7:30 a.m. Registration, Breakfast and Networking
8:30 a.m. Summit Begins
1:15 – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions (both run concurrently)
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Networking Reception & Cool Stuff Gallery – Entertainment provided by Shawn Connelly, a local singer, songwriter, and performer
Sharon Glover is the Director of Culture Transformation and Future of Work for Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization whose operations center is located within the New North region. In her role, she is responsible for building a purpose-based culture that fosters belonging, advances equity, and enables greater flexibility and balance between work and home. Her work with multinational companies gives her a unique understanding of factors that contribute to cultures of inclusion and engagement across a large and diverse workforce. A native of Freeport, Bahamas, Glover holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Boise State University and a master’s degree in human relations from the University of Oklahoma.
Corey Behnke is the co-founder of LiveX, a live streaming production company in New York City with a newly built remote production studio in downtown Green Bay. He has been the lead producer of the official worldwide webcast of New Year’s Eve in Times Square, viewed by more than six million people in 200-plus countries, for more than 15 years. Behnke also was the streaming architect for the 2020 Democratic National Convention and the 2020 Presidential Inauguration, along with technical producer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 PGA Ryder Cup and 50 Cent Live in Las Vegas. A Green Bay native who graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Arts and lived in New York City for 22 years before returning to Wisconsin, Behnke also is the co-founder of CheeseheadTV, an online platform devoted to Packers fans worldwide.
Ben Kvalo is an entertainment and video games industry leader at Netflix, one of the world’s leading entertainment services with 231 million paid memberships in more than 190 countries. Kvalo oversaw the global launch of Games at Netflix, working between the engineering, creative production and early game studio management divisions to institute the new platform. Earlier in his career, he worked on some of entertainment’s biggest brands across video games and film. A 2010 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a degree in business administration, Kvalo received Distinguished Recent Alumni recognition in 2016 and currently is a member of the alumni advisory board.
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.
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
Managing Director of the U.S. Venture & gener8tor Sustainability Accelerator which is focused on sustainability and mobility startups through a 12-week program with individualized coaching, mentoring, and capital investment
Josh & Amy launched FAVORTY Brand because they were having difficulties finding truly all natural, effective products made for sensitive skin and coarse hair. They started with beard care products and now create other natural skin and hair products that are convenient and easy to use. Their family owned and operated production facility is in Seymour, Wisconsin. Amy is currently in the Green Bay Packer Mentor-Protégé Program.
Restaurant that advanced out of a food incubator kitchen and the local farmer’s market to a new location with an expanded menu, offering a variety of fresh, vibrant poké bowls that cater to different tastes and provide a fresh, healthy alternative to fast-food and grab-and-go options.
A minority-owned small business offering culture presentations for institutions seeking diversity programming. Services are provided online or in-person with hands-on displays. Also sells products to help Native Americans looking to make regalia and contemporary art.
A service-disabled veteran pre-seed, prototype stage company, dedicated
to removing invasive mussel species from waterways and converting them into the world’s only source of renewable calcium carbonate for use in paper, paint, pharmaceuticals and plastics.
Michelle Schuler leads TechSpark Wisconsin, an initiative of Microsoft that works to promote economic and workforce development in Northeast Wisconsin through computer science education, job skilling, digital equity and access, and supporting the startup ecosystem. Some of its investments include TitletownTech, Microsoft TEALS program, CW Talent Ecosystem Youth and gener8tor Upskilling. Schuler is also a co-founder and state president of Women in Technology Wisconsin Inc., the state’s largest member organization of female leaders in the technology industry. She holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
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.
Shawn Connelly is a vocalist, guitarist, and producer from Green Bay, Wisconsin. Since graduating with a vocal music degree from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, Shawn has produced, taught and performed music in London, Thailand, Hawaii, and all over the U.S, including writing/producing original music in New York City, followed by a year of performing in Alaska.
Shawn has fronted numerous bands, including Wisconsin-based groups Brass Differential, a New Orleans- inspired group, fusing jazz, blues, funk and pop, FBI & The Untouchable Horns, playing all the greatest horn hits of the past four decades, and Road Trip. While living in Rochester, NY, Shawn founded Random Accents, a funk-style quartet with a mashup-centric vibe. Despite a pandemic-related departure from Upstate NY, the band continues bringing a unique sound to the area.
Shawn released his debut solo EP in November 2013 and in March 2017 released Shawn Connelly and Brass Differential @ Stacks & Steeples, a live recording of original acoustic music flavored with and influenced by brass. When not on stage Shawn continues utilizing his vocal talents as a voiceover artist as well as content producer and FAA licensed drone pilot.
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.
Online registration is now available! Early registration is at the discounted rate of $85 until April 15, 2023. The entry fee will increase to $110 on April 16 and to $125 at the door on the day of the event.
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 [email protected] or 920.336.3860.
