Wisconsin Economic Summit

Kiah Calmese Walker is a legacy builder, thought leader, motivational engager, and collaborative mobilizer with more than 30 years’ experience influencing, implementing, and shifting within health care. Her recognition as one of Wisconsin’s 51 Most Influential Black Leaders (2020) and a 2021 “Woman to Watch” by BRAVA Magazine underscores her effectiveness in transforming organizations and the people within them. A proud alum of Carleton College (BA) and the University of Minnesota (MHA), she combines expertise in adult learning theory, cultural development, health care constructs, and human-centered design. In her current role as senior vice president, change management service line lead at Jarrard Inc., a Chartis Company (one of the nation’s top transformational health care consulting firms), Kiah endeavors to advance the development and provision of client service offerings and business resources for advising leaders during high-stakes moments of change, challenge, and opportunity. In 2023, Kiah launched Joyistry LLC, Inspired Command Solutions and Consulting, dedicated to infusing joy, artistry, systems-thinking strategy, and connection into diverse audience experiences, learning opportunities, and visionary spaces. Today she serves multiple organizations with her passion (including WEDC and the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness Day), helping them idealize, mobilize, and realize memorable experiences for their audiences and events.

Missy Hughes is the secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the state’s lead economic development organization. She was appointed to the post by Governor Evers in September 2019. Prior to joining WEDC, she was chief counsel and chief mission officer for Organic Valley, a Wisconsin-based, nationwide cooperative of organic dairy farmers.

In her role at WEDC, Secretary Hughes oversees efforts to attract businesses to Wisconsin and help existing businesses expand, meet current and future workforce needs, promote global trade and investment, support thriving communities and small businesses, encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, address the unique needs of rural residents, and advance the economic well-being of every resident.

Jack Salzwedel, former executive chair of American Family Insurance, retired as CEO in 2021 after a distinguished career that began in 1983 with a role as a claims adjuster. Hailing from DeForest, he advanced through various roles, including agent and sales leader, before becoming CEO and chair in 2011. Under his leadership, the company expanded nationwide, growing its brands and doubling revenues and assets. He also established the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation and launched the $105 million Free to Dream Initiative. In 2024, he was honored with the Jack Salzwedel Distinguished Faculty Chair at UW-Madison, appointed a regent, and inducted into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame. He remains engaged with local organizations like the Greater Milwaukee Committee and WEDC. 

Jyoti Gupta has been the president and CEO of Women’s Health and X-ray at GE HealthCare since August 2022. Before joining GE HealthCare, she was the CEO of Volk Optical, where she revitalized the company through international expansion and innovative product launches, leading to record sales and profits. Prior to Volk, Jyoti was vice president and general manager at Unilife, where she built the pre-filled syringe business and helped secure more than $150 million in funding. Her earlier roles include strategic marketing at Becton Dickinson and clinical trials at Medtronic. Jyoti also advises the External Advisory Board at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, where she earned her Ph.D. 

Mitch Reynolds was elected in 2021 to serve as mayor of La Crosse. This is the first elected office he has held. Prior to becoming mayor, he was the operations manager for the Madison-based sustainable manufacturing company Whole Trees. He also spent 16 years as a radio journalist in La Crosse at Midwest Family Broadcasting. Additionally, he has worked as an arborist, a bartender, a room service waiter, a crab fisherman, and a piano mover. He originally hails from Michigan and spent many years in south Louisiana before moving to Wisconsin and settling in La Crosse, where he has lived since 1994. He holds an undergraduate degree in history from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a master’s degree in business administration from Viterbo University. He has focused his efforts as mayor on improving the quality and quantity of housing in La Crosse, implementing sustainability measures, and modernizing systems and processes that fulfill his mission of providing the highest possible level of equitable services for all who live in La Crosse

Mike joined the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA) as president and chief executive officer in 2010 after eight years as dean of the Wisconsin School of Business. Prior to joining UW-Madison in 2002, he was associate dean and professor of international economics in the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. He also served as senior staff economist for the Council of Economic Advisers for former presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Mike serves on the boards of American Family Insurance and Neuberger Berman Funds, where he chairs the Finance Committee and Investment Performance Committee, respectively. At WFAA, Mike has led a variety of initiatives to support the advancement of UW-Madison—most recently, the completion of the $4.2 billion All Ways Forward campaign. Mike completed his undergraduate studies in economics and mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and his Ph.D. in economics at Stanford University. 

Summer Strand was appointed by Governor Tony Evers as a commissioner at the Public Service Commission (PSC) on March 2, 2023, and became the commission’s chairperson in January 2024. She is a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and its Committee on Electricity, as well as the Executive Committee of the Mid-America Regulatory Conference and the Honorary Committee of the National Utilities Diversity Council. Before joining the PSC, Summer was the director of government affairs at Walbec Group and previously managed the State of Wisconsin Building Program as administrator of the Division of Facilities Development at the Wisconsin Department of Administration. She has also been an advisor and citizen member of the State Building Commission. Summer began her career in the Wisconsin State Senate and holds a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a law degree from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. She lives in Waunakee with her husband, Brandon, and their two children. 

Rebecca Ryan is a noted top 50 professional futurist, economist, best-selling author and entrepreneur. She is the founder of NEXT Generation Consulting through which she partners with government leaders across the country. Looking a generation ahead, she outlines strategies in urban planning, economic development and workforce development to ensure communities are well equipped for future trends and challenges. Rebecca is a graduate of Drake University with a certificate in Strategic Foresight from University of Houston; she is the Resident Futurist at the Alliance for Innovation and on the Executive Committee of the global Association of Professional Futurists.

Jeff Frank began his career at Hormel Foods in 1998 as a sales representative, later managing brands like Hormel® Black Label® Bacon and CURE|81® Ham. He advanced to lead marketing for Farmer John® Meats in Los Angeles and served as president and CEO of MegaMex Foods, driving growth and fostering a strong company culture. Returning to Minnesota in 2018, Jeff integrated the Planters® brand following its $3.3 billion acquisition and later led Hormel’s grocery brands as group vice president. Since becoming CEO of CROPP in January 2023, he has built a strong team, executed a strategic plan, and improved financial performance. Jeff holds an executive certificate from the University of California-Los Angeles, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, with additional training from Harvard Business School. 

Matt Kirchner, an international speaker, author, and podcast host, focuses on issues pertinent to educators, public policymakers, and private sector employers. He is dedicated to advancing the American Dream for the next generation of STEM and workforce talent, hosting the weekly TechEd Podcast™ and serving as President of ATS/LAB Midwest, a leading distributor of high-quality curriculum, eLearning, and training equipment.  With over 20 years of experience as an industrial CEO, he previously led three prominent manufacturing companies, including American Finishing Resources, which was sold to DuBois Chemicals in 2014. Additionally, Kirchner serves on several American company boards and is actively involved in volunteer roles, such as the First-Past President of the Education Dealers Association and a board member of the Smart Automation Certification Alliance. He earned his degree from the Marquette University School of Business.

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Amy Pechacek has focused her career on public service, with an emphasis on government administration strategy and crisis and risk management. Before joining DWD in September 2020, she served as Deputy Secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and previously directed numerous public programs for Milwaukee County. Amy’s early efforts at DWD turned the tide on a backlog of unemployment insurance benefit claims that arose during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, through her leadership, the department is continuing its comprehensive modernization efforts, improving customer service with tools ranging from machine learning and multi-language translation to an ongoing overhaul of a decades-old mainframe system. During her tenure, Wisconsin’s economy has achieved record low unemployment, a record high number of jobs, and a labor force participation rate that has remained at least 2 percentage points above the national average. Thanks to Governor Tony Evers’ historic investment in workforce development, Amy has integrated strategic new initiatives with longstanding DWD programs to reduce employment barriers and address a worker quantity challenge arising from demographic trends that have been decades in the making. She received her master’s degree in public policy and public administration from Northwestern University and her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in sociology and criminal justice. Amy is also a graduate of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service’s Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia.

Pete Dulcamara founded Pete Dulcamara & Associates LLC with a mission to “create businesses that improve people’s lives.” His approach, “humanity-centric innovation,” focuses on solving major global problems in a sustainable manner. Pete advocates redefining billionaires as those who help a billion people rather than merely amassing wealth. Previously, Dulcamara was vice president of corporate research at Kimberly-Clark, where he led a team that developed essential global products like Huggies®, Kotex®, and Kleenex®. He also served as the company’s first chief scientist, shaping long-term science and technology strategies. Before Kimberly-Clark, he held senior executive roles at the Dow Chemical Company, overseeing research, development, and various business areas including sustainable development and mergers. An advocate for sustainability and the circular economy, Dulcamara believes in leveraging advances in data science, artificial intelligence, and other technologies to create disruptive solutions. He holds a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Cameron University and both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemical engineering from Oklahoma State University. He has furthered his education through programs at the University of Cambridge, Dartmouth College, Indiana University, and Babson College. 

Wendy Harris is a veteran health care professional with an impressive 33-year career spanning leadership roles in medical technology, imaging services, clinical training, and business management. Her expertise covers a broad range of functions including operations, program management, sales, marketing, and process improvement. Currently, as the regional innovation officer for the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, Wendy leads a consortium of 15 companies and more than 30 supporting entities, focusing on advancing personalized medicine in Wisconsin. She played a key role in securing Wisconsin’s designation as a Regional Technology Hub in October 2023 and is leading efforts to obtain further funding in February 2024. In addition to her role at the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, Wendy owns Wendy Harris Consulting LLC, where she consults on medical technology programs and engineering development, working with industry, academic, and community leaders to secure grant opportunities and drive innovation.

Lindsay Blumer is a distinguished nonprofit professional with more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership, strategic planning, social enterprise, and innovation. She has held various impactful roles—including community fellow with United Way of America, where she designed community impact solutions—and has advised on advocacy and policy in state government. Lindsay has also served as assistant dean at Ripon College, led a domestic violence and sexual assault prevention organization, and developed entrepreneurial programs at Marquette University. Currently, as president and CEO of WRTP | BIG STEP in Milwaukee, she drives workforce development initiatives to connect underserved communities with quality career opportunities. Her commitment to mission-driven and community-focused work continues to guide her both personally and professionally. 

Mara Lord, Ph.D., has been with the Medical College of Wisconsin since 2009, holding key positions including chief of staff and vice president for communications and philanthropy, where she spearheaded a $300 million campaign. She currently serves as senior vice president for university engagement and strategic planning, overseeing external engagement and fostering partnerships across clinical, academic, community, and industry sectors. Mara also contributes to the MKE Tech Hub Board and co-chaired the Vaccine Integrated Communications, Outreach, and Mobilization Committee for the Milwaukee region from 2020 to 2022. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in comparative history of ideas and medical ethics from the University of Washington, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lubar School of Business, and a Ph.D. in public and community health from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Additionally, she is an associate professor in the Institute for Health and Equity, specializing in global engagement and epidemiology. 

Katie Boyce is the senior director of corporate affairs at Exact Sciences Corp., where she began as director of corporate social responsibility in December 2019. She founded the Katie Boyce Co. LLC in 2011 and brings more than 23 years of experience in management, fundraising, and both the nonprofit and government sectors. A skilled leader, Katie excels in navigating complex relationships across the legislative, business, labor, and philanthropic spheres, and is known for her strong community connections in health care and policy.  She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a double major in English and political science. 

As senior director of biohealth industry partnerships, Kurt J. Zimmerman leads industry engagement for the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His portfolio includes management of conflicts of interest for physicians and faculty and collaborations with UW-Madison’s academic health system, UW Health, in support of medical innovation. He also serves as director of UW-Madison’s master of science in biotechnology, a cross-disciplinary program with nearly 500 alumni and students working across the biotechnology industry. Kurt serves on the leadership team of the Site Accreditation and Standards Institute (SASI), which is affiliated with the Alliance for Clinical Research Excellence and Safety. In this role, he leads the SASI Quality Accelerator Program, supporting clinical research sites as they move toward accreditation under the first global quality standard for clinical research.

Vice President of Productivity and Sustainability Francisco J. Sayu leads WEDC’s efforts to support businesses, communities, and people in Wisconsin to take advantage of the economic opportunities the clean energy economy presents.

Francisco has worked in the clean energy sector for more than a decade and has experience in clean energy policy, advocacy, and small business development. Before joining WEDC, he served as emerging technology director at RENEW Wisconsin. Before that, he was program manager for the Focus on Energy® New Construction Solution, a statewide program that helps people and businesses in Wisconsin make informed energy decisions and save money.

Francisco holds a master’s degree in engineering and a bachelor’s degree in biological systems engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dominick Bindl is the vice president of technical development at Realta Fusion, a startup focused on advancing fusion energy technology. He leads the technical teams working on developing the company’s compact magnetic mirror fusion system, overseeing experimental research, engineering design, and computational analysis. With more than 15 years of experience in translating scientific research into commercial products, Dominick has expertise spanning multiple sectors, including semiconductors, energy storage, and manufacturing systems. Before joining Realta Fusion, he completed his Ph.D. in materials science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Jorge Elizondo, Ph.D., is the president of Heila Technologies, a company focused on simplifying the deployment, operation, and optimization of microgrids. He co-founded Heila in 2015 as a startup; the company was acquired by Rehlko in 2021. Jorge earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2016, working to develop innovative strategies for microgrid control and optimization. These strategies were subsequently commercialized through Heila. He has been an influential figure in the energy sector, winning the MIT Clean Energy Prize twice and serving as a director for the Energy Conference. Prior to his work with Heila, Elizondo was involved in the development of various renewable energy projects in Mexico. 

Nadeem Afghan is the CEO of BIOFerm Energy Systems, a leading company specializing in sustainable and renewable energy solutions, particularly in biogas and anaerobic digestion technologies. Under his leadership, BIOFerm has been at the forefront of creating environmentally friendly systems that convert organic waste into clean energy, contributing to both energy independence and waste reduction. He brings a strong background in environmental engineering and sustainable energy innovation, which has enabled him to spearhead numerous successful projects in the U.S. and internationally. Nadeem has expanded BIOFerm’s portfolio to include both commercial and municipal projects, including waste-to-energy systems for farms, industrial facilities, and communities. His commitment to sustainability, coupled with his expertise in navigating regulatory landscapes and fostering industry partnerships, has positioned BIOFerm as a thought leader in the renewable energy space.

Mike Bremel has extensive experience across various roles and industries. Currently, as director of engineering and customer solutions at Alliant Energy, he directs corporate strategy for the evolving distribution grid, ensures effective execution, and fosters a culture of innovation. Previously, he was director of sustainable solutions at Alliant Energy, where he focused on customer pricing, sustainability, and large power contracts. He also held roles such as director of wholesale services and account management and manager of wholesale services. Before Alliant Energy, he worked as a financial advisor at UBS Wealth Management from 1997 to 2003. Mike holds a bachelor of science degree in economics and business management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1994) and a master’s degree in business administration from the Wisconsin School of Business (2008).

Shayna Hetzel (she/her) is vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation with WEDC. She brings more than 15 years of experience, having led impactful and collaborative teams as a director at a Fortune 300 company and a top public research university.

Shayna led both venture capital investments and catalytic partnerships across the U.S. from 2018-2024 as a founding director of the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact, investing in the best and brightest changemakers. Previously, she served as an executive policy and budget analyst for the Wisconsin State Budget Office and as a director leading community engagement and operational strategy for Union South at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Shayna is an imaginative community builder and a strong advocate for collective action. She is a current board member of the Volunteers of America Future Fund Innovation Incubator, a trustee of the Wisconsin Union, and board treasurer for the Village Diaper Bank. Shayna was also named one of the 40 under 40 by In Business Madison and was selected as one of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Asian Leaders in 2022 by Madison365.

Shayna is a proud Wisconsinite (having grown up in Wisconsin Rapids) and a double Badger (having attended UW-Madison for both a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s of public affairs degree focused on public management and education policy from the La Follette School of Public Affairs)

Kate Merton brings more than 20 years of experience in the health care industry, with a background spanning research and development, marketing, business development, medical affairs, health outcomes, and innovation. She has contributed to discovering new drugs and developing blockbuster diabetes products. Passionate about the intersection of science and advancing health care technology, Merton recently led Anthem’s Digital Incubator and the J&J Incubators on the U.S. East Coast, showcasing her talent in integrating entrepreneurial innovations into mainstream health care. Merton earned her undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees in pharmacology and toxicology from King’s College London and the University of California–Irvine, respectively, and a master’s degree in business administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. 

Tim Mahone is the president and founder of Mahone Strategies, a public affairs firm specializing in government relations, civic and community engagement, corporate communications, crisis management, and public relations. His firm offers comprehensive intergovernmental relations and constituent outreach services. Additionally, Tim serves on the board of the Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone Fund, which aims to alleviate financial barriers for first-generation college students. Before establishing his firm, he was the state political director for President Obama in 2008 and for Governor Jim Doyle in 2006, as well as serving as the southeast regional director for Governor Doyle. A native of Kenosha, Tim holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Marquette University. 

Sam Rikkers is the deputy secretary and chief operating officer for WEDC. He joined in November 2019, following his role as strategic economic initiatives director at the Wisconsin Department of Administration. With a strong background in rural development, Sam has worked internationally and in the U.S. He served in the White House from 2013 to 2014, was the administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and led the Rural Opportunity Initiative at Georgetown University. He also directed Tiny Earth at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A native of Stoughton, Rikkers holds a juris doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Macalester College. He is also a former Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia. 

Becky Bartoszek is the president and CEO of the Fox Cities Chamber. Prior to moving to Wisconsin in 1998, she was vice president of the Great Lakes region for Alltel Wireless, a market leader for the QTI Group, and owned a State Farm agency. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, the New North, Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives (incoming chair), WMC, and ThedaCare’s Community Health Action Team. Additionally, she is a member of Governor Tony Evers’ Advisory Council on Workforce Investment.  

Jacqui Sharpe serves as the director of the Three Lakes Area Visitors Bureau, where she plays a pivotal role in promoting tourism and fostering economic development within the Three Lakes community. With a deep passion for local culture and natural resources, Jacqui leads initiatives that showcase the region’s scenic beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and unique heritage. 

Raynetta “Ray” Hill is a dynamic leader passionate about driving economic growth. Known for her collaborative style, Ray has held leadership roles in both the private and the nonprofit real estate sectors. Before joining the Business Improvement District, she led Wisconsin’s fundraising and property portfolio for CommonBond Communities, overseeing a $14.1 million redevelopment project and significantly increasing philanthropic giving. Ray previously served as associate director of the Business Improvement District, focusing on revitalization and community engagement. She holds a degree in criminal justice from Concordia University and is an alumna of several leadership programs. Appointed by Governor Evers to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) in 2019, she was elected vice chair in 2021. She’s also a 2021 Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and recipient of the African American Chamber of Commerce’s Young Pioneer Award. In her free time, Ray enjoys family, food, art, and music. 

Chris Clemens is a seasoned community leader and entrepreneur with a commitment to fostering local growth and development. As the former executive director of the Viroqua Chamber from 2021 to 2024, Chris was instrumental in the revitalization of downtown Viroqua, leading or supporting projects that garnered the town multiple Wisconsin Main Street Awards. His work focused on creative placemaking and local collaboration, strengthening Viroqua as a vibrant economic and cultural hub. Chris serves on the Board of Directors for Create Wisconsin, the state’s leading organization for cultural and community development, where he continues to advocate for the advancement of the creative economy and initiatives that bolster arts and business development in small towns and rural areas.  Today, Chris keeps busy along with his wife Sarah as owners and operators of Noble Rind Cheese Company, a fine cheese, charcuterie, and foods store and restaurant in Viroqua.

Dr. Ajay Sahajpal is a first-generation immigrant to the U.S. with small-town Canadian roots. He provides clinical patient care as a transplant and complex oncology surgeon with Advocate Health. He also serves as executive medical director of the system’s Abdominal Transplant and Hepatobiliary Program and executive medical director of the Global and Executive Health Program at Aurora St. Luke’s. He earned his medical degree from the University of Western Ontario and spent his residency at the University of Toronto and his fellowship in transplant surgery at Mayo Clinic. He has been directing the transplant program at Aurora St. Luke’s since 2012 and is the first surgeon in the U.S. to use the en bloc technique for organ transplant. Ajay nurtured his passion for patient care and population health further by using his leadership role as transplant program director to champion an electronic medical record-driven population health strategy. In 2019, he was fortunate to have been a Presidential Leadership Scholar. He incorporated his Hepatitis C screening initiative into Advocate Aurora Health across both Wisconsin and Illinois, with the goal of taking it national and extending it to other high-acuity disease states to save more lives. Additionally, he sits on the AAH Wisconsin System Hospital Board and the AAH Aurora Research Institute Board.

Craig Andersen is the head of artificial intelligence (AI) performance engineering for Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE), the original equipment manufacturer of the world’s fastest supercomputers. He has been working in AI for almost 10 years, focused on AI technology and enabling engineers and scientists from all disciplines to benefit from machine and deep learning. His team works with almost every company, government, and university, as well as large information technology organizations across the world that are trying to build and use AI infrastructure. HPE’s AI performance engineering group focuses on AI hardware, software, networking, and storage performance studies, as well as benchmarking and research around model performance and efficiency. HPE CRAY supercomputers are the first in industry to achieve exascale supercomputing (systems that exceed one exaflop of performance), and seven of the 10 fastest supercomputers in the world are designed and built by HPE (as verified by Top500).

As the smart buildings and services leader at Trane, Jane Stull brings bold thinking to the convergence of building automation, artificial intelligence, software as a service, and smart services to achieve optimal energy efficiency, resiliency, and comfort. Jane oversees new product launches and spearheads integrated marketing strategies that drive the company’s vision forward. Her expertise and leadership are instrumental in Trane Technologies’ ongoing efforts to create a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.

Kyle Crum joined Rockwell Automation, where he serves as the director of advanced technology, in the fall of 2017. His responsibilities include the Advanced Technology and Global Product Standards and Regulations teams, technology roadmapping, and leading initiatives with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Connected Systems Institute (CSI) and the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI). Kyle also serves as an elected member of the International Electrotechnical Commission’s Market Strategy Board. Kyle has extensive experience in innovation practice, knowledge management, and research and development (R&D) from previous industrial roles and service as an officer with the U.S. Navy. He previously held R&D positions with Arconic Corp., Alcoa, and the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. Kyle holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Grove City College and the University of Pittsburgh, respectively. He also earned a professional education certificate in management of technology (strategy and portfolio analysis) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Craig Dickman is the managing director at TitletownTech and a key visionary behind its creation. Before joining TitletownTech, he founded StageThree, an innovation-driven firm that collaborates with corporate partners and entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize new ventures. Craig is a seasoned entrepreneur, having founded Breakthrough Fuel and co-founded the New Venture Foundry. He is also an inventor with multiple patents and has served as a chief executive at Breakthrough Fuel, Paper Transport, and Master Fleet. His career includes executive roles at Schneider National and SHADE Information Systems, as well as contributing to NASA’s Lunar Prospector and Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) missions. Craig earned his bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and master’s degree in business administration from UW-Oshkosh. He is currently vice chair of the UW-Green Bay Council of Trustees and serves on the boards of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and the Green Bay Packers. 

Corey Jaskolski is the founder and CEO of RAIC Labs, formerly known as Synthetaic, where he addresses the most critical challenges organizations face with artificial intelligence. He is a National Geographic fellow, explorer, engineer, and MIT graduate who has devoted his career to designing, building, and deploying technologies that accelerate exploration, conservation, and security efforts across the globe. His work has taken him to all seven continents on projects that include scuba diving among the icebergs in Antarctica, descending 12,500 feet below the ocean’s surface in a three-person submarine to explore the Titanic, leading a helicopter-based effort to produce a high-resolution aerial LIDAR map of the Nepalese side of Everest, and venturing deep inside flooded caves while digitizing Maya human sacrifice victims and Ice Age bear skeletons. Recently, he developed a custom camera array to capture a 3D digital copy of one of the world’s last Sumatran rhinos. In October 2020, Corey was honored with the prestigious Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year Award for his innovations in the fields of conservation, science, and technology.

Lonni Kieffer is the co-founder and chief operating officer of Aramid Technologies, where she leads operations, marketing, account management, and support for the company’s flagship software-as-a-service platform, SmartCert. SmartCert transforms documentation into actionable data, enhancing traceability and visibility throughout supply chains and streamlining operations for businesses. Before co-founding Aramid, Lonni held key roles at Gannett, where she specialized in client strategy, sales enablement, and implementing data-driven growth strategies to drive business success.

Joe Kirgues is the co-founder of gener8tor. With a background in private equity and securities law, he previously worked as an associate in the Corporate Services Group at Quarles & Brady LLP and served as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, working under the Honorable William E. Callahan Jr. Joe holds a bacheolor’s degree in finance from Marquette University and earned his juris doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School. 

Marcela “Xela” Garcia is a Xicana artist, innovator, and cultural warrior who currently serves as the executive director at Walker’s Point Center for the Arts in Milwaukee and in 2021 was elected to the Milwaukee Public Schools Board of Directors. A double graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she holds a master’s degree in business with a focus in arts and creative enterprise leadership and a bachelor’s degree in English literature and Chicanx/Latinx studies. Xela was awarded Board Sources’ National Emerging Non-Profit Leader Award in 2012, was recognized as one of Wisconsin’s Most Powerful Latinos in 2018, and was selected to the 2020 class of the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award and the 2020 Arts & Culture Leaders of Color Fellowship with Americans for the Arts.  She currently serves as a mayoral appointee to the City of Milwaukee Arts Board and a gubernatorial appointee to the Wisconsin Arts Board. She represents Wisconsin on the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies board of directors. With diverse experience in arts administration, education, and philanthropy, Xela embodies transformative, purpose-driven leadership, striving for a more just world.

John Riepenhoff is an internationally renowned artist, curator, and gallerist who lives and works in Milwaukee. John is executive director at Sculpture Milwaukee and is serving as curator for the 2024 public exhibition. He co-owner of the Green Gallery in Milwaukee, runs the Open Fund with support from Andy Warhol and with Ruth Arts Funds, and also runs the Beer Endowment. He has co-organized the Milwaukee International and Dark Fairs, is an inventor of artistic platforms for the expression of others, and is a regular food ideator. His exhibitions and curatorial projects have been presented at Broadway, New York (2022, 2024); Various Small Fires, Dallas (2023); John Michael Kohler Art Preserve, Sheboygan, (2021); the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (2017); the Suburban, Milwaukee (2007, 2008, 2017); Marlborough, New York (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017); Poor Farm, Wisconsin (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016); Minneapolis Institute of Art, MN (2016); Nathalie Karg, New York (2015); Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Atlanta (2015); Inova, Milwaukee (2010, 2015); 356 Mission Rd, Los Angeles (2014); Crystal Bridges, Bentonville, Arkansas (2014); Lynden Sculpture Garden, Milwaukee (2011, 2013); Tate Modern, London (2010); Swiss Institute, New York (2008). He also offers the John Riepenhoff Experience at various locations worldwide, including at Misako and Rosen, Tokyo; Night Gallery, Los Angeles; and Good Weather, Arkansas. He was the 2015 Milwaukee Arts Board Artist of the Year.

After a brief career in professional theater, Donna Neuwirth operated a scenic design company that specialized in themed special events. A self-described impresario and resourceful misfit, she has taken to heart Shakespeare’s proclamation: “All the world’s a stage.” As co-founder and executive director of Wormfarm, Donna has developed numerous public art projects at the intersection of culture and agriculture and has connected the institute to a growing network of leaders in the arts, agriculture, economic development, philanthropy, and civic engagement. She is a National Arts Strategies Creative Community Fellow and currently serves on the board of the Sauk County Development Corporation. She has a bachelor of fine arts in theater from the Art Institute of Chicago.