LeadingAge Wisconsin is proud to congratulate the John Sauer Leadership Academy (I-LEAD) Class of 2025-2026 on its recent graduation. This spring, we renamed the program formerly known as I-LEAD to honor the passing of our long-time CEO and his enduring commitment to leadership in the long-term care field. 

The graduates worked over the last six months through in-person sessions, readings, group projects, and an individual capstone project to delve deeply into the program's four themes: Learning, Empowerment, Achievement, and Delivery (LEAD). This focus aims to inspire the graduates and the communities they serve by emphasizing growth, purpose, and leadership development. 

Congratulations to:

• Camille Atchison, Grace Lutheran Communities
• Monique Banas, Oakwood Village
• Jenn Campbell, Christian Community Homes
• Ashlie Cummings, St Paul Elder Services
• Kyle Doppler, UW Eau Claire CHAASE program
• Michele Heim, Saint John's on the Lake
• Jill Holberg, Clement Manor
• Cameron Krause, UW Eau Claire CHAASE program
• Rebecca Lancaster, Bethany St Joseph Corp.
• Greta Nelson, Lutheran Home
• Katie Ostby, Christian Community Homes
• Leanell Smith, Clement Manor
• Kacie Vyse, Bethany St Joseph Corp
• Jenny Wallace, Brown County;
• Keri Wright, Skaalen Retirement Services.

Thank you to the program's Design Team for their dedicated service in making the program a success. The team includes LeadingAge Wisconsin staff, two program facilitators, and four coaches, each of whom led a team of Fellows. Facilitators and Coaches are experienced leaders in long-term care who are dedicated to passing on their wisdom to develop their fellow leaders. Thanks also to the Leaders in Residence for serving as guest speakers in the program and sharing their valuable insights with our Fellows. 

Thank you to our Facilitators:

• Maggie Schellhorn, Skaalen Retirement Services 
• Amber Schroeder, St Paul Elder Services

We want to highlight our heartfelt thanks to Maggie Schellhorn for her two years of outstanding service as a program Facilitator, as she concludes her time in the program.

Thank you to our Coaches:

• Dennis Ferger, Clement Manor 
• Jackie Carley, Skaalen Retirement Services
• Mark Radmer, Harbor Haven Health and Rehabilitation
• Jill Gengler, Chippewa Manner Corp

A special thanks to Dennis Ferger for his 7+ years serving as a Coach. We wish you well in your retirement this August!

Thank you to our Leaders in Residence:

• Tim Conroy, Capitol Lakes 
• Wanda Plachecki, La Crosse County Long-Term Care & Residential Services 
• Kris Krentz, Skaalen Retirement Services 
• Kathy Cavers, Lutheran Home
• Ryan Neville, Clement Manor
• Kerry Klecic, Brown and Brown 
• Dave Fulcher, Trinity Senior Services
• Jason Skolaski, Healthcare Services Group
• Nicole Schingick, Rennes Group
• Nicole Pretre, Cedar Community
• Amber Donovan, Oakwood Village
• Michelle Godfrey, Attic Angel

We look forward to seeing the Fellows bring their new leadership skills back to their organizations and apply them with their teams.