Lindsey Petasek: Honoring a Legacy Through Giving and Service 

For Lindsey Petasek, involvement with the Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay began from a unique vantage point, as a grantee. 

Early in her career, Lindsey worked with the Boys & Girls Club and later with Girl Scouts, where she led outreach and programming initiatives. During that time, she experienced the Women’s Fund, participating in events like Power of the Purse (now Powerful) and helping advance programs that created opportunities for girls across the community. A defining moment came through her involvement in the Imagine the Future grant, a large-scale collaboration that deepened her understanding of the Fund’s impact and the power of collective investment in women and girls. 

That experience shaped her perspective and ultimately led her to the other side of the table. When Lindsey joined the Women’s Fund advisory board, she brought both her professional background and lived experience as a nonprofit partner, helping to connect strategy with the real needs of organizations and the communities they serve. 

After her mother passed away, Lindsey began thinking about how to honor her life in a meaningful and lasting way. Her mom was a social worker, a community builder, and the first in her family to go to college. She spent her career supporting families, leading girls’ groups, and creating spaces where people felt seen, supported, and connected. 

“She always built community with her friends and with what she was working on,” Lindsey shared. And Lindsey got to experience this community building and impact firsthand, as her mother brought her along and involved her in many of these endeavors. 

That mindset, generosity of time, talent, and resources, became the foundation for Lindsey’s decision to establish a named fund. Created in memory of her mother from her inheritance, the fund reflects both a tribute to her legacy and a continuation of Lindsey’s own commitment to making an impact. 

At the same time, Lindsey is thoughtful about how philanthropy is perceived and experienced by others. She is passionate about ensuring that the Women’s Fund continues to feel accessible and inclusive, and that more people see themselves as part of its mission. 

“I never want this to feel like the only way you can make an impact,” Lindsey said. “Getting involved and making a difference is so much more than that.” 

For Lindsey, giving takes many forms. It is financial support, but it is also mentorship, community involvement, and showing up in ways big and small. Her own journey reflects that spectrum, from working directly with programs, to serving on the advisory board, to establishing a fund that will continue to support women and girls for generations to come. 

She also sees opportunity ahead, particularly in engaging more young women and expanding opportunities for ongoing, collective giving. Her vision reflects a belief that meaningful change happens when many people come together, each contributing in their own way. 

“It’s the many, not just the few,” she shared. 

Through her named fund, Lindsey Petasek Fund for Women and Girls In Memory of Jackie Arnold, and her continued leadership, Lindsey is helping create a future where more women and girls have access to opportunity, and where more members of the community feel empowered to be part of the work. Her story is a powerful reminder that impact is not defined by a single moment, but by a lifetime of action, connection, and care. 

To learn more about creating a named fund or getting involved with the Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay, visit the Women’s Fund website or connect with the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation.