Heather Lott: Instilling Confidence in New Educators
byHeather Lott’s career seemed designed for the County New Teacher Project (DCNTP), a consortium of 18 school districts focused on supporting beginning teachers through mentorship.
2025 Women to Watch
Lauren Brinkman: Rescuing Pets in Need
byAs founder and executive director of her foster-based organization, Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin, Lauren Brinkman helps all-breed pets from high-kill shelters in other states.
Courtney Willegal: Embracing and Celebrating Neurodiversity
byIn April 2023, Courtney Willegal opened the 11,000-square-foot The Sensory Zone, an inclusive indoor activity space on Madison’s East Side.
Christine Benedict: Empowering Girls through Running
byAs executive director of Girls on the Run of South Central Wisconsin, Christine Benedict helps other girls discover their own strength and potential through running.
Heather Murray: Addressing the Childcare Shortage
byAs the owner and director of Arthouse Preschool, Heather Murray is responsible for 30 children and six staff members. But her sense of responsibility extends far beyond that.
Augusta Brulla: Advocating for the Arts
byAugusta Brulla uses her art-making background to help local artists develop business acumen and connect with organizations that might purchase their work.
Anne Michels: Tackling the Affordable Housing Crisis
byThe deepest pain can often become an individual’s biggest passion — something Anne Michels knows well.
Prenicia Clifton: Fighting for Youth Mental Health
byWith a background in music as well as youth protection and compliance, Prenicia Clifton founded Seein’ is Believin’ to provide culturally-focused programming to promote mental health and resilience in children and teenagers.
Amanda Marek: Racing to Keep Kids Healthy
byAmanda Marek is the executive director of Active Youth Wisconsin, a nonprofit working to give kids accessible opportunities to be active and promote the physical and mental benefits of movement.
Rachelle Stone: Supporting Teachers and Students of Color
byRachelle Stone is driven by a desire to create experiences she didn’t have as a student — in K-12 and as an undergrad at UW-Madison.