Karen Kostrewa, chief executive officer of MLT/Instructing Technologies in Waukesha
Name: Karen Kostrewa
Title: CEO
Company: MLT/Instructing Technologies
Address: 20633 Watertown Court, Waukesha, WI 53186
Web site: www.masterlinktraining.com; www.instructingtechnologies.com
Industry: Education
Education: ” I believe that education is key to growth in any profession. I have several associates degrees and certifications from Bryant and Stratton, UW-Oshkosh, Gateway Tech and Security Schools of Chicago”
Family: “I have been married for over 30 years to my husband Bob. We have three children; Leanne, Michael and Christopher”
Hobbies and Interests: “I am a big fan of golfing! You can also find me doing different crafts; especially needlework and cooking and entertaining on the weekends.”
Favorite Movie: West Side Story
Favorite Musician/Band: Fleetwood Mac
Favorite place to Visit/Vacation: “Hawaii or our summer home at Lake Arrowhead”
Favorite Local Restaurant: Mr B’s
Words to Live By: “At the end of the day, if I can stop and say, ‘Did I help someone grow–yes, did I intentionally harm anyone–no, and did I accomplish what I set out to do today—yes’, I know I’m on the path to achieving my own definition of success.”
Core Philosophy: “Place the Client at the Center of all we do. Be experts at what we do. Respect your team and your client. Demonstrate innovation, profitability, and flexibility. Invest attention, respect, and dignity. Keep growth consistent with core capabilities and beliefs. Support team development and excellence and bring value.
Who is your role model and why?: “Jackie Kennedy Onassis – Because of her grace, courage, and sophistication. She rekindled the nation’s pride in our cultural heritage and I admire her business acumen and elegance.”
What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you? “We moved to the "country" (Sussex) 20 years ago and there was a dairy farm along our regular route. One day, as my husband and I were driving by, city born and raised as I was, I commented, "I can’t believe they still haven’t sold that bale of hay. It’s been out there for over a year!" My husband (country boy from way back) thought I was being particularly amusing until he realized that I was serious…..it’s a story he tells over and over again, that one and the one about the day I almost poisoned him making him a drink out of the lamp oil that one of our friends had been storing in the Jack Daniels bottle on their refrigerator! In fact, my family has a whole series of "Karen Stories" they drag out on the holidays.”
