The OAF welcomes Paula Jacobs to its board of directors

The Oconomowoc Area Foundation is pleased to welcome Paula Jacobs to its board of directors. Paula joins the OAF board with 30 years of experience working and volunteering for area nonprofit organizations. She is currently Vice President, Philanthropy for ProHealth Care.

YMCA roles focused on operations, marketing and philanthropy led Paula to Oconomowoc in 2001. She joined efforts to build the YMCA at Pabst Farms in Oconomowoc, serving in the role of development VP until 2014. Her community involvement includes leadership in Oconomowoc Rotary, Women of Distinction awards judge, and giving her time on various advisory teams. Paula received the Women in Business Leadership award in 2013.

“I believe volunteer roles with the OAF (or other non-profits) naturally direct our attention to all the people joining hands and solving problems head-on. We are privileged to learn about their journeys and help empower their efforts. By serving, we surround ourselves with passionate, caring, community-minded individuals. It becomes apparent that a few voices that care can lead to such significant improvement in the lives of others, and we get to be a meaningful part of it,” said Paula.

Paula hit the ground running when she joined the OAF board of directors last August and is looking forward to continuing to help steward gifts from generous OAF donors to meet critical needs and enrich life for people of all ages.

“We get to spread the word so others can realize that they can also take action to address needs. As a kid, I didn’t realize that the people in communities can change how that community looks like or feels for people living in it. Helping is healthy. It rejuvenates us,” she added.

Paula and husband, Sean, have enjoyed raising two children in Oconomowoc’s beautiful setting.