WALA Hero Awards

The Hero Awards serve to recognize outstanding employees in assisted living communities all across Wisconsin.  Honorees represent the heart of assisted living through their exemplary work - going above and beyond the call of duty to provide the highest level of care and compassion to residents, their loved ones, and fellow employees.

Nominate a Hero

Laureen Maglio, Wilson Commons 

Laureen has dedicated over 15 years of her life to Wilson Commons, where she started in 2009. Over the years, she has played a vital role in training caregivers and providing compassionate care to residents. Laureen’s leadership and expertise have been instrumental in fostering a supportive environment for both residents and staff. Her commitment to healthcare stems from a deeply personal place, inspired by her mother, who was a caregiver her entire life. Laureen began her own journey in healthcare at the age of 17, gaining experience in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home care.

Sheena Zerkle, Brookdale Middleton

Sheena was born in Germany and raised in the Madison area. She and her husband, James, were high school sweethearts and are proud parents of son, Jackson. She loves the Green Bay Packers and tailgating. Her world revolves around her family. She also is known to be seen at the casino once in a while. Sheena’s assisted living journey began in September, 2011. It was then she developed her passion to care for seniors. Sheena’s boundless empathy and capacity for joy are reflected in every interaction she has with residents and co-workers. Sheena brightens the lives of those around her and makes ordinary days feel extraordinarily special.

Craig Smith, Inspiration Ministries

Craig’s story at Inspiration Ministries began before he was born. Both of his parents worked at the community and a serendipitous meeting while cleaning the floors in 1994 led to their marriage shortly after. From early on, Craig was brought to work with them where he learned the value of service and a strong faith in God. Through life’s trials, Craig’s faith is what continues to drive him as a loving, servant leader. After being offered the position as the Life Enrichment Director post-pandemic, he leaned on his conviction to guide him through the arduous task of rebuilding the Activities Department. He hopes his story inspires others to find their calling and live a life that glorifies faith and service.

Wendi Biever, Songbird Pond

Wendi has been in healthcare since 1989. She began her career at a local hospital and has worked in almost every area of healthcare delivery. Stories of Wendi’s compassion and kindness are plentiful, though you would never hear about them from Wendi herself. Wendi is humble, preferring to be behind the scenes, quietly giving her all to those around her. She is a hero to every single resident that has ever lived at Songbird Pond Assisted Living. Outside of work, Wendi is the mother of two grown children and the proud grandma to three adorable grandchildren.

Past Winners