Wood County teachers, credit union earn financial literacy awards

MARSHFIELD – Two Wood County teachers and a Marshfield-based credit union are being recognized for their efforts in helping people build their financial literacy.

Gov. Tony Evers announced the 11 people and eight organizations during a ceremony at the state Capitol, thanking them for helping to advance financial wellness in Wisconsin.

“Financial education gives people the tools they need to achieve their goals, expand new opportunities, and help attain financial security for themselves and their families,” Evers said. “These dedicated individuals and organizations are doing important work to help Wisconsinites become more financially secure and prepare for their futures, which is a critical part of strengthening the financial well-being of our entire state.”

The 2024 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards honored recipients in one of three categories, individual, organization, or legacy, for providing exceptional financial literacy and capability education in an inclusive and innovative manner.

Janeen Dietsche, a retired Marshfield High School teacher, was among the four people earning the legacy award. That award is given to an organization, business or individual whose purpose and heritage is ingrained in sustained financial literacy and capability efforts. This lifetime recognition is intended to be conferred only once to recipients.

Jessica Zarnke of the School District of Loyal was one of the seven people to earn the honor in the individual category, while Simplicity Credit Union earned the award for organization.

The recipients were selected by the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability from the nominations submitted for consideration. Criteria used to judge nominations included: innovative implementation of an effective financial literacy and capability program or program element within the last two years; emphasis on financial inclusion, demonstrated measurable results; collaboration with partners; and scalability of the program design. Visit the Council’s webpage to read a synopsis of the recipients’ efforts.

 Award winners were:

Individual Category

• Lily Alvarado, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, Milwaukee
• Kerri Herrild, De Pere High School, De Pere
• Ana Melo, Old National Bank, West Allis
• Kristen Ruhl, SecureFutures, Milwaukee
• Matthew Vandre, Francis LLC, Brookfield
• Todd Williams, Plymouth High School, Plymouth
• Jessica Zarnke, School District of Loyal

Organization Category:

• Bank of Sun Prairie, Sun Prairie
• Blackhawk Community Credit Union, Janesville
• Capital Credit Union, Green Bay
• College Goal Wisconsin, Madison
• Delavan-Darien High School and the Delavan-Darien Technical School, Delavan
• Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, Madison
• Francis LLC, Brookfield
• Simplicity Credit Union, Marshfield

Legacy Category:

• Scott Christy, Green Bay East High (retired), Green Bay
• Janeen Dietsche, Marshfield High School (retired), Marshfield
• Victor Frasher, Educators Credit Union, Mt. Pleasant
• Kelli Send, Francis LLC, Brookfield