In Memory

Nancy R Noeske - Class Of 1955

 

Noeske, Nancy R. Of Wauwatosa. Age 74. Passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Preceded in death by her parents, Ottmar and Clara (nee Welinske) Noeske. She will be missed by her many friends including Jackie Lewis, Joyce Marchant, Mary Satterwaite, Linda Kirchen, Jeanie Stauber, Teri Santos, Walter Wilde and Tom Meyer. Visitation Wednesday, March 21 from 11:00am until time of Service at 1:00pm at the Funeral Home. Entombment Wisconsin Memorial Park, Brookfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Cardinal Stritch University or Marquette University’s Blue and Gold Fund would be appreciated. Nancy graduated from Marquette University in 1959 where she earned her bachelor of science degree in Chemistry. She went on to earn her Doctorate in education and sciences. She began as a teacher and administrator and became the first female vice-president at the Wisconsin Electric Company. With her close relationship with the MPS School Board, she founded PROACT,an executive search services firm. It specialized in finding school superintendents for large urban districts around the country. Nancy later founded Noeske and Associates, a full-service management consulting firm. In addition to her many pursuits, she was active in many professional and community organizations. Nancy advocated for change and worked hard to make the Milwaukee community a better place to live. 

 
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better best.”

Dr. Nancy Noeske has lived these words since her third-grade teacher wrote them in an autograph book — from earning her bachelor of science in chemistry at Marquette to earning her doctorate in the sciences and education to her 40-plus-year career.

The Milwaukee native began her professional journey as a teacher and administrator — a good start. Things got better when she directed the Greater Milwaukee YWCA and spent 15 years at Wisconsin Electric Power Co., becoming its first female vice president.

But the best was yet to come. After working with board members and maintaining board-superintendent relationships as director of governance for the Milwaukee School Board, Nancy established an executive search and management consulting firm. For 13 years, she did her best to find the best leaders for large urban school districts across the country, then sold that company and founded Noeske and Associates, a full-service management consulting and retained executive search firm.

Whether mentoring women to break the glass ceiling, helping older adults and low-income people pay utility bills or ensuring that children in urban schools have the right individuals working on their behalves, Nancy has worked toward one goal: to be an advocate for community change.

Beyond her career, she has participated in dozens of community and professional organizations and received several awards. She is a life member of the NAACP and served on and was president of the National Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business. Nancy credits Marquette for shaping her desire to serve, saying the university made her a better person and her life experiences make her the best she can be.

Good, better, best, indeed.

Fun fact: Nancy says her parents were most influential in her life. Growing up in the Depression years, they had to quit high school to help support their respective families, and they instilled in her the value of education and the love of learning. Very active in the civil rights movement in Milwaukee, they also taught her to respect people of all colors, creeds and backgrounds and to help those less fortunate. The “service above self” ethic was instilled in Nancy at an early age and was reinforced during her Marquette experience.


Nancy R. Noeske joined Spec Ingredients in 2008 as Director of Business Development after a successful career as a small business owner having founded PROACT Search, Inc. in 2001.  She served as President & CEO of this full-service, retained executive search and management consulting firm headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Her clients included school districts, not-for-profit associations, governmental agencies and private sector companies throughout the United States.  

She has over 40 years experience in the private, not-for-profit and educational sectors, including the operation of a full-service restaurant and catering business for a large non-profit organization.  With her background in chemistry and the life and physical sciences, she brings the knowledge and understanding needed in the food industry and food ingredients market.  In the 1970’s, she was on the cutting edge of environmental education and the “green” movement, working with young people and adults to protect and save our natural resources. 

She is a member and served as President of the National Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business (SOCAP) and is a founding member of the Wisconsin Chapter.  Also, she served as the Chair of the SOCAP Foundation, the research arm of the organization. She is a Trustee of Cardinal Stritch University.

Nancy holds a B.S. degree in chemistry from Marquette University, a M.Ed. degree from Ohio University and a Ph.D. in physics and science education from the University of Maryland.