Each year, Women United honors a woman committed to making our community a better place to live, for all. The Women United Philanthropy Award recognizes her achievements in educating, empowering and inspiring women and girls to be philanthropic leaders in Dane County. This year, we are thrilled to honor Karen Kallerud! 

Karen’s lifelong commitment to service began long before her two decades of impact in Dane County. She was raised along the Mississippi River in a close-knit community where her mother volunteered for 25 years with the local elementary school, helping children learn to read, while her father served on local committees for over 40 years. This family culture of generosity inspired Karen to start giving back at a young age. In college, she joined Big Brothers Big Sisters and remained matched with her “Little Sister” for all four years, deepening her belief that meaningful change begins with showing up for one person at a time. 

After moving to the Madison area in 1990, Karen became woven into the fabric of the community. She spent five years volunteering at a community center food pantry, where she found the sense of belonging that continues to define her service. In 2008, she joined United Way’s 211 Helpline as a volunteer, gaining firsthand insight into barriers individuals and families face. 

As a Loaned Executive, Karen was a self-starter, skilled in project management and believed in teamwork. In her fundraising, she had the ability to engage an audience and craft a meaningful call to action, unfailingly sharing the message with those she met. Her efforts meaningfully strengthened initiatives addressing our community’s greatest needs through the Agenda for Change and now the Plan for Community Well-Being. Her enthusiasm was apparent every day through her work and in our community. She never stopped advocating for local nonprofits and initiatives, strengthening relationships with community members and volunteering at events, working behind the scenes with a contagious attitude. 

“United Way has done so much for myself and our community, and I LOVE being a part of it; supporting programs and volunteering,” Karen reflected. 

In retirement, Karen’s dedication has only deepened. She continues to serve as a United Way Account Executive, stewarding more than 20 business accounts and mobilizing thousands of dollars in corporate and in-kind gifts each year, always with her signature warmth and creativity. A beloved presence among each new Loaned Executive class, staff and volunteers, she is known as the “Queen of Thank Yous,” having handwritten hundreds of notes to donors and partners and always knowing how to brighten someone’s day. 

Karen has helped to raise over $5.67 million through 504 individual employee and corporate campaigns over the course of her 17-year tenure as Loaned Executive and Account Executive. 

Karen’s 10 years of service with our 211 Helpline shaped her advocacy for housing stability, senior independence and access to basic needs. She serves on the Dane County Homelessness Summit planning committee and the Sun Prairie Housing Coalition, working to educate the community, elevate lived experience and advance solutions to local housing instability.  

A member of Women United since 2009, Karen is deeply committed to supporting financial stability for women. She has quietly and passionately mentored women facing financial uncertainty, helping them budget, navigate resources, rebuild confidence and move toward stability. She also brings her lived experience as a breast cancer survivor to her volunteer work with ABCD (After Breast Cancer Diagnosis), where she has mentored 14 women. 

Karen said, “There’s nothing like shared experience, sharing your experience, strength and hope with people in the same situation.” 

A 2024 Advocate in Action Award recipient, Karen leads philanthropically as well. She and her husband established the Jim and Karen Kallerud Fund in the United Way Foundation, ensuring long-term support for her beloved community. 

“It is important for me to make a difference in people’s lives; one family, one child at a time,” Karen said. “It is my honor to volunteer and make our community a better place to thrive.” 

Karen’s motto is “work hard and be kind.” Her life is a testament to those words, and we are honored to celebrate her at this year’s Women United Brunch! 

Women United is excited to introduce Margaret Healy, who will serve as the Women United Vice Chair in 2026 before stepping into the Chair role in 2027. Margaret brings a deep commitment to service and a passion for supporting women’s health and wellness in Dane County.

Margaret joined Women United Council in January 2025 and quickly became an active and valued member. Her journey with United Way began as an extension of her long-standing dedication to volunteerism, including work with Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Madison Public Library system. Margaret sought an opportunity to focus her energy on efforts that uplift women in meaningful and lasting ways and found that home within Women United.

For Margaret, volunteering is more than a service activity. It is a grounding force that gives her a stronger sense of purpose and a deeper connection to her community. She believes that philanthropic leadership starts with leading by example. When people see good work happening around them, she says, they instinctively want to contribute too.

As she looks ahead to her Vice Chair role, Margaret is especially eager to become an even stronger connector in Dane County. She wants to help others discover the many resources available in our community and ensure women know where to turn for support. Her passion for women’s health and wellness will continue to guide her leadership as she helps shape Women United’s impact in the years to come.

We are honored to welcome Margaret into this leadership role and look forward to the vision, enthusiasm and heart she will bring to Women United.

We’re thrilled to announce Deidre Garrett as our incoming Chair of Women United in 2026! Deidre is a passionate advocate, dedicated volunteer and leader who has stepped up in her leadership since joining Women United in 2023.

Driven by a commitment to empower women and uplift our community, Deidre became involved with Women United to contribute her time and expertise toward initiatives that foster equity, opportunity and resilience. A champion for women’s advancement, Deidre is especially passionate about initiatives that equip women to thrive professionally, financially and personally. She believes that when women rise, entire communities benefit, becoming stronger, more vibrant and more inclusive.

As Chair, Deidre brings a strategic mindset and collaborative spirit to her leadership. She envisions driving meaningful change by empowering women and girls to unlock their potential and achieve their goals. Her leadership will focus on purposeful engagement and leveraging collective strength to help more women and their families achieve financial security.

Volunteering has been a transformative journey for Deidre, shaping her as a woman, a mother and a community leader. It has deepened her sense of purpose and inspired her to lead with empathy and intention. The challenges and rewards of service continues to fuel her drive to give back and create meaningful impact.

To Deidre, philanthropic leadership means using influence, resources and vision to mobilize others and create sustainable change. It’s about leading with purpose and making a difference that echoes across generations.

Since attending her first Women United brunch in 2017, Suvekchhya (Suvi) Bhandari has been a committed advocate for United Way of Dane County and Women United’s mission. “I left that event feeling so inspired by the impact and passion in the room,” she recalls. “I knew I wanted to be part of that work in our community.” 

Suvi’s dedication to service is shaped by the values instilled in her from a young age. Her late mother, Haripriya Bhandari, was a strong advocate for women’s rights and access to education for children, principles that continue to guide Suvi’s work today. “When women are empowered, they uplift entire families. When children have access to quality education, they gain the tools to break cycles of disadvantage,” Suvi explains. “Women United’s mission reflects these values. Values instilled in me by my mother.” 

A longtime Madison resident, Suvi first came to Dane County in 2013 for an internship and has called it home ever since. She lives with her husband, Gaurav, their daughter and a playful pit bull lab mix puppy. Outside of her role as Assistant Vice President at BMO Bank, Suvi actively participates in community initiatives and volunteers her time with organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County, Access Community Health Centers, Centro and Gilda’s Club Madison. As a Women United Ambassador, Suvi plays a key role in fostering engagement and connection. She works closely with the Women United Council to welcome new members, share updates and build a strong sense of belonging across Dane County. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to collaboration, equity and community impact. 

Suvi’s commitment to education is reflected in her leadership and volunteer work throughout Dane County. She serves on the board of the Madison Public Schools Foundation and contributes to fundraising efforts with the Madison Public Library Foundation, demonstrating her belief that access to education is essential for all, especially children. Whether conducting mock interviews with students, helping them build resumes or advocating for educational equity, Suvi brings her time, talents and heart to every initiative she supports. 

“Volunteering has deepened my understanding of the challenges our community faces and shown me the power of collective action,” she says. “Even what feels like a small contribution can create meaningful change, just as my mom showed me.” 

To Suvi, philanthropic leadership means more than giving. It’s about inspiring others, connecting resources to where they’re needed most and setting a compelling example through action. Her journey reminds us that leadership in giving is defined not only by how much you give, but by the consistency, purpose and compassion you bring to it. 

When she’s not volunteering or working, Suvi loves sharing the beauty of Dane County with visitors, whether it’s a stroll through Olbrich Botanical Gardens, a bite of cheese curds at The Old Fashioned or a visit to the Capitol building. Her love for Madison is matched only by her commitment to making it a stronger, more equitable place for all. 

For the past two years, Hannah Klusendorf has helped strengthen our community through service, leadership and connection. Her journey with United Way of Dane County began at a Women United Speed Mentoring event which left her feeling “connected, inspired and energized” by the mission and the incredible women involved. That spark led to deeper involvement and today she serves as Chair of our Personal and Professional Development Committee. 

In her role, she helps plan events that empower women to grow personally and professionally offering more than just resources and skills. “These events create space for connection, mentorship and inspiration,” she says. It’s that sense of meaningful connection that drives her commitment to causes like housing stability, early childhood education and financial empowerment. “I’m committed to strengthening relationships and partnering with others to create lasting community-driven change,” she adds. 

Volunteering has also transformed her personally. “It has deepened my understanding of the power of relationships in building a more connected, compassionate and resilient community,” she reflects. To her, philanthropic leadership means leading by example through purposeful action by giving time, talents and treasures to uplift those around her. 

United Way of Dane County’s Women United was established more than 20 years ago! Locally, Women United is a network of more than 1,200 women across Dane County who are driven, generous and deeply committed to uplifting others. And is part of a global force of 70,000 women from more than 165 communities across the world igniting change. 

Starting this year, Women United is introducing a $1,000 annual giving level as part of their membership. This change reflects the increased need and growing ambition of our work: helping more women and their families find pathways out of poverty. We know that financial insecurity continues to hold too many women back. This giving level helps Women United invest in long-term solutions that empower women to build lasting financial security – like homelessness intervention and prevention, case management, workforce training and building generational wealth.  

Through gifts of $1,000 or more annually, Women United members invest in a community where more women can succeed and reach their potential. Women United is also excited to offer a more accessible entry point through our Step-Up Program. Through Step-Up, members grow their annual gift from $500 to $1,000 over three years. To become a member, you can check the Women United membership box on your annual pledge form or visit our website to fill out our membership form. 

For those feeling inspired to be part of Women United but are unable to make the financial commitment right now, they can become a Women United Supporter by filling out the membership form and giving an annual gift that is meaningful for them – because we believe every gift matters and every woman belongs! 

Dane County Human Services, Division Administrator of Children, Youth and Families 

Each year, Women United honors a woman committed to making our community a better place to live, for all. The Women United Philanthropy Award recognizes her achievements in educating, empowering and inspiring young women and girls to be leaders in Dane County. This year, we are thrilled to honor Dr. Martha Stacker!  

Hailing from Milwaukee, Dr. Stacker brings an acute understanding of the challenges that impact families. She understands social service systems firsthand – both as a former recipient and now as a leader driving change within them. Throughout her career, she has held positions in the nonprofit sector, at public schools, the Department of Health Services, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Children & Families. Currently, she serves as the Division Administrator of Children, Youth, and Families at the Dane County Human Services Department.  

“I don’t like to say I have lived experiences, but rather that I’m living experience,” says Dr. Stacker. “I’ve been in poverty – I’ve been on the brink of homelessness, been on welfare, worked three jobs to get off of those systems and finally found my way back to college.”  

Fast forward through several years of hard work, Dr. Stacker became the first doctor in her family. While her journey has been nothing short of impressive, it is her humility that inspires others. She is a champion for vulnerable populations in our community, and her passion and   expertise have helped keep hundreds of families together, protected and thriving. 

“Throughout my life, I’ve worked within systems that are filled with inequities,” she says. “Gender, race, wealth inequities – these are very pervasive things, and they need to be disrupted and dismantled. That’s not easy work, but it’s the work I’m charged with and passionate about. And I surround myself with others who feel the same responsibility to build a better more equitable community for us all.”  

Her commitment doesn’t end with her nine-to-five job. Dr. Stacker serves on the board of Wisconsin Women in Government and is an active member of the Wisconsin Women of Color Network. She is also a member of the National Society of Leadership & Success and National Organization for Human Services Honor Society. Additionally, she volunteers with the University of Wisconsin—Madison, presenting regularly to the School of Social Work Masters students and mentoring in the Criminal Justice program – to name just a few of her accomplishments.  

It is this commitment to and passion for the work that gives Dr. Stacker the experience we rely on at United Way, where she has been an active volunteer since 2012! She’s been a Chair and Co-Chair of our Financial Security Community Solutions Team, Chair of our Women and Wealth Subcommittee, and a member of our Board of Directors and Vision Council. To this day, she remains a committed advocate, noting that our Financial Security and Women and Wealth strategies are the way to open the door to better futures for women and children. We would not be where we are within these initiatives without her steadfast support.  

“I can only hope that my work creates a ripple effect and inspires the next generation of people who look like me – women and people of color – to continue tackling these issues,” says Dr. Stacker. “Even when times are challenging and it feels like everything is working against us, I always ask myself ‘what can I control? What can I keep moving forward?’ At the end of the day, that’s what empowers more women and families to lead the best lives they possibly can.” 

We’re incredibly grateful to Dr. Martha Stacker for her invaluable contributions to our community. And we’re honored to recognize her after all she has given back! Congratulations to this year’s Women United Philanthropy Award Recipient. 

At the heart of Madison Gas and Electric’s commitment to community and connection are two women: Carolyn Schurch and Jane Rossing, co-chairs of the company’s women’s employee resource group (ERG): Women’s Network. For Carolyn and Jane, the drive to empower women is both personally and professionally motivated. Whether through mentorship, advocacy or simply sharing their experiences, they believe in the power of women helping women.  

That belief became action in November 2023 when the two collaborated to launch Women’s Network. What began as an idea quickly grew into a thriving employee resource group with over 60 members. Monthly gatherings promote personal and professional connection, while quarterly events focus on women’s health and development. 

“Madison Gas and Electric places a strong emphasis on community involvement,” said Carolyn and Jane. “We feel proud to be part of a culture that prioritizes giving back.” 

For Carolyn and Jane, philanthropic leadership is about giving money and more. “It’s about being intentional, having a strong belief in the cause and being thoughtful with where and how we contribute.” That ethos guides their work with the Women’s Network and in the community. 

Their efforts have been bolstered by their partnership with Women United at Work, a peer support network for local ERG leaders that has provided guidance and strategic support as they built their ERG from the ground up. “It provided us with a clear framework to move from a rough concept to a fully formed group. We also appreciate the opportunity to collaborate and connect with other local ERG leaders – whether it’s networking, exchanging ideas or offering support.” 

Employee Resource Group leadership is often taken on by employees in addition to their full-time positions and responsibilities. Women United at Work partners leverage United Way’s planned activities so they can better balance their workloads and provide meaningful staff engagements…all while ensuring the most critical community needs are met.  

Personal and professional development events provide thoughtful time and space for staff at companies like MGE to set and achieve goals, while staff can connect with and build a supportive network of women who care about their community.