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JESSICA SAFRANSKY SCHACHT, PRESIDENT
Jessica Safransky Schacht serves as the chief operating officer at United Way of Racine County (UWRC). She has been with the organization professionally for 18 years, but her connection to United Way began in the mid-1990s when she volunteered for a youth-as-grant makers program that received United Way funding. In 2007, she was hired to transition that same program from a funded partner to a United Way initiative. Since then, Jessica has held a number of roles within the organization and has contributed to the growth and development of UWRC’s impact programs and initiatives, community investment process, and strategic volunteer engagement opportunities. In her current role, she oversees the day-to-day work of the organization. She is committed to using data to reveal inequities and drive continuous improvement.
Jessica is a proud graduate of Racine Unified School District and Carthage College. She lives in Mount Pleasant with her husband Wayne and their children, Mason and Olivia. She serves as the treasurer of the Gilmore Fine Arts PTA and volunteers with UWRC's VITA program each tax season. A true Wisconsinite, Jessica loves family, cheese, the Milwaukee Brewers, and live music-especially the Dave Matthews Band.
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SHARON JOHNSON, TREASURER
Sharon Johnson is the CFO and Vice President of Finance & Administration at Gateway Technical College where she serves on the Executive Leadership Council. She graduated from the University of South Carolina and is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in Wisconsin and South Carolina. She has worked in the area of Finance and Accounting for over 30 years.
She serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Gateway Technical College Foundation’s Board and she also volunteers with United Way of Racine County as a member of the Community Investment Financial Team.
Sharon enjoys serving on initiatives that add value to her community and have a positive impact on those most in need. She has a passion for helping others achieve a better quality of life.
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MARY KVETON, SECRETARY
INFO COMING SOON!
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KATE TRUDELL, MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Kate is a highly accomplished employment attorney distinguished by her primary professional focus: serving as a "connector." She builds trust and psychological safety with both employers and employees to make complex solutions attainable, using her innate curiosity and commitment to authenticity as her core problem-solving tools.
Kate lives in Kenosha with her husband and two daughters and is the proud parent of a Junior at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. In addition to her work and family, Kate serves as Vice President of the Pillar Health Board as well as Vice President of the Lakeside Curative Services Board.
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KILA MARTINEZ, COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR
Kila Martinez is the owner and founder of KAHM Consulting, LLC, bringing over 20 years of experience in building and developing processes and teams. With a robust background in HR, recruiting, onboarding, talent and process/content development, Kila combines her expertise with a genuine passion for people to deliver top-tier advisory and consulting services. Under her leadership, KAHM Consulting, LLC stands out as a beacon of industry expertise, dedicated to fostering productive, passionate, and successful teams.
Kila is a Certified Professional in Training Management and holds a Master of Science in Leadership Development. Her commitment to excellence is matched by her enthusiasm for meeting new people and finding ways to elevate others in her community and beyond. Whether advising clients or consulting on best practices, Kila's approach is always centered on empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their highest potential. When she is not working on building relationships, Kila enjoys spending time with family, golfing, and reading.
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HEATHER KESZLER, LOGISTICS CHAIR
Heather Keszler is an accomplished operations and project management professional with more than 15 years of experience in business administration, nonprofit management, and organizational systems. As Operations Manager for the Racine Symphony Orchestra since 2017, she oversees daily operations, implements process improvements, and manages donor, board, and event communications. She has led a full review and revision of the Symphony’s internal policies and procedures and introduced new tools to increase efficiency across the organization.
Before joining the Symphony, Heather held multiple leadership roles at Parallel Employment Group, where she managed multi-district operations, led staff training, and coordinated payroll and scheduling for hundreds of substitute teachers each day. Earlier, at Johnson Financial Group, she spent 12 years as a Personal Banker, earning recognition for exceptional client service, risk management, and staff training.
Heather holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and brings a calm, strategic approach to every project. She believes that strong systems and thoughtful leadership are the foundation of every successful organization—whether in the arts, business, or beyond.
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PAM KORTENDICK, PROGRAM CHAIR
Pam Kortendick is the Vice President of Kortendick Ace Hardware, a third-generation leader helping guide the family business her grandfather founded in 1951. With a background that blends corporate marketing experience at Rite-Hite with hands-on leadership in a long-standing community-focused hardware business, she brings a strong blend of strategic thinking, operational insight, and a deep commitment to service. Pam’s expertise in marketing, public relations, and coaching has contributed to the continued growth of the family business, reinforcing its role as a valued supporter of Racine and many non-profit organizations throughout the community.
Pam’s leadership extends well beyond her professional role, reflecting her dedication to strengthening the community and elevating opportunities for women. She currently serves on the TEMPO Board as Program Chair, the Douglas Avenue BID Board, and the RAMAC Foundation Board. She is committed to developing future leaders and advancing meaningful connections across Racine. Pam holds an MBA from Concordia University Mequon and a degree in Consumer Science from UW–Madison. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, traveling, and golfing.
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