Valleyfair Announces Winners for Purpose Awards
Kelsey Megard
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When you think of Valleyfair, you probably picture the towering roller coasters and splashing pools. You might smell the scent of deep-fried funnel cakes or hear the screams of kids enjoying their first thrill ride. Our goal is always to make people happy.
This week, we honor our associates who go above and beyond in that mission. Cedar Fair introduced a new award: The Purpose Award, which recognizes associates who demonstrate the most impactful and inspiring actions to make people happy by:
- Demonstrating care and genuine interest in people
- Inspiring others to create happiness
- Bringing people together
- Turning negative situations into a positive experience for all
Valleyfair announced the winners at our first ever Purpose Award luncheon celebration.
Meg Riesenberg
Meg Riesenberg is our Human Resources Manager. She has been working at Cedar Fair since she was 15 years old. Meg started her journey as an admissions associate at Kings Island 14 years ago. During her time at Valleyfair, Meg began as the Admissions Area Manager. She was then promoted to take on the responsibilities for Park Services and has recently transitioned to her new role as Human Resources Manager.
It would take far too long to showcase Meg’s many nominations for this award, so we have pulled a few of our favorites to highlight her character and dedication to her team.
- She hosts many off-site and on-site Leadership team-building activities (escape rooms, pie in the face, Old Time Photos). She even did a free fall on RipCord with her leadership team to facilitate team bonding.
- In the middle of the season, she wanted to recognize and say "thank you" to her Park Services team, who were doing a fantastic job keeping the park clean. She organized a grill out for them. This showed her appreciation for her team and fostered an opportunity for her team to be together and bond.
- She has empowered them to create an atmosphere of fun that translates from our Associates directly to the Guests. Meg is constantly working to ensure that her team is well informed. She provides excellent pre-season training for all her team and works to create updates and in-services during the season.
“I remember being an admissions associate, just starting my first job, and it was so impactful when I had an entertaining and dedicated manager,” Meg said, “I have always been focused on how I can make the associate experience more fun.”
Meg has reflected on her time as a seasonal associate, which is the inspiration for her hard work. “I am thankful that people would take the time to recognize my contributions,” Meg said, “I love my job. I love doing what I do. Knowing that my work is having an impact means a lot.”
Victoria Nett
Victoria (Tori) Nett is Valleyfair’s Senior Training Specialist. She started at Valleyfair right before the pandemic uprooted all our lives in 2020. Victoria was not discouraged by a somewhat bumpy start to her time at Valleyfair.
Victoria oversees all things training at Valleyfair. She makes sure everyone who works at the park gets onboarded and facilities all training, including orientation, diversity, equity, inclusion, and so much more.
Victoria received many nominations for this prestigious award. Too many to list here, so let us share with you the highlights.
- Victoria exudes happiness in everything she does. I sometimes sit back and listen to her interact with our associates when she is working at the HR desk, and it brings a smile to my face. Her sense of service is incredible, and she makes each interaction special.
- She constantly reaches out to all levels of our staff, asking for ways to improve our training and our work. She has dedicated her time to making sure our training process is smooth and hassle-free so newly hired associates to have no difficulty beginning their job at the park and are not put off by a complicated hiring process.
- Victoria ensures everyone’s ideas are heard and valued. She takes the time to treat each person as an individual. She genuinely wants to help the person become more knowledgeable, whether in a training class, answering a question from someone passing by in the hallway, or assisting in the park.
Victoria goes above and beyond when it comes to putting our associates and team first. “My favorite part of my job is getting to interact with everyone and to get to know all of our associates,” Victoria said.
“I am very humbled by this recognition. I feel very blessed. I didn’t expect this at all,” Victoria said, “It is nice to know that people recognize my work. I feel like I know what I am doing really matters and that I am on the right path.”
Please join us in congratulating our two Purpose Award winners.