SOWI Welcomes Fello to BOD; Four to Staff

Special Olympics Wisconsin welcomed four to its statewide staff, bolstering nearly every department as the organization continues its 50th Anniversary celebration in 2022. In addition to the naming of Chad Hershner as Special Olympics Wisconsin’s newest President & CEO in April, the SOWI Board of Directors welcomed TMJ4 News Anchor & Reporter Julia Fello to the board.

TMJ4 Anchor & Reporter Julia Fello

“I have admired Special Olympics Wisconsin for years and I hope to use my experience as a veteran reporter to ensure all the great work Special Olympics Wisconsin is doing is shared for all to see,” Fello said. “To quote the late Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘What are you doing for others?’—I hope to do everything I can to spread awareness, raise funds, and be an ally for this incredible organization.”

Special Olympics Wisconsin is also excited to announce the promotion of Jason Blank to Vice President of Sports & Health Programs, having formerly served as Senior Director of Sports. In his ninth year at Special Olympics Wisconsin, Blank has held the senior directorship since 2017.

“Jason’s education, knowledge, experience, dedication, and commitment will all serve him well in this new role,” SOWI President & CEO Chad Hershner said. “I am confident that with Jason’s leadership and by working together as an entire team, we will be able to expand, grow, and deepen our sports and health programming for all athletes, coaches, and volunteers at Special Olympics Wisconsin.”

Also joining the Sports team this August is Megan Quandt, representing the greater Fox Valley as the Region 4/5 Athletic Director. Most recently, she coordinated youth and adult athletics in the northwestern suburbs of Chicago with specific experience with Special Olympics athletes in Illinois.

Just in time for the 2022-23 school year, SOWI announced the promotion of Princess Brinkley to Director of Unified Programs, having served in the UCS Manager role for the past year. Former SOWI intern Hannah Roehrig will take over the UCS Manager position, joining February hire and Young Athletes Manager Grace VanBergen to complete the SOWI Unified team.

Kaylor Wiedenbeck joins Special Olympics Wisconsin as the Accounting & Database Administrator, with vast experience in accounting, data analysis, and database management and training.

SOWI also welcomed Brytt Biesemeier as Director of Development, having previously worked with fundraising and special events for the Boys & Girls Club of Fox Valley. She joins a Development team that will restructure its roles beginning this August.

Special Olympics Wisconsin is growing! Check out our job postings today and join the SOWI team.