Category: WU Member Spotlights

Women United Spotlight: Karen Mahnke

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: News, WU Member Spotlights

Welcome to Women United’s Member Spotlight series. This week, join us in learning more about Karen Mahnke and her connection to Women United. If you would like to learn more about Women United and the work they do, click here.

What year did you join Women United?

2017

What is your professional background?

I work at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. I am a Registered Nurse by education and am currently the Associate Chief Nursing Executive at the hospital.

What inspired you originally to be a part of Women United?

I attended the “Power of the Purse” fundraiser and, after talking with a colleague who is a member, I decided to join.

What does early childhood education mean to you?

To me, early childhood education means working to ensure all children have access to people, programs and equipment needed to support their learning. It is important to me because, as a healthcare worker, I see the impact that a lack of education can have on someone’s health and well-being. Learning how to stay healthy needs to begin at an early age.

What has surprised you most about being involved in Women United?

I have been pleased with how welcoming the group is to all new members. They are genuinely excited about each new member and make all feel welcome.

What does Women United mean to you?

It allows me to be active in my community, regardless of how much time I have available. There are times when I have more time to spend with the organization and times where I’m super busy and can’t even go to the meetings, and that is totally fine with this group.

What would you say to a woman who is interested in becoming a member of Women United?

I would say to come to a “Wine and Learn” to meet us and learn how gratifying serving your community can be.

The next Wine & Learn will be on August 21 in Libertyville, 6-7:30 p.m.  For more information, contact Diana Nielander at diana.nielander@uwlakeco.org.

Learn more about Women United here.

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Women United Spotlight: Sandra Bankston

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: News, WU Member Spotlights

Welcome to this week’s Women United Spotlight series. If you would like to learn more about the organization, click here. This week we are continuing to spotlight its members. Join us in learning more about Sandra Bankston and her connection to Women United.

Sandra Banks image

What year did you join Women United?

2014

What is your professional background and if you are currently working, what is the name of your company?

I am a licensed clinical social worker. I’ve worked for almost twenty-two years as a victim coordinator with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. Most of this time was with children at the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center. I recently switched positions and I now am the sexual assault coordinator, specializing in working with adult victims.

What inspired you originally to be a part of Women United?

My youngest child started college, leaving me feeling as if a chapter of my parenting had come to a close. I was looking for something that would help me feel fulfilled and as if I were contributing to my community.

What does early childhood education mean to you? If possible, could you share a personal story of why it’s important to you?

I truly believe that the very early years lay the foundation for a child’s well-being over the course of a lifetime. Benjamin Mays stated, “He who starts behind in the great race of life must forever remain behind or run faster than the man in front.” We owe it to every child, regardless of zip code, to provide them the tools they require so they are not perpetually “running” to catch up.

What has surprised you most about being involved in Women United?

Too often, there is a stigma or stereotype that an organization that is comprised completely of women will be filled with in-fighting and cattiness. My experience has been completely the opposite – everyone is interested in camaraderie and empowering other women.

What does Women United mean to you?

I love Women United because it allows me an opportunity to be involved in things that mean the world to me. My mother was a children’s librarian who instilled a love for books and reading in me. Furthermore, I am from North Chicago and raised my children in Waukegan—two of Women United’s focus communities. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to make an impact in places that have personal significance for me.

What would you say to a woman who is interested in becoming a member of Women United?

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON?

Interested in learning more about Women United? RSVP for their upcoming Wine and Learn prospective meeting on August 21 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in Libertyville. Contact Janice Scarbalis to learn more.

Women United Spotlight: Karen Jones

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: News, WU Member Spotlights

Welcome back to our Women United Spotlight series. This week we are continuing to spotlight its members. Join us in learning more about Karen Jones and her connection to Women United. If you would like to learn more the organization, click here.

Karen Jones Image

When did you join Women United?

I believed I first joined Women United (formerly Women’s Leadership Council) in 2006 even though I was a leadership giver to United Way prior to 2000.

What is your professional background?

I have always loved science and prior to graduating from Beaver College (now titled Arcadia University) with a degree in chemistry, I volunteered in the lab at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office. After graduation I moved to Dallas, Texas with family and started my career with Abbott in Research and Development. I recently retired from Abbott in 2016 after 33 years, and worked in various areas in Quality, Manufacturing, and Program Development in Texas, California and Illinois. While working at Abbott, I continued supporting my community by volunteering with various groups involving youth and, in the last 14 years, volunteered with a STEM-based organization for elementary girls called the Chocolate Chips Association.

What inspired you to be a part of Women United?

Growing up in inner-city Philadelphia, United Way was always a part of my life, but on the receiving end. As an employee of Abbott, each year we had an opportunity to donate funds to non-profit organizations, and I started donating to United Way to help in their mission to support youth. One year, I decided I wanted to be involved not only in donating but personally. I attended one of the Get Acquainted sessions for the Abbott Women Leadership Group and loved the vision of the organization and the passion of the members.

What does early childhood education mean to you?

I believe all children should be given a chance to succeed, and as a mother of three adult children, and now a grandmother of a busy 2-year-old, education of our youth is even more important to me. Our youth need the support of early education since many of them do not receive the academic support at home. This lack of education places them further behind the curve when they enter elementary school.

What has surprised you most about being involved in Women United?

The women themselves. The love and passion that the women of our group show for the mission of supporting the Lake County youth, and the power of many is powerful. It has been a profound experience to watch strong women come together and support early child education for children from many different communities. We can watch and see the growth for these youths when we offer support early in their educational career. I have also enjoyed the friendships and fun of bringing women from different backgrounds together for a common cause. And the mentorship. I love learning from these ladies.

What does Women United mean to you?

It means our youth have more opportunities to succeed because they have strong, dedicated, wonderful women behind them, supporting their early education. Personally, it also means I have an opportunity to learn from some great ladies.

What would you say to a woman who is interested in becoming a member of Women United?

If you are interesting in meeting extraordinary women that look outside of themselves to support the future generation, that donate their time and talents to aiding in early childhood education, and you want to have fun, join us.

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Women United Spotlight: Beth Krenzer

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: News, WU Member Spotlights

Welcome back to our Women United Spotlight series. If you are interested in learning more about Women United, click here. This week we are continuing to spotlight its members. Join us in learning more about Beth Krenzer and her connection to Women United.

What is your professional background and if you are currently working, what is the name of your company?

My work is as a Global Manufacturing Executive (Industrial Engineer with an MBA). I am retired now, but used to work at Kodak and Cardinal Health with expat assignments in Canada and Brazil and factory start-ups in China, Russia and Nepal for India.

What inspired you originally to be a part of Women United?

I was interested in giving back to my community. I knew about United Way from my Kodak days.

What does early childhood education mean to you? If possible, could you share a personal story of why it’s important to you?

If children get discouraged too early they fall behind and never catch-up. It is key to instill a love of reading, learning and doing projects/experiments early. It is also crucial for children to learn how to work with teams.

What has surprised you most about being involved in Women United?

How warm and friendly and fun the group is and flexible on how one can get involved.

What does Women United mean to you?

Strong Committed Women for a Cause.

What would you say to a woman who is interested in becoming a member of Women United?

Give it a try; you can start out “light”.

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Women United Spotlight: Kathy Ryg

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: News, WU Member Spotlights

Welcome to our very first Women United Spotlight. As you may have read in our previous blog post, Women United (formerly the Women’s Leadership Council) was started in 2002 by United Way Worldwide. The purpose was to establish a grassroots model that local United Ways could execute in their own communities to addresses local critical needs. Today we would like to begin highlighting some of the women who are a part of this incredible organization. Join us in learning more about Kathy Ryg and her passion for Women United.

What is your professional background and if you are currently working, what is the name of your company?

My first career was in social services working with adults with intellectual and mental health disabilities/challenges. I then transitioned to local government working as a full time elected official in my community where I became involved in civic, school and community based organizations with a special interest in positive youth development. In 2002 I was elected State Representative from the northern Cook and Lake County area. In 2009 I left the General Assembly to do full time policy and advocacy work as President of Voices for Illinois Children. I am currently retired and excited to continue to support children and families (including my own 8 grandchildren) through the efforts of Women United!

What inspired you originally to be a part of Women United?

I have always been impressed and supportive of United Way of Lake County and when I was invited to join Women United I immediately responded to the impact that was being made with the financial, professional and volunteer efforts focused on early childhood literacy. With my background and appreciation for data driven results based on identified needs and targeted interventions, I knew I found the group that would take best advantage of my donation and offer hands on experiences to build better lives for the children in Lake County.

What does early childhood education mean to you? If possible, could you share a personal story of why it’s important to you?

In my professional life I was fortunate to meet and support the efforts of Nobel Laureate winner, James Heckman. Prof. Heckman won his prize based on his research as an economist demonstrating that the best investment a society can make is in early childhood services. Early childhood experiences lay the foundation of every child’s ability to succeed – ready to learn in Kindergarten with the necessary evidence based skills, reading at grade level by 3rd grade, entering high school with math and reading skills for success, high school graduation and post high school, college or career/credential opportunities. As Prof. Heckman notes the return on investment for the economic success of all of us is $7-10 return for every $1 invested. How can we not offer every child the opportunities to succeed that we make sure to provide our own children and grandchildren!

What has surprised you most about being involved in Women United?

I knew I would enjoy being part of the work of Women United but I was most pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed getting to know my fellow members. It is so true that but for Women United, I might not have met the amazing women who come with professional, family, personal and community experiences that are quite different from mine. The diversity in our membership is unique but our common passion for children is a bond that connects us in a deeper way than I imagined. I look forward to being in their company at every opportunity!

What does Women United mean to you?

I have found purpose, fulfillment and fun as a member of Women United. I am grateful that I can contribute to successful outcomes for children while having so much fun with women who are all in! We have serious work to do – the need is still great. But we have so much fun with each other, it is a joy to bring more members to the group to share this life altering experience.

What would you say to a woman who is interested in becoming a member of Women United?

So many women are looking for ways to give back to help children and families succeed. Women United is really the perfect blend of knowing you’re financial contribution is making a documented difference in early childhood success while you can volunteer in direct service opportunities as your schedule allows or not! I’ve not found many groups that provide the impact, flexibility and comradery that Women United offers. You won’t ever regret being part of this group of Wonder Women!

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