Executive Profiles

Mike Ward joined WEDC in September 2022 as vice president for business and community development. To his work at WEDC, he brings more than 25 years of experience in banking with U.S. Bank and its predecessors. Mike has held leadership positions in sales management, commercial lending, marketing, sales support and underwriting—all focused on small business. Helping and learning about small businesses and the communities they support has been Mike’s passion for his entire career.

Mike has done volunteer work with a number of groups including various United Ways, the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, the Waukesha Redevelopment Authority and the Waukesha County Economic Development Corporation. He is a current board member of BizStarts and the Urban Economic Development Association as well as an active volunteer with Kiva. He also serves as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Wisconsin Economic Roundtable.

A Madison native, Mike received his bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota. He lives with his wife in Waukesha and has three adult children.

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).

Micah Ogé (he/him) is the vice president of global trade and investment at WEDC. Alongside his experienced team, he is dedicated to growing Wisconsin’s economy in three key areas: helping Wisconsin companies expand and accelerate their exports, expanding and growing key industries and markets globally, and attracting both foreign and domestic investment into Wisconsin.

Named one of the OUTstanding Global Top 100 LGBTQ+ Executive Role Models by Involve, Micah is an accomplished executive innovator with a proven 15-year record of driving business growth, developing high-performing teams, and making a difference in local communities. Most recently, he led portfolio, product, and innovation strategy at Johnson Controls, delivering more sustainable, inclusive, and intelligent fire, security, and HVAC solutions worldwide. Prior to Johnson Controls, his strategies supported brands like Google Chrome, Motorola Mobility, and Marlboro.

Micah also chaired the External Impact Committee at Johnson Controls, leading numerous campaigns to encourage volunteerism and philanthropy. As chair of the Pride United Network within United Way, he addresses issues disproportionately affecting LGBTQ+ individuals, focusing on the housing crisis in Southeastern Wisconsin, and advocating for more equitable, accessible, and welcoming spaces and programs for LGBTQ+ people in need. Awarded as one of the Philanthropic Five by United Way, he has left an indelible mark on numerous community organizations that include Building Homes for Heroes, Make-A-Wish America, and the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Developing the next generation of leaders, Micah continues as an adjunct professor at Marquette University and a volunteer dance team leader for Milwaukee Pridefest. Micah earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations from the Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University and his master of business administration degree from Cardinal Stritch University. He proudly lives in Milwaukee with his husband, Jinx, and their cats.

Hayley Hellenbrand is vice president of Human Resources for WEDC.

Hayley has over twenty-five years of experience in human resources, fostering a productive, engaged, and diverse workforce that drives organizational growth and innovation. She seeks to identify HR strategies that align with organizational goals through partnership with employees and organizations, finding human-centered solutions in the process.

Prior to joining WEDC in April 2021, she was the head of human resources for a local commercial lines insurance and surety provider, where she was responsible for the human resources, facilities management, and administration services of their offices throughout the United States.

Hayley earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration, with human resources and general management emphases, from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, and is a certified human resources professional with both the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI).  Raised in the great state of Wisconsin, Hayley has a great love of her Brewers and Packers, and for Wisconsin Badger Football and Hockey.

Sarah Duchemin is vice president of marketing and brand strategy for WEDC. She joined WEDC in October 2021. Prior to her current role, Sarah served as WEDC’s digital marketing director.

Sarah is an advertising and marketing veteran with more than two decades of demonstrated expertise and leadership driving results on national business-to-consumer accounts like JCPenney, Walgreens, and Walmart. She has hands-on experience developing integrated marketing campaigns, leveraging digital technologies, and directing cross-functional teams.

Sarah’s skills also include planning and strategy, marketing program management, creative direction, customer and client service, and cultivating relationships based on transparency, problem solving, and an authentic and personable communication style.

An Eau Claire native, Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame with a major in marketing and computer applications. She also studied abroad at University College Dublin in Ireland. When she’s not at work, Sarah is an avid equestrian who enjoys riding the many miles of beautiful trails in Wisconsin.