KELLY PIACSEK
FOR WAUKESHA SCHOOL BOARD
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About Dr. Kelly Piacsek
Inspired
BY HARD WORK
A native of Rockford, IL, Kelly's parents owned a family service station business where she and her older brother worked in high school and beyond. She attended Rockford public schools through 8th grade, after which she attended Boylan Catholic High School.
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Although neither of her parents completed college, through hard work and a commitment to customer service, they built a successful business in the Rockford area. Together, they have also committed over 40 years of volunteer leadership to a world-class, non-profit BMX Track, where they continue to have an impact on families across the U.S.
Kelly and her husband Tom are both Marquette Engineering graduates, and basketball fans. They live in Pewaukee with their three children who are students in the Waukesha School District. Kelly and Tom have been active in leading and coaching youth sports over the years, and Kelly was previously a member of the Waukesha North Jr. Boys Basketball Board.
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The Piacseks are members of the Catholic Community of Waukesha and attend St. William Church. They enjoy road-tripping to national parks, playing basketball and golf, and highly competitive games of cribbage!
Humbled
THROUGH EXPERIENCE
Kelly Piacsek is a medical research executive with over 25 years of product development, research administration and international leadership experience.
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Holding a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and Functional Imaging from Marquette University and the Medical College of Wisconsin, she has developed several patented technologies used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with clinicians and researchers all over the world, and has had the opportunity to apply her engineering and research expertise to life-saving medical innovations.
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Kelly has introduced STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) camps and immersive career experiences to students in Waukesha and school districts nationwide, and is passionate about inspiring more girls to pursue STEM pathways. She has previously taught college courses, and currently serves as a mentor and advisor to the Marquette eLead program and the College of Engineering.
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She works for a national non-profit behavioral health system where she serves as Vice President of Research. Last year, her work was featured in the Milwaukee Business Journal, and she was named to the Notable Heroes in Healthcare Class of 2022 by the BizTimes.
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Hopeful
“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
-C.S. Lewis