Like most things in life, plans change. Our paths twist and turn, and we embark on journeys different from what we once envisioned. This rings true for Whitney Hegseth ’14.

Hegseth began her time at Viterbo in 2009 with her heart set on a degree in nursing. She worked as a resident assistant in senior living for over a year, giving her an inside look into how patient care is administered and where there is room for improvement. Hegseth realized she had a desire to go beyond nursing and make a broader impact on how the health care industry functions. This led her to switch to business and health care administration at the end of her third year at Viterbo.

After graduating, she realized that the changes she wanted to make to the health care system were issues largely out of her control. “This prompted me to explore a new path,” she said, and she joined Inland Packaging in a combined human resources and marketing role. “This experience provided me with a valuable opportunity to explore diverse areas, experiment with new ideas, and ultimately discover my passion for marketing.”

Hegseth is currently the marketing communications manager at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture firm. She handles all marketing elements for Gensler’s space management software-as-a-service, Wisp. This includes setting strategic marketing goals, blogging, creating content, overseeing CRM operations, managing webpages, and implementing overall brand messaging. “While my initial career aspirations were in health care, I am thrilled to be where I am today,” she said.

Hegseth’s biggest takeaway from her time at Viterbo is the value of servant leadership, and she returned to campus to earn a servant leadership certificate in 2021.

“Without servant leadership, I am pretty confident I would not be where I am today,” she said. “When I was younger, I was always under the impression that in order to serve others, I had to be in health care. However, I learned in college that I could serve others every single day in any capacity.”

Her commitment to servant leadership is also evident in her volunteerism. Hegseth volunteers for a variety of nonprofits in the La Crosse community, including Kevin’s Legacy Foundation, Downtown Mainstreet Inc., Steppin’ Out in Pink, and the League of the Ridiculous. “It’s with this involvement I am able to truly fuel my passion of serving others and make a positive difference in the community.”

In 2021, Hegseth was honored as a Rising Star Under 40 by the 7 Rivers Alliance and the River Valley Media Group. This program identifies leaders in the Coulee Region under the age of 40 who are making an impact through leadership and volunteer efforts. “It was an incredible surprise and something I am very grateful to have experienced,” she said.

What Hegseth enjoyed most about Viterbo is the closeknit community. “At one point, it felt as if I knew nearly everyone on campus,” she said. “This unique environment facilitated the development of strong relationships with not only my classmates, but also staff and professors. In fact, some of those very staff members and professors continue to serve as mentors in my professional journey today.”