Women Trailblazers Podcast

Bridget Kesner has spent 35 years working in nonprofits, serving organizations that primarily support children and families. She currently serves as the Director of Development for Ronald McDonald House Charities in Eastern Wisconsin. Since 2015, Bridger has led development efforts including individual donor cultivation, grant management and strategic fundraising initiatives that help keep families close during medical crises. Previously, she spent 11 years in development roles at Marquette University, managed training and development at Quarles & Brady LLP and directed student enrollment at St. Pius X Catholic High School. Bridget is passionate about sharing her time, talent and energy while building meaningful donor relationships and advancing mission-driven work that strengthens her community. 

Laura Welsh is a seasoned Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Community Relations professional. With more than 15 years of experience connecting organizations to purpose-driven impact, she currently serves as Director of Community Relations at Capital Credit Union. 

Previously, Laura dedicated nearly nine years to Kimberly-Clark, where she spearheaded regional and national CSR initiatives that supported organizational missions and delivered brand-aligned community impact. 

Active in volunteer leadership and a passionate advocate for issue facing women and children, she has served as on multiple nonprofit boards including Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, The Monthlies Project and the National Diaper Bank Network. 

Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in arts management with emphases in public relations and marketing from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, along with corporate social responsibility certificates from Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and Johns Hopkins University. 

Currently residing in Appleton, Wis. with her husband of more than 20 years and her three children, Laura enjoys exploring our beautiful state, golfing, cooking and anything active that can be done as a family. 

Mandy Heath serves as Vice President, Philanthropy Services at Gobel Group, a national healthcare philanthropy firm. Previously, she served as the Senior Director of the Prospect Development & Data Management teams at the FIU Foundation, Inc. In her role, she oversaw all aspects of prospect development and data management in support of FIU’s $750M Next Horizon campaign. With over 15 years of prospect development and advancement operations experience, Mandy has worked and consulted with various non-profit, healthcare and higher education organizations to build successful and efficient relationship and database management systems. Mandy has a broad range of experience in fundraising, prospect development, database management, grateful patient programs, donor relations, board development, gift administration and processing, data analytics, data visualization and strategic and campaign planning. Previously, Mandy held a variety of positions with the City of Tempe/Tempe Center for the Arts, Arizona State University, Ballet Arizona, Dignity Health, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Barrow Neurological Institute. 

Mandy is a very active volunteer and member of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (Apra) and has served in various capacities. Additionally, she is a founding board member of the Waking Women’s Healing Institute, a place of learning and healing that works to address and prevent MMIW (Missing Murdered Indigenous Women) and acts of sexual violence against Indigenous women, girls and two spirit individuals. She earned her bachelor’s degree in arts management from the University of Wisconsin – Stevent Point and received the UWSP Leadership Award in 2006. 

Amanda Gilman currently serves as Director of Development at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, Amanda is a purpose-driven leader with expertise in fundraising, higher education and team development. She holds a master’s degree in community organizational leadership from UWSP and is deeply committed to creating meaningful connections that inspire progress. As the incoming President of IGNITE Young Professionals in Stevens Point, Amanda is passionate about reigniting the organization’s mission—building a strong, inclusive, and dynamic community for young professionals across central Wisconsin. Her leadership and service have earned her the UW-Stevens Point Chancellor’s Leadership Award and the University Spirit of Community Service Award. She also currently serves as Head Advisor for Black Student Union & Black Student Coalition.