Board Bios: Meet Eric Halbach

08.09.25

Eric Halbach has dedicated more than two decades to public service since joining the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office in November 2001.

Eric has served in nearly every capacity–from Jail Deputy to Patrol Deputy, Patrol Sergeant to Patrol Lieutenant, and is currently the Captain of Administration and Communications. Outside of work, one of his newest roles is joining the Sophia Board of Directors in January 2025.

Throughout his career, Eric has gone beyond the call of duty.

He contributed to the Dive and Crash Reconstruction Teams, served as former President of the Midwest Public Safety Divers Association, and a former member of the Wisconsin Civil Process Group Board of Directors. Currently, he serves as the Sheriff’s Office Peer Support Coordinator, a member of the Wisconsin Executive Peer Support Team, and on the Envision Greater Fond du Lac Leadership Fond du Lac Advisory Committee.

Eric and his wife, Lorri, have been married for 21 years, have two sons, and currently reside in Marytown. Eric has a deep interest in his community and serves on the Marytown Athletic Club Board of Directors and the Our Lady of the Holyland Finance Committee.

He has found that as a community-benefit, nonprofit organization, Sophia Partners adds great value to both him and the Fond du Lac community. The classes he’s attended have led to personal growth and organizational growth within the Sheriff’s Office.

“Sophia has helped me understand the ‘why’ behind what I do,” he shared. “By gaining clarity on what motivates me, I believe I can serve the community more effectively.”

Meet other Sophia associates + board members.

Small Reminder in Servant Leadership: Sometimes It’s Just a Yellow Tomato

A short seasonal reflection on the small things that help great cultures thrive

As summer is in full swing, I’ve been thinking about how easily we can jump to conclusions when people don’t respond, communicate, or behave the way we expect.

Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do as servant-leaders is slow down, become curious, and make sure we truly understand what we’re seeing before we react.

An experience on our balcony garden reminded me of this lesson in a humorous and memorable way.

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Remembering the Roots: Honoring Servant Leadership’s Origins

Every year, organizations recognize leaders for accomplishments like revenue growth, innovation, market share, or operational excellence.

But the Ann McGee-Cooper Spirit of Servant-Leadership Award celebrates something different. It asks a question that goes beyond results: “Who did this person help become their best self?”

Presented by Sophia Partners to Dr. Richard Kyte at Viterbo University’s Conference on Servant Leadership on June 25, 2026, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the award reminds us that the greatest measure of leadership isn’t found in a title or a résumé.

It’s found in the lives we’ve influenced, the people we’ve empowered, and the communities we’ve helped strengthen.

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Board Bios: Meet Mason Gravelle

A Fond du Lac native and nonprofit leader, Mason Gravelle believes thriving communities are built through collaboration, shared leadership, and meaningful relationships.

As the Philanthropy Director at the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation, Mason works closely with community partners, donors, and organizational leadership to translate shared values into measurable, difference-making impact.

He recently celebrated his eighth anniversary at SSM Health where he began his career in Marketing before transitioning to the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation.

With experience collaborating closely with executive leaders, Mason brings a strong understanding of board governance, strategic planning, and the importance of aligning mission, values, and decision-making to the Sophia Board of Directors, which he joined as of June 2026. …