Our dear friend and TEMPO Madison past president Sue Ann Kaestner passed away in July, 2021. Sue Ann was a successful entrepreneur who loved founding, owning and growing her business, The Widget Source. Throughout her career, she focused on supporting other women with her connections, her kindness, and her financial contributions. Sue Ann loved the women of TEMPO Madison and was an active force in our organization’s success.

Sue Ann's family designated her memorial contributions be made to the TEMPO Madison Foundation. The initial amount donated in Sue Ann's honor was $4,500.00. This has increased to $8,000 with generous donations from The Widget Source and Sue Ann's family. 

An email to our membership last month explained the reorganization of the TEMPO Madison Foundation and the newly launched Grants Committee. This Committee, in conjunction with Sue Ann's family, recently designated the first donations to be made in Sue Ann's name. We think Sue Ann would be pleased to know her memorial is being used to help women learn and to help women launch, improve or grow their businesses.

A portion of Sue Ann's memorial funds will be used to provide:

●      $1,000 Scholarship to be awarded by the TEMPO Madison Scholarship Committee.

●      $4,000 to the TEMPO Madison KIVA Lending Committee.

We will provide updates to you, our membership, and to Sue Ann's family as additional grants are made.

You can learn more about the Foundation Scholarship program here and the Kiva Lending Team here.

Sue Ann's sister Kris offered thoughts that guided our reasoning on these first grants. “When I think of Sue Ann as a business person, I think of her ability to think outside the box. She was great at listening to people and then trying to see what was holding them back from accomplishing their goals and see if there was a way around, over, under, or across the obstacle. She was always ready and willing to listen and lend a hand. She loved being in charge and the challenge of having a small business, so I think along the lines of something that would tie into helping other women start and or sustain their own business would be a great legacy.”

You can donate to the Sue Ann Kaestner Legacy fund here. Please mention Sue Ann's name in the notes.

Thank you to those who have donated in the past in her memory!

Please direct any questions or comments to the Grants Committee.

Vickie Wenzel, Co-chair  - wenzelvickie6@gmail.com

Kris Euclide, Co-chair  - kaeuclide@aol.com

Laurie Dies - lauriedies@tds.net