Elaine Kroening has spent the better part of her life either volunteering or being a paid staff member of a nonprofit. Her parents, who are both deceased, taught their family that giving back was the best way to live your life. She has four siblings who live in the area and they are all very close.
In her spare time, she is very involved in her church, St. Anthony on the Lake, and is president of the Pewaukee Fire Commission. In the past she has been the president of the Wisconsin Main Street Association and has been very involved in downtown development.
They moved to Pewaukee 15 years ago from Muskego, and love living in Lake Country. Their second “home” is Door County, which they have been going to multiple times a year for over 40 years. She sometimes feels like an ambassador to the area since so many people contact her about what to do when they travel there for the first time!
About Elaine Kroening
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to Rick for 45 years. We have one son, Chris, and two grandchildren, Mason and Nolyn.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
I have been the Executive Director of Positively Pewaukee, a nonprofit in Pewaukee that works to build community, for over 20 years. From a very young age my family would volunteer, and it seemed like a natural fit for me to get into the nonprofit world.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
Many years ago we formed a committee called Community Connection, and this has become my passion. I love working with the students in the Pewaukee School District, and finding ways to make Pewaukee a better place.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Learning how to accept the challenges that you have in your life, and moving forward instead of dwelling on the negative.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
I think the most rewarding part of my life in the nonprofit world, is knowing that our organization does make a difference in peoples lives. We bring people together, we help businesses and provide great family fun events for our residents.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
We are always trying to find ways to grow our organization and produce new things. We hope to continue to do that in the future.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
If you are considering work in the nonprofit world, you must find something you are passionate about. Find a place where it does not feel like you are going to work each day because you love it so much!
Elaine Kroening & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
Pewaukee has a unique way of pulling together when something needs to be done, money needs to be raised or people need to come together for a cause. People here care about their community, they support our local businesses and events. I think for the most part, they appreciate the beautiful place we call home.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
Over the years I have had the privilege to work with a group of retired ladies who taught me that you can lead productive, happy lives no matter what your age. They run the food pantry, volunteer at many events and at their churches. They have inspired me to do the best I can!
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
I love going to Good Eats Cafe in Pewaukee. The food is fantastic, and Jim and Katie, the owners, are very supportive of our organization and of Pewaukee.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Growing, Caring and Supportive.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love gardening and taking what I grow and making different products out of them.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
My favorite book is the one I am listening to at the time. I always have an audio book going.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My best friend Karen Patrick and my late parents.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
A very fizzy soft drink.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
I don’t have one person, but my favorite lunch would be with my whole family in Door County.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Rent an RV, start on Prince Edward Island and travel all along the east coast to the bottom of Florida.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Being with my family. We have such a great time traveling together.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Be grateful and generous in all you do.
Where to Find Elaine Kroening
Email: elaine@positivelypewaukee.com
Phone: (414) 510-4214
