Stephanie Anderson is the chief human resources officer at Opportunity Enterprises (OE), a non-profit with a mission to provide inclusivity to people of all abilities. It’s situated in Valparaiso, which is where Anderson moved to from Chesterton when she was in fourth grade. After graduating from high school, she went on to study at Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus. Born and raised in Indiana, this state has been her home forever.
Anderson came to Opportunity Enterprises 21 years ago. She hadn’t been out of college long when she was employed at a public-relations firm in the city of Chicago. She realized then that she was passionate about doing mission-based work, so she switched professions after hearing about an opening. Nowadays, she interacts and collaborates with people on a daily basis, relishing every second of it.
“I love talking with people, and I have an opportunity to do that all the time. I spend a lot of my job helping staff with personal or work-development issues and concerns. I am passionate about helping people grow, pulling out their full potential, and finding ways to make puzzle pieces fit. I love the mission that I serve, and every decision I make is for that mission,” she said.
While she finds a lot of joy in what she does, sometimes staffing gets to be a bit challenging for Anderson, especially because of the widespread shortages of employees everywhere. Nevertheless, she forms memories each day she comes into the office. For example, a particular event, Celebration of Achievement, where OE’s clients, staff, and supporters come together to observe accomplishments made throughout the year constantly keeps up that flow of memories, allowing her to make new ones annually. The awards, also, assist Anderson in understanding the goals that often go hand in hand with the powerful mission that’s attracted her since day one.
Anderson’s parents have had a big influence on what she does for a living. Witnessing her father serving as a missionary as she grew up inspired her to follow in his footsteps. She’s come up on the belief that giving back is one of the most important things anyone can do.
“I come from a pretty missional background. I was raised in an environment where so much giving went around – it’s in my DNA. My parents are very generous people, so it goes in all directions. We feel blessed to give back,” she said.
There’s an ebb and flow to how Anderson manages a healthy work-life balance. Her sons, Beckett, 11, and Grant, 17, are her priority. With technology, it’s easy to work everything out, and her loving husband, Peter, is always there to support her as well. In fact, they own the Gelsosomo’s Pizzeria in Crown Point together.
Anderson and her immediate family love to laugh. They travel together whenever the chance arises, having visited Walt Disney World a few times in the past. They enjoy the simple things, too, like watching movies. Whether playing or spectating, they do a lot of sports. Anderson’s father was a big Cubs fan. Just after his passing earlier in 2023, a letter intended to inform him that he secured season tickets found its way to the family, and now Anderson plans to spend a good portion of this upcoming summer with relatives at Wrigley Field.
Anderson loves to sing. She was involved in select choirs for many years. During one of those years, she got to perform along with her choir at the 50th anniversary of the Normandy invasion in Germany.
Having been in and around the Region her entire life, Anderson’s more than merely familiar with this area. It’s become the place she can call home, and to her, practically every aspect of it is something noteworthy, something to be thankful for.
“I love this community, I loved growing up here, and I love raising my kids here. We are very active in our church here in town. My work is here, and so is the school for the kids. We’ve just created such a beautiful community of friends and family. Valparaiso has become such a cool little city. It’s a safe but fun atmosphere we can all enjoy,” she said.