Genna Carlisle Founder and CEO
Genna Carlisle is the founder and CEO of The Blue Squirrel, LLC. The core of her being is serving others in their journey. For three decades, Genna’s entrepreneurial spirit has led to her launching multiple businesses in addition to founding a nonprofit – out of her garage!
While no formal education in the business or nonprofit world, (um, German and Political Science Major), this energetic woman does not take no for an answer – for anything – EVER! Whether chief bottle washer or major gifts officer, sometimes in the same day, she gets the big picture and has the passion and the ability to lead an organization not only to grow but also thrive! Her tireless efforts have directly impacted thousands of peoples’ lives. She has been featured in Madison’s Brava Magazine as well as Family Circle and recognized as a United Way Mike McKinney Honoree.
And she does emphatically love being a feisty, purpose driven champion!
Read about Genna in Brava Magazine Read about Genna in Family Circle Magazine
Genna seems to have a way of pulling the best out of everybody and making them feel appreciated! And it is difficult to say no to Genna.”
-Kevin Laffey, Shareholder and Attorney, Laffey, Sebranek, Auby and Ristau,S.C. Law Firm
We all see stuff. We all wonder how we can get involved. She’s (Genna) going to roll up her sleeves and dive in.”
– Phil Simon, Owner, Simon Builders
Credit given to Alec Helmke (for an awesome video!)
Our Story
THE BLUE SQUIRREL’S STORY STARTS WHEN GENNA CARLISLE,
MONTANA NATIVE AND SPIRITED ENTREPRENEUR, INVESTED IN HER FIRST VENTURE
30 YEARS AGO.
From that first start-up business, her purpose driven model has been integrated into her core business strategy. After moving to Wisconsin in 2001, the creativity bug struck again and this time she founded not-for-profit corporation, Waunakee Neighborhood Connection (WNC) Corp, to meet the explicit needs of neighbors in her community. Let’s face it – serving is in Genna’s blood!
An accumulation of her background, endless energy, determination and intentionality, Genna loves nothing more than connecting people and witnessing their journey. Those who know Genna know how much she pours into her community. Inspired by her father, business pioneer and mentor, (US Air Force Veteran) Herman Ratcliff, Genna aspires to serve others and follow his example of leadership. With her gift of recognizing peoples’ strengths and talents as well as her philosophy of plugging people in – ‘one fish at a time’, she led and grew the Wisconsin nonprofit corporation to a half million dollar sustainable organization which purposely impacted: volunteers, clients, donors, businesses, students, families, resources…an entire army of stakeholders!
When a friend asked Genna what The Blue Squirrel was all about, she said, “Ah, yes, The Blue Squirrel. After moving back to Montana, I didn’t really have a plan as to what I would do for ‘work’. I looked at a few things but nothing really fit me. I decided my next startup venture would be one where I could live my entrepreneurial spirit in the for-profit world (need to pay a few bills) while fulfilling my passion for serving others. With her hands-on experience, Genna’s core purpose is helping nonprofits, businesses and fellow entrepreneurs as they navigate through their journey.
That is why The Blue Squirrel is about engaging the community…one connection at a time.
It’s why our vision is to empower people and organizations to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors.
You and your organization matter!
