Business Address: 2501 W. Beltline Highway, Suite 401, Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-270-2954
Email: tjelinek@wipfli.com
Website: www.wipfli.com/ngp
Birthplace: Omaha, Neb.
Spouse/Partner: James (Jim) Jelinek
Organizations: Downtown Madison, Inc. (Membership Committee); Habitat for Humanity of Dane County (chair of the Family Support Committee); Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County (Gala Committee); Upper Iowa University Madison MBA Association (member); Junior Achievement (volunteer classroom trainer)
Education: B.S. in business/psychology, Upper Iowa University, Madison campus, 2005; MBA in organizational development, 2008
How long have you been at Wipfli, and what is your day-to-day role in the organization, Tammy?
The first or the second time? I worked for Wipfli from 1997 until 2008, when I decided it was time to try something new. I came back in 2011 when they convinced me they had plenty of new to offer. During my career at Wipfli, I have served our nonprofit and government clients. It’s a great group of people to work with both internally and externally. I love the passion my clients and my colleagues have around meeting their missions. My day-to-day work includes project management, people coaching, client education and training, business development, and the “et al.” on the job description. I love that every day is something different. There is a lot of problem-solving involved. I get to present interesting training topics to eager learners. Once in a while I get to close a business deal, and every day the pace is fast and the work plentiful.
Who outside the firm has influenced your career the most?
My mom, my husband, and my best friend.
In what ways have you benefited from their individual counseling?
My mom taught me a “never say die” work ethic, and to treat all customers with care and respect – especially those who are not treating you the same way. My husband taught me that balance in work and home is what you make of it, and that people are the most important part of job well done, not the task itself. My best friend taught me that the real value in working hard is taking the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor with people you love and who love you, warts and all.
What is a long-range goal that you’d like to achieve?
I would like to see all the generations really embrace the great assets we each bring to the table.
When you were in high school, what were your career aspirations?
To be a marine biologist. We were living in Southern California and I was all about dolphins and whales.
And now you’re in the Midwest and all about business strategy? What lured you to Wisconsin?
I have lived all over the West. I moved to Wisconsin from Utah for a job, and I stayed here over my allotted “five years” for a husband … well, actually a mother-in-law. She doesn’t want us to move, and I am scared of her, so we stay.
That is the funniest, and likely most truthful, answer we’ve ever gotten to that question! What do you do “beyond the office” that brings you happiness or relaxation, Tammy?
Happiness and relaxation huh? We spend most Sunday nights having Sunday supper with a large group of friends. It is potluck style, usually thrown together, and the most fun. We live on Lake Koshkonong, so we are on the water every chance we get. We ride motorcycles. We travel and take road trips as often as possible. When I need love, my dogs give the best hugs ever. When I feel disjointed, Jim is a great sounding board so we walk and talk. Or shop and talk – that’s fun sometimes too. Also, I am an avid reader and you can find me in the indented spot on my couch discovering a new world.
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What do you enjoy reading?
I read romance novels for pleasure. There, my secret is out. I am all about listening to books on CD too. I leave the listening to mysteries, historical, bios, or professional growth.
Is there a character in any sport, book, movie, or play that you would you most like to be identified with?
I am not good at picking just one. I’d like to be different people for a day just to taste what it would be like to live in different circumstances, cultures, lifestyles, genres. I guess I most relate to the dog “Squirrel” in the movie Up.
You mentioned travel. What’s a favorite destination?
Anywhere Jim is traveling with me. We learned early on that we travel well together and really enjoy it. We like beaches and water, but you can find us listening (or dancing) to live music in a small town somewhere too.
We always close with an invitation to describe yourself, but the catch is that you can only select three words to do it. What would your three words be, Tammy?
Blessed, positive, learning.
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