Women’s Inspire Awards 2025

by Alyssa Johnson and Amanda Krueger

This Is What Impact Looks Like

Four years ago, this celebration began with a simple, but powerful idea: to honor the women whose quiet strength and everyday dedication inspire those around them.

These are not women who seek the spotlight. They don’t chase recognition or applause. They are the ones who show up early, stay late, and pour themselves into the work that matters. They are the ones who lift others, often while carrying their own burdens. They are the heartbeat of our community.

The Women’s Inspire Awards were created to honor women who lead with compassion, who build with grit, and who give with grace. They are teachers, artists, healers, organizers, mentors, and mothers. They are women who have faced loss, hardship, and uncertainty—and turned those experiences into fuel for change.

The 2025 honorees remind us that inspiration doesn’t always come with a title; it comes with action, with courage, and with love. Each was nominated by someone who saw their light and couldn’t let it go unnoticed. Their stories are deeply personal, profoundly moving, and undeniably impactful. While their paths are different, their purpose is shared: to make life better for others.

We are honored to share their stories with you. As you read, we hope you’ll think of the women in your life who inspire you. We hope you’ll feel moved to celebrate them, to thank them, and maybe even to nominate them next year.

The Women’s Inspire Awards event continues to grow, as does the community around it. Thank you for being part of it. 

With gratitude,
Alyssa Johnson and Amanda Krueger

What brought you to your work?

Brianne: My journey into community work really started with AmeriCorps. I worked with their National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program for years, and that instilled in me a deep comfort with serving others. When my family moved to Appleton six years ago, a neighbor invited us to join the local neighborhood group. That small invitation led to big things—eventually I was organizing events, securing $80,000 in city grants, and helping revitalize spaces like Columbus Elementary. I’ve always had big ideas, and I’m not afraid to push for them.

Carri: I’ve always been deeply curious about the human experience—why we make the choices we do and how we end up on the paths we take. That curiosity led me to pursue education in human services and counseling. I worked full-time while raising my kids and going to school, and I’ve been fortunate to hold roles that allowed me to support others in meaningful ways. Whether it’s through public health or counseling, my goal has always been to walk alongside people; not to fix them, but to help them feel seen, heard, and supported.

Kara: I describe it as a carefully cultivated dream. I’ve been a violinist since I was 3, and over time, I became curious about the instruments themselves—how they’re made, how they’re repaired. My mom is a portrait artist, and my dad was a skilled woodworker. I grew up surrounded by creativity and craftsmanship. Eventually, I took a leap of faith and enrolled in violin making school. Now, as head luthier at Heid Music, I get to combine my love of music with my passion for helping others make music of their own.

Betsy: I’ve been a hairstylist since 2004, but everything changed after a serious car accident early in my career. I nearly lost my life and had to relearn how to walk. That experience left me searching for purpose. When my grandmother told me about the joy she saw in women receiving wigs at the cancer center where she was working, something clicked. I began volunteering with the American Cancer Society and eventually opened a salon inside a cancer center. That journey led me to create Peaceful Purpose—a nonprofit that provides free wigs, head shavings, and support to women and children experiencing medical hair loss. It’s my calling. 

Mary: My husband Mike and I were high school sweethearts. He fell in love with baking while working at his parents’ bakery in Shawano, and after college, he went on to study at the American Institute of Baking (AIB). I joined him in the business, eventually becoming a cake decorator—something I’ve now done for over 50 years. We opened Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe in 2001, and it’s been growing ever since. Now, our children are part of the business too, and it means the world to me to see them carrying on what Mike and I built together.

Susie: I started Wisconsin Swim Academy in my backyard 15 years ago as a way to pay for a pool heater. My husband, a banker, asked how I’d fund it, and I said, “I’ll teach swim lessons.” I’d worked at a swim club before and loved it. I’ve always had a heart for kids and people. What started as a summer side gig turned into a full-blown business! The pool brought kids to our home, and I became a mentor to many of them. The Wisconsin Swim Academy was never about building a business—it was about creating a space where kids felt safe, seen, and supported.

What motivates you on your most challenging days?

Brianne: What keeps me going is knowing that positive change is possible. I’ve seen it happen. Even when things feel overwhelming or broken, I remind myself that we can make an impact. That belief—that things can get better if we work together—is what drives me through the tough days.

Carri: My family is my biggest motivation—especially my kids. Watching them grow into strong, compassionate people inspires me every day. I also find strength in the belief that we all have purpose. Even on the hardest days, I remind myself that the work I do matters. When I learned I was receiving this award, it came at a time when I really needed that reminder and it helped me see that I am making a difference, even when it doesn’t always feel like it.

Kara: Even on the busiest days, I love what I do. The work is incredibly detailed—sharpening tools on Japanese wet stones, fitting bridges, adjusting sound posts—and I find joy in that precision. What keeps me going is knowing that every instrument I work on helps someone express themselves. Whether it’s a professional musician or a child just starting out, I want their instrument to feel like an extension of themselves.

Betsy: My daughter motivates me every day as does my incredible team—both at the salon and on the nonprofit board—but most of all, it’s the clients. When someone walks in scared and vulnerable, and I can help them leave feeling more like themselves– that’s everything. I don’t always share my story, but this work is my therapy, too. They’re helping me as much as I’m helping them.

Mary: Some days I’m up at 3 a.m. and don’t leave until 6 p.m., but I just keep going. I feel like Mike is still pushing me—reminding me that the work matters. Our customers motivate me too. When people call to say, “thank you,” or share how much they love what we do, it keeps me going. Sometimes, when I’ll walk in and Sweet Caroline, Mike’s favorite song, is playing, or a cardinal appears on my computer screen, I know he’s still with me.

Susie: I’m a problem solver at heart. I always want to make things right—as long as it doesn’t compromise my values. On tough days, I stay positive and ask myself, ‘If I were the client, what would I expect? What’s the fairest solution for everyone?’ That mindset keeps me grounded. I don’t wait for someone else to fix things—I jump in and figure it out.

What do you envision for the future of your work?

Brianne: I want to keep helping and serving our community as long as I can. My hope is to build enough momentum in our neighborhood that city and county resources reinvest here. I also want to help create more sustainable systems—things like formal leadership roles, consistent communication channels, and long-term planning—for this work to continue even if I step back. We need more structure, more support, and more belief in what’s possible at the neighborhood level.

Carri: I’d love to open my own counseling practice someday—something holistic and grounded in nature, where people can feel truly safe. I also want to continue building momentum in the community around harm reduction and overdose prevention. My work in public health and counseling gives me a unique perspective, and I hope to keep bridging those worlds to create safer, more compassionate systems of care.

Kara: My goal is to remove barriers to music-making. Playing a stringed instrument is already challenging. My job is to make sure the instrument itself isn’t part of that challenge. I want every student, regardless of age or ability, to feel confident and supported with optimal setup, the right accessories, and education. I also hope to continue mentoring and increasing visibility for women in skilled trades. Representation matters, and I want young people to see that this path is possible for them, too.

Betsy: My dream is to expand Peaceful Purpose into a full wellness center. I recently purchased the building where I run both the salon and the nonprofit and I’m working on creating a space that offers services like areola tattooing, massage, and more—everything to help women feel whole again. I also hope to secure funding to make my nonprofit work a paid position where I can dedicate even more time to it. Ultimately, I want to train others to carry on this mission with the same care and compassion.

Mary: My son has big dreams for Uncle Mike’s. He wants to expand our kringle offerings and open more locations focused on that specialty. We’re opening a new store in Appleton this fall, and if that goes well, he hopes to move further south—maybe even open a production facility in Milwaukee. I’ll keep working as long as I can, supporting him and sharing what I’ve learned. This business is part of our family, and I’m proud to see it grow.

Susie: We’re expanding into Green Bay, which is exciting, but this has never just been about swimming lessons; it’s about mentoring. Most of my 50 employees are high schoolers, and we’ve built a culture that supports them. We’ve partnered with Team Trek to teach leadership, communication, and how to have tough conversations. I want to keep creating safe spaces for young people—places where they feel empowered, heard, and valued. Even after I retire, I’ll keep doing this work in some form.

What would you tell your younger self to inspire her?

Brianne: You can do it. I’ve always been someone who waits until I feel fully qualified before jumping in, but I’d tell my younger self to have more confidence. You don’t need to know everything to start. Just go for it. Trust yourself.

Carri: Believe in yourself. Write down your thoughts. Trust that your heart is leading you somewhere meaningful. I’ve always been someone who wants to spread love and kindness. I’d tell my younger self to hold onto that. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to keep going.

Kara: You can do anything. That’s what my mom always told me, and she lived it—breaking barriers and leading by example. I’d tell my younger self to trust that passion and hard work will take her far. You may not see someone who looks like you doing this work yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.

Betsy: Follow your intuition—not the opinions of others. Stay consistent. Don’t take “no” for an answer. You’ll grow from every experience, even the hard ones. One day, you’ll realize you actually like who you are. That’s when everything changes.

Mary: Just put one foot in front of the other. Take it one step at a time. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Life will throw you challenges you never expected, but you’ll get through them, and you’ll be stronger for it.

Susie: Don’t forget who you are. Your beauty comes from within. Be true to yourself, trust your gut, and don’t follow the crowd. Don’t care so much about what others think—value yourself. Don’t ever give up. When you face obstacles, ask yourself: Who do I want to be? What do I want this outcome to look like? Then go after it in a way that aligns with your values. 

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Brianne Connelly – Community Organizer | Fitness Instructor | Neighborhood Connector
Brianne Connelly is a community organizer, fitness instructor, and mother of two based in Appleton. Originally from Oshkosh, she brings a background in AmeriCorps NCCC and a deep commitment to grassroots change. For the past six years, she’s worked to strengthen her neighborhood through connection, creativity, and advocacy.

Brianne serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator at Zion Lutheran Church, where she supports local engagement and neighborhood initiatives. She also teaches yoga and cardio dance classes through the YMCA, blending her love of movement with her passion for building community.

Brianne’s passion lies in “micro-organizing”—fostering close-knit community bonds through block-level events, shared interests, and youth programming. She played a key role in securing an $80,000 city grant to improve local spaces and launched a summer playground program to fill gaps left by school and park closures. Brianne continues to advocate for reinvestment in Appleton’s central neighborhoods, believing that every community deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.

Inspired by strong women such as Joyce Brooks, Linda Thomas, and her mother, Brianne leads with heart, purpose, and a belief in the power of everyday people to create lasting change.

Carri Ciske – Counselor-in-Training | Community Health Educator | Builder of Safe Spaces
Carri Ciske is a counselor-in-training and the community health educator for Outagamie County Public Health, where she leads overdose fatality prevention efforts and champions harm reduction with empathy and intention. Whether she’s facilitating a training session, supporting a client, or holding space in her chronic pain support group, Carri brings a deep sense of care and connection to everything she does.

Her path has been shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a desire to help others feel safe, seen, and understood. With degrees in human services as well as human development and family studies, Carri blends academic insight with lived experience to walk alongside others—not to fix, but to support. “Everyone deserves to feel loved and purposeful,” Carri said. “Sometimes we just need someone to sit with us while we figure things out.”

Carri is especially passionate about creating spaces where people feel they belong. She founded a chronic pain support group to offer community and validation for those living with invisible conditions. “I knew my people were out there. I just needed to find them,” she said. “Sometimes I need the group as much as they do.”

She credits her husband, her children, and the people she serves for inspiring her every day. “We’ve grown together,” Carri said. “Hopefully I’ve inspired them, but I know they’ve inspired me.”

Kara McCanna – Head Luthier | Violinist | Advocate for Women in Skilled Trades
Kara McCanna is the head luthier at Heid Music, where she leads a team of trained violin makers and sets the gold standard for instrument care across five Wisconsin locations. A professional violinist and lifelong musician, Kara brings both technical mastery and artistic sensitivity to her work, ensuring every instrument—from a child’s first violin to a concert-level cello—is treated with the same precision and care.

Kara’s journey into lutherie began with curiosity and a deep love of music. After years of performing professionally, she took a leap of faith and enrolled in violin making school, fueled by her passion for helping others make music. Since joining Heid Music in 2020, she has found a home in a company that shares her values of excellence, education, and community service. She now oversees repair standards and training across all Heid Music locations, supporting musicians of all ages and abilities—from students to symphony professionals.

As the first woman in the Heid Music repair department, Kara is also a visible advocate for women in skilled trades. Today, she’s part of a growing team of women technicians proudly mentoring others in the field. Her workbench sits in the front window of the Appleton store on College Avenue, literally and figuratively increasing visibility for women in her craft.

Kara credits her success to the support of her family, especially from her husband, Collin, and her parents, who instilled in her the belief that “you can always do anything.” She lives in Appleton with Collin and their daughter and continues to perform with regional symphonies while shaping the future of music through her work at Heid Music.

Mary Vande Walle – Bakery Co-Founder | Community Pillar | Keeper of Legacy and Love
Mary Vande Walle is the co-founder and heart behind Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe, a beloved Wisconsin bakery known for its award-winning kringle and deep community roots. With more than 50 years of experience as a cake decorator, Mary has helped grow the business from a single storefront into a thriving, family-run operation with multiple locations and more on the horizon.

Mary’s influence extends far beyond the bakery. Whether she’s raising money for families in need through special kringle fundraisers or offering a warm smile to a customer who’s become a friend, her work is grounded in generosity, resilience, and love. She’s a quiet force behind countless moments of comfort and celebration in the community, often starting her day before sunrise to make it all happen.

Her motivation? A deep sense of purpose, the support of her children and grandchildren, and the enduring presence and entrepreneurial spirit of her late husband, Mike, still guide the business. For Mary, every batch of dough and every act of kindness is a way to keep building something meaningful—one sweet, heartfelt step at a time.

Betsy Rachubinski – Salon Owner | Nonprofit Founder | Advocate for Dignity and Healing
Betsy Rachubinski is the owner of Naava Salon and Spa in Appleton and the founder of Peaceful Purpose, a nonprofit that provides free wigs, head shavings, and compassionate support to women and children experiencing medical hair loss. As a hairstylist and salon owner, Betsy has transformed her personal story of survival into a mission of healing—restoring dignity, confidence, and a sense of self to those navigating some of life’s hardest moments.

What began as a volunteer effort has grown into a deeply impactful service that touches lives across the Fox Valley. Betsy’s clients often arrive feeling vulnerable and afraid, but they leave with renewed strength, a sense of normalcy, and the knowledge that they are not alone. Whether she’s fitting a wig for a young girl with alopecia or helping a cancer patient feel beautiful again, Betsy meets each person with empathy, skill, and unwavering care.

Her work is more than a service; it’s a source of hope. While she’s proud of the growth of Peaceful Purpose, Betsy is most moved by the quiet moments: the tears, the smiles, and the transformations. She credits her daughter, her team, and the women she serves as her greatest inspirations, and she’s committed to building a legacy of compassion that will continue long into the future.

Susie VanEkeren – Swim School Founder | Mentor | Champion for Youth Empowerment
Susie VanEkeren is the founder of Wisconsin Swim Academy, a year-round swim school that has become a trusted space for families across Northeast Wisconsin. At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to helping kids feel confident, safe, and supported both in and out of the water.

What began as a few backyard lessons has grown into a thriving business with more than 50 employees, mostly consisting of high school students. For Susie, the real success lies in the relationships she builds. Her swim academy is a place where young children learn life-saving skills and where teens find mentorship, leadership, and a sense of belonging. “I want every kid who walks through our doors to feel empowered, valued, and safe,” she said. “That’s what drives me.”

Susie’s leadership is rooted in empathy, trust, and the belief that every young person deserves to be seen and supported. She’s especially passionate about equipping teens with tools for communication, confidence, and personal growth—skills that extend far beyond the pool. As she looks to the future, Susie hopes to continue creating spaces where kids and young adults can thrive, both through her business and beyond it.

She credits her husband, her family, and her staff for their unwavering support, and is proud to work alongside her son, who now serves as general manager. “I couldn’t do any of this without my staff,” Susie said. “They’re the heart and soul of what we do, and they inspire me every day.”

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This article was originally published in the September 2025 issue of Appleton Monthly Magazine.