Read about the latest segment in the Wisconsin Historical Society's Wisconsin Hometown Stories partnership with Wisconsin Public Television, Hometown Stories: La Crosse.


Staff Positions and Responsibilities

Name/Position
Primary Responsibilities
Melinda Heinritz
Executive Director and Campaign Director

Major Gift Solicitation
Manage Board and Committees
Direct Capital Campaign
Oversee Foundation Activities and Staff
Member of Society Management Team
Melinda Heinritz
Melinda Heinritz
Dianne Coopman
Managing Director

Oversee Foundation Operations
Major Gift Solicitation
Coordinate the annual History Makers Gala
Member of Society Management Team
Dianne Coopman
Dianne Coopman
Julie Raye
Director of Marketing

Oversee Society and Foundation
Marketing Initiatives
Member of Society Management Team
Julie Raye
Julie Raye
Sue Baker
Special Events Manager

Manage events
Serve as Marketing Liaison
to Wisconsin Public Television
and Milwaukee Public Television
Sue Baker
Sue Baker
Wes Block
Annual Fund Manager

Manage Direct Mail
Coordinate Telefundraising,
Gift Entry, and Annual Fund Data
Wes Block
Wes Block
Michelle del Pino
Finance Director
608-261-9588

General ledger accounting, monthly financial statements, supplemental reports preparation, and financial analysis
Accounts payable processing and annual required reporting
Annual audit accounts reconciliation and required reports/schedules preparation
Annual operating budget preparation
Michelle del Pino
Michelle del Pino
Jeanne Engle
Director of Development

Major Gift Solicitation
Campaign Planning
Board Development Committee Liaison
Foundation and Corporate Relations
Oversee Planned Giving Program
Jeanne Engle
Jeanne Engle

Ann Fisher
Executive Assistant
608-261-9364


Assist Executive Director
Coordinate Foundation Office
Coordinate Campaign Events and Activities
Ann Fisher
Ann Fisher
Paul Fricken
Membership Manager

Manage Membership Data
Coordinate Membership Benefits
Paul Fricken
Paul Fricken

Trent Nichols
Director of Prospect Research


Direct Prospect Research
Track Prospect Development Strategies
Manage Donor Files
Campaign Planning
Trent Nichols
Trent Nichols
Laurie Stensland
Deputy Campaign Director

Provide support to campaign director,
campaign cabinet, and counsel
for all capital campaign-related activities
Document campaign activity
and campaign gifts and pledges
Plan and execute cultivation activities and
campaign-related special events

Laurie Stensland
Laurie Stensland
Martha Truby
Director of Annual Giving

Oversee Annual Fund and
Business Partnership Program
Staff liaison - annual fundraising for
Society entities
Martha Truby
Martha Truby
Barry Wein
Marketing Manager

Support Director of Marketing
Society and Foundation Marketing Initiatives
Wisconsin History Makers Gala Communications
Capital Campaign Communications
Foundation Web Content
Barry Wein
Barry Wein
Directions to the Foundation office, located at the Wisconsin Historical Society. The Foundations offices are located on the second floor of the Society's headquarters building in Room 200.

For general inquiries, please contact Ann Fisher.

All Foundation Staff are members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). AFP requires members to comply with The Code of Ethical Principles and Standards of Professional Practice that is designed to provide concrete guidelines for fundraising professionals in philanthropic organizations. The Foundation also subscribes to the Donor Bill of Rights, a document that outlines what donors have the right to expect from charitable organizations to which they contribute.

Wisconsin Historical Foundation
816 State Street
Madison, WI 53706-1482

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