosse
The 7 Rivers Region is rich in history and heritage, which tells the story of how we arrived here today. Amy – the curator at the La Crosse County Historical Society — gets to tell those stories, care for the artifacts and create exhibits, programs, and tours that help people make real connections to the past.
Amy leads and edits the “Past, Perfect, Future” newsletter which goes out to over 400 members quarterly and organizes the popular “Silent City” Historical Cemetery Tour yearly, among many other roles. She also received recognition from the Wisconsin Historical Society for the 2024 exhibit on the Hackner firm, a La Crosse company who crafted church interiors and wood carvings nationwide.
Amy says one of the most rewarding parts of her job is working with students visiting the museums, helping them to understand how history connects them to the place they live. “Those experiences help to create a sense of place and belonging, so they understand where they came from, how our community became what it is today, and that they are an important part of La Crosse’s story: its past, present, and future,” she says.
Leadership for Amy resulted from being willing to take on something new, follow through, and keep learning along the way. “Don’t wait until you feel completely ready,” Amy says. “You will always have things you don’t know, and some of the best growth comes from taking on something new and figuring it out along the way.”
Abby Voss, La Crescent
Abby’s nominator sums up our next recipient — a proud boy mom working in the construction industry who knows a thing or two about building — from shaping future leaders to navigating a life filled with Legos, sports gear, and plenty of grit.
Abby is the Human Resources Director at Wieser Brothers General Contractor, Inc., a family-owned commercial construction company based in La Crescent. As part of the next generation of ownership at Wieser Brothers, alongside her cousins and siblings, Abby is proud to build upon the foundation established by the generation before her while helping lead the company into the future.
Abby’s role is developing people, strengthening company culture, and supporting the continued growth of the organization. She serves on the boards of directors for ABC of Wisconsin and Chileda, the Coulee Region Chapter of WI National Association of Women in Construction, is a member of the Crucifixion Catholic School Gala Committee and volunteers for Children’s Miracle Network, Rotary Lights, Steppin’ out in Pink and the Salvation Army.
Abby is proud that to play a role in the next generation at Wieser after growing up watching her father, uncle and other family members build Wieser Brothers from the ground up. “I saw firsthand the amount of hard work, relationships, and trust it takes to build a successful business,” she says. Abby says she was also fortunate to have her aunt Andrea train and mentor her as grew into her human resources role.
Abby says leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about taking care of people, being willing to listen and learn, and helping others succeed. And don’t think you need to have everything figured out to step into leadership, she says.
“Work hard, follow through on what you say you’re going to do, and treat people well.”
Berek Weingart, La Crosse
Many of our recipients tonight have the opportunity to help lead their companies and organizations today, but Berek gets to help pave the course for the future.
Berek – a relationship manager at Trust Point – also is the team lead for the La Crosse Wealth Management interns. He has built and maintained a structured training and mentorship program that provides interns with meaningful, hands-on experience in financial services, a key part of Trust Point’s long-term talent development strategy.
“I enjoy coaching and mentoring others,” Berek says. “Building relationships with younger colleagues and seeing them grow in their career and become successful is very gratifying.”
Berek is on the board for the La Crosse Lions Club, serving as the scholarship chair. He’s also on the Finance Committee at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, helps Gateway Area Scouts and has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. His motivation for being involved in these organizations is because they help improve the community, Berek says.
Berek has a bachelor’s degree from UW-L in sociology, which complements his ability to understand people, communicate effectively, and build relationships across a wide range of professional and community settings.
His advice to others? “Do not turn down an opportunity and do not avoid difficult conversations,” Berek says. “These are very key areas of development that only allow you to grow. As uncomfortable as it may seem at the time, it will only push you forward in your career. Learn from your mistakes and do not take constructive criticism to heart, rather use it to build on yourself.”