When Betsy reached into her backpack at the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, the last thing she expected to find was an “I Closed Wolski’s” bumper sticker.
But there it was—a perfect little taste of Milwaukee home while living in California, and perhaps the most fitting symbol of her deep connection to the city she’s called home.
After spending part of her childhood as a “Yooper” in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, she grew up in West Bend before making Milwaukee her permanent home. A brief stint in Silicon Valley for work only reinforced what she already knew: Milwaukee was where she belonged, where she could make the kind of meaningful impact she’d been seeking since college.
Finding Her Calling
That desire to make a difference traces back to her Marquette University days, where she studied Marketing and IT. Later, earning her MBA from UW-Whitewater, she found herself climbing the corporate ladder in e-commerce and digital marketing, but feeling something was missing.
“I felt like I was trapped at a desk in corporate America instead of making a difference,” she reflects. The turning point came when a friend posted about a Big Brothers Big Sisters event. She attended out of curiosity and signed up that same day—a decision that would transform not just her life, but the life of a young girl who would become far more than a mentee.
The choice felt natural. Growing up, Betsy had found refuge and guidance at an amazing Boys & Girls Club, appreciating the safe space and adult mentors who encouraged her to try new things. Plus, as an actual big sister, she felt she had “a lifetime of practice” for the role.
Six Years of Sisterhood
That was six years ago, and her match with Aaliyah has become one of the most rewarding relationships of her life. What started as weekly meetings with a middle schooler has evolved into a deep bond that’s seen them through countless new experiences—from trying new sports to exploring new foods, from navigating teenage challenges to celebrating high school victories.
“I think of it as being a dedicated cheerleader,” she explains. “I am just there to listen, sometimes offer advice, and just be another person in her corner that she knows she can turn to for anything.”
The relationship has been transformative for both of them, particularly around the theme of embracing new challenges. Aaliyah spent six years of their match trying something new every week, building confidence that served her well when she reached high school and tried out for both swimming and softball—sports she’d never played before. She made both teams.
“Every softball game I sat at in awe that a few months before this girl didn’t even own a glove,” she recalls. “She is my constant reminder to not be afraid to jump!”
Recognition and Reflection
Their remarkable partnership earned them recognition as Big Brothers Big Sisters 2025 Match of the Year—an honor they’ve jokingly dubbed their “Miss America Year” for all the special experiences it has brought. But for her, the real reward has been far more personal.
“BBBS has had such an impact in my life in ways I never expected and I feel like I have received infinitely more than I’ve given,” she says. Beyond her relationship with Aaliyah and her family, she’s built lasting friendships with other mentors—even serving as a bridesmaid in two weddings of friends she met through the program.
A Life of Service
Her commitment to community extends well beyond Big Brothers Big Sisters. Currently working in Digital Experience for Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (the company behind those “bottles saved” water fountains), Betsy also teaches IT Project Management as an adjunct instructor at Marquette University. When she’s not in the office or classroom, you might find her pouring beers at Component Brewing in Bay View—her favorite brewery in the city.
Perhaps most notably, she serves as a chief election inspector for the City of Milwaukee, managing polling places and election workers during the crucial democratic process. She started during the 2020 election when there was desperate need for volunteers and has continued ever since.
“It is truly one of my favorite ways to be involved in the city and I’ve learned so much about the election process from it,” she explains. “I can’t recommend it enough!”
The Village Philosophy
For her, all this community involvement comes down to a simple philosophy: “To have a village, you have to be a villager.” She believes that giving back to the community is about supporting that village, recognizing that her community has supported her countless times throughout her life.
“Getting involved in the community creates all these little villages and helps the world feel a little smaller and more connected,” she says.
Milwaukee Love
That sense of connection is perhaps strongest when it comes to Milwaukee itself. She’s passionate about what she calls “Small-waukee”—a city that offers big-city perks while maintaining an intimate, accessible feel where you can reach any edge of the city in under half an hour.
Living downtown, she loves being able to walk out her door and easily reach the lake, a festival, or a beer garden—and the good chance of running into someone she knows along the way. The approachable people, affordable cost of living, and endless opportunities for exploration all contribute to what makes Milwaukee special.
As the city continues to attract transplants and grow, she hopes Milwaukee can maintain what makes it unique. “I want to make sure we keep all the parts of the city and Milwaukee culture we love,” she says.
From that unexpected bumper sticker at Half Dome to six years of mentoring Aaliyah, her story is one of deep roots, meaningful connections, and the power of showing up for your community. In a city built on neighborhoods and relationships, she’s living proof that sometimes the most profound impact comes from simply being present—whether that’s in a voting booth, behind a bar, or sitting in a car having coffee with a young person who needs to know someone believes in them.
As Big Brothers Big Sisters says, “It Takes A Little To Be A Big.” But for this Milwaukee mentor, that little bit has created ripples of change that extend far beyond what she ever imagined.