Prudence Pick Hway

From teen candy striper to Peace Corps volunteer to Board member, local businesswoman Prudence Pick-Hway embraces the organizations around her that embrace and support her neighbors without question or hesitation.

“For me, it’s just a natural way of life. It’s your community, you give back. There is never a question,” she says.

She is president of COLUMNS, an organization that awards scholarships to students from West Bend East and West.

“COLUMNS is a one-of-a-kind organization,” she says. “We have really made a quantum leap. Three years ago, we awarded $189,000 in scholarships. Last year we gave scholarships in the amount of $210,000.”

Prudence also serves on boards at The Cedar Community Foundation, Museum of Wisconsin Art, The Threshold Inc., The United Way of Washington County, The Volunteer Center of Washington County and the West Bend Economic Development Corporation.

Born and raised in West Bend, Prudence’s strong desire to help the community comes from her parents, Nancy and Alan Pick. Both strongly involved in the community, Prudence is proud to take after her mother, one of the first female Kiwanis of the Year in Washington County. She is proud to take over from her father as the third generation to run Pick Heaters, Inc.

Her past experiences as volunteer and executive, as well as the education and talents developed throughout her career, have enabled this local businesswoman to clearly contribute to her community in a strong and meaningful way.