Age: 36
County Administrator, Sheboygan County
Alayne Krause got an early start on her career with Sheboygan County, serving as a summer intern for the county’s transportation department in 2009 while still a student at UW Oshkosh, where she studied environmental science and physical geography.
After returning to the county in 2013, the Sheboygan Falls native went from intern to leading 19 departments and 900 employees within just 10 years.
Krause, who later earned a master’s in leadership and organizational development/project management from Lakeland University, also attributes her success to mentors she’s had throughout her career.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from many people who have given me advice and feedback, encouraged me, expanded my network and were in my corner rooting for me,” says Krause. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Favorite cause: Safe and affordable housing. While serving on numerous mission trips in my youth, I came to understand that having a safe and decent place to call home is a comfort that many people don’t have. As an adult, I continue to volunteer in numerous capacities to support initiatives such as construction of affordable housing, housing rehabilitation, and services for people experiencing homelessness.
Best advice: Ask a lot of questions. Be intellectually humble, stay curious, and learn from the expertise of others. Government is broad and complex, and there is always something new to learn.
Best advice received: Filter criticism: use constructive feedback for growth and let mere noise, negativity, or unfair judgments roll off. Conserve your finite energy for your mission, measuring success by internal standards, not others’ opinions.
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