Leadership Kenosha Announces 2025 Graduation Celebration and Award Winner

Copied!

*The January Leadership Kenosha session offered an in-depth exploration*
*of leadership in action through the lenses of law enforcement, local government, and the justice*
*System, including a tour of the Kenosha Police Department and a conversation with Mayor David Bogdala.*

Leadership Kenosha is excited to announce its 2025 Graduation Celebration. The event will take place on Thursday, May 15, from 5-7 p.m. at The Stella Hotel and Ballroom – 5706 8th Ave.

Paid Advertisement

Each year, the participating cohort is recognized for completing the program at a graduation ceremony. The 2024-2025 cohort is made up of 21 community leaders, representing 18 unique organizations.With much to celebrate, KACC invites all alumni and members to join in on recognizing them. They are:

Paid Advertisement

Sara Andersen — Aurora Health Care
Molly Calderon — Individual
Kaitlin Cochrane — Uline
Aaron Dillhoff — City of Kenosha Police Dept
Bryan Easter — Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department
Stefanie Hansen — Kenosha Area Chamber Commerce
Dustin Heyden — Aurora Health Care
Austin Hill — Herzing
Shane Hollerich — Payne & Dolan
Amanda Johnson — UW Parkside
Matthew Karner — City of Hope
Katharine Keenan — Carthage College
Heather Krome — Hope Council
Corinne Maerzke — KAFASI
Lindsey Mayer — Hospice Alliance
Terin Melvin — Aurora Health Care
Erin Pfeuffer — Educators Credit Union
Stacy Ramon — Kenosha County
Jamie Rauth — Gateway
Esther Roberts — Shalom Center
Talia Wilkinson — Herzing

Paid Advertisement

At the event, awards will be given for Distinguished Alumnus and Best in Class. The Distinguished Alumnus celebrates a Leadership Kenosha alumnus who demonstrates exemplary leadership capacity. The 2025 Distinguished Alumnus will be awarded to Carolynn Friesch.

Paid Advertisement

Carolynn Friesch, CEO of United Way of Kenosha County and a 2015 Leadership Kenosha graduate, embodies community involvement, social responsibility, and inclusive leadership. As CEO, she has strengthened partnerships, expanded resources, and advocated for equity, enhancing United Way’s impact in financial stability, youth opportunity, and community resilience. Her leadership has driven meaningful change through collaboration with local businesses, nonprofits, and government leaders.

Paid Advertisement

Carolynn exemplifies Leadership Kenosha’s principles by amplifying diverse voices, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing community needs in decision-making. Her dedication to servant leadership makes her a standout alumna and a true representation of Leadership Kenosha’s mission.

Paid Advertisement

The Best in Class Award will be awarded to the alumni class with the highest attendance at the event. They will have the opportunity to award $250 to a nonprofit of their choice.

Paid Advertisement

“Coming together as community leaders at the annual graduation celebration is something that I now always look forward to,” says Marisa Markowski, LK Steering Committee Chairperson and 2021 program graduate. “It’s impactful to honor our community’s leaders and hear more about their experience. We invite you to come witness and celebrate their accomplishments!”

Paid Advertisement

Tickets to attend Leadership Kenosha’s 25th Anniversary Graduation are available through May 1. Visit Eventbrite for more information. Sponsorships are also still available through April 1 and can include tickets to the event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leadership-kenosha-class-of-2025-graduation-registration-1253653444199

Individuals can also learn more about joining next year’s cohort at https://kenoshaareachamber.com/leadership-kenosha/.

Author

Kevin Mathewson

Kevin Mathewson is a disciple of Christ, husband and a father to two wonderful children. Mathewson was born and raised in Lake County, IL and worked as a police & fire dispatcher from 2005 to 2010 in Round Lake Beach, IL. Mathewson moved to Kenosha County in 2006, later being elected to the position of Alderman of the 8th District in 2012 and 2016. Mathewson is a private investigator, security contractor, journalist, and photographer. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, camping and boating. His favorite amendment is the second, followed closely by the first. He loves his country and community.

View All Articles

Copied!

LATEST NEWS

Kenosha Nurse Arrested for OWI After Son’s 911 Call, Claims Police Conspiracy

March 25, 2025 31 Comments

Kenosha, Wis. — A Kenosha nurse was arrested Friday evening for operating while intoxicated after her 9-year-old son called emergency services, saying he and his brother were home alone and hadn’t eaten. But what began as a routine OWI arrest has since spiraled into a bizarre string of conspiracy claims posted online by the woman at the center of the case. Police responded to the home around 7:30 p.m. on March 21 after the child reported

Gateway President Ritu Raju Exiting Amid Internal Turmoil, Board Politics

March 25, 2025 30 Comments

Kenosha, Wis. — Gateway Technical College President and CEO Dr. Ritu Raju is departing the school after just over two years on the job. The news comes on the heels of her being named a finalist for the presidency at Minnesota’s SouthCentral College—but sources tell Kenosha County Eye that Raju’s exit was imminent, regardless of whether she is offered the new position. While Raju has cited personal reasons for the move, including the loss of her

Drag Performer and School Board Candidate Draws Community Scrutiny, Support Ahead of April Election

March 25, 2025

Kenosha, Wis. — Carl Bryan, a candidate for the Kenosha Unified School Board and an openly gay man, is facing criticism from some community members over his past performances as a drag queen under the name “Carlotta Cox.” Bryan has downplayed his experience in drag, stating that he performed once for charity. In a recent statement, he said, “Not sure who needs to hear this, but I literally did drag for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a

Kerkman Elected President of Wisconsin County Executives and Administrators Association

March 25, 2025

Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman was recently elected as the leader of a statewide organization of county officials. Kerkman will serve a two-year term as President of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin County Executives and Administrators Association. Formed in 1981, this organization’s full membership generally meets twice yearly, during the Wisconsin Counties Association’s fall annual convention and spring legislative conference. The Board of Directors meet more frequently to discuss matters of concern to counties,

Man Accused of Statewide Credit Card Skimming Scheme Faces 50 Felony Counts

March 25, 2025

KENOSHA — A 32-year-old Illinois man is facing 50 felony charges in Kenosha County related to an alleged credit card skimming operation that targeted victims across Wisconsin. Evgheni Eremeiv, of Woodridge, Illinois, is accused of using stolen debit card information to make unauthorized withdrawals and purchases at multiple locations in Kenosha County and elsewhere in the state, according to a criminal complaint filed March 21. The charges include 10 counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying

Kenosha Man Charged in Domestic Abuse Case, Bail Set at $75,000

March 25, 2025

Kenosha, Wis. — A Kenosha man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after police say he strangled, punched, and threatened to kill a woman during a series of violent domestic incidents last week. Moises Morales-Escarbano, 42, was charged Monday with eight counts, including two counts each of battery, strangulation and suffocation, and felony intimidation of a victim — all with domestic abuse enhancers. He also faces two counts of disorderly conduct, one of which included

Kenosha Man Charged After High-Speed Chase, Injuries to Deputy

March 25, 2025

Kenosha, Wis. — A Kenosha man is facing multiple felony charges following a high-speed pursuit over the weekend that resulted in injuries to a sheriff’s deputy. Tomas D. Scott, 22, appeared in Kenosha County Circuit Court Monday after prosecutors filed a four-count criminal complaint against him stemming from a March 22 traffic stop in the Village of Somers. The charges include first-degree recklessly endangering safety, resisting an officer causing injury, fleeing an officer resulting in bodily

Man Faces Multiple Felony Charges After Shooting Incident in Somers

March 24, 2025

Somers, Wis. – A Somers man, Logan J. Rizzuto, 30, appeared in Kenosha County Circuit Court today, March 24, 2025, facing a litany of charges stemming from a shooting incident that occurred on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in the Village of Somers. Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis was present in court as Circuit Court Commissioner William Michel II set bail at $100,000 cash. DA Solis asked for a $500,0000 bail. Rizzuto is charged with 47

Introducing KCE’s Jail Booking Page

March 24, 2025

Are you like us and want to see who’s being booked into the jail? Well, we’ve just made it easier for you. Now Kenosha County Eye has a page for just looking at Kenosha County Jail bookings. It is automatically updated every hour. It will list the people who have been booked, in order. Most of the time, people appear on this list if they are arrested by a law enforcement agency, but they could appear

Pete Poli and Bill Barhyte – The Clear Choice for Salem Lakes: Opinion

March 23, 2025

Salem Lakes has seen some dramatic changes in the last two years from the spring election of 2023. Four incumbents were defeated in their bid for re-election, the new trustees ushered in the change they promised. Numerous employees left for a variety of reasons after improper conduct was discovered. The new board was forced to take immediate action on a plethora of problems. Internal and external investigations took place that brought forth new employees, necessary policies,

Vote Nightingale and Elfering For Bristol School Board: Opinion

March 23, 2025

There is a national movement to get schools back to their fundamental mission which is to teach the next generation the foundational skills of reading, writing, and math. At the same time, leaders in Federal and State government have recognized the need and desire to put school curriculum and finances back under local control because giant bureaucracies are inefficient and unaccountable. Local leaders are more in-touch with their communities and should be making the important decisions

Illinois Teen Faces Over 75 Years in Prison for Fleeing Police, Shooting Into Occupied Kenosha Apartment

March 21, 2025

Kenosha, Wis. — A 19-year-old Illinois man appeared in Kenosha County court Thursday on two sets of felony charges tied to a high-speed police chase and a shooting into an occupied apartment. Zjevon A. Romero, of Zion, faces a total of 10 felony charges across two cases, including multiple counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, fleeing and eluding, and felony bail jumping. If convicted on all charges, he faces more than 75 years in prison. Kenosha