Family, faith, and med-tech: Amanda Baltz has turned Spaulding Medical into a personal mission.
Long before boardrooms and business plans, there was kick-the-can on warm Wisconsin evenings.
Amanda Baltz's story begins in the charming streets of West Bend, where neighborhood kids gathered after dinner to play beneath the setting sun.
"It was just a very, very charming neighborhood," Amanda, now CEO of Spaulding Medical, reminisces.
What she couldn't know then was how her deep roots in this close-knit community would one day merge with an unexpected mission – one that would transform both her family relationships and her understanding of success.
The turning point came when her father approached her about an old hospital building in her hometown.
Pregnant with her second child, Amanda saw it initially as just a way to balance motherhood with career.
"I never imagined being an entrepreneur or starting a business," Amanda admits.
But launching Spalding Clinical in 2008 – right as recession hit – forced them to pivot, innovate, and ultimately discover new possibilities in medical technology.
Along the way, one mentor's wisdom changed her entire approach to leadership.
"In business, there are never problems you can't solve," Amanda was told.
"Your child has a fever you can't bring down – that's a problem. Your parent has a cancer diagnosis – that's a problem."
This perspective became Amanda's guide as she navigated the dual challenges of growing a business and raising a family.
The journey of building Spaulding Medical has been far from straightforward.
During the pandemic, while business timelines crumbled, Amanda faced the challenge of supporting her teenagers through remote learning and isolation.
"I had to focus on helping my family through this time," she shares. "I wasn't going to allow the business challenges to interrupt my sleep."
These moments shaped her distinctive approach to leadership – one that puts human needs first, even when business pressures mount.
Perhaps most remarkable is how working with her father transformed their relationship.
Gone were the simple days of family dinners and bike rides.
Instead came conversations about financial risks, strategic decisions, and personal struggles – even when she'd rather keep them private.
"Even if there's things going on in your life that you'd rather not share with mom and dad... you've got to do it," she reveals, acknowledging the unique challenge of mixing family with business.
Today, Amanda measures success differently than most CEOs.
It's not about revenue targets or market share, but about impact – on her children, who've watched their mother pursue her passion; her employees, who've seen her navigate tough times with grace; and her father, with whom she's built not just a business, but a deeper bond through shared challenges and victories.
Amanda’s journey shows that when personal mission aligns with professional purpose, unexpected paths can lead to extraordinary destinations.
For Amanda, what started as a practical solution to work-life balance has become something far more meaningful – a mission that's redefined both her family bonds and her vision of success in business and life.