‘Walking the walk’ for more than a decade
Fifth Ward Brewing Co. raises a glass to growing business
March 17, 2025
EAU CLAIRE – Jeni Thorpe said all it took for her to give back was having a platform to do so.
“I think it’s always been in me, but growing up, that wasn’t something my family participated in much,” she said. “However, they always taught me to be kind to others because you never know what people are going through. That type of messaging was always with my family, but they weren’t really involved in any community aspects of things.”
Thorpe said that all this changed when she joined the Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, where she currently serves as the executive assistant and human resources administrator.
“That’s where I found that avenue and that opportunity, and it has been a joy to be able to give back and volunteer because I’ve been really fortunate,” she said. “My parents are hardworking and instilled good values in me. Maybe I don’t always have money to give back, but I have my time to offer. I’ve always wanted to give back and help people, but I just didn’t know how to get involved and where to go.”
Kaitlyn Molis with the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce said Thorpe was recently awarded a Young Professionals Community Involvement Award because of her community involvement and giving nature.
“I was very surprised and had no idea I was receiving the award or who nominated me,” Thorpe said. “I typically attend the annual meeting where the awards are announced, so I was going anyway. But yes, I had no idea.”
Thorpe said when Taylor Wilkins, another category award winner, received her award moments before she did – that’s when she realized award recipients weren’t informed before they had won.
“It was quite funny – Taylor was sitting in front of me, and when she was announced, I could tell from her body language that she had no idea,” Thorpe laughed. “I looked at my boss, and said, ‘Do people even know they’re getting these awards?’ It was so bizarre to me. My boss tried to play it off – she knew I was getting the award – and then they announced me next. My boss sits on the chamber board, so her job was to make sure I was actually attending the event (so I could receive my award).”
Thorpe said she is very grateful for receiving the award.
“Frankly, there are so many great people doing so many great things in our community, so to be recognized as one of those individuals, I was very humbled and honored,” she said.
More on the award
Molis said the YP Community Involvement Award is given to a member of the Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley (YPCV) “who is going above and beyond their call of duty to make the Chippewa Valley a better place to live.”
“This person is making headlines in our community and participates in YPCV volunteering events along with other local nonprofits,” she said. “This award has been given out for more than 20 years within the YPCV organization.”
Molis said members of the YP program nominate individuals they see as best fit for the award each year.
“We use that information and the chamber staff’s personal interactions with the individuals to select a recipient,” she said.
Molis said Thorpe exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond to make the Chippewa Valley a better place to live.
“She is deeply involved in numerous local initiatives, both through her company and within the community,” she said. “As a key member of the United Way Emerging Leaders and an active participant in YP volunteering events – such as park cleanups and the Sponsor-a-Family event – Jeni has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to giving back to the Chippewa Valley. Her dedication to the YP program, local nonprofits and community improvement makes her a standout leader and an ideal recipient of this award.”
A giving-back mentality
Thorpe said she loves attending the chamber’s volunteer events.
“Because the Eau Claire Energy Cooperative is a co-op, we ‘eat’ and live by the co-op principles,” she said. “One of those principles is concern for communities, so that’s really driven into our culture and encouraged for our employees. I’m just trying to do as much as I can to give back to the community I live in, which is an amazing place to be.”
Thorpe said part of giving back is simply being there for others.
“You don’t even have to give back in the most traditional ways,” she said. “You don’t even have to do a scheduled event – it could just be neighbors helping neighbors or helping strangers and being kind to one another. I didn’t grow up with a lot of money, but I always thought you had to give back with money. There are so many people and organizations out there that just need a person to give their time and their expertise.”
Thorpe said giving back could simply be in the form of making phone calls for an organization.
“There are so many things you can do for any organization,” she said. “There was one time we volunteered at a group in Chippewa Falls, and they just needed help sorting through clothes – looking for stains and making sure the clothes were good to be donated. I feel like almost anyone can do something like that. The biggest thing for me is how can we make our community better, more cohesive and stronger? I think we can do that by just helping one another.”
And the winner is …
According to the chamber’s website (eauclairechamber.org), other local professionals who received awards at the chamber’s annual event included:
- Glassbrenner-Klinkhammer Spirit Award: Bonnie Krahn, Atmosphere Commercial Interiors
- Outstanding Young Professional of the Chippewa Valley: Dustin Johnston, Northwestern Mutual
- Young Professional Networker: Taylor Wilkins, Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association
- Public Employee of the Year: Kristel Tavare, Chippewa Valley Technical College; Kimera Way, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
