Margaret Jankowski
Margaret Jankowski founded The Sewing Machine Project in March 2005. Margaret has been sewing every since she was young and has applied that skill throughout her life from forming a children’s clothing company, Days of Wonder, in the early ’90′s in Milwaukee, WI to freelancing for many years for Pleasant Company in their design department, helping develop patterns and styles for American Girl dolls and young girls. Margaret worked for Hans’ Sewing in Madison for four years, in education and sales. Currently, Margaret freelances for Bernina as a resource educator. The Sewing Machine Project is a beautiful combination of creativity and community service and Margaret is honored to have this opportunity to mend communities.
Meet Our Board of Directors:
Lois Bergerson - Lois is the founder and lead creative of Lois B Designs, based in Madison, Wisconsin. Lois’ uncommon perceptiveness, intuitive creativity, skilled execution and strategic business acuity lend so much to both her business and to our Board.
Carroll Heideman (Advisory Board Member) – Carroll has been an amazing sounding board, especially in the editing department as we picked through the intricacies of the 501c3 application and the Incorporation papers.
Peter McKeever - Peter McKeever is an attorney in Madison. During his 35-year career he has been the founder, executive director, employee and board member of numerous non-profit corporations and organizations in both human services and environmental arenas. He advises, counsels, and represents non-profits and consults on organizational issues such as board recruitment and development, strategic planning, fund-raising, and leadership. Peter’s legal advice and nonprofit experience are invaluable to The Sewing Machine Project.
Robert Miller – Bob is a media man. From his work as Chief Operating Officer of Discover Mediaworks to serving as Vice President and general manager of WKOW-TV, the ABC affiliate in Madison, Wisconsin for nearly a decade, Bob knows the media inside and out. Bob is a strong community advocate and has supported The Sewing Machine Project since its inception.
Michelle Rutta (Advisory Board Member) – Michelle is Owner of Your Hearts Content, a wholesale gift business specializing in gift and home decorating items, based in Cottage Grove, WI. She oversees the designing of over 300 individual items each year, has them produced overseas, and distributes them to over 2000 retail stores across the world. Michelle’s quiet business wisdom has helped The Sewing Machine Project so very much.
Jacqui Sakowski (Board President) – Jacqui is the President of Sakowski Consulting and the founder of Selling Extranet Groups. A committed volunteer herself, Jacqui’s company commits 10% of all work hours to community service. Jacqui is a coach, trainer and consultant, empowering sales professionals to reach new levels of accomplishment and job satisfaction. Jacqui brings powerful business networking and heart to the Sewing Machine Project.
Mary Lang Sollinger (Advisory Board Member) – Mary is currently the Finance Director for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Mary’s community service accomplishments are many. Mary worked hard as a fundraiser for the Obama campaign and has run several successful fundraising campaigns locally–benefitting Monona Terrace, the Goodman Center, the Tenney Park Shelter and many other Madison-area organizations. Mary’s pulse can be felt in Madison’s State Street neighborhood, where she started two retail stores as well as heading up various campaigns making State Street a better place to live and work. Mary’s creativity and business savvy have helped push The Sewing Machine Project to new levels.
Katie Stout – Katie Schultz Stout has spent 40 years as an educator in the classroom,at the college level,with the State Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Education Association Council. Much of that time has been spent furthering the professional development and licensure of teachers. In addition she has taught sewing to adults and adolescents for 7 years. She is a charter member of the Sewing Machine Project Board and served as its first President. Her passion for learning and contributing to those in need motivates her activities as a “ Semi-Retired Educator” these days.
Nancy Zieman (Advisory Board Member)-Nancy is an author, pattern designer, business woman, home economist and national sewing authority. Nancy is host and producer of Sewing With Nancy shown on public television stations across the United States and Canada-the longest running sewing series on television. Nancy has written numerous books, designs patterns for McCalls, and is a dedicated art quilter. She is founder of Nancy’s Notions, and is the spokesperson for Nancy’s Notions and Babylock sewing machines. We are proud to have Nancy’s endorsement of our efforts.
In memoriam:
Bob Heideman (Advisory board member) – Bob was a retired executive and educator who took an interest in The Sewing Machine Project from the outset. He was such a generous donor financially but even more than that he showed an unwavering belief in this project and broadened the Sewing Machine Project network. Bob was truly an inspiration.
