August 27, 2026 – Washington Co., Wi – At its annual Leadership event on Thursday, United Way of Washington County honored Justice Annette Ziegler of West Bend with the Clifford A. & Elizabeth M. Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award, and Amanda Novotny of West Bend with the Kevin Steiner Emerging Leader Award.
Named for the late Cliff and Betty Nelson, whose volunteer work spanned human service, civic, and arts organizations across the community, the Nelson Award honors a Washington County individual with a long track record of community leadership and volunteer commitment. Each year’s recipient is nominated and selected by past award winners. Ziegler was nominated by Nancy and Jerry Mehring who received the distinguished award in 1998.
Annette Ziegler has spent nearly three decades shaping both the courts and the community of Washington County. She served as a Washington County Circuit Court judge for 10 years, the first woman to hold that role in the county.
She went on to be elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2007, where she became just the sixth woman in state history to serve on the court. Ziegler later served as the court’s 27th Chief Justice from 2021 to 2025.
In her acceptance speech, Ziegler said the Nelson award is a reminder of the legacy Cliff and Betty believed in. “It’s the best way to really honor people like the Nelsons, which is to continue to devote your lives to the things that matter most. Volunteering really isn’t about one person. It’s about a community of people who decide that there is something they want to give their time, effort, and energy to. And in Washington County, we are particularly good at that.”
For nearly 28 years, Ziegler poured her time into the Washington County Boys & Girls Club, currently serving as President of the Trustee Board, and was inducted into the Wisconsin Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame in 2024.
“That kind of sustained dedication is rare,” said Nancy Mehring. “It reflects who she is, the values she holds, and the difference she has made across our community and state.”
Mehring noted, it was Ziegler’s early years as a circuit court judge handling juvenile and criminal cases that gave her firsthand insight into the struggles children face and that fueled her lasting dedication to Washington County’s youth.
Annette and her husband, JJ, have been longtime supporters of United Way and other organizations working to strengthen the community.
The Steiner Award recognizes an individual whose leadership has significantly grown United Way’s Emerging Leaders program, a team of professionals who invest their time, talent and resources to strengthen the community. The award is named after Kevin Steiner who founded the group in 2017 during his first term as United Way campaign chair, after recognizing the need to cultivate the community’s next generation of leaders.
Amanda Novotny has been a driving force within United Way of Washington County for nearly a decade. She was an inaugural member of the Emerging Leaders program when it formed and over the years rose to the group’s co-chair from 2020-2024. In 2024, she was part of the first-ever team of Emerging Leaders alumni to lead the United Way’s annual campaign, raising more than $1.9 million for local nonprofit partners. Amanda has continued her leadership role and currently serves as Board Secretary on United Way of Washington County’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Allocations Committee.
Perhaps one of Amanda’s greatest accomplishments was helping to establish the Emerging Leaders Charity Golf Outing. What began as an $8,000 event raised a record-breaking $57,000 in 2025 under Amanda’s leadership.
Amanda and her husband, Keith, are steadfast supporters of United Way and many other organizations and causes throughout Washington County.
“For nearly 10 years, Amanda has embodied the spirit of leading, serving, and growing that defines the very program she helped build,” said Dominic Ladd, Emerging Leaders Co-Founder. “I could not be more proud of her as a peer, co-worker and friend.”
United Way’s Leadership event is the first of the 2026 campaign season which officially kicks off next month. United Way recognizes how our community’s greatest challenges are connected and brings people and resources together to address them. From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, United Way is mobilizing communities to action so all can thrive.
Visit unitedwayofwashingtoncounty.org to learn more about United Way’s work to help everyone in Washington County get the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
About United Way of Washington County
United Way of Washington County is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that provides resources and solutions for health and human service needs in communities throughout Washington County, Wisconsin. With a focus on Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Healthy Community, United Way’s mission is to improve lives and community conditions in measurable and lasting ways. United Way raises funds through an annual campaign and allocates those funds to local nonprofits based on need and results. United Way supports more than 20 local nonprofits through 25+ funded programs.
A “Generations United” team focused on 90 years of impact is chairing the 2026 campaign, including:
Kristin Brandner, CEO, United Way of Washington County
Jim Schwalen, Board President, United Way of Washington County
Sarah Stadler, Emerging Leaders & Emerging Leaders Alumni, United Way of Washington County
