Deanna Marincic (also known as “D”) sees herself as a passionate, empathetic and driven individual motivated to help others. She values, honesty, loyalty and leads with her heart. Deanna is very transparent and what you see is what you get, flaws and all. No one is perfect, she can be chaotic and as her husband describes her “a kite” at times. She is a work of art that is still in the process of change. Deanna is fortunate to have amazing friendships and a loving family who supports and motivates her.
She wanted to become a social worker since a young age stemming from her personal experience of growing up in a family with mental health and substance issues. Her first step was to establish a goal to help herself and then to help other families heal by providing prevention and healing for the whole family system. Opening Gals Institute and launching Gals On The Go Project has been a passion project to fulfill that mission. It has come with many lessons that have helped her in so many ways personally and professionally.
About Deanna Lynn Marincic
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am blessed to be married to an amazing supportive spouse, Eric. A friend set up a profile for me online and I met Eric at “The Pub” which is now “Wine Maniacs.” We have a blended family of 4 incredible children. Our oldest, Maegan, graduated from Mt. Mary in Fashion Design and just got married. Our daughter, Ryan, graduated from UWM in Journalism and Sign Language and is living her best life as a zipline instructor and ski instructor at fabulous locations around the country which we get to visit. “The boy” Caleb is attending UW Madison studying Political Science and Sports Statistics. He wants to be a “Jerry Maguire”. Our youngest, Lydia, graduated from high school this year and is studying Nursing at UWM. She has been a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) since she was 16 years old.
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 am the proud owner of Gals Institute, LLC, a mental health clinic with 20 providers who share the mission of prevention and healing. And I’m also the founder of Gals On The Go Project Foundation (GOTGP). Volunteering for many organizations in the Oconomowoc community, I’ve met some amazing leaders and made lifelong friendships. They have provided guidance and leadership mentoring for me.
I accepted a job at Stein Optical right out of high school and was a licensed optician. Marty Stein supported my desire to become a social worker and wrote a letter of recommendation that I believe helped me get into college. Shortly after deciding to open my own business in 2014, I was supported by a benefactor who allowed me to create the 501(c)(3) organization and structure.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
Anyone who knows me, knows I am NOT a morning person, so I appreciate having the ability to schedule each day in a way that works for me. I also love working with very talented colleagues who energize and motivate me.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
As most would expect, my journey has been full of many challenges and heartaches. Owning a business is a lot of work. Making decisions and finding the work/life balance are goals I struggle with at times. Adjusting to the changes the pandemic created with in-home life demanded that we create new ways to work with the 9 different schools we support.
Post pandemic, I continue to reevaluate and self reflect on the next steps for my organizations. We have a waiting list for people who would like our help. I am looking to hire staff to help with this: Retired Teachers, Social Workers in Training, Anyone passionate about kids and teenagers, and of course Licensed Therapists. Please contact me if you are interested.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
I enjoy hearing that a family benefited from services at Gals Institute and from workshops offered through GOTGP. To hear that a past client is doing well and that they allowed me on their journey of healing and change is a blessing I take to heart.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
Many exciting things are happening professionally and personally. I have expanded GI staff and services to assist with the increased need for mental health support in the community and in schools. We have an incredible leadership team who have helped me make needed changes in my business to streamline and support the growth GI has experienced since opening in 2015.
My husband and I have some great traveling adventures scheduled including a visit to Jackson Hole, WY, and San Pedro, Belize. I hope to carve time to write a book currently titled “Surviving the Shit Storm” and continue developing additional resiliency building programs for youth and families.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Don’t give up, push past the discomfort of change. Respect the process. Becoming a therapist is not an immediate gratification career.
Deanna Lynn Marincic & 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!)
Our community is very family and community centered. The downtown and community of businesses is a hub of exciting changes that offer something for everyone. My husband and I love riding our E-bikes into town with our pandemic puppy, Tucker, where we enjoy many of the restaurants and lakes that surround us. I enjoy puzzling, crafts, and even paint by number!
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
Maribeth Bush. She is an amazing woman and has spearheaded many charitable organizations and events that better our community and families. She is an inspiration to me and I am proud to say she is one of my mentors and loyal friend.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
All of them. I love my coffee. Wine Maniacs is a frequent spot as we love the staff and the ambience.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Charitable, family oriented and driven.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I am actually an introvert, and I enjoy my alone time where I can just unplug. Many see me as incredibly social; I enjoy my social time but floating in a pool or lake with a book or some music is my happy place.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
There are many shows that we watch as a family, but I am a closet reality show watcher. I love music, and have been fortunate to have seen close to 100 concerts in my lifetime from all different types of music. My favorite song that I joke and tell family and friends to play at my celebration of life would be The Avett Brothers, No Hard Feelings. Just be kind and at the end of day don’t have hard feelings.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children and the clients that rely on me.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
A grasshopper. Ironically my nickname from my grandpa.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
Brene Brown. Her energy, her presence and her wealth of knowledge is incredible.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
More traveling and exploring with my husband and family.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
When there is no drama. I do not like “cattywampus”.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Nothing Changes Unless You Change. Small or big, positive or negative, change and learning from the changes made is an important part of life’s journey.
Where to Find Deanna Lynn Marincic
Email: gals.ocommunity@gmail.com
Phone: (262) 337-9770
