

Esther Hicks
President
Esther Hicks has extensive background in mission promotion, educational and systems planning, inter-religious learning, teaching and facilitating and writing. Esther is the lead consultant to Bishop Godfrey Onah for developing Catholic schools in his Diocese of Nsukka, Nigeria.

Barbara Senn
Vice-President
Barbara Senn is Executive Director of UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation, Inc., has done fundraising and management, served as member of CSASM (Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes Sponsored Ministries), and is active on the Long-term Care Board for Agnesian/SSM Health.

Mary Gorske
Secretary
Mary Gorske is a nurse practitioner, retired nurse and employee of Wisconsin prison system, visited Nicaragua three times with Holy Family Sister Parish and United Hearts for Health. Mary is a CSA Associate and currently serves on the Holy Family Pastoral Council.

Joan Schilke
Treasurer
After 30 years of having my own financial advising practice, I refocused my life. Now I have the time to serve on boards and committees which reflect my deepest values.

Karen Heuberger
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Karen is the Executive Director of Adelante Mujer. She is married and has two children. She has been working in the non-profit sector since 2011.

Ann Schlaefer
Ann Schlaefer, OD – Optometrist in Campbellsport, WI proudly claims the late Bishop Salvador Schlaefer as her uncle, a missionary in Nicaragua for more than 40 years. Inspired by him, Dr. Ann does mission trips to Nicaragua where she provides free eye exams and glasses to needy patients.

Diane Bauknecht
Diane Bauknecht, CSA is a retired educator and principal, was regional coordinator, general councilor, and general vicar of the Sisters of St. Agnes, and has served on school and hospital boards. After retiring as Executive Director of Adelante Mujer, she is currently Emerita Director.

Doris Klein
Doris Klein, CSA, is an artist and spiritual director. She previously was a high school administrator and has served on numerous nonprofit boards.

Jane Monahan
Jane Monahan is a retired human resource professional. She spent the last 10 years of her career working for a Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes sponsored ministry, Monroe Clinic. Jane also served as the Mission Leader for the organization. Jane lives with her husband in Monroe, WI and has three children and five grandchildren.

Paula Elmer

Rita Thomas
I formerly worked as a Financial analyst, later a Computer programmer/analyst and a real estate investor/manager. I’m currently retired and in the warm months love to spend time gardening in my own yard as well as volunteering in public gardens.

Susan Stucki
Susan Stucki, CSA – Retired nurse, experienced in pediatric general nursing and pediatric HIV/AIDS, taught nursing of children, is active member on several boards.

Gina Everson M.D.
Gina Everson M.D. is a Family Medicine physician in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and has worked at the Fond du Lac Regional Clinic since 2004. She has visited Nicaragua previously, as part of a medical mission trip, with United Hearts for Health. She is married with 3 children.

Caring
The care of board members is evidenced by their voluntary service and untiring commitment to enhance the life of each Adelante Mujer student.

Teamwork
Adelante Mujer’s board of directors work as a team to enhance the life-giving investment in young women who aspire to become medical doctors in Nicaragua. Each board member has talents and contributes to meet our goals.