My Wellpoint Care Why: Board Member Paul Riedl

It was a personal connection that first drew Paul Riedl to join Wellpoint Care Network’s (at the time SaintA) Board of Directors in 2014.

“My wife and I raised her brother and sister,” explains Riedl. “Then we had our own biological children. Later, we became foster parents. We fostered our son from age two to four and a half before adopting him. Through that journey, we experienced and benefited from many of the services the organization provides.”

More than a decade later, Riedl values the opportunity to share his lived experience while continuing to learn from others.

“The Board now includes people from many different walks of life. Hearing what matters to them and what they are seeing in the world helps me grow and see things from new perspectives.”

For Riedl, connecting his professional life to Wellpoint Care Network’s mission is an important part of his Board work. As CEO of River Run, he strives to bring the two together as often as possible.

“The three biggest aspects of my life are my family, my company, and my community,” he adds. “It is important to me that those areas come together. I want my family to understand the impact of Wellpoint Care, and I want River Run to be engaged in the mission as well.”

That engagement shows up in tangible ways. River Run team members volunteer at events and support holiday giving efforts.

“There is something special about being at events and seeing the joy when a child receives a backpack or gets their face painted,” he says. “Those moments of appreciation stay with you.”

He encourages others to get involved, noting that volunteering can spark meaningful relationships.

“It helps build a stronger community. It starts with meeting someone new and sharing a conversation. That can then grow into mentorship and support.”

In an increasingly virtual world, Riedl also values the opportunity to connect face-to-face.

“So much of life today happens through screens. Volunteering gives you the chance to put the electronics aside and interact with people directly.”

That local impact is one of the things Riedl enjoys the most about Wellpoint Care Network.

“The ‘why’ is helping people in our community,” says Riedl. “Wellpoint Care has a broad reach and touches many lives in a positive manner. It gives people visibility and hope.”

As Wellpoint Care Network celebrates 175 years of service, Riedl appreciates how the organization continues to evolve alongside community needs.

“I think it’s great that we’re always adjusting to meet the needs of the world around us,” he says. “The question is: what do we need to do next to remain valuable to the community? That comes from understanding how people’s needs have changed and responding in meaningful ways.”

Learn how YOU can get involved! Wellpoint Care Network serves more than 7,500 individuals across Wisconsin annually, and with your help, we can reach even more.