Long career in Topeka touches many and creates lasting relationships

TOPEKA (KSNT) – A Missouri girl leaves the farm, comes to the Sunflower State after college and creates a long career in Community Relations at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
here's this month's 'Everything Woman' honoree.

Marlou Wegener was born in the small town of Mound City, Missouri and raised by a hard-working farm family.

"Let me just say that I have the greatest respect for farmers again raised in a farming family and my brother still farms, but at the time as a teenager I'm thinking, what the heck?" Wegener said.

After leaving the farm to attend college at Northwest Missouri State, her new family eventually moved to Topeka where her long career at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas began.

"Actually, at Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we used to have the Medicare contract a long time ago so when I came to Blue Cross I worked as a Medicare correspondent and actually wrote letters back to providers or things like that on more information that we needed and things like that."

Wegener stayed on an upward climb with the company, and it's been a 35-year journey. She's Director of Community Relations and the focus is on giving back.

"I think it's important for a company to give back. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has always been so supportive about that, and wants to do that, and it's high on their radar screen and their strategy, so it's been great to be involved with that."

Her other position with the company is Chief Operating Officer for the foundation.

"We opened the foundation in 2005, so this is going to be the 20th anniversary of the foundation. "We do a lot of local funding from the foundation too, but as well, we really try to look at that from the larger perspective of what can we do in our entire service territory that would be beneficial."

She was also instrumental in a groundbreaking initiative in the corporate setting called "SAVE" or 'Sheild Against Violent Environments' which some call Marlou's legacy.

"Started it in 2001, and there were some other blueprints around the nation that we're doing this, but for Kansas, we are considered the pioneer in that effort. We can't always talk about it, but how do we set this culture to let people know that if this is going on in your life, we want to help you."

When it comes her other community contributions…she mentions one that's a prevention organization for 'domestic violence and sexual assault' called "Jana's Campaign."

"They basically do education in middle and high schools that's appropriate for that age group…and in regards to here's what a healthy relationship is here's what it is and here's what it isn't."

In Wegener's few spare moments it's all about grandkids.

"My kids usually rolled their eyes, but I say grandparenting is the best thing ever. I have six grandchildren all boys and one girl who's the youngest. Her name is Winnifred and we call her Winnie. She is the most forceful, bold, incredible woman I've met and I know she's four, but I will say all the time I wanna be Winnie!"

Wegener says she's thankful to be a part of our 'Everything Woman' segment.

"It's extremely important, so I really appreciate this opportunity for myself. And also, everything that you're doing with that series. I think it's extremely important from all the things that we undertake and do and manage…families and work life and all the kinds of things, so I think it's important to promote and celebrate women."

Be sure to say hello to Marlou especially if you bump into her at two of her favorite places the "Topeka Civic Theater" and Royals baseball at Kauffman Stadium.

If you know a woman we should highlight in this segment, please go to ksnt.com to nominate. We feature these honorees during 27 News on the last Tuesday of each month.