Michelle Cartwright does everything from flipping burgers to fielding complaints from customers to updating the Web site at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.

Although her title is director of business and finance, her work days often take her far beyond budgets and ledgers, she said.  

That she remains positive through it all has earned her the admiration of co-worker Kristi Shoemaker.  

Shoemaker nominated Cart-wright for recognition at Leadership Lincoln’s seventh annual Celebration of Community Leadership.

“As overwhelming as her job is, I have never seen her anything but positive,” said Shoemaker, who is membership director at the zoo.  

Leadership Lincoln sponsors programs for adults and youth to develop community leaders prepared to step in and make a difference, said Deane Finnegan, executive director and CEO of the group.

For the first time, the organization will honor every-day heroes as a part of its annual dinner, which traditionally highlights two or three people.  

This year, 305 heroes were nominated for their good works; all will be recognized for their contributions to the community at the dinner Monday evening at The Cornhusker Marriott.

The inspiration for the heroes celebration came from the Foundation for a Better Life, a group known for sponsoring number billboards that display simple messages encouraging kindness and community involvement. One billboard features the tagline, “Rising Above,” and includes a picture of a young woman who lost her arm in a shark attack.

Better Life Foundation President Gary Dixon will be keynote speaker for this year’s dinner.

Finnegan said that considering Dixon’s visit, her organization wanted to honor people who make a difference in Lincoln.

“There are thousands of people in town who make the community a better place. These are every-day heroes,” she said.

Cartwright said she learned her management style from a former boss at Valentino’s of America Inc, where she worked for 13 years before moving to the zoo six years ago.

“(The owner) at Val’s used to walk in the back door, put on an apron and start to work alongside employees,” Cartwright said. “I would never ask an employee to do anything I wouldn’t do myself.”

Shoemaker, who serves on the board of directors for Leadership Lincoln, said Cartwright personifies the notion of an every-day hero.

“A lot of little actions add up to huge changes in the world,” Shoemaker  said. “I think people can forget that it’s the small things that often make a difference.”

Even though most visitors to the zoo may not recognize Cartwright when she emerges from the back offices to deal with an every-day emergency, Shoemaker said her demeanor and attitude make all the difference to zoo employees, encouraging them to adopt positive attitudes on the job.

Cartwright said her rosy outlook is a characteristic of her personality, but it doesn’t hurt to work at an environment like the zoo.

“Coming to the zoo is a different world,” she said. “It’s peaceful and serene.  Plus, if I get frustrated, I can go make a funny face at a baboon.”

Reach Lisa Munger at 473-2646 or lmunger@journalstar.com.