Leadership Circle

LEADING THE WAY TO OPPORTUNITIES
FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE
FOR EVERYONE IN THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY

Leadership Circle is for like-minded leaders in the community who give through United Way to maximize the impact of their $500+ investments.

Why Join Leadership Circle?

  • A simple way to give with confidence
  • Pride in supporting the residents of the Chippewa Valley
  • Meaningful connection to like-minded people
  • Exclusive invitations to attend annual events
  • Special recognition on our website, in Spirit Award program and the Annual Report.

Our Leadership Circle donors are helping United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley and our community partners to help improve the mental health of Chippewa Valley residents, prepare children to enter school ready to succeed, empower residents to achieve self-sufficiency, and ensure access to food, shelter and medical care.

When Leadership Circle donors give $500 a year they are supporting one of the following:

  • Mental health counseling for 28 students
  • Programming to promote early childhood development for 4 children
  • Financial coaching, education and debt manage for 4 people
  • Comprehensive dental care for 50 low-income patients

$608,000+ of the $1.4K raised was donated by 482 Leadership Circle in 2021. Contact us at kcooper@uwgcv.org to 715-834-5043 to get connected today!

United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley would like to thank each Leadership Circle member for Living United.


Leadership Circle donors are invited to participate in four events throughout the year.

Express Game

Take me out to the ballgame! Leadership Circle members attended an Eau Claire Express baseball game at Carson Park in 2023, for an evening of comradery and fun on the Fan Deck.                                                                                                      

Express Game Picture

 

Amazing Eau Claire Clean-up

In the spring of 2023, Leadership Circle members participated in the Amazing Eau Claire Clean-up event. They were assigned the task of spreading fresh woodchips and raking leaves on and around the playground. It was a great morning of teamwork!

Eau Claire Cleanup Picture

 

Celebrate the Circle

Leadership Circle members were invited to Celebrate the Circle to socialize and connect with other members while being shown appreciation for their generous support of United Way. This celebration was hosted in November of 2023 at the Leinie Lodge in Chippewa Falls in their Pilot Brewery. This event was planned in tandem with our special Leadership Circle Impact Tour.

Celebrate the Circle Picture

 

Impact Tour

In November of 2023, Leadership Circle members were invited to an exclusive Impact Tour. Members visited three Program Partner locations and learn about
the impact of their philanthropy in the Chippewa Valley. This event was followed by our Celebrate the Circle appreciation event at the Leinie Lodge with
chow and cheers!

Impact Tour Picture

 

Leadership Circle Donors by Category

(as of 1/31/2023)

  • Gerald and Mary Jacobson
  • Tom and Pam Kell
  • Dave Markquart
  • Dr. and Mrs. Donald F. Weber
  • Thomas and Jill Barland
  • Dr. Daniel and Kerry Kincaid
  • Jake and Peg Leinenkugel
  • Jim and Kathy Pinter
  • Jerome and Kathryn Reinecke
  • David Schifeling and Joan Hamblin
  • Mike Steinberger and Kathy Delfosse
  • Bob Tanner
  • Ken and Julie Adler
  • Kathryn Bergman
  • Stephen Bianchi
  • Dennis and Jeanne Boisvert
  • Dexter Covey
  • Andrew and Marika Daniels
  • Jeff and Patti Darley
  • Mark and Donna Faanes
  • Phillip and Barbara Fey
  • David and Ann Gordon
  • Bradley Grewe and Melissa Marjamaa
  • Richard and Nicolette Hanna
  • David and Cathy Johnson
  • Steve and Brenda Johnson
  • Dr. Steven and Mary Kapla
  • Casey Kretz
  • Jerry and Mary Kuehl
  • Jill and Ned Lenhart
  • John Lubs
  • John and Nancy Mickelson
  • Dr. David Nye
  • Tim and Carol Olson
  • Maury Pasternack and Shelley Fredson
  • James Pieterick
  • Pat and Sue Quinn
  • Tim and Dianne Robertson
  • Dr. William Rupp and Dr. Janice Clarke
  • J. Drew and Mary Ryberg
  • Peter and Randi Scobie
  • Mark Stoering
  • Patrick Sturz
  • James and Christine Vaudreuil
  • Terrence Witt
  • Steve and Ellen Anderson
  • Betsy Barnes
  • Barb and Bruce Bayley
  • Bill and Beth Blackburn
  • Mary Ciresi
  • Kevin and Del Marie Conley
  • Brock and Alyssa Cooley
  • Ed and Kathy Ebert
  • Dr. Steve and Kelly Endres
  • Valerie and James Fedie
  • Jeff and Linda Feirn
  • Greg Field
  • Robert and Terri Ganschow
  • Sheldon and Ruth Gough
  • Dick and Karen Hebert
  • Mark and Lois Helland
  • Daniel and Carolyn Johnson
  • Dick and Marcia Larson
  • Larry and Tammy Lester
  • Scott Lester
  • Steve and Carol Liegel
  • Rick and Carol Olson
  • Gale and Jan Otterholt
  • Stephen and Lauree Pregent
  • William Priest
  • Roberta Rasmus
  • BJ and Jo Rauckman
  • Gary and Jacqueline Reich
  • Wayne and Mary Richmond
  • Kallie Robb
  • Mr. David and Dr. Susan Rowe
  • Lee and Mandi Schmidgall
  • Zach Schmidtknecht
  • Trevor Seely
  • Shawn Snedden
  • Drs. Mark and Patti Sontag
  • Bryan Thompson
  • Dawn Yarrington
  • John Younger
  • Keith and Deb Zehms
  • Robert and Karen Allen
  • Greg and Amy Axness
  • Michael and Kay Bartz
  • Paula Bechel
  • Jason and Jennifer Beckermann
  • Michael and Mary Berg
  • Jim and Jackie Bernier
  • Doris Blake
  • Mary A. Blake
  • Robert and Sarah J. Blockhus
  • Cheryl Bluske
  • Mark Bortnem
  • Tina and Anthony Bourget
  • Greg and Annette Burger   
  • Anna Cardarella and Andrew Sailing
  • Jules and Carol Chan
  • Lou Ann Chartier  
  • Rebecca Cheever
  • Mark Cortese
  • Jason and Melinda Craig
  • Kerri Crank
  • Linda and Brian Danielson
  • Kyle Darley
  • Bill and Jo Ellyn DeCesare
  • Robin and Becky Drout
  • Susan and Christopher Dvoracek
  • Ty and Kim Ellis
  • Deborah Erwin
  • Dan and Jill Everhart
  • George and Peggy Fleming
  • Jan and Roy Fuerstenberg
  • Christopher and Dana Fullarton
  • Lori and Reggie Geissler
  • Christopher and Carol Gorzek
  • Ken and Mary Ann Green
  • Jimi Grimes
  • Timothy and Tami Hagmann
  • Ann Heywood and Gene Stanley
  • Karl Hoesly
  • Jon and Maureen Homstad
  • Linda Jackson
  • Nathaniel and Pansy Jalil
  • David and Patricia Jankoski
  • Kris and Carey Johnson
  • Keith and Donna Jones
  • David Keating
  • Tom and Cheryl Keegan
  • Michael and Pam Keil
  • Glen Kennison
  • Kristofer Kowalski
  • Jeff and Sue Ellen Kowieski
  • William Kruger
  • Dale E. and Linda K. Kukowski Fund of the Winona Community Foundation
  • John Lahti
  • Kimberly Jo Lauterbach-Koller
  • Robert and Catherine Lea
  • Howard Ludwigson and Mary Spies 
  • Lois A. Mai
  • Elaine Mann
  • Pete and Patty Marsnik
  • David McCarty
  • Tim and Shelly Milner
  • John and Meri Jo Mueller
  • Mark and Janet Nelson
  • Alison and Paul Nevins
  • Russ and Janice Nicol
  • Dr. Michael and Martha O'Halloran
  • Mark and Tricia Oldenberg
  • Dustin Olson and Peter Rindal
  • Michael and Kristy Olson
  • Bruce and Mary Ommen
  • Marlo and Beverly Orth
  • Becky Ostedt
  • Pete Peterson
  • Jennifer Prochnow
  • Don and Jayne Reck
  • Jeffery and Celena Reuter
  • Taylor Rhode
  • Dan and Jenny Riebe
  • Brandon and Emily Riechers
  • Eric Rygg
  • Paul and Catherine Salm
  • Kirstin Schmidt
  • Kevin Schnack
  • James Schroeder and Delesa Boley   
  • J. Roger Selin
  • Flo Sheridan
  • Christopher Sikora
  • Sarah and Jeff Stovern
  • Laura and Don Talley
  • Julie and Patrick Thoney
  • Jeff Tornow
  • Mike and Barb Tzanakis
  • Dr. Maureen and Mr. Paul Vanyo
  • David and Pamela White
  • Tim and Angie Whiteside
  • Marsha M. Wiley
  • Jayne Woodburn
  • Bernice Zank
  • Andrew Akervik
  • Sue Albee
  • Brad Atkinson
  • Andie and Ross Auna
  • Rick and Sandy Ayres
  • Bruce and Anne Barker
  • Thomas Barry
  • Steven and Sally Bartig
  • Jim and Kathy Bartl
  • Amy Bauer
  • Charlie and Lucy Bauer
  • Paul Beckfield
  • Jay Berlin
  • Jeff and Amy Bernhardt
  • William Bielefeldt II
  • Christie Black
  • David and Linda Bockin
  • Paul Bowman
  • Vismay Brahmbhatt
  • Ryan Brendon
  • Jeff and Kristen Brown
  • Nona Buchholz
  • Denise Bunbury
  • Diane Cable
  • Steve Cain
  • Matthew Callope
  • David and Sue Carli
  • Kelly Christianson
  • Marybeth and Larry Clark
  • Kathy and Mike Cooper
  • Seth Couillard
  • Sue and Dave Cullinan
  • Ken and Deb Custer
  • Susanne Degen
  • Jennifer Drayton
  • Nick Drayton
  • Scott and Tammy Dulian
  • Jean Durch
  • Ryan Elliot
  • Melissa and David Emmerich
  • Rolly Endres
  • Kevin Engel
  • Edward Enger
  • Pat Erickson
  • Wesley R. Escondo
  • Karl and Karen Everson
  • Lindsey Everson
  • Ellen and Douglas Faulkner
  • Tony Favilla
  • Darrin Fellom
  • Tracy Finder
  • Ron Fjelstad
  • James and Patricia Flanagan
  • Dennis and Arlene Forster
  • Marv and Lorrie Franson
  • Sandra Frohling
  • Jordon Frohn
  • Kevin Gardow
  • Dean and Miriam Gehler
  • Brock and Karla Geyen
  • Susan and Premchand Girdhari
  • Kendra Goodman
  • Gail and Randall Graese
  • Sara Grana
  • Greg Grimm
  • Charlie and Becky Grossklaus
  • Lori Gustafson
  • Steven Hamann
  • Susie Hancock
  • Phil and Jan Happe
  • Peter Hart-Brinson
  • Laurie Haus
  • Robert and Joanie Heacox
  • Greta Heike
  • J. Erik Hendrickson
  • Jill and Steve Herriges
  • Jason Higgins
  • Charles Hill, Jr.
  • Alan Hillmann
  • Kelly Hladilek
  • Vicki and Gary Hoehn
  • Terri Hoepner
  • Scott and Ann Hoffmann
  • Traci Hollister
  • Daniel Holmen
  • Jason Hotujec
  • Dan and Linda Hunt
  • William Ihlenfeldt
  • Erin Insteness
  • Linda and Robert Jaenke
  • Sara and Erik Johnson
  • Jessica Joyce
  • Jack and Sally Kaiser
  • Andrew and Vanessa Kane
  • Jason Khols
  • Cory and Michelle Knutson
  • Mark Koxlien
  • Nick and Denise Krajewski
  • Dave and Korrie Krause
  • Paul and Jill Kulig
  • Sarah Kunferman
  • Megan Landers
  • Katie Larsen
  • Molly Lee
  • Jamie and Amber Leibrandt
  • Lance Liddell
  • Karl and Jennifer Lindstrom
  • Brandon Litwiller
  • Dr. and Mrs. Jay Loftsgaarden
  • Ryan and Beth Ludy
  • Christopher Maag
  • Kevin Magruder
  • Drs. Jim and Sharon Manz
  • Carie Martin
  • Craig and Shelley Mather
  • Rebecca Mattson
  • Taylor Mayer
  • Robbyn Schirmer
  • Andy McGrane
  • Terry and Jennifer McHugh
  • Dan Meier
  • Bill and Heidi Mercer
  • Missy Miller
  • Travis Miller
  • Paul Mirr
  • Gary Moss
  • Angela and Carl Mothes
  • Joe and Joy Motto
  • Kate Mulvaney
  • Andy and Heather Neborak
  • Lynette and Frank Neibauer
  • Brenda Nelson
  • Cherity Nelson
  • Stephen and Sara Nick
  • Stanley and Kay Norman
  • James Norris
  • Amanda Obenhoffer
  • Monica and Travis Obrycki
  • Jessica Oleson-Bue
  • David and Sandra Olson
  • Tom and Karen Olson
  • Mary Ortizcazarin
  • Jim and Heidi Ottevaere
  • Kasey Peissig
  • Jacob Pepper
  • Melanie and James Peters
  • Vicki Pflieger
  • Danielle Pilkin
  • Jeannie and Mike Pittenger
  • Dawn Pittman
  • Michelle Porath
  • Julie Postlewaite
  • Derek Prestin
  • Michelle and Phil Pryse
  • Michael and Sasha Pynch
  • Shayna Reichert
  • Michelle and Mike Richards
  • Tiffany Richter
  • Eric and Jill Ritchie
  • Brian Roeker
  • Jeffery and Sarah Rogers
  • Christian and Laura Rushmann
  • Nicholas and Rebecca Sanderfoot
  • Amber Scharenbroch
  • Isaac Schemm
  • Jennifer Schermerhorn
  • Marilyn Schilling
  • Janice Schindler
  • Karin Schuler
  • Charles and Brittany Schumacher
  • Deborah and Joseph Schumacher
  • Robert Schwartz and Cheryl Muller
  • Chris and Becky Seelen
  • Greg Senn
  • Larry and Irma Shepler
  • Casey Shields
  • Kimberly and Alan Shult
  • Theodore Solberg
  • Lawrence and Melodie Sprecher
  • Donita Stanley
  • Sandra Stanton and the late Robert Stanton
  • Mark and Julie Steil
  • Dean Steines
  • Tammy Stelter
  • Dr. Jeff Sullivan
  • Philip Swanhorst
  • Jeanne Sygulla
  • Marcie and Timothy Talbott
  • Kim and Jon Thalacker
  • Annalie and Christopher Thies
  • Lynn and Teresa Thompson
  • Jeni Thorpe
  • Melissa and Scott Tomaier
  • Dr. Curt and Trisha Travis
  • Kara Travis
  • Jessica Triplett
  • Scott and Tracy Trippler
  • Petro Tsarehradsky
  • Robert Tyman
  • Steve and Patti Vogelsang
  • Disa Wahlstrand
  • Stephanie Walczak
  • David and Jody Waletzki
  • Ann Walker
  • Kristin Walukas
  • Sean Ward
  • Angie Weideman
  • Dave and Gloria Weiss
  • Steve Weld
  • Cynthia Wergeland
  • Sharon and Ron Whitwam
  • Cara Williams
  • Duane and Kim Winkelmann
  • Lisa Winrich
  • Michael Winter
  • Cheryl and Jeff Wirth
  • Carrie Wood
  • Jeremy Woulett
  • Charity and Mike Zich
  • Theresa Zirbel

Number of Leadership Circle Donors by Organization

(as of 12/5/2023)

Mayo Clinic Health System | 50
Xcel Energy | 27
Great Northern Corporation | 22
ITW Deltar Fasteners | 18
Wipfli LLP | 15
Marshfield Clinic Health System | 12
PESI, Inc. | 11
WIN Technology | 11
EO Johnson Business Technologies | 9
Mason Companies, Inc. | 8
Miron Construction Co., Inc. | 8
Royal Credit Union | 8
United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley | 8
CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP | 7
Huebsch Services | 7
Premium Waters, Inc. | 7
Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C. | 6
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | 6
W.S. Darley & Co. | 6
Eau Claire County | 5
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., Inc. | 5
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | 5
Security Financial Bank | 5
BMO | 4
Eau Claire Area School District | 4
Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire | 4
Nelnet | 4
Scheels | 4
Eau Claire Automotive Group | 3
Northwestern Bank | 3

Baker Tilly US, LLP | 2
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin | 2
Chippewa County Housing Authority | 2
Eau Claire Energy Cooperative | 2
J & D Manufacturing | 2
M3 Insurance | 2
Prevea Health | 2
WEAU 13 News | 2
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. | 2
3M | 1
Associated Bank | 1
AT&T | 1
Banbury Place, Inc. | 1
Bell Bank | 1
The Boldt Company | 1
City of Eau Claire | 1
DigiCOPY, Inc. | 1
Eau Claire Co-operative Oil Company | 1
Festival Foods | 1
Frandsen Bank & Trust | 1
Heartland Business Systems | 1
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation | 1
HSHS Sacred Heart St. Joseph's Hospitals | 1
Huntsinger Companies | 1
IBM | 1
IDEXX Laboratories | 1
Nicolet National Bank | 1
Secura Insurance Companies | 1
YMCA of the Chippewa Valley | 1
Zacho Sports Center, Inc. | 1

Team Leadership Circle

Team Leadership Circle (TLC) works to grow the number of Leadership Circle donors, Leadership Circle donors' confidence in telling why they give through United Way, and Leadership Circle donors' connection to the group.


Members:

Andrew Daniels
    Senior Vice President, Eau Claire Office
    Miron Construction Co., Inc.

Sara Grana
    Senior Account Development
    Great Northern Corporation

Cory Knutson
    IT Support Specialist
    Huebsch Services

Casey Kretz
    Partner
    Wipfli LLP

Charity Zich
    Airport Director
   Chippewa Valley Regional Airport

 

United Way Staff:

Kathy Cooper
   Operations Director
   United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley

Leadership Circle Signers

Leadership Circle Signers donate, solicit and express gratitude for donations at the Leadership Circle level of $500 or more during the campaign season.


Members:

Bill Blackburn
    Vice President & Co-Owner
    L&M Mail & Courier

Andrew Daniels
    Senior Vice President, Eau Claire Office
    Miron Construction Co., Inc.

Sara Grana
    Senior Account Development
    Great Northern Corporation

Karen Hebert
    Groups Benefit Broker
    Spectrum Insurance Group, LLC

Vicki Hoehn
    Retired Community Member

Jerry Jacobson
    President
    Northwestern Bank

Michelle Knutson
    Community Member

Ryan Ludy
   Executive Director
   United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley

Angie Mothes
    Director of Operations
    Ruder Ware L.L.S.C.

Jessica Oleson-Bue
   Executive Director
   Chippewa County Housing Authority

Jennifer Prochnow
    Social Investments Representative
    Xcel Energy

Becky Seelen
    Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications
    Security Financial Bank

Jeni Thorpe
    Executive Assistant & Human Resources Administrator
    Eau Claire Energy Cooperative

Mike Tzanakis
    Retired Community Member

Charity Zich
    Airport Director
    Chippewa Valley Regional Airport

Theresa Zirbel
    Vice President & Senior Market Manager
    Associated Bank

 

United Way Staff:

Kathy Cooper
   Operations Director
   United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley

 

Thank you to our 2023 sponsors:

2023 Leadership Circle Sponsor Logos

 

To learn more about our sponsors, please visit the following links:


Thank you to our Leadership Circle materials print sponsor:

Supreme Graphics logo