Co-Founder Spotlight: Bert Mizke/Angel Sent From Heaven
Bert Mizke is the Co-Founder, VP, CFO, and heart of Oswego Creative. Not only does she have incredible business savvy, her emotional intelligence is second to none. Bert, along with Bob, has created a family-owned business that is its own family as well. She makes you feel valued, validated, and appreciated – something that not all leaders are able to accomplish.
Bert founded Oswego Creative in 1989, alongside husband Bob, and she has kept the company moving forward ever since. Bert is truly the heart and soul of Oswego Creative. We are truly blessed to have the honor to work for someone with such a huge heart.
Thank you, Bert, for being our sounding board, guiding light, and fearless leader!
Anna (Office Manager): Bert is the loveliest person you could ever hope to work for. She cares deeply about everyone here at Oswego. To say that she is an incredible role model would be an understatement. She is the kind of mentor who will listen, help you focus and then take action. She is always there to provide guidance and encouragement for all of us like a parent would. I know that my successes have occurred, in large part, because of her unwavering confidence in me. Because of her the Oswego work place feels like a family!
Mike (Director of Post-Production): Bert is an unbelievably amazing woman with a heart of gold. She is definitely one of the main reasons I call Oswego Creative home. As a boss, she has a great style of communication and guides us all down the right path. But, she is so much more than that. She has been one of the most supportive people in my life and has helped me through the most difficult moments I have faced. Bert’s love, care and wisdom will sit with me always as I face any obstacle that is in my life's path. I don’t know how I can ever thank her enough for everything she has done for me and my girls through the years. I am confident in saying that I am a better employee, man and father from knowing Bert Mizke. Love you Bert!
Bob (President, Chief Creative Officer, Co-Founder, Bert’s Husband): Besides her experience based, tough love evaluation of much of what we do, Bert Mizke is truly the heart of Oswego Creative. She is not only the co-founder who made multiple trips through the taco line with me - calling it "dinner"- while we nursed one happy hour beer in the early days, she is today the head of Oswego's "HR department." Oh yea, and she's CFO as well! Oswego doesn't make it to where we are today without Bert. 'Nuff said.
Adam (Director of Photography): Bert is the kind of person who makes you feel like family from the moment you meet her. She always has her eyes on the big picture making sure we are doing what we need to for our clients and our co-workers.
Laura (Digital Marketing Manager): Bert is truly an incredible woman. She is a hard-working, kind, hilarious, astute, motherly, and unstoppable force. I would liken her to the superior being that is Oprah because not only do you want to hear what she has to say, you somehow end up pouring your heart out to her without even realizing you had something to say. Bert has a knack for making everyone feel comfortable, loved, and happy. And if Bert ever came out with a list of favorite things I would be on that like white on rice. I may be two (or more) heads taller than Bert but I certainly look up to her.
Josh (Editor): I think that Bert is viewed as “Momma Bear” throughout the company. She is very warm and kind hearted, reaches out to take care of you if she feels something may be wrong and she will most definitely pounce if she feels her cubs are threatened (in this case the Oswego employees are her cubs). She is just an amazing person and I am honored I can work for and be around someone like that.
Dom (Executive Producer): Bert understands the heartbeat and pulse of Oswego better than anyone; and that isn't just limited to the financials. She truly cares about the staff, their issues and how wellbeing is critical to our collective success. She, above all else, knows that HR holds the corner office and that's a great feeling for all of us.
Erica (Account Executive and Producer): The first time I met Bert I felt as if I had known her my whole life. She can make anyone feel comfortable and welcome. Bert is always there to listen and has the best advice you could ever ask for. I admire and look up to Bert as a role model in my life, everything she does she does it with careful consideration, love and smarts. She is one of the strongest women I have ever known and is the queen of solutions. I don't know how she solves pretty much any problem that arises with such ease. If you could see everyone’s face when Bert walks in the room you would know how much she is truly loved. She has a light about her that just makes you want to be around her. No matter how hard Bert works, she makes it very clear what matters the most... and that is her faith and family. If I can be even half the grandma she is one day, I will be overjoyed!
Matthew (Account Executive and Producer): The term "role model" is a quick label to describe a modern-day act of kindness or for doing the right thing when it should be expected. But what is the phrase you give to a person that lives their life, day-in, and day-out, with kindness, compassion, and whose core structure is built around "doing the right thing."
The phrase is "Bert Mizke"
If you want to meet a REAL "role model," then you need to meet Bert Mizke.
Bill (VP of Marketing and Operations): Bert is the heart and soul of Oswego. She not only cares deeply about the business and wants to make sure that we are always doing right for our clients, she is committed to making sure that our staff is doing well not only as employees but as people. Everyone here knows that Bert is always there to lend a kind ear no matter what the subject. She defines compassion, caring and thoughtfulness in a person and a leader.
By Laura Walsh
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