top of page
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN STATE SOCIETY

The history of the Wisconsin State Society goes back to the mid-1850s, when the Illinois State Society was founded as the first society of its kind. It wouldn't be long before the Wisconsin State Society was formed, however the records of past presidents, board members and activities have been lost to time. 

​

What we do know is that state societies began coming back into vogue after World War II when they came together to re-launch the Cherry Blossom Festival in 1948. 

​

According to legal documents, the Wisconsin State Society was incorporated in the 1970s. In the early 1980s, around 1982, our immediate past president Bill Wagner (now serving as treasurer and president emeritus) took over leadership of the society. It's been more active and less active throughout the ensuing 30 years, but Bill has never wavered in his stewardship of the organization.

​

Do you know more about the history of the Wisconsin State Society? Let us know and we'll add your contribution to the history. 

MEET THE BOARD
10-08-2024-21-13-45.jpg

Kate M. Kros

President

Kate M. Kros serves as President of the Wisconsin State Society (WSS). Kate grew up in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and graduated from Marquette University (MU). While in Washington for the last 15+ years, Kate has continued to stay connected to her home state through volunteering with WSS, cheering on DA Pack and the Golden Eagles, and serving as the Marquette University Alumni Club of DC President for 7+ years.  For her volunteering efforts, she was awarded the 2024 MU Young Alumna of the Year Award by the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.  For the last five years, Kate has worked in the Federal Affairs shop for the Milwaukee-based firm Foley & Lardner LLP.  Kate and her husband, Grant, married in Milwaukee at Gesu on Marquette's campus. They have a son, Teddy, a Cavalier, Millie (short for Milwaukee), and a baby girl arriving in 2025.

2022 - Bobby Hamill .jpg

Bobby Hamill

Vice President for Special Events

Bobby was born and raised in Brookfield, Wisconsin and graduated from Brookfield Central High School. He studied political science and Spanish at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he developed his passion for politics. After an internship at the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce and a Congressional campaign, Bobby came to Washington, DC to work for former Congressman Sean Duffy (WI-07). He now works on environmental and legislative policy for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
 

My Picture.jpg

Mary Aileen O'Donovan

Board Member

Mary Aileen has been a member for more than thirty years. She most recently served as WSS President from 2020 through 2023. She is originally from Milwaukee and lives in Woodley Park in DC.  She worked for the Federal Government for thirty-eight years.  She was a Federal contractor for another three years.  She has been a teacher, a statistician, a contracting officer and a volunteer.   She is married to Patrick and has two sons who are all members of the WSS.

Susan Jollie

Treasurer and Corporate Secretary

Susan serves as Corporate Secretary after serving for many years as WSS vice president. Susan was raised in Appleton and attended Marquette University, graduating in 1972. She then attended Georgetown University Law Center. Before retiring several years ago, her legal career involved regulatory, legislative and international law in various positions in government and private practice. She resides in Annandale, Va.
 

Katie Headshot_edited.jpg

Katie Johnson

Vice President, Public Affairs

Maria G Platform-1.jpeg

Maria Giannopoulos

Vice President, Corporate Engagement

Katie has served on the WSS board since 2015 in various capacities, as a previous president and  managing communications and social media. Katie was raised in Milwaukee, her family still lives in Mukwonago, WI and she is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. She was named Wisconsin's Cherry Blossom Princess in 2014, and she has been involved with the state society ever since. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her Great Pyrenees rescue dog, Charlie, and volunteering.
 

Maria Giannopoulos serves as the Vice President of Corporate Engagement for the Wisconsin State Society. Maria is a proud cheesehead originally from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where the polka band is big in Home Alone. Her spirit shined at the University of Wisconsin - Madison where she served as the Senior Class President and the Student Body Vice President. Recently, Maria spent a year back home in Wisconsin after years in DC, leading the Marketing & Digital for the 2024 Republican National Convention. 

Maria has been an avid member of the Wisconsin State Society since her reign as the 2017 Wisconsin Cherry Blossom Princess to the annual National Conference of State Societies Cherry Blossom Program. In the next year, Maria aims to increase engagement between the State Society, Congressional delegation and our corporate partners. Please reach out to Maria if you’d like to get involved! 

image1 (4).jpeg
IMG_8585.jpeg

Ciaran O'Donovan

Randy Bohnert

Wisconsin State Society Board/NCSS Delegate

Wisconsin State Society Board

Randy has been a long-time member of the WSS and served as its representative to the National Council of State Societies for many years, including holding the position of Secretary.  He regularly makes road trips back to his hometown of Medford in central Wisconsin, ensuring he also visits various corners of the state.  Most recently he has become a National Mall volunteer for the National Park Service. 

Wisconsin Headshot.JPEG

Olivia Coleman

Wisconsin State Society Board

Ciaran has been a lifelong member of the WSS and is fond of all things Wisconsin. His mother is originally from Milwaukee and has family all over the state. He studied at West Virginia University and is a staff accountant working for CloudHQ, a global data center provider in their operations department. He currently resides in Arlington, VA.

Otto Heck.jpg

Otto Heck

Wisconsin State Society Board

Olivia Coleman is a new member of the WSS board. She is a native of Wausau, Wisconsin and a graduate of DC Everest Senior High School. After completing a degree in Political Science and Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (go Badgers!), Olivia moved to Washington, DC to work on Senator Ron Johnson’s communications team. She is now serving as Press Secretary for the House Oversight Committee. In 2023, Olivia was named Wisconsin’s Cherry Blossom Princess.

472216139_10160515923822337_5335859554658130720_n.jpg

Kelsie Wendelberger

Wisconsin State Society Board

We're a team of entirely volunteers. Our drive comes from our passion for all things Wisconsin. Get in touch with us with any questions.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

KATE M. KROS

President

MARY AILEEN O'DONOVAN

President Emeritus

BOBBY HAMILL

VP, Special Events

SUSAN JOLLIE

Corporate Secretary and Treasurer

RANDY BOHNERT

Delegate to NCSS

CIARAN
O'DONOVAN

Board Member

MARIA GIANNOPOULOS

VP, Corporate Engagement

KATIE JOHNSON

VP, Public Affairs

KELSIE

WENDELBERGER

Board Member

Do you want to be a leader in the Wisconsin State Society? There are a lot of roles to play in our organization. If you have a passion for something and want to be more involved with us, please get in touch.

CONTACT US

Get in touch with us to learn more about our events or how to get more involved. We look forward to hearing from you!

About: Contact

Your details were sent successfully!

bottom of page