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Who We Are

Crown Her Courage is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women facing medical challenges by easing financial burdens, providing access to healthcare advocacy, and restoring dignity during treatment and recovery.

When medical needs arise, many women are left navigating complex healthcare systems, unexpected expenses, and emotional strain — often alone. We exist to ensure no woman has to face her health journey without additional support and resources.

Our programs span medical advocacy and navigation, essential supplies and equipment, dignity-restoring personal care, and emergency patient assistance. We are proudly serving all of Wisconsin.

For more information: [email protected]

our story

Financial Stress
Medical challenges create unexpected and overwhelming costs. We ease that burden directly.

Emotional Exhaustion
Navigating healthcare alone is draining. Our advocates are in your corner at every step.

Loss of Dignity & Confidence
Treatment can affect how women see themselves. We restore dignity so women can focus on healing.

Why It Matters

Nelita Matter

Founder & President

LEADERSHIP

Our Board

Lisa Stremke

Vice President of Operations

I believe that when God places a calling on your heart, He doesn’t let it quietly fade away. It stays with you, whispers to you, and gently leads you until you’re ready to say yes. For me, Crown Her Courage Foundation has been that calling.

This foundation was born from love, faith, and the incredible women who have shaped my life. Watching my mother courageously walk through her cancer journey showed me what true strength looks like. I also witnessed the unwavering support of the women in my family, women who carried one another through life’s hardest seasons with compassion, encouragement, and selfless love.

I know how blessed I was to grow up surrounded by that kind of support and later marry into a family with the same unconditional care. But during my years working in healthcare, I came to realize that not every woman has it. I met women facing life-changing diagnoses who were overwhelmed by fear, uncertainty, financial burdens, and the complicated road ahead. Too many were left trying to navigate one of the hardest chapters of their lives feeling alone.

Their stories never left me.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that every woman deserves someone to stand beside her. Someone to remind her that she is seen, valued, and stronger than she realizes. My dream became creating more than a nonprofit—it became creating a community where women are surrounded with compassion, practical support, and hope from the moment they hear the words no one ever wants to hear.

The turning point came after one of my closest friends experienced an unexpected medical crisis. Watching someone I loved face such uncertainty made the calling on my heart impossible to ignore. Then, shortly afterward, during a simple conversation with my two daughters, they asked me, “Mom, if you could do anything in the world, what would you do?”

Without hesitation, I answered, “I would start a nonprofit that helps women.”

In that moment, I heard myself say out loud what God had been placing on my heart for years. That evening, I realized it was time to stop waiting and start walking in faith. I wanted to build something that could change lives—not only for the women it would serve, but also to show my children that when God gives you a purpose, you trust Him enough to pursue it. My prayer is that our story inspires others to believe that the dreams God places on their hearts are there for a reason.

I also carry with me the legacy of my grandmother, who quietly lived a life of extraordinary generosity. She gave freely, loved deeply, and served others without ever seeking recognition. As a child, I had the privilege of witnessing that firsthand, and her example forever shaped the woman I strive to be. I know she would be incredibly proud of this mission and the lives it will touch.

At the heart of everything I believe is this simple truth: we are all here on earth to love and be loved. We are called to live lives marked by kindness, generosity, gratitude, and compassion. If Crown Her Courage Foundation can help even one woman feel less alone, more supported, and more hopeful, then we are living out exactly what God called us to do.

My prayer is that every woman who finds Crown Her Courage will know this: you are deeply loved, your courage is greater than your circumstances, and you will never have to walk your journey alone.

“With God all things are possible.” -Matthew 19:26

I am honored to serve as Vice President of Operations for Crown Her Courage and to help strengthen an organization dedicated to walking alongside women facing medical hardship. While our mission is rooted in compassion, I believe meaningful impact is also built through strong leadership, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to creating programs that can serve women for years to come.

As an entrepreneur and owner of multiple businesses, I have spent my career building organizations, leading teams, and developing systems that encourage growth while staying true to a clear purpose. Those experiences have taught me that lasting success comes from collaboration, accountability, and a willingness to serve others with integrity. I am grateful to bring those skills to Crown Her Courage as we continue expanding our reach and creating opportunities to support more women and their families.

Being both a mother and a business owner has reinforced the importance of resilience, adaptability, and community. Life often presents unexpected obstacles, and having dependable people beside you can make all the difference. My goal is to help ensure Crown Her Courage remains a strong, sustainable organization that continues to grow while remaining focused on the women we serve. It is a privilege to work alongside an incredible team whose passion and dedication inspire me every day, and I look forward to helping build a foundation that will positively impact lives for generations to come.

Jessica Soyk

Vice President of advocacy

As Vice President of Advocacy for Crown Her Courage, I am honored to support a mission that represents the care every woman deserves during her time of need—compassion, dignity, encouragement, and hope. Through the generosity of sponsors and supporters, we can help ease burdens, restore confidence, and remind women facing medical challenges that they are not alone.
Supporting others through life's challenges has always been at the heart of who I am. For more than 20 years, I have dedicated my life to nursing, including 12 years as a school nurse, helping students, families, and community members navigate some of their most difficult moments. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the fear, uncertainty, and financial burdens that often accompany a medical diagnosis. Those experiences inspired my passion for advocacy and my commitment to helping people feel supported, heard, and cared for when they needed it most.
I am also a proud mother of two children, ages 11 and 13, and a busy sports mom who understands the challenges of balancing family, health, and life's responsibilities. These experiences have strengthened my belief that no one should face a difficult medical journey alone.

Kailey Wornardt

VICE PRESIDENT OF MISSION ADVANCEMENT

I am honored to serve as the Vice President of Mission Advancement for Crown Her Courage Foundation.

My connection to this mission is deeply personal and rooted in an experience that forever changed the way I view the power of compassion and community. Recently, I had the privilege of supporting one of my childhood best friends through a nonprofit organization while she was facing a difficult medical diagnosis that included extensive treatment and recovery. Witnessing the support, encouragement, and hope she and her family received during one of life’s most challenging seasons was truly life-changing.

Seeing firsthand how a community can come together during difficult times showed me that even the smallest gestures can make a meaningful difference. Whether through financial assistance, thoughtful acts of kindness, or words of encouragement, every act reminded my friend that she was not facing her journey alone. Those experiences inspired me to help create that same sense of hope, dignity, and belonging for other women navigating difficult medical journeys.

Today, I am passionate about expanding awareness of our mission and building relationships that allow Crown Her Courage to reach more women in need. Every conversation, partnership, volunteer, and donor has the potential to make a lasting impact. I believe that when people come together with compassion and purpose, we can restore dignity, inspire hope, and ease some of the burdens women face during medical hardships.

It is a privilege to help advance a mission that provides both practical support and genuine encouragement. My hope is that every woman who encounters Crown Her Courage feels supported, valued, and cared for—embraced by a community that believes in her strength, celebrates her resilience, and reminds her that she never has to face her journey alone.

Jackie Maechtle

Secretary of the Board of Directors 

I am honored to serve as Secretary of the Board of Directors for Crown Her Courage. As a therapist specializing in addiction treatment, I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals through some of life’s most difficult seasons and have witnessed firsthand the incredible strength and resilience of the human spirit.

I believe that every woman deserves encouragement, compassion, and access to resources during challenging times. It is a privilege to contribute to an organization that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of women and their families.

Through my service with Crown Her Courage, I am proud to help advance our mission by fostering connection, restoring dignity, and offering hope when it is needed most. I am deeply committed to walking alongside women on their journeys, empowering them to face adversity with courage and confidence.

Kimbery Bovee

treasurer of the board of directors

I am honored to serve as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for Crown Her Courage, where I have the opportunity to combine my 12 years of banking experience with my passion for helping others.

Throughout my career, I have developed a strong foundation in financial management, accountability, and stewardship, and I am grateful to use those skills to help support an organization dedicated to empowering women through life's most challenging seasons. I believe every woman deserves encouragement, dignity, and access to resources that provide hope and help her move forward with confidence.

Beyond my professional life, I am a devoted wife, proud enthusiastic sports mom. These roles have taught me the value of resilience, compassion, and the importance of showing up for others during difficult times. I am passionate about helping women and families find strength and support when they need it most, and I am proud to contribute to an organization that makes a meaningful difference in our community.

Amanda Haack

mission advocate

I am honored to serve as Mission Advocate on the Board of Directors for Crown Her Courage. As a devoted wife of 18 years, proud mother of four, and healthcare professional with more than 20 years of experience, caring for others has always been at the center of who I am. From serving in the West Bend School District health rooms to my current role as a Medical Assistant in family practice, I have been blessed to walk alongside individuals and families during some of life’s most difficult moments.

My faith is the foundation of my life, and I believe that every blessing and opportunity I have been given comes from God. Through both my personal and professional experiences, I have seen firsthand the emotional, physical, and financial burdens that often accompany medical challenges. Those experiences are what drew me to Crown Her Courage and strengthened my belief that no woman should have to face those hardships alone.

My greatest joy is my husband and our four children, who continually remind me of the importance of faith, love, and serving others with a willing heart. It is my prayer that every woman we have the privilege of supporting feels encouraged, valued, and deeply cared for. I am grateful to be part of a mission that restores dignity, renews hope, and reflects God’s love during life’s most challenging seasons.

“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31

Sara Bonlender

mission advocate

I am honored to serve as a Mission Advocate for Crown Her Courage Foundation and to be part of a mission dedicated to restoring dignity, renewing hope, and supporting women facing medical hardship. I believe that compassion has the power to change lives, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help ensure women feel supported, encouraged, and never alone during some of life's most difficult seasons.

As a Registered Nurse with more than 20 years of experience, I have had the privilege of caring for patients across a wide range of medical specialties. Throughout my nursing career, I have developed a deep passion for supporting individuals and families during some of life's most challenging moments. I believe compassionate care extends far beyond treating a medical condition, it means ensuring every person feels seen, heard, valued, and genuinely cared for.
As a wife and the proud mother of four children, I understand the importance of family, resilience, and having a strong support system during times of uncertainty. Those experiences have strengthened both my personal and professional commitment to serving others with empathy, kindness, and compassion.

Through Crown Her Courage, I am honored to help provide hope, practical support, and financial assistance to women navigating difficult medical journeys. I am passionate about helping create a community where every woman feels cared for, empowered, and supported as she faces the emotional, physical, and financial challenges that often accompany serious health conditions. It is a privilege to be part of an organization that reminds women they are never alone and that hope, dignity, and courage can shine even in life's most difficult moments.

Jennifer Mouw

mission advocate

I am honored to serve as a Mission Advocate for Crown Her Courage.

Supporting, encouraging, and advocating for others has always been at the heart of who I am, and l am passionate about helping individuals and families feel seen, heard, and supported during life's most challenging moments.

As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I have spent more than a decade working alongside children and their families as they navigate medical diagnoses, developmental delays, and the unique challenges that come with them. Through these experiences, I have witnessed the strength, courage, and determination that emerge even in the most difficult circumstances.
My involvement with Crown Her Courage reflects my belief that no one should face health challenges alone. Everyone deserves a supportive community, a listening ear, and someone to celebrate their victories both big and small. I am proud to help advance the mission of Crown Her Courage by offering compassion, encouragement, and hope to women and families when they need it most.