Board vice chair Barb Gromacki calls her role a great learning platform
05/26/22 12:33:pm
“Mental and behavioral healthcare is such a key service offering,” she says. “Regardless of economic or social status, it’s a great need in the community within families and businesses.”
In fact, Barb says our Mission intersects with her role as a human resources leader, as she has worked with employees through many mental and behavioral health challenges.
“I’m very passionate about it, and it’s truly satisfying to know I’m donating my time as a board member to such an amazing cause,” she says.
After becoming connected with Rogers through professional and personal acquaintances, Barb joined the Board of Directors in 2017 and became vice chair in 2020. She is also the chair of the Compensation Committee, as well as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee.
Barb is the first female executive committee member and vice chair. She feels that this is another important statement that the Board and organization made to support equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.
“The Board is a governance body there to support leaders, all employees, and the community,” she explains. “I like supporting the patients Rogers serves by partnering with leaders to deliver on their strategies and vision. When Rogers is successful, everyone wins.”
Over the last five years in her role, Barb says the most memorable moments have been Rogers’ expansion across the country, our research endeavors, and the patient stories.
Hearing stories from patients and families also helps her to reflect and be more open-minded, she explains.
“For me personally, it’s really instilled a greater degree of empathy and understanding for the challenges people may be going through at any given time,” Barb says.
Looking ahead, she is especially excited about Rogers’ research studies on genetics and our ongoing work to remove the stigma associated with mental health.
“Being a board member is an honor,” Barb says. “I have gained more as a board member than I feel I have given from a growth and understanding perspective. It’s a great learning platform.”
Get to know Barb
Barb has 25 years of human resources experience in the healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing industries. She currently serves as chief human resource officer for Pioneer Metal Finishing, LLC, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
In addition to her board member role at Rogers, Barb is part of the Green Bay Packers Mentor-Protégé Program.
She has held prior board positions with many non-profit organizations, including the National Association of Theatre Owners’ DEI Committee, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin, American Society for Training & Development, and Friends of the Arts at Catholic Memorial High School. She has also been involved with several diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives throughout the Milwaukee area.
She and her husband, Fred, live in Nashotah, Wisconsin, and have three children: Alexandra, an aspiring writer, editor, and marketing professional; Sam, a trained electrical lineman; and Isaac, a student at Colorado State University.
In her free time, Barb enjoys traveling to Seattle and Fort Collins, Colorado, to visit her children, gardening, hiking, traveling, and fishing.
Barb’s areas of expertise
- Human resources leadership
- Customer experience strategies and process design
- Organizational design, behavior, change management, strategy, implementation, and planning
- Talent management and employee engagement
- Executive leadership and coaching
