Thank you to our Wally Zastrow Leadership Academy Sponsor Attolles Law, s.c.!
Graduate Testimonials
“The Wally Zastrow Leadership Academy provided me personalized professional development. Our class developed a camaraderie and we were able to talk about specific challenges we faced on a daily basis. The facilitators provided tools to help with the challenges! The tools were simple to implement and at the same time, very effective. I’ve participated in a lot of professional development sessions. The Wally Zastrow Leadership Academy is clearly at the top of my list!”
- Lynn Knight, Business Manager, Current ASBO International Board Member
"The Leadership Academy has made me a better person. It has given me tools to be a better person to work with. Understanding myself and knowing how to understand other people. It impacts more than just work environment. It impacts your whole life."
- Karl E. Volkmann, Business Manager
“The Leadership Academy was hands-down the best professional development I’ve ever done. I learned a lot about myself personally, and I think that learning a lot about yourself personally allows you to grow professionally. It helped me understand how to connect with my own colleagues in a different way, which overall has benefited our district as we move forward trying to create the best possible space for our students and staff.”
- Sarah Viera, Business Manager, Board President-Elect for 2023-24
“The Wally Zastrow program was a great opportunity to dive deep into leadership strategies that go far beyond school operations. From prioritizing people and projects to role playing crucial conversations, this program definitely helped grow me as a leader. I also appreciated growing relationships with people from across the state, that I would not have met otherwise!”
- Jeremiah Johnson, Chief Operations Officer, Current WASBO Board of Directors Member, Midwest Facility Masters Conference Committee Co-Chair
“No matter what position you’re in or what phase of career you’re in, the Leadership Academy is useful. There are people here within half dozen years before retirement, and there are new business managers and facilities directors. It’s useful at both work and home!“
- Jason Demerath, Business Manager, 2022 ASBO Pinnacle of Achievement Award recipient in honor of 2021-22 Zastrow Project
“So much of our professional development is focused on the technicalities of our job and things we need to know to do a good job. This is really more focused on leadership and how we can work with people and grow in that capacity.”
- Erica Pickett, Business Manager
“The Wally Zastrow Leadership Academy is one of the best professional development activities I have been involved in as a school business official. The academy will push your limits and make you a stronger leader in your district and better understand who you are as a person. Don’t be afraid of the commitment because it will be well worth your time no matter what stage you are at in your career!”
- Joe Marquardt, Business Manager, Current WASBO Board of Directors Member