Executive Director, Inc.

Our work at EDI is guided by the vision and leadership of dedicated volunteers, who selflessly give their time at day(s) long board meetings, weekend conferences, late night committee calls, and unique initiatives benefitting their specialty. Thank you to the many volunteers who work so hard to support and enhance their association! #VolunteerAppreciationWeek 

Today is National Doctors' Day, observed annually to honor the dedication, skill and unwavering commitment of physicians in providing high-quality health care to individuals and communities worldwide. Here at EDI, we have the privilege of working with doctors around the world across many specialties. Doctors pictured here are sightseeing in Milwaukee, performing in their band, hosting award galas to celebrate their colleagues, gathering for formal or informal dinners together, and cheering on their favorite team (#GoPackers). Today on #NationalDoctorsDay and every day, we celebrate the members and volunteers of our diverse medical clients. Check out EDI’s full client list at https://lnkd.in/ggJSy4wq.

One of the fun “perks” of working at EDI is our participation in a local CSA, or community supported agriculture program. We’re excited to partner with Winterspring Farm this year, who will bring the farmer’s market to our office every week with their deliveries of veggies, eggs, and flower bouquets - we can't wait for them to start on June 13! Learn more about the farm at https://lnkd.in/grMFZwyA

It’s National Sleep Awareness Week! The Society of Behavioral Medicine, a client of EDI, shared some insights on the effects of sleep on heart health and psychological health in their recent article, “How Sleep Affects Body, Mind, and Heart Health.” Check out their tips for better sleep with this 2-minute read: https://lnkd.in/ehizDKaC

What a great turnout for today’s blood drive! Thanks to all the staff who donated, and thanks to Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin for making it so easy with their mobile donation center! 

Here at EDI, we are taking advantage of this Leap Day to reflect on all the great happenings in February. There was networking at Marriott International’s annual Valentine’s Day Luncheon with some special giveaways; professional development at an in-house Associations 101 course (including one team member on their first day!); fundraising for the American Heart Association when staff exchanged candygrams on Valentine’s Day, with some of the team in especially festive wear; and celebration of #BlackHistoryMonth with a presentation from America's Black Holocaust Museum and the The Bronzeville Collective Mke.   We gave international visitors a tour of our beautiful offices on Cathedral Square and staff were on-site with clients in Korea, India, and Colombia this month (among many other locales for both domestic and international meetings).   We’re looking forward to what March will bring! Want to be a part of it? Check out our job postings at https://lnkd.in/eg2mkhrh.

EDI is proud to support the professional development of our staff and encourages pursuit of advanced certifications relevant to association management. Last week, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership announced the newest class of Certified Association Executives (CAE), which includes our own Ann Marie Moss, MBA, CAE. Congratulations, Ann Marie!   Congratulations also go to Mary Baierl, PMP, who recently earned her Project Management Professional (PMP) Credential through the Project Management Institute – kudos, Mary!  https://lnkd.in/gDT4WNDq

Each year, EDI staff submit photos for our annual holiday card – thanks to Gina Doyle for this year’s image, and thanks to all staff for an incredible year! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

Last Friday, staff gathered at The Pfister Hotel for the “State of EDI,” where leadership shared a reflection on the past year. We celebrated staff accomplishments and announced service awards. Notably, Rachel McCormick was acknowledged for her 40 years of service at EDI, with 25 others celebrating milestone anniversaries at EDI, listed below – tag yourself or colleagues! Because we surpassed our goal for the annual Food Fight benefiting Hunger Task Force, the afternoon was declared a holiday, and staff gathered at the new Experts Only near EDI’s offices – and now we look forward to a holiday break, celebrations with family and friends, and returning in the new year refreshed and ready help our clients realize their vision! 5 years: Pam Gabrish (AAAAI), Rachelle Henry (HR), Monica Janzen-Holverson (CAOHC), Elizabeth Mueller (AAEM), April Presnell (AAAAI), Hannah Rice (HOPA), Michael Story (AAEA), Trent Tubiszewski (TS), Sandra Videmsky (MDS) 10 years: Justin Byrne (AAAAI), Gerald Dugan (Web), Andrea Kunz (SITC), Ashtin Neuschaefer (SRS), Missy Zagroba (AAEM) 15 years: Ginger Czajkowski (ACDS), Sofia Dorsano (WAO), Kristen McGuire (AAEA), Leah Miller (SRI), Jenny Quebbeman (MDS), Alicia Schuessler (SITC) 20 years: Becky Brandt (AAAAI), Shawn Dimmer (Web) 25 years: Patrick Sullivan (IS), Tara Withington (EDI) 30 years: Kathy Olejnik (HR/EDI) 

It’s looking festive around EDI’s offices! Each December, staff organizes a Food Fight benefitting Hunger Task Force, with the east and west sides of the office battling for bragging rights and a place on the Food Fight trophy through holiday-themed activities. Pictured is the full house for Wednesday’s trivia contest, a dedicated team assembling candy-gram for delivery today, and staff posing at Photo Booth last week. EDI’s Vice President, Dan Nemec, rewards a lucky raffle winner with lunch dressed as an entertaining character - last year was the Heat Miser, and we can’t wait to see who wins this year at tomorrow’s drawing! Special thanks to the organizing committee for all their work to coordinate such fun and festive events for staff: Cindy Lemek, Emma Strick, Greta Saulic, Jessica Rasmussen, Jill Wall, Karla Schultz, Kristin Adler, Madison Lower, Renee Reyes, Sarah Wahlstrom Helgren, Tara Monnink and Dan Nemec.