Stanzel Family Foundation Welcomes New Leadership
In January the Stanzel Family Foundation’s Board of Directors welcomed three new members: Bradley Neisner, Meagan Velasquez, and Violeta Martinez. While traditionally governed by family members, this marks a significant shift as Meagan and Violeta, distinguished community members, join the board alongside Bradley Neisner, a descendant of founders Victor and Joe Stanzel.
Robert Stanzel, President of the Board, expressed his thoughts on this historic moment, stating, “We are extremely excited to have these outstanding young professionals join our already very capable board. Their community involvement, philanthropy spirit, energy, and previous Foundation connection make them especially fitted for this role. With their help, the Foundation’s future is well positioned to accomplish its mission to achieve its vision and to support our growing communities.”
Bradley Neisner brings a wealth of expertise in health, technology, engineering, data interpretation, mathematical analysis, and research and development to the board. Despite residing in Boston, Neisner’s strong ties to the Schulenburg area and his longstanding admiration for the foundation’s work motivated his desire to contribute directly to the communities he holds dear. “I have been privileged to attend several of the important foundation milestones over the years (including the opening of the museum) and have kept up with many of the key programs through close relationships with the staff and board members. I very much admire the health and education-focused mandate of the Foundation as a person who works in the healthcare field and am looking forward to being a part of its future,” Niesner shared.
Meagan Velasquez, a seasoned speech-language pathologist at Beyond Therapy in Schulenburg, arrives with a background in entrepreneurship and scholarship program management. Her fervent dedication to fostering education and community well-being resonates deeply with the foundation’s mission. “Working in healthcare, I was excited to learn about the impact the Stanzel Family Foundation has on community health. As someone who began two scholarships knowing the importance and struggles of education, I am excited to be part of a bigger organization that supports students’ education through funding and mentoring. I have always loved philanthropy but was never sure how to engage. As a member of the Stanzel Family Foundation Board of Directors, I am eager to collaborate in empowering and uplifting the community that holds such profound significance in my heart,” Velasquez shared.
Violeta Martinez has a long history with the Stanzel Family Foundation. She participated in Healthy High Healthy Choices when she was in grade school, received a scholarship upon her high school graduation, helped lead numerous Health High presentations on nutrition as a professional, and is now enrolled as a Parents as Teachers family. “I am proud to say that the Stanzel Family Foundation has been a part of my life since elementary and middle school and then all through college and now into adulthood. The foundation along with the staff and board have been my cheerleaders for many years. This is a full circle moment.” With a robust background in health, community development, and entrepreneurship, Martinez brings a unique perspective to the board. Her commitment to simplifying nutrition and empowering various demographics through her business initiatives underscores her alignment with the foundation’s values. Martinez expressed her gratitude for the foundation’s unwavering support throughout her life and her eagerness to give back to the community that has shaped her.
As these three dynamic individuals assume their roles on the board, they embody the foundation’s ethos of community engagement, innovation, and service. Their diverse experiences and expertise promise to invigorate the foundation’s initiatives and deepen its impact across the region.
For more information, contact: cheryl@stanzelmuseum. org or connect with the Foundation via Facebook.