Home: Racine, WI. Age: Headed into my next half century. Birthplace: Racine, WI. Profession: Social impact innovator. Organization: Stacia Thompson Impact Collective. Title: Founder/ Chief Innovation Officer. Alma mater: Concordia University Wisconsin.
Recent recognition: 2025 recipient, Lois Y. Howze Spirit of Hope Award. Recent professional development: Launched Stacia Thompson Impact Collective. Latest accomplishment: Authored and published first book and accompanied journal, Pause: The Power of Intentional Rest. Latest contribution to others: Serve as advocate for neurodivergent individuals and their families. Hobbies: Cooking, foodie, playing and watching sports, discount shopping. Recent travel or adventure: Belize.
Moral compass: Trusting my gut, and will I be able to look at myself in the mirror? How do you define a perfect friendship? Feel completely at ease, be my true self. Offer and receive support, no judgement. What is your greatest joy? My son. What is your guilty pleasure? Making ice cream. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Teachers. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Bargain hunting and couponing. Supporting small businesses and family-owned restaurants. What is at the top of your bucket list? To do a TED talk. How do you relieve stress? I experiment with new recipes, breathing exercises, schedule a pause day.
What was your first paying job? Summer student employee at a local manufacturer in the warehouse. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Color Purple. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Pictures of my family and motivational quotes. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My grandparents. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Take care of yourself and home, as I am no good to my job if my mind is elsewhere. What is your favorite app? Notes. What is your go-to source of news and information? BBC News.
What is your big idea?
Pausing on purpose: intentionally planning our rest.
What message do you want to send out into the world? Take care of yourself first: we are no good to others if we don’t take care of ourselves. We cannot pour from an empty cup. What widely held belief do you reject? That college is for everyone.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? When I was in college, people always used to say I looked like Nia Long. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My MaDear. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A physical therapist. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my son and shower all the love I can on him and doing all the things he loves to do. What advice would you give your younger self? It’s ok to ask for help, you don’t have to conquer the world by yourself. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? Becoming a parent.
Personal mission: Creating restorative, empowering spaces where people can feel seen and uplifted. Personal motto: Pause on purpose. Favorite quote: “Don’t allow someone else’s opinion of you become your reality” (Les Brown). Desired epitaph: She lived a life so full that she died empty.
