Women Who Wow Us is an inspiring series celebrating locally nominated women from a diverse range of backgrounds during Focus Fox Valley with Hayley Tenpas!
The selected “Women Who Wow Us” will be featured throughout the month of August!
2025 Women Who Wow Us
Kristen Kelly, Executive Director & Co-founder with People of Progression
“Your voice and your vision are valid. Even when the world doesn’t think that you’re enough for whatever reason, seek out help. Never stop searching for support.” – Kristen Kelly
We are proud to welcome Kristen Kelly as a 2025 Women Who Wow Us recipient.
Kristen is a systems strategist, survivor advocate, and Co-Founder & Executive Director of People of Progression, a Black-led, culturally specific agency serving the Greater Fox Valley. As a biracial Black woman shaped by experiences of racial and gender-based violence, Kristen leads with purpose at the intersection of healing, justice, and systemic change—centering Black survivors and building pathways to safety, housing, and collective wellness.
Kristen was nominated multiple times for this series, with those close to her sharing, “Kristen has done so much necessary work within the Fox Valley community, creating equitable space for black and brown people in the Fox Valley. We are so grateful to have her in our community, and she deserves all of the flowers. We admire her ability to handle all the hard stuff that comes with running a black-led non profit.” 
During our time together Kristen discussed the difficulties she faced growing up in the Fox Cities and how she is now making up for that time. Kristen shares the importance of not giving up and the impact of adversity on her personal growth.
“I had that shift that said, when I apply myself to something, I put [in] 150%. I have a fire lit under me now because of all that missed time that I feel like I’m making up for at rapid speed. I’m super proud of myself and proud of where I came from as well, because if I didn’t go through all that adversity, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” said Kristen.
Her drive is what helped co-launch People of Progression in 2020, and since then the organization has made big waves.
- The organization has served more than 400 individuals & families with support such as but not limited to housing, employment, and legal advocacy services.
- They founded the Afro Hair Fair in 2023 to address the lack of black hair care supplies in mainstream shelters, teaching black hair care to blended families and transracial adoptees.
- In 2024, they moved into a new building in Menasha, fundraising $40,000 for a build-out and creating a community garden and hosting the Hope Fridge.
When asked about who she is “wowed” by, Kristen shared this, “My team wows me. I’m proud of them every single day. They’re the best team out there, and they’re all leaders. They carry so much. They carry their own traumas and lived experiences while navigating all of this stuff. I’m really proud of them, and they, keep me accountable to greatness every day.”
We thank Kristen for sharing her story and for all she does to contribute to our community!
Amy Jo Tetzner
“It’s important for me that I teach people — You are going to feel afraid, you are going to feel scared. [But] anytime that you have that success, that you will make money, you will create a business, you will feel that fear, and that is okay.” – Amy Jo Tetzner
Amy Jo Tetzner is a Mortgage Advisor and Branch Manager at Barrett Financial, with over two decades of experience in real estate and finance. Based in Green Bay with her husband Jared, stepdaughter Cait, and their two dogs, Amy Jo is also a proud mom to Jamison, a 24-year-old electrician.
A UW-Green Bay graduate in Marketing and Communication, Amy Jo balanced school and single motherhood, which sparked her passion for teaching others about money and housing. She serves on the board of First Reach Foundation, supporting mental health initiatives for first responders, and teaches monthly financial literacy classes at the NEW Shelter.
Michelle Graf from Care Patrol, Hayley Tenpas and Amy Jo Tetzner in the WHBY Studio.
Amy Jo and Jared also own Bear Creek Resort and the historic IXL General Store in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, which they’ve been rehabbing together. In their downtime, the couple loves to travel and has explored nearly all 50 states and 20 countries in the past five years.
The person who nominated Amy Jo shared this, “I want to be Amy Jo when I “grow up”. I’ve heard of this concept of body doubling, a term used for super busy people who somehow manage to be in two places at once, but Amy Jo takes it to a whole other level. When she’s not getting her clients the best rate on their dream home, she’s volunteering her time teaching finance classes at the homeless shelter. She’s even been able to do the unthinkable and get homeless people out of the shelter and into homes. In her work, the word “impossible” isn’t a thing, it just another challenge for her to take on.”
Some of the things that stuck out to us from Amy Jo’s conversation included,
- In 2024, she successfully helped two shelter residents purchase homes, despite challenging market conditions.
- Amy Jo emphasized the importance of community support, personal resilience, and the value of showing up.
- She is also proud of her son’s professional growth and the impact of her work on others.
We thank Amy Jo for sharing her story and for all she does to contribute to our community!
“Use positive language as much as possible. If you were to say it as “never give up,” I don’t really like to use the word never. I would prefer to say always keep going. Whatever your goal is, your dream is, what you have in your heart, reinvention is always a possibility. You can achieve it if you just choose to keep going.” – Kara McCanna
Kara McCanna is an award-winning violinist, educator, and Head Luthier at Heid Music. Specializing in the violin family of instruments and bows, Kara blends centuries-old craftsmanship with modern precision.
“My colleagues who play in Fox Valley Symphony and the Widener Philharmonic that come see me, I love that. The opportunity to work on instruments of historic merit and value is very incredible. But the opportunity to serve that young musician who has the last minute emergency and happens to walk in our front door is something that I always look forward to, too,” shared Kara.
A luthier—originally named for makers of the lute—is an artisan skilled in creating and repairing stringed instruments such as violins, violas, cellos, and basses.
Kara’s formal training includes the Chicago School of Violin Making, the Violin Repair program at Minnesota State College Southeast (summa cum laude), the Comprehensive Appraisal Studies Program through the Appraisers Association of America, and a certificate in Museum Studies from Northwestern University. She is also USPAP-compliant as a professional appraiser. In 2020, she was one of only ten recipients nationwide of a Historic Instrument Loan from the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America.
The person who nominated Kara shared this, “Kara truly wows me because she’s breaking barriers, building others up, and reshaping what leadership looks like in her field. As Head Luthier at Heid Music, Kara is one of very few women in the country to hold that title (less than 3% of luthiers are women). But what makes her exceptional isn’t just her technical skill or her deep knowledge of string instruments. It’s how she uses her role to make space for others. Since joining Heid Music in 2020 as the first woman on the repair team, the number of women in the department has doubled. That’s not a coincidence- it’s a reflection of Kara’s quiet leadership, encouragement, and commitment to creating a more inclusive workplace. She treats each musician she works with, especially students and families, with care and respect, helping them grow their love of music through instruments that are finely tuned and thoughtfully prepared. Her work touches countless lives, from young musicians stepping up to their first full-size cello, to professional performers preparing for the stage. Kara doesn’t seek the spotlight, but she deserves it. She leads by example, challenges the status quo, and continues to open doors for women in music repair and beyond. Kara is proof that you can make a powerful impact by staying true to your values and lifting others along the way.”
During our time together, Kara discusses her journey into becoming a luthier, her daily responsibilities, and the challenges she faces. She was recognized for her contributions to increasing female representation in her field and shares her advice for young women. Kara also talks about her family, her pride in her daughter, and her recent awards.
When asked about what she’s proudest of, Kara shared this, “I think that I would say being a mom. I think all the things that I’ve worked towards as a professional are really special and I’m proud of the ways that I’ve cultivated a dream and pursued it and I’m in the process of achieving it. But really what I feel most proud of our daughter and the ways that I see her shining and showing a social grace and empathy and care for others at her young age and a natural curiosity.”
We thank Kara for sharing her story and for all she does to contribute to our community!
“You would think in their situation that everything would be crushed in their life, and oftentimes it is, but they truly do want something different in their world, and so they they wow me for who they are and [for] their capacity for love.”
Lisa Sennholz was exposed firsthand to the horror of human sex trafficking when she and her husband travelled to the Philippines to adopt their daughter. During this trip, she learned that children in orphanages and on the streets as young as the toddler she was bringing home can wind up being trafficked. Lisa returned to Wisconsin a forever changed person and in 2009 she created Damascus Road Project to serve the needs of local survivors of human sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation as well as those throughout the state of Wisconsin. To date, Damascus Road Project has assisted over 700+ clients and Lisa serves as the Founder/CEO of the non-profit organization.
The person who nominated Lisa shared this, “Lisa spends countless hours every week supporting women who want to leave the world of sexual exploitation. She does not get paid, and never has been paid. She loves these women, and all of the volunteers in this organization. Since 2017, she has touched the lives of hundreds of women in Wisconsin. She is my hero, and truly an amazing woman.
It’s truly work that comes from the heart. “There are so many struggles with the women that we assist, there are gaps in being able to provide what they need,” Lisa shared. “They need mental health. Obviously, they need counseling, and that’s something that we provide at Damascus. We partner with complex trauma counselors to be able to get them set up in that area so they can start addressing and unpacking the different traumas.”
Lisa shared than in the 15 years since Damascus Road Project began neither she or her volunteers were paid. She shares they do the work to support women going through horrible situations.
“You would think in their situation that everything would be crushed in their life, and oftentimes it is, but they truly do want something different in their world, and so they they wow me for who they are and their capacity for love,” shared Lisa. “We’ve we’ve had women who have lost hope, and we just come alongside of them and tell them there, we don’t ever want you to lose hope. You are valuable, you’re loved, you’re you’re worthy. There’s so many lies that the world has told them, as well as the people in their life. And to be able to counteract that and to tell them that they’re valuable for who they are as a person and who God created them to be, not valuable because of the money that’s been attached to them. It’s, it’s a chance for them to relearn what their value really, truly is.”
We thank Lisa for sharing her story and for all she does to contribute to our community!
“My job is to help eliminate barriers and improve access to transportation for the people in our communities. And this role has changed my life.” – Sarah Schneider
Sarah Schneider has served as Mobility Manager at Valley Transit since 2019, leading efforts to expand transportation awareness and accessibility for aging adults, people with disabilities, and underserved communities.
With two decades of experience in business development and marketing, she builds partnerships with nonprofits, employers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to ensure access to essential services, education, and employment across the Fox Cities.
“My role really is to navigate and know every single possible transportation option that people have when they need to get where they need to go, whether that’s work, school, community resources, social programming or, you know, just whatever need they have doing life,” shared Sarah.
Anindita “Andy” Anaam nominated Sarah Schneider for Women Who Wow Us 2025
The person who nominated Sarah shared this, “Sarah consistently inspires awe through her visionary leadership, unwavering empathy, and tireless commitment to transportation equity in the Fox Cities. Sarah’s work goes far beyond routes and ridership. She has redefined mobility as a tool for inclusion, ensuring that newcomers, individuals with disabilities, and members of diverse communities have equitable access to transportation and, by extension, to opportunity. Her ability to lead with both strategy and heart has made Valley Transit a model of inclusive and effective public service. What truly sets Sarah apart is her rare combination of innovation, humility, and deep community connection. She listens, collaborates, and advocates—always centering the people she serves. Her colleagues and peers hold her in the highest regard, not just for what she achieves, but for how she achieves it: with integrity, compassion, and a relentless drive to do better. Sarah Schneider is more than a leader—she’s a changemaker. She wows us by proving that public service, when led with empathy and vision, can uplift an entire community. That’s why she is a standout nominee for this honor.”
We asked Sarah what challenges her in her day to day work, and to that she shared, “I can help people overcome their barriers fears. Give them assurance that we can get you where you need to go; on time. This is the path to travel, the type of travel that’s available to you. But if somebody has a bad attitude, I can’t change that.”
Sarah also serves on the boards of Hope Clinic & Care Center, LEAVEN Fox Cities, and Fox Valley Jail Ministries, where she advocates for incarcerated women. She shared that these organizations and the countless others in the Fox Valley, are who she depends on in her work. “I’ve aligned myself with those boards specifically because of the work they do, and the impact they make and the communities they serve. I, quite frankly, rely on them as essential partners,” shared Sarah.
We thank Sarah for sharing her story and for all she does to contribute to our community!
“Hopefully when people are leaving the jail, they don’t want to come back, but it wasn’t the worst experience of their life, either, and they felt like they were treated like they were human beings.” – Amber Rozek
Lt. Amber Rozek has over 23 years of law enforcement experience in Corrections and has served as Corrections Lieutenant for the Winnebago County Jail since 2015. She holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from UW-Oshkosh and is a Certified Public Manager through Wisconsin Command College, Class 10.
The person who nominated Amber shared in part, “Throughout her career in the Corrections Division, Amber has been a constant light in the darkness. After years of seeing the impact of substance use disorder on inmates, and working repeatedly with the same individuals, she knew there had to be a better way. Partnering with the 49 agencies of the Overdose Fatality Review Board, she was instrumental in launching the Sobriety Treatment Assisted Recovery (STAR) Program in 2022. Beginning with sobriety coaches from Solutions Recovery, Inc. placed inside the jail, the program evolved to include one-on-one recovery sessions, a specialized housing unit, expanded medical-assisted treatment, DHS programming, treatment referrals, and wraparound services for inmates upon release. Data analyzed with UW-Oshkosh shows statistically significant positive outcomes, leading to recognition from other Sheriff’s Offices, the recovery community, county leadership, and the State of Wisconsin, which has since provided direct funding. Amber has now passed the program leadership to a colleague but remains well poised as the frontrunner for the upcoming Jail Administrator position. She takes seriously her command role in protecting vulnerable inmates, is sensitive to LGBTQ+ issues, and works tirelessly to ensure equal protection and safety for all entrusted to her care.”
Amber has seen the significant role substance use disorder plays in the lives of inmates and has been instrumental in creating the Sobriety Treatment Assisted Recovery (STAR) program. The program has expanded to include one-on-one recovery coach meetings, a specialized recovery pod housing unit, expanded medical-assisted treatment, and wrap-around services for inmates being released from jail.
Amber shares that her work is difficult and challenging, but there are moments that make it all worth it, “Most of us understand that going in like this isn’t a job you walk away feeling good from, but with what we’ve been able to do over the last couple of years, we’ve been able to walk away and have some satisfaction, especially when you hear from these guys after they’ve been out for a while and all the good that they’re doing.”
She also had great advice for young women interested in the criminal justice field, sharing to pursue their passion and find a department that values their contributions. 
“You know, in my time, it could sound like I’m so old, it this was a men’s field. This was a men’s career. This was, you know, women can’t do this. I have been so very fortunate to be part of a department that has never pushed that agenda. I work with some really wonderful men. I work with some really phenomenal females. So if there are women that are interested in this field, go for it. Get in. Find a department that fits you, that appreciates you and values what you can add and give it your all.”
We thank Amber for sharing her story and for all she does to contribute to our community!
“The challenges you carry are real and they won’t disappear overnight, but your journey is yours, and asking for help doesn’t make you any less capable. There’s power in letting others walk alongside you.” — Laura Kuehl
Laura Kuehl is the Founder and Board President of HeadsUp Fox Cities, an organization dedicated to supporting young people from child welfare backgrounds. With lived experience in the foster system and as a former foster parent, Laura leads with deep empathy and insight. She is committed to building wrap-around support that empowers youth and strengthens entire communities.
The person who nominated Laura shared this, “She is passionate about changing the narrative for those who have faced personal and systemic traumas. Laura works to shift societal perceptions through empowerment and collaboration, cultivating a deeper understanding and support for vulnerable and underserved communities. Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Client Services and Social Work, but believes the most valuable education comes from listening to the experiences of those we serve.”
Laura took time to discuss her journey from being a former foster youth to leading an organization supporting young people from Child Welfare backgrounds, “I think we have this vision of the child welfare system coming in to rescue kids who are in these traumatic situations, and then everything’s rainbows and sun shines in their new homes. But what it feels like is you’re being ripped away from everything you love, everyone you know, everything you’ve ever experienced. There’s new smells, new sounds, new foods, new people, and it’s almost expected that you go in with appreciation for those things instead of hurt for everything you’ve lost.”
Laura stressed the importance of community and representation, urging the community to recognize the brilliance and resilience of former foster youth.
“I think we we need to back up and realize these kids are brilliant, and they have more life experience than many will ever in their lifetime,” shared Laura. “And I think empowering that piece of them, that they’ve got this, they can do this. I think that’s the best thing we could do for them.”
The mission of Heads Up Fox Cities is to empower former foster youth and reduce social inequities through compassionate community engagement, support and collaboration. If you’d like to learn more about the organization visit their WEBSITE.
We thank Laura for sharing her story and for all she does to contribute to our community!
2024 Women Who Wow Us
In 2024, we celebrated the incredible women who make a difference in Northeast Wisconsin. Based on your nominations, we highlighted inspiring individuals who have positively impacted our community. Take a look below to see the remarkable women who were recognized last year.
“The faith of opening a small business, is [that] only one person needs to say yes to you. I had one organization who said yes.” – Fanni Xie
We are proud to welcome Fanni Xie as a 2024 Women Who Wow Us recipient.
During our time together Fanni shared her experiences as a veteran, including her year in Afghanistan on the combat stress control team. We also learned about her time as a clinical social worker and how that work led to pursuing opportunities in diversity, inclusion and culture, and eventually nonprofit work with the Northeast Wisconsin Chinese Association.
Her professional career evolved even further as she explored entrepreneurship. Never one to give up, she opened Uni Uni Bubble Tea during the COVID-19 pandemic. When talking about securing funds for opening her own business, she shared, “In the end I was rejected by 10 different banks. The faith of opening a small business, is [that] only one person needs to say yes to you. I had one organization who said yes.”
We ended our time together hearing about what Fanni is proudest of, which she says is her current work in mentoring other minority business owners and being part of NEWCA and the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival [September 14th].
The person who nominated Fanni writes, “Fanni is an US Army veteran who has inspired many people in the community. Fanni has been working in the mental health field for over 10 years helping military services members, veterans, children and elderly. During COVID, she started her own small business: Uni Uni Bubble Tea, promoting culture and diversity through food, drinks and events. In 2021, she took the executive director position with the Northeast Wisconsin Chinese Association and made a huge effort to transform it into an organization that would empower Chinese/Asian Americans while bringing cultural education to the community. She is one of the founders of the Northeast Wisconsin Dragon Boat Festival that took place in Oshkosh last year with the goal Of creating a multicultural festival for all. At the same time, she shares her experience by mentoring other minority business owners, veteran business owners and women business owners to achieve their dreams.”
We thank Fanni for sharing her story and for all she does to contribute to our community!
“Take it one day at a time, one moment, one hour at a time. You can do it. You can get through it there’s people who support you. And think of all the positives.” – Stephanie Skrede
We are proud to welcome Stephanie Skrede as a 2024 Women Who Wow Us recipient.
The person who nominated Stephanie writes, “My wife has made her passion in life to advocate for our medical child. Our now almost 11-year-old daughter was born with a rare liver disease. After receiving a liver transplant my wife has made it her mission to bring awareness to Biliary Atresia. She is the board secretary for BARE, the first Biliary Atresia research and education foundation. This is her passion along with sharing our daughter’s amazing experience with Make A Wish Wisconsin. All of this came to a screeching halt when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in November. Even through a double mastectomy, chemo and immunotherapy my wife has kept life normal for our 4 children and remained consistent in her dedication to BARE and Make A Wish. She does work from her chemo chair and shares her story to help other women not feel so alone in the daunting journey.”
During our time together Stephanie shared her experiences as a parent — including being a parent of a child with a rare disease — and then sharing her own journey being diagnosed with breast cancer. One thing that stuck with me from our conversation is how she keeps a positive attitude, sharing “Attitude truly is half the battle.”
We asked Stephanie if she had any advice for when life gets overwhelming, “Take it one day at a time, one moment, one hour at a time. You can do it. You can get through it there’s people who support you. And think of all the positives.”
You can follow Stephanie’s journey as a biliary atresia mom on Instagram — @biliary_atresia_mama
“There’s not one way to do things. There’s not one way to react to things. You can’t tell what someone’s going through just by which emotion they’re outwardly showing. Whatever you’re thinking/feeling is valid and normal.” – Caitlin Henricksen
We are proud to welcome Caitlin Henriksen as a 2024 Women Who Wow Us recipient.
The person who nominated Caitlin writes, “Caitlin provides support for students who have been affected by sexual or dating violence to help them feel empowered and be successful at UW-Green Bay. She serves as a confidential or non-confidential resource to help students navigate difficult decisions and connect students to resources to help them find their version of success. She serves UW-Green Bay students at the Green Bay, Marinette, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan campuses. Along with the heaviness of her potential student interactions, she does this in a very caring and empathic manner. She is also part of the Healthy Choices Taskforce at UW-Green Bay, which provides programs and activities which help students make informed choices about their lifestyles and behaviors. She also is a key player in UW-Green Bay’s Take Back the Night, a national movement where the campus community gather to advocate for the end of sexual violence on college campuses. She also is a mother of 3 young children, which is a full-time job in itself.”
During our time together Caitlin shared about what inspired her to pursue this line of work and the various areas she worked in across the state. After pursuing her Master’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice from University of Cincinnati she returned to Wisconsin and took a job at UW-Green Bay. She is currently the Health Educator for Sexual Violence Prevention in the Counseling and Health Center and the Co-chair for the Healthy Choices Task Force at UW-Green Bay.
Caitlin spoke to how she works with students when they’re ready and comfortable to do so. She says the biggest part of her job is providing support, “A lot of times when we think of these things, we think about [how] a sexual assault is one event that happened and now it’s done. But that’s just not the reality for survivors. It’s impacting all of these different parts of their lives. It’s impacting academics, it’s impacting their sleep, their eating, their daily habits. So a huge part of my job is helping try to minimize that.”
Caitlin adds that support might mean finding flexibility in a student’s class schedule or helping them withdraw from classes. It could even mean helping them switch dorm rooms. Caitlin helps figure things out in a caring and compassionate way.
I loved this quote from Caitlin on her advice for those going through tough things, “Take it at whatever pace feels right to you. There’s not one way to do things. There’s not one way to react to things. You can’t tell what someone’s going through just by which emotion they’re outwardly showing. Whatever you’re thinking/feeling is valid and normal.”
“How do we make things accessible? How do we remove barriers?” – Alondra Sanchez
We are proud to welcome Alondra Sanchez as a 2024 Women Who Wow Us recipient.
Alondra is a Licensed Professional Counselor and therapist with Cultura Counseling.
The person who nominated Alondra writes, “Alondra and her sister stepped out on faith and opened their own practice here in the Fox Cities. She amazes me with how she continues to show up and advocate for her community. She is an amazing woman and I’m lucky to call her my friend!”
Alondra’s sister Salma happened to be in the studio with us today. Together, they opened Cultura Counseling in 2023. Their mission is to bring quality mental health services while prioritizing work-life balance for their clinicians.
They are laser focused on serving the BIPOC community and Spanish-speaking folks, ensuring culturally sensitive and inclusive care. Alondra also has a passion for perinatal mental health.
“So in those areas [mental health], I really just try to bring in the lens of like, what about our people of color?” shared Alondra. “What about our people that don’t speak this English language? How do we make things accessible? How do we remove barriers?”
I wanted to know how Alondra seeks balance in life too. She shared a really relatable story and emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and finding a balance, rather than an “all or nothing” approach.
“I’m big on self compassion. Have some self compassion for yourself. I was saying earlier, sometimes I get down on myself for the things that I’m not doing. Yesterday, I was kind of dreading picking up my daughter from daycare because I had a long day at work, and then I had to go home. My partner was working, and so I was kind of solo parenting for the rest of the night. And I was like, ‘Oh man, I’m tired.’ But then I really reframed that, and I was like, wait a minute, let me give myself some credit. I worked all day, and I’m gonna go home, hang out with my daughter, take her to the park, and do fun stuff. I deserve the credit, and I deserve to have some self compassion. It’s okay if I’m tired, it’s okay if I don’t want to do it, I’m still going to do it, and I love myself for being able to do it.”
Alondra Sanchez also discussed her advocacy efforts, including her role on a suicide prevention team and the professional counseling advisory board at UW Oshkosh, where she focuses on making mental health services more accessible to people of color and those who speak English as a second language.
And what is she proudest of? She shared she’s proud of her daughter and values her family’s strong emotional intelligence and support.
“It’s a joy watching people grow and blossom and feel good about themselves. Ultimately it’s about love and kindness; firstly with yourself.” – Elle Mae
We are proud to welcome Elle Mae as a 2024 Women Who Wow Us recipient.
Elle Mae is a burlesque dance director and instructor, advocate and resource in the Oshkosh community.
The person who nominated Elle Mae writes, “This woman has impacted so many individuals across all groups. She’s a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. She teaches people dance (burlesque) in a way that helps people relearn how to love themselves. She celebrates everyone’s victories wholly (it definitely was jarring the first time I met her. I never thought someone could be genuinely as happy as her for my own success). For myself, she was the epitome of a friend and sister/mother as she helped me navigate an abusive relationship and allowed me to find a safe haven within the community she created. I’m not the only one with a similar story. I’ve never known her to turn away someone that needs help whether that means sharing a meal, offering a family, giving shelter, etc. This lady is such an unsung hero for Oshkosh and I owe my life and safety to her and everyone she introduced me to. Her larger than life spirit and enthusiasm wows me everyday and I strive to be like her in making my own community better.”
During our time together Elle Mae shared about how she helps people find their inner confidence through the Burlesque troupe that she runs, Certified Sexy Burlesque.
“You can do burlesque for yourself or an audience of one, or an audience of 100. That’s entirely up to you,” she shared. “But you deserve the right to feel good about yourself, to love yourself. To celebrate yourself. We have a lot of both men and women and nonbinary people who come into our classes on different levels who are looking to do more with themselves.”
Over the years Elle Mae has opened her heart and listened to people share their life stories and challenges.
“[I avoid] holding any preconceived notions or judgements on people. Creating a safe space where they can talk and open up,” she shared. “Over the years I’ve listened to thousands of stories, as far as talking about relationships, traumas, divorces, marriages. I get to see and bear witness to all these issues and tribulations that people go through in life. Because we’re all going through it. So going through it with someone else matters.”
When I asked Elle Mae what she’s proudest of she added a twist to my question and reframed it as what she’s most THANKFUL for. She shared she’s thankful for the community and people in her life who open up to her and share their stories.
“This [child care] crisis is everywhere, it almost became, ‘Well, who’s going to do something?’ And within about 4 days, “Oh, it’s us.” – Virginia and Tiffany
We are proud to welcome Virginia Maus and Tiffany Simon as 2024 Women Who Wow Us recipients.
Virginia and Tiffany are neighbors, friends, mothers, professionals and owners of a child care facility.
The people who nominated Tiffany and Virginia wrote, “Tiffany Simon and Virginia Maus are both mothers, working in their respective industries (Doctor of physical therapy, and lead data analysis). They saw a need in the community and stepped up to fill the gap and help 50+ families. In fall of 2022, they were both left without childcare. 68% of families in rural Wisconsin live in areas without enough child care. They purchased a building and opened a state licensed facility in January 2023.They are now co-owners of Joyful Beginnings Academy in Hortonville, WI. They have created a place they would trust with the most important people in our lives, our kids. It serves almost 100 children, over 50 families from 7 rural communities. This care allows families (especially women) to continue to work. They have grown this business the past year while continuing to grow their families and work their other jobs. They are amazing role models for all their daughters and women everywhere!”
During our time together we talked about the different challenges and triumphs that go into opening a child care facility. The duo shared that finding staff and teachers that they trust is their main goal but the center equally prioritizes creating a supportive culture for staff/teachers. Virginia says that culture trickles down to the kids at the center and she catches a lot of magical moments.
“I get to witness these moments every day, mealtime prayers, a dance party – I recently caught a teacher with a bubble machine in a classroom,” she shared. “I saw a teacher cuddling up a kid, getting the correct blankie in the correct spot.”
Owning a child care facility has also brought a level of advocacy to their lives. An ongoing child care crisis has encouraged Tiffany and Virginia to share their challenges and struggles with difference makers in the community.
“Whether you know it or not, you’re affected by the child care crisis,” Virginia shared, and went on to give a few examples. “Whether you had surgery and Tiffany your physical therapist can’t show up to help you recover from surgery, or someone from your office has to retire early to take care of their grandchildren because you can’t find care.”
They’ve also connected with local chambers of commerce, area businesses and have even invited local representatives to their center to see what is needed to provide quality child care to kids.
When it comes to giving advice to a younger version of themselves they offered this advice, “You can do hard things. The more you do hard things, the easier those hard things get. That’s what life is. Just continue to have the confidence in yourself to step up and take chances,” shared Tiffany.
Then Virginia piped in, “… and find a neighbor, a neighbor and a friend that’s willing to take risks with you and willing to take action, you can do incredible things!”
“Yeah, while you can do hard things it’s more fun to do it with other people,” Tiffany added.
