BIOGRAPHIES
Hansen Family
JOHN AND DONNA HANSEN
John and Donna have been married 62 years, raising their five children in the Catholic faith. Together they have a life-long legacy of involvement in the community through their parish and participation in various community boards. John started the first Kwik Trip store with Donna at his side, and they continued to grow the business for 35 years. With their children, they launched a new family business, Nesnah Ventures, in 2000. John continues to ease into retirement, working part-time at Nesnah Ventures
MARK AND DEBBIE HANSEN
Mark is the oldest Hansen sibling. He works at Nesnah Ventures, primarily in business development and relationships, with experience in trading/commodities. Debbie works part-time doing some speech therapy and is a hospice and church volunteer.
ALEX HANSEN
Alex has a degree in biochemistry from Saint John’s University (2011), as well as an Executive MBA from University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business (2020). Alex currently works as “Chief of Staff” (Vice President) for the Fraud Modeling Vertical within Balance Sheet Analytics & Modeling for PNC Financial Services. He has been with PNC for the past four years. He brings years of quality, governance, and project management experience, both in financial industries and various other regulated industries, to standup a new modeling pillar within his department.
Some activities in his current role include project management; model development and governance; data analytics; internal sales and marketing; influence without direct managing; and presentation creation/pitching to C-Suite, conferences, department executives, etc. Another enterprise-wide strategic initiative that Alex is heavily involved in is improving technology and data insights, specifically in the Financial Crimes sphere (Anti-Money Laundering and Fraud).
In “non-work life,” Alex (in general) has had healthier work-life balance due to proximity of family and friends. This past year he has been focused on DIY home improvements (landscaping, remodeling basement, etc.), improving his golf game, reading and learning new things, relaxing by playing video games, and spending more time with friends and family
MOLLY & ROI LUCHANGCO
Molly graduated from St. Norbert’s with a degree in elementary education in 2014. Molly married Roi in November 2021. She has transitioned out of the classroom and just finished working as a Technical Training Analyst Associate for SSM Health. She is excited to start her new job as a stay-at-home mom this August and will make lots of memories with Evie. Roi graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 2008 in Nursing and from Mayo School of Health Sciences in 2021 in Nurse Anesthesia. Roi is working at SSM Health as a nurse anesthetist. They live in Madison with their daughter Evelyn and two dogs, Reuben and Brady.
EVELYN LUCHANGCO
Evelyn (“Evie”) was born in 2023 and brings so much joy to everyone she meets. She is quite the little chatterbox. Evie loves books, swinging, and being outside. Her parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles cannot get enough of her.
RYAN & BRENNA HANSEN
Ryan graduated from UW-Madison with a double major in finance and real estate. Ryan is based in New Jersey, and he manages the Northeast leasing team for Link Logistics, an industrial real estate firm. Brenna graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana with a major in Finance and a minor in Informatics. She is currently a Senior Manager of Risk and Compliance at Protiviti, based in their NYC office. In her free time, Brenna enjoys petting dogs and listening to Taylor Swift.
MEGAN HANSEN
Megan graduated from UW-Madison in 2020 with a major in Dairy Science and a minor in Ag Business. She is based in Madison, WI and works at Star Blends as a Supply Chain Coordinator. Her focus at work is getting products from point A to point B. In the last year she took on a new role purchasing all bagged ingredients and bulk ingredients for both feed mills. She likes to spend most of her free time outside working out, traveling, and hanging out with friends. She got into running this year and ran her first half-marathon in May.
WILLIAM HANSEN
Will is 20 years old and is a junior at UW-Milwaukee studying business finance. He continues to play club rugby for the UWM Panthers–they had a good season this year and he was an asset on the field. He is back working at Brennan Marine for a third summer, working in the office this year as an intern in asset management. He is hoping to study abroad next spring.
AMY AND TOM STROM
Amy is the second oldest of John and Donna’s children. She has retired from her role as headmistress at Providence Academy, but she continues to volunteer there. In 2022, Tom retired from his position as financial services instructor at Western Technical College. He is enjoying volunteering, exercising, and working to make the yard more beautiful in this new chapter of his life.
EMILY STROM
Emily graduated in May from the University of Dallas with a B.A. in English and concentrations in Italian and Latin. Over the summer, she worked on projects for Nesnah, both in person and remotely. In June, she moved to St. Paul for a Mission & Culture Fellowship through the University of St. Thomas. As part of her fellowship, she will be taking graduate courses in Catholic Studies from St. Thomas, and she will also be spending fifteen hours a week in a middle school English classroom at St. Agnes School in St. Paul. At the beginning of the school year, she will observe classes before gradually beginning teaching under the guidance of her mentor teacher. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, going for walks, and reading (usually about four books at the same time).
PAUL AND KARLA HANSEN
Paul is the third Hansen sibling. He works for Nesnah Ventures, specializing in building development and helping with site selection for Burrachos. Karla continues to volunteer her time at Providence Academy and is an excellent gardener.
GABE & JULIANNE WATESKI-HANSEN
Gabe works as the Digital Marketing Manager at Nesnah Ventures for the portfolio companies. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, writing music, and hanging out with his wife Julianne. He is also an active choir member at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. Julianne works as the Director of Faith Formation at St. Edwards Church in Nashville (but probably not for much longer). In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with Gabe and Michael, working out, and spending time with her family and friends.
MICHAEL HANSEN
Michael Thomas was born on February 15th, 2024. He’s a growing boy who loves to smile and giggle when he’s not eating or sleeping.
MATTHEW & LEENA WATESKI-HANSEN
Matthew graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences in the College of Pharmacy with a Doctorate in Pharmacy. He has finished his residency program at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, WI and starts his new job at West Salem Pharmacy in July. Leena graduated from Viterbo University with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. She also earned a Master of Science in nursing and a Master of Business Administration from Grand Canyon University. Leena is enjoying staying at home with little Isabelle and keeping the home afloat. Matthew and Leena moved back to La Crosse and are looking to find a home to buy.
ISABELLE WATESKI-HANSEN
Isabelle continues to grow like a weed and is already six months old. She loves to play, go for walks outside, read books before bedtime, and especially, eat. She particularly enjoys avocados and will never turn down a good meal. She rolls over on her own and rolls all over the apartment–that is, until she runs into a wall. She will let you know what she thinks and isn’t afraid to make some noise. We believe that she will begin teething soon and are working on getting her to crawl.
MARY AND TIM BRENNAN
Mary is the fourth child of John and Donna. She has a background in marketing and is a co-founder of Providence Academy. Tim’s background is in information technology; he currently serves as president of Nesnah Ventures, overseeing all operations for wholly owned companies and providing direction for partner companies. Tim is a member of EPIC 21and has been a contributing member of the regional peer executive group since 2012. Mary and Tim are active in several Catholic organizations. They are assisting in preparations for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem’s annual investiture this fall in La Crosse. Tim and Mary enjoy family time, grandchildren, international travel, and outdoor activities.
JOHN BRENNAN
John graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering and is currently working on his MBA at SMU. John is currently a Manager with Crowe LLP’s Mergers and Acquisitions practice where he specializes in advising mid-market buy-side Private Equity clients on Business and Operations Due Diligence, Roll-ups, and Post-Merger Integrations. John is currently based in Dallas, TX.
ELIZABETH & NICHOLAS PHILLIPS
Elizabeth (Brennan) Phillips is the Marketing Communications Director at Nesnah Ventures. Her focus is working with the CMO to implement execution and success of Nesnah Ventures and its portfolio of businesses’ short- and long-term marketing goals designed for business growth. Elizabeth received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and MBA at the University of Dallas. Outside of work, Elizabeth spends her free time with her husband Nick and prepping for baby Phillips (due in August 2024). Nick is working at RDO Equipment, a John Deere dealership, selling construction equipment in Dallas. When Nick is not spending time with Elizabeth, he is cheering on the Dallas Stars or golfing with her brother John.
MATTHEW & GABRIELLE BRENNAN
Matthew and Gabrielle are celebrating four years of marriage this year! After three years with EY, Matthew started a new job as a dual Senior Accountant and Finance Business Partner with the Shepherd Material Science company, a fourth-generation family run business that specializes in metal-based chemistry, inorganic pigments, and glass coating solutions. Matthew’s favorite part of this new job is getting to spend time building relationships with people across his operating company in all departments and getting involved in key decision-making processes, such as what capital projects the company will invest in. Outside of work, Matthew has begun working with the original founder of the young men’s group that he is part of and making it an active ministry in the parish, as well as introducing the boys to his love of hiking and exploring on local Cincinnati trails. Gabrielle continues to serve as the ringmaster, peacekeeper, and provisioner for the family which is more than a full-time job. In her spare time, Gabrielle continues to support friends and their new babies by creating amazing crocheted creations (Matt’s favorite was a tiny triceratops) and organizing meal trains for them. She also continues to serve on St. Gertrude’s Pastoral Council, dealing with capital projects of her own and helping to organize a Bunco night for the ladies of the parish.
LEO BRENNAN
Leo turned three this past May. Leo takes his big brother role in stride, and despite occasionally taking justice into his own hands, he and Peter are quickly becoming inseparable. This upcoming year, Leo will be starting preschool two days a week, and he is already showing how ready he is by insisting that he eats lunch out of his lunch box as often as we will let him.
PETER BRENNAN
Peter turned one back in February. Peter recently discovered he could more easily terrorize his brother on two legs rather than on all fours, and he hasn’t looked back since. Like Leo, Peter is a constant source of joy, and between the two of them, there is rarely a dull day in the Brennan home.
KATHERINE BRENNAN
Katherine is 22 years old. She continues her work as a teacher’s assistant for Pre-K and Kindergarten students at Providence Academy, something she started the 2021-2022 school year. Katherine also works at Creamery Creek, caring for and feeding baby calves, and at Sue Kolve’s Salon & Day Spa, assisting with their daily operations. This summer, she will be spending her time working, horseback riding, and enjoying her various hobbies. She is looking forward to getting her driver’s license and assisting again at Providence Academy in the fall of 2024.
ANNA BRENNAN
Anna is 15 years old and will be entering tenth grade at Providence Academy this fall. She continues to take ballet and Irish dance and is looking forward to performing in the Alice in Wonderland ballet in October. Anna joined the Schola and the trap shooting club at Providence this year and continues to develop her piano skills. She continued her running career in the sprint distances for track and gave the long jump a few attempts. This summer, Anna will be babysitting, taking drivers ed, and participating in summer ballet and Irish dance classes.
TOM HANSEN
Tom, the youngest Hansen sibling, is an extremely loving and caring adult with Down Syndrome. He lives with his parents (John & Donna), and he is a proud retiree from Kwik Trip having worked in their Commissary for 28 years. He is a fervent Minnesota Vikings fan and loves NFL football, movies, and Comedy Fridays.
Hansen Family Business
Nesnah Ventures is a family owned private equity firm with a long-term focus. We measure our success not just by the growth of our companies, but also by the growth of leaders and their impact on others. Our actively managed portfolio includes a diverse array of businesses in many sectors. We are 23 years into our goal of being a 100-year company.
BURRACHOS
(fast casual Mexican restaurant)
CODABOW
(producer of composite bows for stringed instruments)
UNIFIDE CST
(ranging from small deli scales to large truck scales)
STAR BLENDS FEED
(custom blending of dairy feed ingredients)
VENTURE FUELS
(wholesale petroleum)