2023 - 2024 Midwest ACE Executive Board

 Not a MWACE Member? Contact Midwest ACE Headquarters and we can connect you!

Patricia Simpson - Midwest ACE from Optiko Productions on Vimeo.

President: Katie Kennealy - Pierczynski

How do you like to spend a rainy day? I like to spend a rainy day snuggled up on the couch with my heated blanket, two kitties, and my daughter watching movies that we’ve seen thousands of times before.

What is your hidden talent? My hidden talent is that I can remember meals that I’ve eaten at almost every restaurant I’ve ever been to.

Share one quote or saying you love that keeps you going in life: You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.


 Past-President: Monica Hood, Enterprise Rent-A-Car 

How do you like to spend a rainy day? Watching movies with too many snacks with the kids. Then letting them go outside to run around in their rain boots and coats that always end-up coming off.

What part of your current job is your favorite? I love hiring candidates and seeing them succeed and achieve their professional goals. Many I recruited from campus and it’s fun to see them transition to the business and grow their confidence and professional brand.

Share one quote or saying you love that keeps you going in life: “Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.” - Alice Morse Earle


Director, Finance: Jerry Donahue, College of Lake County

Share one quote or saying you love that keeps you going in life: There are no defined successful paths in life but those taken by men and women who best
used their talents.

What part of your current job is your favorite? I work with a great team in our career services office, and we value and respect each other's ability and unique
talent that makes our work so successful for our students.

What was the most memorable event that you experienced in college? My softball team that won the summer league championship. Great group of fellow classmates who developed into a very good team within a short period of time.


President-Elect: Karl Aldrich, Saint Louis University

What is your hidden talent? 

What part of your current job is your favorite? 

Share one quote or saying you love that keeps you going in life:

 


Secretary: Jennifer Pickerell, McKendree University

What is your favorite activity to do locally and why? I love to go hiking in the St. Louis Metro area (and beyond) with my husband, our two kids, and our Goldendoodle.  Getting exercise while in the fresh air with the ones you love makes for a wonderful day!  

What part of your current job is your favorite? I enjoy that I  “wear many hats” in my Director role at a small university.  This variety has provided me with great experience and allows me to do so many different things that I enjoy on a regular basis.  


Director, Employer Membership: Amanda MastEnterprise Rent-A-Car 

What is your favorite activity to do locally and why? To attend Orange Theory workout classes! Starts the day off great.

What part of your current job is your favorite? Overseeing the internship! I love watching interns start their first day with me and seeing them accomplish their goals and much more over the 90 days! They surprise themselves! 

How do you like to spend a rainy day?  On the couch, binge watching a new show while cooking a new recipe! 


Director, College Membership: Terri Wallman

What is your favorite activity to do locally and why? 
I am a big fan of physical fitness, health and wellness. I practice pilates 5 days a week, yoga twice a week and Transcendental Meditation daily. This contributes to a healthy mind and body connection and feels amazing.

Share one quote or saying you love that keeps you going: 
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

Name three countries you would like to visit: 
Tahiti in French Polynesia, Australia and New Zealand!


Director, Advancement & Communications: John Link, Bennington College


What is your hidden talent? Finding that extra hour or two in the day to get the job done.

What part of current job is your favorite? My favorite part of my job is seeing the tremendous amount of personal and professional growth of students during their time studying at Webster University.

What book, movie or video have you seen/read recently would you recommend? Why? I’d recommend seeing Mare of Easttown, starring Kate Winslet. The limited series (HBO) combines my two favorite genres, thrillers and drama. 


Director, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Jennifer Tasneem, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Share one quote or sayin you love that keeps you going in life: 

What is your hidden talent? 

What part of your current job is your favorite?


 Director, Professional Development: Laura Menolascino, Northwestern Mutual

What is your favorite activity to do locally and why? 

What part of your current job is your favorite? I

What book, movie or video have you seen/read recently would you recommend? Why? 


Not a MWACE Member? Contact Midwest ACE Headquarters and we can connect you!