A native of Joliet, IL, Veronica attended schools in IL graduating from Lockport Township High School, Lewis University (Romeoville), and Chicago State University. Determined to be a Social Worker like her IL Dept. of Children & Family Services Social Worker, Veronica began working with foster children and juvenile offenders. Her social worker had made such an impression on her at an early age, she chose this career path by the age of ten. In 1994, Veronica relocated to Kenosha, WI. She was hired by Kenosha County Human Services has a Social Worker, and continued working with juvenile offenders. She later went to work for the Wisconsin Dept. of Corrections as a Social Worker – Senior (AODA/SUD) working with male adult offenders. Currently, Veronica is an Adjunct Instructor at Gateway Technical College. Veronica got involved in the Kenosha community, and began to volunteer with several organizations. She served on the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of Kenosha County for two years. Veronica became a member of the Executive Committee of the Kenosha Branch NAACP, the Executive Committee of Congregations United to Serve Humanity, and a volunteer for the Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Fund.
Veronica has been a life-long learner, and continued her education through the years. She completed her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Capella University, a Master’s degree in Corrections & Criminal Justice from Chicago State University, and Bachelor Degrees in Sociology & Criminal Justice from Lewis University. In addition, Veronica earned Associate Degrees in Supervisory Management from Gateway Technical College, and Microcomputers for Business from Joliet Junior College. Currently, Veronica holds three licenses in the State of Wisconsin as an Independent Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor, and Social Worker. In addition, she is Certified as a Traffic Safety Instructor through the State of Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation. In August 2017, the City of Kenosha Common Council approved her appointment to the City of Kenosha Sex Offender Residency Board where Veronica continues to serve. She was re-appointed to a five-year term which expires in August 2024. Veronica has been a Notary Public in Wisconsin since 2008. Throughout her professional career, her work has been devoted to working with the offender population, specifically those with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health diagnoses.
Veronica has earned several awards for her volunteer work and service to her community. In March 2019, Veronica received a Women of Influence Scholarship from the Kenosha Women’s Network – Susan B. Anthony Awards. In 2018, she was selected as one of the Top 10 Influential People in Kenosha County by the Kenosha News. In 2015, Veronica received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone Fund at their Reaching for Rainbows Scholarship Banquet. In 2013, Veronica received the Wisconsin Dept. of Corrections Secretary’s SALUTE Award for Awareness for her volunteer work and commitment to her community. In 2012, Veronica received Gateway Technical College’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award for her volunteer work in her community. Lastly, in 2007, Veronica was awarded a Service Award from the Kenosha Branch NAACP for her work with this civil rights organization. Service to her community has been vital to her.