Michelle Reddington

Publisher
(608) 848-6707

I moved to Madison almost 25 years ago to attend UW-Madison. After graduating with a degree in marketing, I became one of those people who has never been able to leave! (Oh, except for a move to the "one and only Waunakee", where I now live with my husband David and two wonderful boys, Ross and Cade).

The majority of my career in Madison was spent at Adams Outdoor Advertising where I worked for a total of 13 years with a four-year break to stay home with my boys when they were young. As an account executive, sales manager and general manager at Adams, I developed a love of advertising and working with clients to help them accomplish their business goals. I joined the BRAVA team to continue utilizing my background to help our clients reach our wonderful readers.  

My extra-curricular's include having served on the board of directors for the Rape Crisis Center for the past six years as well as other various committees and board positions with local organizations. I’ve raced mountain bikes on and off for the last 15 years, and enjoy road cycling in the hills north and west of Waunakee. My big accomplishment in 2010 was raising $4,000 for JDRF by riding 104 miles in Death Valley, California. I absolutely love the outdoors—downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, hiking and camping—yes, I am a huge travel bug! In the future, I have my sights set on getting to Italy and hiking Cinque Terra!  

Email Michelle

Sarah DeRoo

Editor in Chief
(608) 848-6702

About Me: I grew up in Maple Grove, Minn., but before you consider me a member of the dark side, I consider myself a Wisconsin convert (yay cheese!) and have called Madison home for the last seven years. I ventured to Madison to attend UW, where I graduated with a degree in family and consumer journalism and a certificate in women’s studies.

I enjoy reading, cooking, watching the Brewers, and home décor and design. I love yoga. I like running. I’m learning how to golf, and I’m pretty sure I’ve got potential, but I’m not quitting my day job just yet.

I spend way too much time on my computer. Last, but certainly not least, I love my car Bernie—he’s a VW Beetle. Wave when you see me!
 
Favorite Madison-area location/event?
Union Terrace for a place to meet friends. Arboretum for a place to take a walk. 

Favorite candy that should ALWAYS be in the office candy jar?
Peanut butter cups and taco dip. I really would eat a jar of taco dip. A tub of taco dip. A trough of taco dip. Just give it to me.

If your life was a book, what would the title be?
A Work in Progress

Email Sarah

Kristin Joiner

Art Director - (608) 848-6701

About Me: Born and raised in Milton, Wis., I graduated from UW-Stevens Point and migrated down to Madison. I’m a typography nerd with a capital N! I love all things design-related, and last year opened my own letterpress studio. My husband and I bought a new (very old) house and I'm obsessed with fixing it up.

Favorite Madison-area location/event?
Gino's, The Village Green, Iconi Interiors, Driftless Studio, MMoCA, The Icon, Sushi Muramoto, Cafe Porta Alba. Is it bad that most of my favorite things are food?

Favorite candy that should ALWAYS be in the office candy jar?
CHOCOLATE

If your life was a book, what would the title be?
Put a Bird on It!

Email Kristin

Meagan Parrish

Associate Editor
(608) 848-6703

Favorite Madison-area location/event?

The Willy Street Fair, Goodman Pool and Devil’s Lake.

Favorite candy that should ALWAYS be in the office candy jar?

Anything that involves the combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

If your life was a book, what would the title be?

Just Keep Swimming

Email Meagan

Michelle Page-Alswager

Marketing and Events Director 
(608) 848-6705

About Me: I was born in Eau Claire, Wis., and moved to Janesville in the middle of my sophomore year of high school. I’ve called Madison home for the last 20 years.

At 19, I started working for a small mental health practice and developed my own billing service that allowed me to work from home and raise my amazing children, Samantha, Jesse and Joey, my biggest challenge. Heard daily at our house? “Joey get off the cat!”

When my middle child, Jesse, was diagnosed with diabetes, I dropped everything to volunteer for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and eventually became the executive director of the local chapter. While I continue my volunteerism to find a cure for diabetes and educate the world about the disease through a documentary I am producing called “Triabetes,” I’ve found a home at BRAVA Magazine and the Madison Women’s Expo and couldn’t be happier.

Favorite Madison-area location/event?
I love heading out on my road bike to catch any bike route out of the city and back, but for a short ride, you can’t beat a jaunt down the bike trail to the Union to catch some sunshine and a cold beer. But not too many…you still have to bike home!

Favorite candy that should ALWAYS be in the office candy jar?
Chocolate of any kind. Other candy is truly worthless.

If your life was a book, what would the title be? 
You Can’t Delete Me

Email Michelle

Lee Acker

Business Development
(608) 848-6711

About Me:  I grew up in Cross Plains with my six siblings—which was never boring. I attended Madison Business College, where I received my Accounting Degree. After years of crunching numbers, I switched over to media and marketing, which I definitely feel fits my personality better!

In the summer time, I love anything outdoors—and if it's related to sports, even better! I'm trying to improve my golf game, but that can be a constant battle. I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes, yoga and long walks.

Favorite Madison-area location/event?
Farmers’ Market, UW Football/Basketball Games, Union Terrace

Favorite candy that should ALWAYS be in the office candy jar?
Peanut M&M's

If your life was a book, what would the title be?
There's Nothing That a Glass of Cabernet Can't Fix

Email Lee

Kris Lerdahl

Business Development 
(608) 848-6708

About Me: I grew up on Madison’s east side and graduated from UW-Madison. I just couldn’t leave, I guess. I moved to Waunakee about four years ago and it’s where I am raising my beautiful boys Dane and Kade.

I try all the time to call myself an athelete, but really I just enjoy buying the equipment and wearing the cool gear. I actually do complete a few short charity fun runs and try to keep up with my much more athletic boyfriend Marc on my very tiny Trek road bike during the summer.

Like many of my colleagues, I love shoes, especially heels. One of the most memorable compliments I ever received was being remembered as wearing heels to work up until the last day of my pregnancy!

Favorite Madison-area location/event?
Though I am a horrible runner, Crazylegs is something I have done almost every year for 16 years. There’s just something great about crossing that 50 yard line and then being served beer...Welcome to Madison!

Favorite candy that should ALWAYS be in the office candy jar?
I don’t have a taste for candy or chocolate but I do have a weakness for anything served with gravy.

If your life was a book, what would the title be?
The Weather is Just Fine Down Here, Thank You!

Email Kris

Brenda Peterson

Business Development 
(608) 848-6712

About me: I grew up in Warren, Ill., and after college moved to Madison in 1975. The same year I began married life with my husband Mark.   We have lived in Verona since 1993 and have two amazing daughters who have both graduated from UW-Madison. Carly is soon to have her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Betsy is working for MSCR/Urban League at Sherman Middle School.

Professionally, I worked in accounting and business management for 24 years before joining Erickson Publishing, LLC in 1999 to sell advertising for Dane County Kids, Badgerland Sports for Youth, Kids Expo, Madison Women's Expo, and anew/brava magazine.

Favorite Madison-area location/event?
Badger Prairie Park in Verona and any UW Badger sporting event.

Favorite candy that should ALWAYS be in the office candy jar?
M&M's, I'm addicted.

If your life was a book, what would the title be?
I have no clue. I guess that would be a good title in itself!

Email Brenda