FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 9, 2025
Contact: Tim Cooke, DNR Internal Services Division Administrator [email protected] or 608-977-1730

DNR Natural Resources Board Honor
Awarded To Shaili Pfeiffer

Rebecca Wallace Memorial Award Honors
Excellence In Environmental Work

This prestigious award honors DNR employees who improve relationships with external partners and organizations on environmental quality issues or staff mentoring. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced Shaili Pfeiffer, Natural Resources Staff Specialist in the Water Use Section, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Rebecca Wallace Award. Pfeiffer received the award at the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

This prestigious award honors DNR employees who improve relationships with external partners and organizations on environmental quality issues or staff mentoring. The NRB created the award as a memorial to DNR employee Rebecca Wallace, who lost her life, along with her husband, in an automobile accident in 1997. Wallace was an 18-year DNR employee known for her dedication to her work and her ability to bring people together to solve problems.

Pfeiffer started her career with the DNR in 2004 as a water resources management specialist. She is known for her outstanding contributions to water resource management, leadership in conservation efforts and her commitment to fostering collaborative partnerships throughout the Great Lakes region and beyond.

In her time with the DNR, Pfeiffer has played a critical role in advancing Wisconsin's water resource policies, particularly through her work on the implementation of the Great Lakes Compact and the city of Waukesha's historic transition to a Great Lakes water supply. Her technical expertise, dedication to stakeholder engagement and ability to navigate complex water management challenges have made her an invaluable asset to the DNR and the broader environmental community.

"Shaili's work has been instrumental in shaping Wisconsin's water resource policies, and she exemplifies the leadership and dedication that the Rebecca Wallace Award celebrates," said Adam Freihoefer, Water Use Section Manager. "Her ability to bring people together, listen to diverse perspectives and find solutions that benefit both our environment and our communities is truly inspiring."

Beyond her professional achievements, Pfeiffer is recognized for her mentorship and commitment to work-life balance. She has served as a guide and role model for colleagues, offering support and insight to emerging professionals in the water use field.

Additionally, she integrates her passion for water resources into her personal life, encouraging her family and peers to engage with Wisconsin's natural landscapes through outdoor adventures, such as camping trips to Rock Island, paddling excursions down the Wisconsin River and hikes along the shores of Lake Superior.

Her leadership extends beyond Wisconsin. She represents the state on the International Joint Commission's Water Quality Board and has been a key figure in regional and national discussions about water policy.

The quality of Pfeiffer's work and the way she conducts herself has left a lasting impression on everyone she has worked with. Her nomination was supported by eight letters of support from both internal DNR partners and representatives of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Upper Mississippi River Basin Association, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers and the Waukesha Water Utility.

Visit the DNR’s website for more information on the NRB and the Water Use program.