Barbara Gannon

If Barbara wants advice about performing in front of a crowd, she need look no further than her daughter, Genevieve.

Genevieve graduated from St. Norbert College with a degree in vocal performance and now studies opera at the University of Utah. She has performed before more than 1,000 spectators, and her proud mom has been to most of her concerts – many of which have included solos.

"Being on stage in front of a large audience doesn't faze her one bit," says Barbara of Genevieve. "Then again, she has had great training to go along with talent. I cannot say the same for myself."

But Barbara has enthusiasm. As a little girl, she loved watching musicals and dreamed of replacing Ginger Rogers as Fred Astaire's dance partner.

"I'm a little nervous about dancing, especially since Sargento is sponsoring me, but I'm also very excited and happy to be doing it for a great cause," she says. "I will do my best."

Barbara, who has been vice president of corporate communications at Sargento for more than 26 years, has long combined a successful career with strong commitment to family and community service. Originally from the east coast, her early public relations work in the beef industry and for other food companies brought her to the Midwest. She traveled so much then, she has set foot in all 50 U.S. states.

Barbara travels less now, which allows her to cherish this area and her family (husband, Steve; Genevieve and son, Matthew, a student at St. Norbert). She loves the beauty of Wisconsin and enjoys her role as chair of Lakeland's Board of Trustees and board member for the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.

Barbara is sponsored by Sargento Foods Inc. and has chosen Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice as her recipient charity. If Barbara is the gala champion, her charity will be the 2017 partnering charity and will receive $10,000.

She will perform a rumba/cha-cha routine with her dance partner, Chuck Spencer.