Outlook Magazine - Fall 2025

Insurance Executive’s Leadership Lessons Began at UW-Stout Hoglund honored as C-suite standout

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eadership, said health insurance executive Krista Hoglund (’02) , isn’t about knowing every answer your self. Hoglund said she learned this and other lessons as a UW-Stout stu dent pursuing a degree in applied

New Jersey. “People have an idea that lead ers don’t ask for help, but I ask for help all the time. That’s a huge lesson I’ve taken with me.” Hoglund took the helm at Jefferson Health Plans in early 2025 after an 18-year career with Security Health Plan, where she held several actuarial posts before becoming CEO in 2021. While Security Health Plan’s CEO she was named among the Top 50 Women Leaders of Wisconsin as well as to the Wisconsin Titan 100 list of CEOs and C-level executives. Despite such honors, Hoglund empha sized that leadership isn’t a solo endeavor. “I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have had as a women leader if it weren’t for others who had to break a lot of that ground before me,” she said.

mathematics. Hoglund recalls a challenging math class she took during one of her last semesters. Normally a strong student, Hoglund realized she wasn’t going to succeed in the class with out help — so she went to the professor, who patiently guided her through the material until she understood it. “That’s a great leadership lesson: When you need help, ask for it,” said Hoglund, president of Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health Plans, a not-for-profit Managed Care Organization that provides coverage in Pennsylvania and

Two-Time Nontraditional Grad Honed Leadership Skills at Stout Mondeik leaves mark as Mid-State Technical College president

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helly Mondeik (’06, ’08) followed a nontraditional path to becoming president of Mid-State Technical College — a path that ran through Stout and led her to be named one of Wisconsin’s top female leaders.

that allowed her to take classes on weekends while still having time for her personal and professional roles. She earned her bachelor’s degree in career and technical education, then forged ahead to earn a master’s in the same field. Mondeik’s leadership has attracted atten tion far beyond Mid-State’s four central Wis consin campuses. She was named Central Region 2024 CEO by the Association of Com munity College Trustees, and for 2023 and 2024 was listed among the Top 50 Women Leaders of Wisconsin by Women We Admire. “When I got that recognition,” Mondeik said, “it did make me reflect and I did smile, because it was some validation that I have had a positive impact and people have noticed.”

Mondeik earned an associate’s degree after high school and immediately went to work in the medical field. Over time, she devel oped her natural affinity as an instructor and mentor and began teaching at a technical col lege. As her career progressed, she realized she needed to further her education. “When I had my checklist, UW-Stout hit all the boxes,” Mondeik said. “They were able to provide the balance that I needed, not only for my family at home but also my work family – all the people I was supervising.” Mondeik said she was drawn by UW-Stout’s strong reputation, as well as a delivery mode

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