Featured Member

This month’s featured member:

Name: Lesley Bitters
Title: Director of Clinical Operations
Company: BayCare Clinic
Years at the company: 11

I love my job because it gives me a chance to do new things while still using what I learned in my first career as an R.N.. As a nurse I helped one patient at a time and in this role I impact the health care of many patients. No two days are the same. I love being in a culture that encourages (expects) me to stretch beyond my comfort zone; thankfully my boss and my team are here to help me do that.
Through networking with other women in management, I would like to gain/meet/build...my creative side. I am very '"left-brained".

In my free time I try to do things that keep me balanced.

My very first job was a clerk in a department store where I learned some good lessons ....and some interesting trivia. Did you know you can fit a child’s sock size by wrapping the “foot” part of the sock around the child’s closed fist? If the foot part of the socks can be "closed" around the fist – the sock will fit!

My biggest professional accomplishment is having navigated the career change from bedside ICU nurse to neurosurgical nurse to health care administrator.

May, 2010 Featured Member
Name: Beth Sorenson
Title: Real Estate Agent
Company: Shorewest Realtors
Years at the company: 2

Title: Client Accounts Manager
Company: HTMLgraphic Development
Years: Just started

I love my jobs because working with sales and management puts me in constant touch with people. I have always thrived off social networking and enjoy meeting new contacts and learning about people and what they love to do. I also enjoy that I am always on the go and able to meet and work in different locations. I think I get “jittery” sitting for too long behind a computer and really like that every day is a different opportunity in a different place.

Through networking with other women in management, I would like to build lasting connections and friendships for support and encouragement. I think everyone needs contacts who are positive and who help motivate each other to reach their goals. Positive energy is worth sharing.

In my free time I enjoy taking walks, going out to dinner or getting together with friends, reading, taking pictures, art (I like to paint), and anything outside in the sunshine. I admit that I enjoy a glass of red wine now and then as well.

Something I want others to know about me is I am a very simple person and I feel like I am pretty introspective and artistic. I look for the small pieces of everyday life that make it enjoyable and that inspire my creative spirit...the way grass blows in the wind, the perfect color of a unique flower, the shapes of clouds, and how the sun reflects off water. These natural snapshots are what life is all about. I like to think of each day as unique and new and I think this translates into my ability to talk with many different kinds of people and work beyond challenge. Focusing on the task at hand and what can be done here and now to make a tough situation better is a great approach.

My child did the funniest thing the other day... My daughter Anika is 6 years old. She always says the most profound little statements. The other day while shopping for groceries she was chattering away. She ended her story, looked at me and said: “Isn’t that just ridiculous Mom?” She always makes me laugh. She also holds such innate wisdom. One of her latest quotes after we spent a beautiful day with friends swimming, cooking out, and attending a concert by The Hollands: “Special days should always be followed by special nights.” She always reminds me that keeping a little piece of that childlike viewpoint in our adult lives is so very important.

April, 2010 Featured Member
Name: Debra Kolar
Title: Director, Benefits & Compensation
Company: Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Years at the company: 2 Years

I love my job because I enjoy helping employees understand the value of their benefits. Insurance can be an extremely frustrating and emotional issue.

Through networking with other women in management, I would like to meet new people. After going through a merger and acquisition, and subsequently losing my position after 17 1⁄2 years, I have learned the value of networking and relationship building is priceless.

In my free time I spend time with friends camping, playing co-ed kickball, socializing and singing. My very first job was a waitress at A&W restaurant. Yes, when they had the drive up on West Mason!! Most of you won’t remember that!

I love it when my son, who is 24, tells me (or texts me) that he loves me.

April, 2010 Featured Member
Name: Michelle Malone
Company: Schreiber Foods, Inc.
Title: R&D Team Leader-Product Development
Years at the Company: 8

I love my job because the product development team gets to create new dairy products for our customers, and seeing them on the grocery store shelves or tasting them in a restaurant gives me a great sense of pride in all that we do in R&D.

Through networking with other women in management, I would like to I would like to meet other women to gain knowledge about who they work for and what their companies do in the Green Bay area

In my free time I read books or go shopping.

My very first job was as a waitress at IHOP in Beloit.

I love it when my child makes an entire room of students and the teacher laugh.

March, 2010 Featured Member
Name: Penny Mellenthin
Company: Aurora BayCare Medical Center
Title: Growth & Market Development Manager in Oncology & Women's Health
Years at the Company: 1

I love my job because... I am able to make a difference in the lives of the people that live in our community even though I am not "clinically" skilled. I am passionate about healthcare and feel that my personal values and Aurora's patient-centered philosophy are a perfect fit. My job is also fun. Every day is different and unpredictable and I really like my colleagues.

Through networking with other women in management, I would like to meet other women with similar goals & interests that are also trying to juggle being a wife, mom and full-time career focused leader in the community. I'm interested in learning anything that will help me improve these wonderful roles!

In my free time I... enjoy spending time with my husband and my son, Parker, who will turn 4 in April. We enjoy traveling, water-skiing and wake-boarding, as well as golfing and running together.

Something I want others to know about me is... my family is growing! Okay, I'm growing too! We are due with baby #2 on September 3. My son is convinced it is going to be a girl and he cannot wait to be a BIG brother. I secretly hope it is a girl too.

I love it when my husband goes out of his way to surprise me by cleaning the house and making dinner when I return from a business trip or a weekend away so I can spend time with my family without having to worry about getting caught up with housework the minute I walk in the door.