1. What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
Overall, there are many more rewards than there are challenges with my job –– of course, this depends on the day! The most challenging aspect is coming up with ways to improve and enhance an already very successful product, without taking away from past successes and tradition. The Coaches vs. Cancer Wisconsin Gala is in its 8th year and has grown from a $60,000 program to a $1 million program in those eight short years. Figuring out unique ways to not only sustain that success, but also build upon it, is a huge challenge that we strive to meet every single day. The most rewarding aspect of my job is working with an amazing group of individuals who comprise our Coaches vs. Cancer Wisconsin Board of Ambassadors. Each one selflessly gives so much of their time and talent, not only to ensure the Gala and the program are successful, but also to put an END to cancer! It is very humbling working with so many people striving toward the same goals.
2. Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
At 21 years old, I was still student-athlete in Indiana who cared about one thing and one thing only –– basketball! Although I am extremely grateful for the opportunities and experiences being a student-athlete offered, I wish I would have taken more time to volunteer with nonprofits, health care facilities or in an educational setting. Working in the nonprofit world over the last several years has really opened my eyes to how invaluable volunteers are in your successes, and how they can make a huge difference by impacting those individuals –– directly or indirectly –– benefitting from your mission.
3. What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
I’ve only worked and lived in the Dane County area for just over two years. Previously, I lived in a very rural, college-based community, and before that I lived in a large metropolitan market. Living in Madison has been the perfect mix of those two experiences. I enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere, as there is always something to do or enjoy in Madison –– even in the dead of winter. Plus, it’s nice that the entire city does not shut down when an inch of snow is predicted! I also love how connected the greater Madison area is. There have been countless times when I’ve had one of those “small world” experiences with the people I’ve met here –– whether it’s through sports or work, it’s always fun to find new degrees of separation almost every day!
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4. Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
While my collegiate basketball experience is definitely not a “secret” talent, what most people do not know is that I’m the career record holder for free throws made at the University of Indianapolis. Perhaps that makes my “secret” talent the ability to flop and draw a foul? I have a feeling my sister –– who also played college ball for a huge rival of ours –– would definitely agree with that statement! Whether or not I should be proud of that ability, it definitely worked in my favor, as the record still stands 10 years later!
5. What are your guilty pleasures?
At this time in my life I have a lot of guilty pleasures, as I’m expecting Baby Rohrer #2 in mid-May! Unfortunately, all of those guilty pleasures revolve around sweet or fried things, like ice cream and chocolate and cheese curds. But what the baby wants, the baby gets, right? Please don’t tell my dentist! Other than my sweet tooth, I have a rather crazy obsession with the television show NCIS. I can watch rerun after rerun, day after day, and I know way too much about Tony DiNozzo’s [actor Michael Weatherly] real life. And even though we have nothing in common, I would love to be Abby in my next life. Forensics is so incredibly interesting, and she always seems to save the day!
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