Stef Dorner’s story is the kind that quietly sticks with you. Born and raised on a dairy farm in Casco, Wisconsin, she built her life around hard work, resilience, and showing up for others—whether that meant teaching students with special education needs for over a decade, supporting families as a house manager and nanny, or helping visitors feel at home through her Door County rental properties.
What makes Stef this week’s Milwaukeean of the Week goes beyond her career path. After being diagnosed with ocular melanoma in 2020, she turned one of the hardest chapters of her life into a source of connection and support for others through “Stef’s Vision,” her ocular melanoma awareness walk, and the online communities she helps support.
Stef’s story is one of perseverance, compassion, and community—and a reminder that some of the biggest impacts happen through simply showing up for people when they need it most.
What is your background?
I was born on a dairy farm in Casco, WI. I graduated from Luxemburg-Casco High School, then went on to Oshkosh to graduate with double undergrad degrees in regular and special education. After graduating, I moved to Milwaukee in 2006 and still live in downtown Milwaukee today.
Any stories from your youth that define your path?
I was born and raised on a dairy farm, so working hard was part of growing up. I had a lot of responsibilities at a young age, and seeing how hard my parents worked really shaped my work ethic. I was also fortunate to grow up with a lot of love and support from my parents, which has had a lasting impact on who I am today. As a lifelong athlete, particularly in basketball, I developed discipline, perseverance, and the ability to overcome challenges. My passion for working with children led me to a career in education, where I sp
ent 12 years teaching students with severe special education needs. After that time, I chose to pursue a new path and transitioned into a nanny/house manager role. I currently continue in that position while also managing short-term rental properties in Door County.
Where did you study (if you did higher education)?
I spent one year at St. Norbert’s College, where I played basketball. When I decided that I wanted to do special education, I ultimately transferred to UW Oshkosh and graduated with my degrees in education. After several years of teaching, I went back to school and received my Master’s degree in education from Lesley University in 2010.
What do you do for work now (where you work, title, job responsibilities, etc)?
I currently house manage/nanny for a family in Shorewood. I also run a few short-term rentals in Door County. For years, on top of being a teacher and what I do now, I worked in the service industry. I did this until my most recent diagnosis.
Can you talk a little bit about your career journey? How’d you get to where you are now?
My career path has really been shaped by following what I’m passionate about and being open to change. Education gave me a strong foundation in patience, problem-solving, and connection, and after 12 years, I felt ready for a new chapter. Transitioning into a nanny/house manager role allowed me to continue working closely with families in a more personal way. I’ve always had a love for working with children, and being part of this family’s daily life has been incredibly special to me. I’ve grown very close with the kids, and they truly feel like family to me now. I have been very blessed to work with a family that has supported me through my journey.
This transition also gave me the opportunity to expand into short-term rental management, where I was able to build on my background in the service industry while also learning many new skills, including bookkeeping, social media, and managing a team. I also really enjoy that every day is filled with varying tasks, and having a mix of different responsibilities keeps me challenged and always learning. Each phase of my career has built on the skills from the last, and has led me to where I am today.
Can you talk more about your community involvement or volunteer experience?
A big part of my community involvement has come through organizing the ocular melanoma walk, Stef’s Vision. It started from a very personal place after being diagnosed, but has turned into something that brings people together in a really meaningful way. It focuses on bringing people together, building a sense of community, and supporting others who are going through similar experiences, while also raising awareness and supporting research. It’s been really powerful to see how many people show up, not just to support me, but to support the cause as a whole.
After my diagnosis, I also joined several Facebook groups where I’ve been able to connect with others starting their ocular melanoma journey, helping answer questions and ease some of the uncertainty that comes with it. That support is something I didn’t have at the time of my diagnosis in 2020, and it’s important to me that others don’t feel alone in their journey. While my diagnosis has been and continues to be difficult, it has given me a purpose in wanting to support others going through the same experience.
What are some ways you have impacted the community in your line of work?
Throughout my career, my impact has centered around supporting individuals and families in meaningful ways. During my time in special education, I worked closely with students and their families to help create supportive, structured environments where each child could grow and succeed. In my current role, I continue to support a family on a more personal level. Through managing short-term rentals, I also contribute to the local Door County community by creating welcoming spaces for visitors, supporting local businesses, and helping guests experience all that the area has to offer. Across each role, my focus has always been on building connection, trust, and positive experiences.
What do you like about living in Milwaukee?
One of the things I love most about Milwaukee is how welcoming it is. The people truly make the city. There’s a genuine sense of friendliness and community that makes it easy to call home. Everywhere I go, I feel I’m making a new friend! Since moving here in 2006, I’ve enjoyed watching the city continue to grow, with an expanding food scene, new experiences, and ongoing development.
Living in Milwaukee for the last 20 years, it has been amazing seeing the transformation and all of the visitors and people coming from outside of the city to enjoy their time here. Summers are my favorite, with festivals, outdoor concerts, and events like Summerfest bringing so much energy to the city. At the same time, Milwaukee still feels safe, easy to get around, and easy to enjoy.
What do you want to see for Milwaukee’s future?
I’d love to see Milwaukee keep growing, while still feeling like Milwaukee. The sense of community here is what makes it so special. I want to see more people visit our city and see how amazing it is, and want to continue to come back! I know they will! I think for people to continue to support local businesses and the people behind them is really important. Adding more great restaurants, events, and experiences would be exciting, and I think there’s still so much ahead for the city!
Anything else we should know about you, your job, community involvement, or life in general?
At the core of everything I do—both personally and professionally—I really value connection, reliability, and creating positive experiences for others. One quote I’ve always connected with is, “how you do one thing is how you do everything,” and it’s something I try to carry into all areas of my life. That perspective has only deepened over time, especially after being diagnosed with ocular melanoma. This past year was especially meaningful, as my mom and I were both navigating cancer at the same time. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through, but we leaned on each other in a way I’ll never forget. Her strength, love, and the way she showed up through it all meant everything to me, and I will forever be grateful to have had her as my mom. This has all given me an even greater appreciation for family, friends, and loved ones, and so thankful for the love and support that has surrounded me.
Hope In Sight 2026, will be taking place on Saturday, May 16th. For more information and to sign up, click here.