Compass Communications LLC

I mean, really. Was there anywhere else for the Compass Communications' journey to go? ☕️

I have my own coffee. And I am sharing this on International Coffee Day!

Thanks to Matthew and Bedrock Coffee Roasters, Compass Communications now has its own private-label Colombian roast: Grounds for Conversation. A Compass Communications Roast.

Coffee is practically part of the Compass brand. Meetings over coffee. Conversations over coffee. Ideas over coffee. Laughter over coffee. Lots of receipts from local coffee shops. Lots and lots of coffee.

The first bags are for the of the Valley Chamber's Women You Should Know event and the raffle basket in my honor. Obviously, I needed a few for myself. And future gifts. And giveaways.

Having my face on a bag of coffee is a little weird. Having my own coffee is ridiculously fun.

Want your own? Stop by Bedrock Coffee for a bag of their regular roasts, have them create something custom for you, or just grab a cup.

And if you happen to become a Grounds for Conversation superfan, I’m completely prepared for that. 😂☕️💜

First responders carry experiences most of us will never fully understand. Getting the mental health support they need shouldn’t add another obstacle.

That’s the work behind First Reach Foundation, founded by Billi Jo Baneck.

Billi Jo lost her parents and youngest brother in a house fire. In the aftermath of that unimaginable loss, she also saw the impact the tragedy had on the first responders who answered the call. Combined with her own years as a 911 dispatcher, it ultimately led her to create First Reach.

The foundation helps first responders access mental health treatment and therapy and provides education and resources to first responder agencies.

Alyson from Safe Driving Matters introduced us, and Billi Jo and I recently had coffee to talk about her story, the need First Reach is addressing, and where she wants to take it next.

I’m looking forward to helping more people know Billi Jo and the important work of First Reach.

Susan and I recently found ourselves in the same planning room talking about Habitat for Humanity’s 100 homes in 100 days tornado recovery effort. Prior to that, it had been years since we had seen each other.

Susan reached out afterward and suggested we get together. We caught up over a glass of w**e to talk about the impact of philanthropy and generous local businesses on the Menasha tornado recovery efforts.

$300,000 raised for Curative Connections. What a night!

My friend Kristal recently stepped into her new role as President & CEO of Curative, and I was honored when she invited me to join one of her tables at the Garden Gala last week.

I don’t spend nearly enough time in Green Bay, and I also didn’t know much about Curative before this. I left with a much better understanding of the work they do to help people live with greater independence, purpose and connection.

And it was fun! Silent and live auctions, some competitive bidding, and a room full of people supporting the mission. (And I only knew a handful of the 400+ in attendance!)

So proud of Kristal in this new role and Kari and the team for an incredible event. And an added bonus to bring Vikki as my Plus One and sit at the same table as Barbara and chat with Mary.

There is a lot to respect about a leader who can say, “We need help with this.”

Annie started Queen of Cleaning when she was just 20 years old and grew it into a successful business with a team of nearly 30 people. With that growth came some challenges she readily acknowledges she never received a handbook for: leading people, defining roles, creating accountability and having the conversations that need to happen.

After hearing me speak at the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce about difficult conversations, Annie reached out. And I quickly realized this work needed more than communications expertise.

Enter my friend and partner Kim, who brings the HR and organizational perspective.

Kim and I met with Annie and Natalie to talk candidly about where Queen of Cleaning is today, what may be driving some of the challenges, and how we can help their leadership team move forward.

I have a lot of respect for Annie’s willingness to ask for help and even more for her commitment to becoming a better leader for the people who helped her build this business.

Touchpoint Health Plan.

That health insurance company - which no longer exists - is where Mandy and I met. 26 years ago.

We were both early in our healthcare careers, long before either of us knew where work or life would take us. Touchpoint eventually became part of ThedaCare’s history, and Mandy became part of mine.

We recently had drinks and caught up on the kids, work and life. After 26 years, there was a lot to catch up on!

Literacy is about so much more than reading.

That came through again at Fox Valley Literacy’s open house last week. Literacy is reading and language skills. It is also understanding finances, navigating healthcare, using technology and knowing how to advocate for yourself.

Vikki and I tried a few questions from the U.S. citizenship test and got two wrong. We couldn’t remember how many amendments there are to the Constitution. If those of us who were born here don’t know every answer, think about what it takes to learn all of this while also learning a language and navigating a new country.

We also learned about a new class focused on immigration, helping people understand their rights, what to do if questioned and how to respond.

And yes, I learned a little Hmong. Sadly, the only phrase I remember translates to “I am tired.” 😊

We finished the evening talking with Brian, enjoying some great food, and appreciating even more the breadth of what Fox Valley Literacy does to help people fully participate in our community.

Three women, three very different stories, and a chance to hear directly what support, advocacy and opportunity can mean in someone’s life.

The Women's Fund for the Fox Valley Region took a different approach to its annual luncheon this year, inviting Alex Klippel, Laura Bell and Taylor Vande Vyver to the stage to share their own experiences from finding belonging, to advocating for women in a male-dominated field, and to pushing for change in childcare.

I’ve attended this luncheon for years, and it remains one of my favorite events in the Fox Valley. I always leave thinking about the stories. I also usually leave wishing I’d had another hour (or more!) to talk to all the friends and colleagues I run into there.

Proud of my friend Julie and the Women’s Fund team for another wonderful event, and especially grateful to the three women willing to tell their stories to a room full of people.