By Shayna Mace | Photography by Hillary Schave
Roberta Gassman and Lester Pines have both been incredibly successful in their respective fields of politics and law over the past 50 years. But they’ve found that supporting and cheerleading each other’s efforts makes their pairing even stronger.
The duo met as undergrads at UW-Madison in 1968 while working as youth leaders at Madison’s Neighborhood House Community Center. It was this common desire to serve their community that eventually brought them together.
“We’ve always shared similar values and a commitment to community, fairness and public service, and we’ve supported each other both as parents, and in our careers,” says Gassman.
Gassman and Pines put down roots in Madison post- college, went to grad school and law school respectively, married in 1971 and had two daughters.
Gassman has had a storied career in government leadership at the local, state and federal levels. Highlights include serving as the secretary of workforce development under Gov. Jim Doyle, policy advisor on employment and women’s issues under Gov. Tony Earl and deputy assistant secretary of employment and training at the U.S. Department of Labor under President Barack Obama.
Pines is one of the founders and senior counsel at Pines Bach LLP, and has extensive experience before state and federal trial courts. Similar to Gassman, he too has provided advocacy and advice to three Wisconsin governors as well
as President Obama. Both Gassman and Pines have also been awarded numerous accolades from local and national organizations for their work.
The couple has always had an eye on the city’s future and wellbeing. A former Overture Center board member, Gassman is now on the Capital Campaign Cabinet for Overture Forever, which is leading the $30 million fundraising effort to support the center’s future capital needs. They are also Madison Community Foundation fundholders and Legacy Society members, with Gassman having served on its board for 11 years, including as past immediate chair.
“This has all been very meaningful to me as I have been fortunate to get to work on so many community-building efforts,” explains Gassman.
Interestingly, Gassman and Pines found out that their great- grandparents lived in towns only 30 miles apart in Lithuania, which they visited a few years ago. Both sides of their families fled the country because of religious persecution.
“How amazing that so many decades later, with such common roots, we ended up meeting half a world away in Madison,” says Gassman. “We carry on for [our families], dedicated to tolerance and against the persecution of any people.”
How do you complement one another?
“Lester and I both believe in the importance of philanthropy and advancing opportunities for all Madisonians.” – Roberta Gassman
