MAPE Member receives Hamline University’s Women in Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award

Hamline University hosts the Women in Public Service (WIPS) Conference every fall and recognizes Lifetime Achievement and Rising Stars in the field. This November, MAPE member Renée Hartwig was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award that recognizes women who have made a lifetime commitment to serving the public good. 

Hartwig is the Director of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Alumni and Volunteer Programs and has over 40 years’ experience in volunteer management in the public sector. She has been a MAPE members since 1988 and was the first President of Local 101 when it was formed in the 1990s. 

"I have worked over 40 years in volunteer management in the public sector; it is my passion,” explained Hartwig. "I'd like to thank the University of Hamline for the recognition and look forward to continuing my service in the field." 

Hartwig first worked as a county extension educator in 4-H and youth development programming in University Extension Programs in Wisconsin and Minnesota. She currently manages the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ statewide volunteer outreach program. This program involves over 22,000 volunteers who donate 266,000+ hours each year at an annual value of over $7.3 million toward conservation efforts. 

"I nominated Renee for this award because she has worked to raise the bar across the field of public service and has paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps,” said Janine Kohn, Project WET Program Coordinator, Minnesota DNR. "Renee is so deserving and I'm delighted her exemplary career was recognized." 

The Rising Star Award is also awarded during the fall conference. This award goes to up-and-coming women leaders in public service with 10 or fewer years of service who are already making their mark in working for the public good. 

“MAPE members should consider nominating other members for the Lifetime Achievement and the Rising Star Award in the future,” says Hartwig. “Shining a light on public employees and the contributions they make to improving people's lives should be celebrated.” 

Winners of the Rising Star award are eligible for a $2,400 scholarship to pursue an advanced degree from the Hamline School of Business. MAPE offers scholarships for members to attend this conference each year; they are limited and fill fast due to the popularity of the WIPS conference.