Alliant Energy employee goes above and beyond

Jackie Stark is our senior manager of human resources consulting, a primary contact for our employees; she also works closely with our union leaders, creating partnerships and building relationships.

“What I do at my job feeds what I like to do when I volunteer,” said Stark. “What I see in my volunteer work helps me be a better human resource manager because it strengthens my understanding that we all have experiences that we go through outside of work that require compassion, understanding and the support of available resources when we report to work each day.”

Stark volunteers for the American Red Cross of Wisconsin. As a certified Red Cross disaster action team member, Stark responds to disasters, mostly fires, where individuals have lost their homes and/or personal belongings. She provides displaced residents comfort and care and connects them with short-term resources to help bridge them to a more sustaining situation. In addition, she assists in mass shelter care during multi-family disasters. Stark also represents Alliant Energy on the Red Cross chapter’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee.

Stark is also a board member of Stand Down Madison, an organization that connects homeless and at-risk veterans with essential services. She plans and implements the organization’s yearly Stand Down Main Event during which veterans can access coats, haircuts, warm food, IDs that enable them to vote and more, free of charge. The organization’s partners are on standby to connect veterans with longer-term assistance including job and housing opportunities.

When veterans arrive, they’re paired with a volunteer called a buddy who helps them get oriented, navigate services available to them and spends time getting to know them. Stark helps recruit buddies and serves as a buddy herself.

Stark’s compassion doesn’t stop with people. On weekends, you can often find her at the Humane Society of Jefferson County, tending dogs and cleaning kennels. She also helps with fundraising events.

“I enjoy connecting with others and working to make my community a better place,” she said. “My dad was a volunteer firefighter and my mom was always helping others in our small community. I wanted to be like them.”

We recognize Jackie Stark with a 2024 Values in Practice (VIP) award, an honor that celebrates employees who donate time and energy to the communities we serve.

All 2024 VIPs receive a $500 grant to donate to the nonprofit of their choice. Stark is donating her VIP grant award to the Wayne D. Horner Memorial Stand Down.

We thank Stark and the other VIPs for how they act for tomorrow, do the right thing, make things better and care for others – a few of the values that shape everything we do.