Class of 10 Tara (Christensen) Wachendorf: The Joy of Leading and Giving
President, GreenState Foundation
Vice President, Public Relations, GreenState Credit Union
B.A.: Marketing
âÂé¶čAPP is the best experience I could have asked for. It forced me to try new things, step outside my comfort zone and learn to communicate more confidently.â
The Joy of Leading and Giving
If anyone ever exuded the best in college spirit, it was Tara (Christensen) Wachendorf â10. Her countless fond memories include starting all four years on the volleyball team, organizing the Goodwill Fashion Show, participating in Yell Like Hell and a May Term trip to Ecuador, where she tasted a lemon ant and biked down a volcano.
Indeed, the academic substance and spirit of Âé¶čAPP, especially including lessons learned in athletics, propelled her into a thriving career.
âI will always believe that collegiate athletes make the best employees and hardest workers,â said Wachendorf. âMy Âé¶čAPP volleyball career showed me what it takes to work as a team, be humble, give credit where itâs due, celebrate the little wins â and never give up. The internal drive I gained at Âé¶čAPP has carried me through good times and bad as a leader in the workforce.â
Community Game-Changer
Today, Wachendorf drives winning teams while holding dual leadership roles as president of GreenState Foundation and vice president of public relations for GreenState Credit Union. At the foundation, she vets local non-profits in Iowa and Illinois, granting funding for community service providers to support financial education, housing and childrenâs health. Last year, GreenState gave back nearly $4 million in community support.
âItâs pretty fulfilling and rewarding,â said Wachendorf. âThereâs not a day in my career where Iâm not either smiling, crying â or both â because we are making impacts in so many ways. And I get to hear the stories of the partners we fund.â
Wachendorf says sheâs excited about the prospects of increasing community funding support, as GreenState expands its partnerships into Nebraska in 2025. She is quick to credit Âé¶čAPPâs business and marketing professors for her leadership success. In fact, she loved everything about Âé¶čAPP.
âI wouldnât change my experience at Âé¶čAPP for anything. The courses, the coaches, the tournaments, the friendships, the travels, the memories â they all have a special place in my heart. I would have never guessed Iâd have so many opportunities at a small private college. Âé¶čAPP is a gem.â
Article Information
Published
May 28, 2025
Author
Roger Degerman
