Congratulations to Judy Kotsiopoulos, Winner of the Women Distinction Award

Women’s Leadership Council Member, Judy Kotsiopoulos, was honored as one of Lake County’s most remarkable women by Shaw Media and Lake County Magazine.

United Way of Lake County is proud of Judy’s accomplishments in the Lake County Community. Here is her testimonial of her philanthropic work:

I have been advocating and volunteering for over 20 years now, serving the greater needs of the community and making an active, philanthropic investment into Lake County, my home.

I got into making a difference through volunteerism, philanthropy and leadership development, volunteering with my father at Peace Memorial Church, who organized many different events.

Currently, I am involved with United Way of Lake County, where together, with like-minded business, civic leaders and community partners, I am working towards educating at-risk children in Lake County and preparing them to succeed in a changing world. I have served on the United Way Board of Directors and continue to be a dedicated Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) member. Nationally, United Way’s WLC is the most successful philanthropic network of its kind. In Lake County, WLC is a group 75 accomplished women taking action to ensure children living in Lake County’s most at-risk communities are prepared for Kindergarten and ready to succeed. It is also a great honor to serve as the Chairperson of WLC’s Power of the Purse, their annual signature fundraiser, aimed at raising funds for the Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to help advance the common good through early childhood education and literacy programs in Lake County.

I am also associated with the American Cancer Society, where I serve as a volunteer, have coordinated a relay for life team and wellness education development in Lake County. I am a member of Joy Lutheran Church and have planned their family picnic, summer pool parties, and serve as a VBS leader. I am associated with Canine Companions for Independence and serve as the Fundraising Chairperson. I also volunteer with Orphans of the Storm and PADS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and comprehensive resources to families with children and individuals experiencing homelessness in Lake County. I was involved with United Way of Racine County, as a Corporate Campaign Manager. Have also served as a troop leader for 12 years and Service Unit Manager for 2 years for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and NW Indiana.

The reason I serve on various nonprofit organizations and human service agencies is personal gratification and as a local professional with two daughters, I see first-hand the need for a strong community. Also, I am now passing along the important things I learned from my father to my beautiful daughters: to think of other’s lives as connected to their own and show compassion for others.

Judy Kotsiopoulos – Women’s Leadership Council Member. Along with her social responsibility commitments, Judy worked as the Human Resources Global Employee Services Manager for Hollister Incorporated. Before joining Hollister Incorporated, Judy worked for Circon Surgitek Corporation. She held several strategic roles in the company such as New Products Manager, Materials Manager, Purchasing and Distribution Manager, and assisted the Plant Manager on special projects. She is the mother of two beautiful daughters, Devan and Ava, and lives with her husband John, in Gurnee, Illinois.