Steve Leaman Receives Ripple-Maker Award

On May 8, 2023, Sophia recognized Steve Leaman with the first ever Ripple-Maker Award.

A ripple-maker is someone who casts the first stone to create something truly impactful.

Creating Ripples:

Sophia was founded in 2002 by Ginny Gilmore to nurture the spirit, dignity and potential of people through transformative compassionate leadership.

In 2022, we celebrated 20 years as an organization!

Christa Williams, Executive Director of Sophia said:

“It’s a privilege to work for an organization that focuses on bringing people together – to learn, to celebrate and to have a positive impact on our community.”

Our foundress, Ginny, threw the first pebble into the pond of community leadership work. However, it has taken committed board members to keep the ripples going.

Last year, Sophia started the Ripple Project – a sustaining way of: 

• Creating Ripples – Asking people to be transformative leaders in workplaces, homes & communities.
• Capturing Ripple Stories – Hearing from individuals using our InspireRipples page.
• Celebrating Ripple Stories – Acknowledging the ripple effect of transformation and the stories within us.

The Ripple-Maker Award:

In honor of creating ripples in this community, Sophia presented a special award during the Youth Leadership Fond du Lac Celebration Event.

The Ripple-Maker Award is for individuals, groups, or organizations who cast the first stone to create something truly impactful – in other words, create meaningful ripples.   

Although tossing a pebble into a pond starts the ripple…a Ripple-Maker does more than that – they ensure the ripples keep going over time.

Sophia picked this year’s recipient because of his influence and passion for the YLF program that extend across the Greater Fond du Lac community.  

Steve Leaman:

Steve Leaman is the Senior VP of business banking at Horicon Bank and currently serves as a member of the Leadership Fond du Lac advisory committee.

As one of the six team members of the original Adult Leadership Fond du Lac program, he helped turn YLF into what it is today.

He has spent countless hours providing leadership and guidance, reviewing applications, interviewing students and being an annual program presenter. 

Thank you Steve for all the ways you have created ripples across the Greater Fond du Lac community!