Meet Our Board
Michele Altman
Founder/Director
Michele serves women and children through building healthy relationships while offering love, spiritual guidance, and the resources needed to build a solid foundation for growth and stability through Christ Jesus. Michele is passionate about sharing her testimony and experience of hardship to show that God can use broken people for His glory. Michele holds an associate degree in Human Services from Madison College and has worked as a supervisor at Genesee Lake School, a highly structured therapeutic environment designed to help residents find success. Michele has facilitated Living Free bible studies and knows that God placed her on earth to serve and love His people. Her prayer is for people to surrender their lives and wills to God so they may know their true identity while walking in the purpose God saw for them from the beginning and experience true freedom and the love of Jesus Christ.
Michele recently published a book about her life and journey to today as the founder of Cornerstone of Grace. Learn more and buy the book at (click here)
Nancy Zimmermann
Board Chair
As a retired educator and Watertown resident for almost 30 years, Nancy has first-hand experience with families and children in need of support. She has served on the Safe Families for Children (Jefferson-Dodge Counties) Board of Directors, Jefferson County Literacy Council, and the River Valley Alliance Alliance Church Governing Board. Nancy received a BA from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and a MS in Literacy from Concordia University in Mequon. Nancy is motivated to serve Cornerstone of Grace because she knows that many women and children are struggling and need resources and relational support to reshape their lives. She desires that all who enter Cornerstone of Grace would know who they are in Christ Jesus and be changed by Him. In her free time, Nancy enjoys reading on an air mattress in the lake, jigsaw, and crossword puzzles, and organizing things.
Linda Oberbrunner
Programming Committee Board Member
Linda has been in ministry as a social worker for many years serving women and men experiencing unplanned pregnancies and doing adoptions, if desired. She has a heart and passion to hear the unique story of each person and communicate the compassion, truth and love of Jesus Christ required for His transformation in their lives. Linda has served as the Wisconsin District Director of Evangelical Child and Family Agency and has worked with homeless men and families at the Waukesha Salvation Army. Linda enjoys doing seasonal customer care at Ebert's Greenhouse Village in Ixonia. She is the author of: Mercy Extended, The Gift That Transforms Lives, Impacts Generations and Mobilizes Multitudes for Eternity. Linda and her husband consider themselves immensely blessed to be the parents of four awesome adult children and two of their wonderful spouses, and grandparents to six fun loving grandchildren. Linda has personally seen the transformational work God continues to do in the lives of the residents He has brought to Cornerstone of Grace.
Jeff Finger
Treasurer
Jeff is a licensed CPA who is currently working as a controller in the consumer goods industry in the Madison area. He received his BS in Business Administration from Maranatha Baptist University, and
has an MBA in Accounting from Lakeland College. He is excited to be using his financial background to help advance this organization and see it help more women, children, and families in their time of need. In his spare time Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, as well as serving in his local church.
Carrie Sharkozy
Board Secretary
Carrie has an insurance and accounting background and has been an Administrator for not for profit businesses. Carrie earned a BA in Communications at UW-Parkside and has a WI Insurance license. She is looking forward to being able to provide hope, resources, and opportunities to women and children of Watertown who have found themselves in need. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and traveling with friends.
Emily McFarland
Member on Policy and Procedure
Member on Policy and Procedure
Emily McFarland is currently serving as the Mayor of the City of Watertown. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration. Emily’s entire career has been in government. She worked for the United States House of Representatives, Green Lake County Health and Human Services, the Department of Administration and the Department of Children and Families. Prior to being elected Mayor, Emily served as an Alderperson for the city of Watertown for five years. Emily's passion and career experiences serving families and communities is what drew her to Cornerstone of Grace. Emily is enthusiastic about serving the families that Cornerstone of Grace serves, and believes that investing time in individual people creates a ripple effect of positivity and growth throughout communities. Emily is married and has two sons; her family enjoys being active in the community.
Cassandra Wagner
Board Member on the HR Committee
Cassandra Wagner has been in the Human Resources field for over 10 years and is currently employed as an HR Business Partner for a global manufacturing company in the Watertown area. She received her BS in Political Science and General Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. She is eager to bring to Cornerstone of Grace expertise regarding the primary functions of human resources. Cassandra is hopeful she can help provide this necessary guidance to the organization for women and children in the community and surrounding areas as we help to develop life skills and faith. In her free time, Cassandra is married and has two girls. She enjoys spending time golfing, and serving the community to her fullest ability which includes serving on other local boards and committees.
Jeremy Walker
Member at Large
As the Vice President of Manufacturing at Kusel Equipment in Watertown, Jeremy brings a business perspective and provides risk management support to our organization. Jeremy graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Platteville with a degree in Industrial Engineering and has worked in manufacturing his entire career. Jeremy appreciates having a front-row seat to the impact that Christ is having through this ministry and the positive changes we see in the lives of women and their children. Jeremy enjoys spending time with his wife and two teenage daughters. He is an active volunteer at Cornerstone of Grace and his church.
