Meet the Executive Board
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Executive Board - President
Advisory Team - Chair of Waunakee Artisan Market
Natasha Lutes
As a founding member of the non-profit and the leader of WAM, Natasha is dedicated to nurturing Waunakee's vibrant arts scene through strong community engagement. She is committed to supporting local creatives and enriching our village's cultural landscape through the arts..
Executive Board - Vice President
Rona Neri
Rona, a founding member of our nonprofit, is a passionate wildlife photographer whose work is inspired by both global and local landscapes. Known for her commitment to conservation and community engagement, she uses her art to raise awareness and foster connections between people and nature.
Executive Board - Treasurer
Dennis Petzke
Dennis offers extensive experience from multiple non-profit organizations, along with a strong grasp of accounting practices. His expertise enables him to address the financial challenges commonly encountered by non-profits, fostering transparency and operational efficiency.
Executive Board - Secretary
Elizabeth Weller
Elizabeth, a retired special education teacher, brings her keen eye and exceptional talent to our team, enhancing our vision with her unique perspective. Her insights and experience make her a vital asset to our board.
Executive Board Member
Advisory Team - Chair of Especially Create Waunakee-
Edgar Steenwinkel
Edgar plays a role both on the Board and the Advisory Team. In these roles he combines his background in engineering with expertise in technology. As the founder of the Especially Waunakee initiative, he is focused on fostering creative economy opportunities for individuals with cognitive disabilities, promoting inclusivity and innovation in the community.
Meet the Advisory Team
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Advisory Team
Heather Calkins
Deeply invested in the vibrancy of Waunakee, Heather champions the power of creativity to build a stronger community. She brings a belief in the transformative impact of shared artistic experiences and opportunities for local engagement.
Advisory Team
Erin Chicoine
Erin is the talented Owner and Photographer behind Studio E Photography, capturing moments with a keen artistic eye. Her foundation in photography from Illinois State University informs her professional approach and creative vision. As a member of Create Waunakee, she brings her photographic expertise to enrich the local arts community.
Advisory Team - Chair of Groundlings Theater
Deb Nies
Deb Nies is a passionate community builder in Waunakee, best known for creating interactive public art installations on Main Street like the Wishing Tree, the Waunakee Chalkboard, and the Wind Phone. Professionally, she is the CMO of eight restaurants and the Executive Producer of Groundlings Theater. Deb channels her passion for connection into mentoring as a Big Sister and supporting others through After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD).
Advisory Team - Chair of Trunk or Treat
Jess Pagel
"My family moved to Waunakee in 2019 and I have been working with Create Waunakee since 2020. Even though I do not consider myself an artist, I am definitely a person who appreciates the arts. I love how creativity's boundaries are limitless and someone's imagination can invoke strong emotions in strangers"
Advisory Team - Chair of Marketing
Emilie Steinman
As the Chair of Marketing for Create Waunakee, Emilie brings her expertise as the founder of Buoyant Design Studio to the forefront. Leveraging her extensive background in creative brand strategy, web design, and development, she aims to elevate the organization's visibility and impact. Emilie is dedicated to fostering a vibrant creative community within Waunakee.
Advisory Team -
Elizabeth Teeter
Deeply invested in the vibrancy of Waunakee, Elizabeth is both a teacher and an artist herself, championing the power of creativity to build a stronger community. She brings a belief in the transformative impact of shared artistic experiences and opportunities for local engagement
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Advisory Team -
Kylie West
Kylie's role at the Village of Waunakee has been foundational to the development of Create Waunakee's programming, organization, and administration. Her contributions have been essential in shaping the group's structure and initiatives. Continuing her leadership across numerous committees, Kylie remains a driving force within Create Waunakee.
Meet the Staff
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Development Director
Jennifer Norback
As the Development Director at Create Waunakee, Jennifer Norback offers a rich history in the arts, holding a BA in Art History and having worked across various facets of the industry. From managing galleries in Chicago and Paris to directing arts residencies, her experience aligns perfectly with the organization's mission. Jennifer's passion for the arts and expertise in fundraising are key to advancing Create Waunakee's goals.
Especially Waunakee - Head Baker & Creative Training Lead
Shelly Norris
As Head Baker & Creative Training Lead for Especially Waunakee, Shelly Norris shares her extensive baking knowledge with program apprentices. She empowers individuals with cognitive disabilities by teaching them to produce and market delicious cakes and stroopwafels. Through Shelly's guidance, apprentices gain meaningful employment and build self-sufficiency.