Agenda 2026
Check back soon for 2026 event details!
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7:30 a.m. Registration, Breakfast & Networking
8:30 a.m. Summit Begins
Oneida Nation Color Guard presents flags and land acknowledgment
National Anthem by Esteli Gomez, sponsored by Oshkosh Corporation
Greetings from Platinum Sponsor Community First Credit Union
9:00 a.m. Keynote: Kyle Chapman, President and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller Group, Inc., sponsored by Capital Credit Union
President’s Message – Patti Habeck, New North President/CEO
9:40 a.m. Keynote: Rima Alaily, Corporate VP & General Counsel, Microsoft, sponsored by Miron Construction
Updates from the State of Wisconsin, Sam Rickers, WI Economic Development Corporation
11:00 a.m. Keynote: Denise Thomas, Communications Coach and Author, sponsored by U.S. Venture
Insight Publication’s 40 Under 40 Alumni Tribute, sponsored by Bergstrom Automotive
Workplace Excellence Awards introduced by Lisa Smith, Keystone Partners, and Tammy Williams, Capital Credit Union
Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance & 20th Anniversary of NEWMA, Ann Franz, Executive Director
1:15 – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions A & B (both run concurrently)
A) Cross-Industry Talent Development Strategies, sponsored by Stevens Construction Corp.
“The Workforce Reality Check: What’s Actually Working in 2026” Panel
Leaders from New North Construction, Digital and Healthcare Alliances
• Hope Voight, Tweet Garot
• Dan Suda, EDCi
• Dr. Ashwani Bhatia, BayCare Clinic
B) Entrepreneurship on the Rise, sponsored by Nicolet Bank
Supporting business discoveries and idea creators in Northeast Wisconsin
Entrepreneur Keynote: Stephen Pounds, Vadar Alpha
Entrepreneur/Founders Panel, moderated by Anna Steinfest
• Nicole Hurd, Auvia Health, regional pitch winner, first place
• Lily Schuette & Jessica Nicholson, The Nook Lounge & Bookstore, regional pitch winner, third place
• Packer Mentor-Protégé program participants Sam & Richard Smith, Optimal Cleaning Solutions
2:30 p.m. Optional: Kick off your networking with The Art of the First Five Minutes, led by Ian Abston, Forward 48 & Hoan Group
Learn how to make a real impression before the small talk runs out. Talk Less. Connect More.
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Networking Reception
Shivaram heads Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, a Manitowoc-based provider of aluminum- and copper-base alloy castings for multiple industries, including automotive, heavy truck and medical equipment. He relocated to the New North region in 2016 and joined Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry in June 2019. Previous to that, Shivaram held a variety of leadership roles within the industrial manufacturing industry, covering aluminum extrusions, steel and steel pipe, and metallics. Shivaram holds a bachelor’s degree in history & literature from Harvard University, a law degree from Yale Law School and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Cambridge.
Mary Goggans is an accomplished executive and board member with extensive experience across various industries, including consumer goods, paper and specialty chemicals. Known for her innovative leadership style, Mary has a strong track record of fostering cultures that drive consistent double-digit organic growth.
One of Mary’s notable achievements includes founding Encapsys, LLC, a pioneering microencapsulation company that gained international recognition for its innovative solutions. Under her stewardship, Encapsys flourished and was eventually acquired by Milliken & Company.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Mary is dedicated to community service. She serves on the boards of ThedaCare North Region, Fox Valley Humane Society and the New North, Inc. Mary holds a bachelor of science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia.
Kyle Chapman is President and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller Group, Inc. In this role, Kyle is responsible for leading the entire organization, including all of its operating platforms, global functions and hybrid equity firm, BW Forsyth Partners. Kyle represents the third generation of Chapman-family leadership at Barry-Wehmiller. He also serves on Barry-Wehmiller’s Board of Directors.
Kyle brings 22-plus years of private equity and operating experience at various companies, including Banc of America Capital Investors, where he completed approximately $300 million in investments across various industries. His strategic finance, goal-setting and -analysis, people-leadership skills, and mergers and acquisitions expertise helps inform his disciplined approach to fostering a vibrant organization. Under Kyle’s leadership, Barry-Wehmiller’s vision is to redefine success in business by demonstrating how human and economic vibrancy work in harmony.
Kyle’s tenure with Barry-Wehmiller began in 2009 when he co-founded BW Forsyth Partners with Barry-Wehmiller board member Chet Walker and Ryan Gable, who now serves as the firm’s Managing Partner. A thriving $850 million-plus organization, BW Forsyth Partners unifies the best of Barry-Wehmiller’s business strategies and long-term orientation, with the best private equity investment strategies.
Kyle’s involvement with Barry-Wehmiller grew over time, beginning when he served as a strategic financial advisor to the company’s leadership team in 2015, while co-leading BW Forsyth Partners. He became Barry- Wehmiller’s Interim Chief Financial Officer in early 2020, shortly before being named President.
In 2025, Kyle added CEO to his title when his father, Bob Chapman, stepped down from the role after 50 years of leadership. Bob Chapman passed away in March 2026. Kyle is determined to continue his father’s legacy of building a better world through business, as described in the book Bob Chapman co-wrote with Raj Sisodia, Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family.
Kyle currently serves on the Board of Directors of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH). Additionally, he spent considerable time on the KIPP: St. Louis Board, a growing, high-performance charter school, helping to expand KIPP: St. Louis from one to six schools. He was Board Chair during his final three years, and in 2023 was recognized as a Champion for Education by KIPP. He currently serves on the Board of the Fund for KIPP: St. Louis.
Kyle has a Bachelor of Science in commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.
We were saddened to learn of Bob Chapman’s recent passing. His commitment to truly human leadership will leave a lasting legacy. Chapman’s leadership philosophy is also profiled in his TEDx Talk and a Harvard case study, now taught in more than 70 business schools. We are pleased to provide a copy of the expanded 10th-anniversary edition of his bestselling book, Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family, to our Summit attendees.
This innovative housing program was created through the public-private partnership of four privately-held companies – Johnsonville, Kohler Co., Sargento and Masters Gallery, with the support of Sheboygan County and the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation. The purpose is to increase housing availability for talent recruitment efforts and address the lack of entry-level homes available to workers seeking to live and work in Sheboygan County. Through this collaboration and funding, the Live Work Housing Program has been recognized statewide and nationally as a best practice in addressing local housing needs.
Rima Alaily is Corporate Vice President and General Counsel for Infrastructure Legal Affairs at Microsoft. She leads the global legal team that enables Microsoft’s cloud and AI infrastructure ambitions, helping ensure customers worldwide have the capacity they need to power their AI transformation. Rima’s team provides end-to-end legal support for Microsoft’s infrastructure business, including the acquisition of land and power, the construction, leasing, and operation of datacenters, and the development and delivery of the company’s hardware infrastructure. Her work sits at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and global regulatory environments, guiding Microsoft through the complex legal and policy challenges that come with building and scaling the physical foundation of the digital world. Throughout her career at Microsoft, Rima has been a strategic leader helping the company navigate emerging risks, regulatory expectations, and business transformation at a global scale.
Denise M. Thomas is a nationally recognized leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and executive communication coach, and the Founder & Owner of The Effective Communication Coach. With more than two decades of experience, Denise helps leaders and organizations navigate change, build trust, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and connection—especially in moments that matter most.
A bestselling author of The Only One in the Room, with a foreword by Stephen M. R. Covey, Denise is known for blending powerful storytelling with practical, immediately applicable strategies. Her work centers on elevating executive presence, strengthening inclusive leadership, and empowering individuals to lead without waiting for permission.
Denise has partnered with Fortune 500 companies, public sector organizations, nonprofits, and professional associations across the country. Her approach is grounded, authentic, and action-oriented while challenging leaders to own their voice, align their values with their impact, and lead with purpose during times of complexity and change.
Change is inevitable, and how leaders show up during it makes all the difference. Through compelling storytelling, real-world insights, and actionable strategies, attendees will learn how to communicate with intention, strengthen credibility, and inspire others without losing their voice or values. This session challenges leaders to move beyond survival mode and step fully into their influence, especially when it matters most.
Participants will leave energized, grounded, and ready to lead with purpose, presence, and impact—no matter what change they’re facing.
Ann Franz is the executive director of the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance. She has led the organization, since its inception in 2006. The over 300 members, mostly manufacturers employ 52 percent of the entire manufacturing workforce in the region. The NEW Manufacturing Alliance has been recognized nationally and internationally as a best practice in public/private partnerships. Mrs. Franz has presented at conferences throughout the on to develop and grow industry sector partnerships. She also spoke at an international conference in Italy on sector Alliances. The Alliance has received both state and international awards including from the Department of Public Instruction, ACTE’s Business; Education Partnership award and Frost; Sullivan’s Manufacturing Leadership Council’s Talent Management award.
Mrs. Franz earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from Northern Michigan University.
She is on the Wisconsin’s Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment, Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Partners in Education Board, Wisconsin Technology Education Association Advisory Board, and served as the Vice Chair of the National Shipbuilding Research Program’s Workforce Development Panel
Jeff Gentine is the President and CEO of Masters Gallery Foods, a leading national cheese supplier based in Plymouth, Wisconsin, with over 1,100 employees and $1.7 billion in annual sales. A third-generation leader in the cheese industry, Gentine joined the family business in 1996 and became CEO in 2017, continuing a legacy that began with his grandfather, Leonard Gentine Sr., founder of Sargento Foods, and his father, Leonard
“Butch” Gentine Jr., founder of Masters Gallery Foods.
Louie Gentine is Chairman and CEO of Sargento Foods, a third-generation family-owned company where he has held diverse leadership roles and guided strategic growth since becoming CEO in 2013. With a deep commitment to innovation, community, and family legacy, Louie continues to drive Sargento’s mission to be the most innovative, best-loved real food company.
Alayne Krause serves as the County Administrator for Sheboygan County, providing executive leadership and oversight across all county operations, including managing department heads, executing the annual budget, and ensuring effective service delivery to taxpayers. Under her guidance, Sheboygan County continues to be recognized for its responsive, efficient governance, supporting 19 departments, 875 employees, and over 200 community programs.
Akeem Shannon is a Story Architect, serial entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker who helps businesses and organizations scale through the power of strategic storytelling. As the founder of Flipstik, he took a late-night idea inspired by NASA technology and transformed it into a nationally recognized brand, earning a deal on Shark Tank, distribution in over 3000 retailers including Target and AT&T and a spot on Inc. Magazine’s 50 Fastest Growing Consumer Brands. His journey—from college dropout to CEO—is a testament to the power of resilience, reinvention, and relentless storytelling.
Akeem’s expertise in business storytelling has led him to share insights on some of the world’s biggest stages, including SXSW and CES, and earned him invitations to speak at Salesforce, Facebook, Google, and other industry leaders. He works with founders, executives, and organizations to help them refine their messaging, captivate their audience, and build brands that resonate.
Through his 3456 Storytelling Framework, Akeem teaches businesses how to craft compelling narratives that convert audiences into loyal customers, engaged employees, eager investors, and passionate advocates. Whether guiding a startup to a winning pitch or helping a Fortune 500 leader communicate with impact, Akeem’s mission is simple:
Your business grows when your story flows!
Melissa “Missy” Hughes is secretary and CEO of WEDC, Wisconsin’s lead economic development organization. Before joining WEDC in October 2019, she was general counsel and chief mission officer at Organic Valley.
Her previous positions include associate attorney at the firm of Holland & Hart, where she practiced in the areas of natural resources, construction litigation and corporate business transactions.
She served on the boards of the Environmental Working Group and the Organic Trade Association, where she was a three-term board president. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture appointed Hughes to the USDA Advisory Committee on Agriculture and Biotechnology in the 21st Century.
Hughes received her bachelor of arts in political science from Georgetown University and juris doctor degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law.
Hope Voigt is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Tweet Garot Mechanical, a De Pere, Wisconsin–based mechanical contracting firm specializing in HVAC, plumbing, industrial piping, and sheet metal systems. In her role, she oversees company operations and helps guide the organization’s long-term strategy, growth, and leadership development initiatives.
Voigt joined Tweet Garot in 2008 after beginning her career in public accounting. A certified public accountant with an MBA, she initially worked in the company’s finance department before transitioning into operations and eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2016. Her leadership and operational expertise led to her promotion to President and COO in 2025, where she continues to help drive strategic expansion, acquisitions, and organizational development.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, Voigt is recognized for her ability to align culture, strategy, and performance across the company’s teams and locations. She is also a strong advocate for workforce development and leadership training within the construction industry and works to promote career opportunities in the skilled trades.
Dr. Ashwani Bhatia is Chief Executive Officer of BayCare Clinic, leading over 250 clinicians and 1,000 employees. With 20+ years of clinical experience and more than a decade in executive leadership, he is committed to driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and high-quality, patient-centered care. By uniting multidisciplinary teams, he fosters provider engagement and cultivates purpose-driven cultures rooted in equity, collaboration, and innovation.
In addition to his executive role, Dr. Bhatia continues to practice internal medicine at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, where he also chairs the executive board. He is an adjunct associate professor at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, a member of the UW-Green Bay Council of Trustees, and a board member for New North, Inc.
Dr. Bhatia earned his medical degree in New Delhi, India, completed internal medicine training in London, England, and finished his residency in Odessa, Texas. He also holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Dan Suda is Chief Operating Officer at EDCi, a Wisconsin-based provider of technology and communications solutions. With more than 35 years of experience in information technology and business leadership, Suda plays a key role in shaping the company’s strategic direction and operational performance. Since joining EDCi in 2007, he has held several leadership role including Director of Professional Services and Vice President before being named COO. In his current role, he is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and oversees business operations, information systems, human resources, talent acquisition/recruiting, risk/legal and finance.
Stephen learned about disruption before he had a word for it—on his grandfather’s shrimp boat on the Gulf Coast, watching new freezing technology disrupt his family’s livelihood. The lesson stuck: you can’t control the market or the weather, but you can choose how you respond.
He spent the next two decades on the trading floors and inside the technology of the global financial markets, most notably helping build the pricing and risk systems behind the startup that eventually bought the New York Stock Exchange. The thread through all of it was a single question: how do you stay clear-headed and protect what matters when the ground keeps moving under you?
He left global finance to found Vadar Alpha on a simple conviction: the math and tech the biggest banks use to manage uncertainty belongs just as much in the hands of the operators who feed, fuel, build, and move the country. Vadar Alpha helps commodity-intensive businesses—across food, agriculture, energy, transportation, and manufacturing—see their exposure more clearly and protect their margins against price swings.
Working alongside local visionaries like Schreiber Foods, Vadar has helped keep millions of dollars within the regional economies that earned it. Stephen credits all progress to a tenacious team and to customers willing to bet on better tools, and on each other. He holds degrees from UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech.
Prior to joining WEDC in January 2026, John W. Miller was the founder and principal at Arenberg Holdings, a venture capital fund established in 2015 to make investments in early-stage companies, with an emphasis on companies with a connection to Wisconsin. He previously served on WEDC’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Committee.
John began his career as a Congressional staffer, serving as the chief tax and budget policy advisor for Wisconsin Congressman Jerry Kleczka, who served on the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on the Budget. In 2006, John joined Miller-St. Nazianz, Inc., his family’s farm equipment manufacturing business, as president and CEO, marking the fifth generation of his family to lead the company. Under his leadership, the company doubled its employment, tripled its sales, and vastly expanded sales into foreign markets. In late 2014, he sold the company to CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNH), its largest customer.
The list of local charitable boards on which John has served or continues to serve includes the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Discovery World, Children’s Wisconsin Foundation, Law Forward (chair), Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee (chair), Bublr Bikes, and the Wisconsin Policy Forum. John was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board of Directors. In 2021, John was appointed by Governor Tony Evers to serve on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and in 2024 he was appointed by President Joe Biden to the United States Trade Representative Advisory Committee for Trade and Policy Negotiations.
John was born and raised in Manitowoc. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University, a master’s degree from Georgetown University, and a juris doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
A dynamic entrepreneur and forward-thinking leader, Anna Steinfest brings over 20 years of expertise in developing business mentorship and partnership programs designed to empower local enterprises. As President/CEO of AFF Resources, LLC (AFFR) and co-creator of the renowned Green Bay Packers’ Mentor-Protégé Program, Anna has consistently driven sustainable growth through innovative leadership initiatives.
Holding a Master’s degree in Economics, Anna’s creative focus is on cultivating leadership and teamwork by forging strategic community partnerships. Through her programs, small businesses gain invaluable access to mentorship, specialized training, and connections with established community leaders, resulting in a proven track record of job creation and enduring economic development.
Nicole Hurd is the founder and CEO of Auvia Health, a maternal health technology startup focused on earlier detection and prevention of maternal mental health distress. With a background spanning product strategy, AI-enabled systems, and healthcare innovation, Nicole brings both technical rigor and lived experience to building solutions that support families before they reach crisis. Based in Appleton, Wisconsin, she is committed to advancing maternal mental health through ethical technology, community-rooted partnerships, and clinically informed design
Kristin’s Kitchen Bakery, presented by Kristin Lambrecht:
Peggy Bakes, presented by Peggy Sonnenburg:
Creative Crusts Pizza, presented by Shawn Brokaw:
The Nook is a mocktail lounge and book store curated towards creating a new social experience in Manitowoc, WI. It offers everything from silent reading nights, author signings, book clubs to other events such as bingo, craft nights, small business markets, etc. The menu consists of paninis, small bites, and a variety of drinks from coffee to our hand-crafted mocktails made with non-alcoholic spirits. The founders built a space centered on connection and community.
Optimal Cleaning Solutions is the standards-driven facility cleaning and health partner serving Northeast Wisconsin. Founded by Samantha and Richard Smith, the company partners with forward-thinking organizations that prioritize health, compliance, and operational excellence. Optimal Cleaning Solutions was named an EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year.
Austin Skalecki is an innovative songwriter crafting music rooted in nostalgic melodies and authentic stories that capture the worn-in truths of everyday life. His lyrics are rich with imagery and honesty, carried by warm acoustic textures that feel both intimate and expansive. Blending folk and Americana influences, Austin creates a sound that feels lived-in and sincere.
Lawrence University Associate Professor of Voice Estelí Gomez will perform the National Anthem at the New North Summit on June 9, at Lambeau Field. Praised by The New York Times for her “clear, bright voice,” Grammy Award–winning soprano Estelí Gomez is acclaimed for her artistry in early and contemporary music. A three‑time Grammy winner with the ensembles Silk Road and Roomful of Teeth, she has appeared on major symphonic, film, and television recordings. As a Lawrence faculty member, Gomez teaches and mentors the next generation of singers.
A native of Oshkosh, Franki Moscato is a 23-year-old professional musician who has performed at over five hundred community events. At 16, Franki won the Golden Ticket to Hollywood on the 2019 season of ABC’s American Idol.
She is well known for performing patriotic music and has sung the Anthem for NASCAR, the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Bucks, Miss Wisconsin Pageants, and the President of the United States. Franki has been in front of the camera since a young age and has appeared in several award-winning music videos and films as a stage and film actress.
In addition, she travels the country, giving school lectures where she speaks and performs music on the topics of kindness, anti-bullying, and suicide prevention. Her non-profit entity, the Franki Moscato Foundation, raises funds to fight teen suicide in Wisconsin.
Jill Enos is an experienced investor and operator in early-stage ventures. Prior to TitletownTech, Jill worked with Fortune 50 innovation leaders at StageThree to create, build, and spin out new ventures and capabilities. She co-founded and led the New Venture Foundry, an early-stage investment group providing seed capital and mentorship to regional startups. Jill also founded the Fox Connection, a collaboration of regional public and private universities to advance entrepreneurial opportunities and support for area college students.
Prior to returning to the Midwest from Washington DC, Jill was part of the leadership team at a venture-backed enterprise software services company that was acquired by AT&T. Earlier in her career she worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Jill has a BA in political science from the Honors College at Michigan State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Abi is an attorney, author, and lifelong food allergy sufferer.
She was named to Business Insider’s 2019 Top 100 Coolest People in Food & Drink. Her work has been published in several well-known periodicals and journals, including Forbes and The Atlantic, and her research has been featured in The Economist. Abi authored two guidebooks on corporate social responsibility, published by Patagonia & Yale.
She holds advanced degrees from Vermont Law School and Yale University, and is the co-inventor on one issued patent.
Abi is committed to making the world a safer place for the food allergy community, and using business as a force for good.
LOCATION: Lambeau Field
1265 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
Interested in becoming a sponsor for the largest regional economic development networking event? Contact us today at renee.torzala@thenewnorth.com or 920.336.3860.
For more information about New North, Inc., go to: https://www.thenewnorth.com/
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