First and Last Name:   Jennifer Braatz

Hometown: Fond du Lac since I was 9!

What Brought you to Fond du Lac: Parents moved here

Place of Employment and Position: Guaranty Closing & Title Services, Regional Manager

What do you enjoy the most about your career?

I love getting to meet a variety of people, and there is never a dull day.  There is always something new to learn, or a situation that you haven’t run across before you have to figure out how to tackle.  Plus, for most people, buying a home is one of the most exciting days of their lives.  It is so fun to get to be a part of that and help celebrate it!

What words of wisdom would you share with other YP’s in relation to career building?

It often isn’t a straight path, and there are so many opportunities that exist you may not have ever even thought of.  Be open to trying new things and working your way up through an organization or in different departments within a company.  

Who or what inspires and motivates you to be your best?

My kids!  When they were younger, and now that they are both in high school, I try to lead by example by working hard and treating people with kindness.

What are 3 Characteristics and/or Strengths that make you who you are?

• Dependable
• Family-focused
• Strong-willed

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time/a hobby you enjoy?

Watching my kids in sports has filled a lot of our free time over the last several years.  My daughter runs track, and my son plays baseball, so that keeps us running in the spring & summer! I love to cook, and am always looking for new recipes to try.

What is your favorite part about being in YPF and how has it benefited you?

For me, I have gotten to meet people that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise, but also YPF has introduced me to companies that exist within our community that I may not have been aware of previously.  I have helped with the Breakfast of Champions event since 2021, and it is so promising to see the established business and community leaders in Fond du Lac engage with the next generation of the workforce that is coming up. 

What does community engagement look like for you?

At Guaranty, we are fortunate to have a community involvement team that has been able to help out the local communities we are located in via food drives, blood drives, pet drives and more.  This year, for our 40th anniversary, we also did 40 days of giving, in which an employee or customer was able to pick a non-profit that the company would donate $100 to on their behalf.  I think the most important thing is to find a need, and if you can match it with something you are passionate about it will resonate. 

Share a lesson you have learned or a nugget of advice with other YP’s:

Don’t be afraid of the hard stuff!  I have found that when I avoid doing something because it is going to be difficult or uncomfortable, I build it up worse in my head and when it gets done (because it always need to get done eventually!), I will think “well, that wasn’t as bad as I thought”, and a weight is lifted.  Break it into small pieces or steps if you need to, but everything will be okay!