Lynette LeGarde, former senior public relations manager with Ho-Chunk Gaming – Nekoosa, was one of four finalists for the annual ATHENA Young Professional Award.
An award luncheon was held for the ceremony on Wednesday, November 4, in Wausau, with more than 225 people in attendance. It was sponsored by the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce.
The award is presented to an emerging leader, under the age of 40, who displays professional excellence, community service and clearly serves as a role model for young professional women.
At the ceremony, Lynette was not awarded the distinction, with the honor instead going to Elizabeth Field with Wausau River District Inc.  
Even though Lynette did not earn the top prize, she feels that it was an honor to be nominated by a former co-worker, Promise Bakken, and also to be a finalist for her efforts at work and in the community.
“It was a once in a lifetime experience and a huge honor to be nominated and to become a finalist for this year’s Athena Young Professional Award,” Lynette said. “I have to thank Promise Bakken for this extraordinary experience of being nominated and being able to participate in an event that recognizes phenomenal people in the community.”
One of the things that Promise said stuck out about Lynette to me was her never ending cheerful attitude and optimism while she worked here.
“I don’t remember hearing her complain … ever,” Bakken said.
“I nominated her because she was a motivated hard working individual that significantly expanded our community involvement. We hadn’t had a Senior Public Relations Manager for quite some time when she took the position here and our community involvement needed a major kick start,” she said.
She remembers Lynette’s second day the most, Bakken said. Even though she had a lot of work to do to revive community efforts and involvement, it was as if that challenge didn’t even intimidate to her.
“Lynette smoothly hit the ground running that second day and wasted no time getting involved with our community. From that day on, she was always bustling around, cheerful and happy while she multitasked many different projects for us,” Bakken said.
“She donated money to some and others she became really involved in and offered to help at a more personal level. One of my favorite events she organized was the Family Table, a charitable organization where local residents in need are served a meal, free of charge. Lynette dedicated her time to volunteer as a server and got the office motivated to be involved and help serve as well,” she said.

One of Lynette’s most impressionable qualities is by far her selflessness; which is strongly backed with her humble nature and ability to genuinely empathize for others, Bakken said. She did so much and expected nothing in return.
“That is the sole reason I decided to nominate her for the 2015 Athena Awards.  She is missed here by everyone. In my own opinion, her shoes will be hard to fill for our next public relations manager,” Bakken said.
Lynette is appreciative for her time at the casino and for all the support she has been given.
“I had a great team at Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa and by no means did I do any of this alone.  They were with me on this journey to raise awareness of our place of business.  That was a wonderful place to work and a great time in my life,” she said. “I’m blessed to have this experience to kind of put closure on that point in my life.  Thank you Promise and Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa.”