APPLETON, Wis. (November 10, 2020) – The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 2019-2020 Leadership Fox Cities class with a virtual commencement ceremony on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.
The 2019-2020 Leadership Fox Cities Class was comprised of 39 distinguished individuals from various industries within the Fox Cities.
The 2019-2020 class graduates included:
Kaelyn Ahola, Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes
Kelly Behling, Nurses PRN
James Bellmore, Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center
Jennifer Brown, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce
Brandi Cavegn, Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital
Kim Chonos, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Janet Coons, SECURA Insurance Company
Kayla Countney, Goodwill Industries NCW
Cassie Curry, Lawrence University
Randy DeCoster, Miller Electric Manufacturing LLC
Carolyn Desrosiers, Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
Adam Figurin, NAI Pfefferle
Nicole Goodacre, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Nick Hammer, Wipfli LLP
Phillip Hanke, Sustana Fiber
Paul Hermes, Appleton North High School
Kristine Jacobsen, City of Menasha
Zak Kemp, Appvion
Natalie Klika, Johnson Financial Group
Chris Langenfeld, Heckrodt Wetland Reserve
Abby Liebergen, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP
Trevor Lord, 41 North LLC
Bryson Machonga, First Business Bank
Katie Mangin, Keller, Inc.
Sarah Marcoe, MD, ThedaCare
Adriana McCleer, Appleton Public Library
Jordon Miller, Pierce Manufacturing
Dan Puyleart, Encapsys
Jackie Rosen, Network Health
Brandon Schmitz, Plexus Corporation
Melissa Schulteis, Miron Construction
Christina Stelter, Menasha Corporation
Eric Strebe, ESOP Partners
Koua Thao, Fox Valley Technical College
Kyle Thelen, Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd.
Jillian Torres, U.S. Venture
Rebecca Van Heuklon, MotionWorks Physical Therapy
Beni Westgor, United Way Fox Cities
Aishling Willenkamp, Community First Credit Union
“The class of 2019-2020 has excelled and shown true leadership through this challenging year, dealing with delays and interruptions due to COVID-19,” shared Amy Schanke, Director of Leadership Fox Cities at the Fox Cities Chamber. “Leaders in our community are needed even more during this pandemic and I am honored to say this group of leaders will continue to rise to any challenges ahead with patience, dignity and perseverance.”
Speakers at the ceremony included Amy Schanke, Director of Leadership Fox Cities, Fox Cities Chamber; Chris Czarnik, Career [RE]Search Group; Preston Kendall, Chairman – LFC Steering Committee, The Zuleger Kendall Group, Robert W. Baird & Co.; and class speaker Chris Langenfeld, Director of Development at Heckrodt Wetland Reserve. Special thank you to Prospera Credit Union, commencement sponsor, for generously supporting this event.
Traditionally a nine-month leadership program, the class completed an evolved format – both in-person and virtual – that was adapted and expanded due to the pandemic. Since 1991, the program’s mission has focused on teaching participants to be imaginative and informed leaders in the community, while preparing them for leadership roles in their place of business. Class members attended group sessions highlighting topics that covered many accolades and challenges in the Fox Cities. The program culminated with the completion of small group projects. These projects were designed to raise awareness of an issue, improve team skills and ignite positive change in the Fox Cities.
“Participating in the 2020 Leadership Fox Cities program was beyond inspirational,” shared class speaker Chris Langenfeld, Director of Development at Heckrodt Wetland Reserve. “From the passionate participants and program coordinators to the immersion in what makes the Fox Valley unique, it has been an unparalleled and positive experience.”
Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this program possible – Leadership Fox Cities program sponsor: Bergstrom Automotive; Commencement Sponsor: Prospera Credit Union; and special thanks to Debbie Daanen Photography for your services.
The 2020-2021 Leadership Fox Cities Class is currently underway. For anyone interested in applying for a future class of Leadership Fox Cities, please contact Amy Schanke, Director of Leadership Fox Cities, at (920) 734-7101 or aschanke@foxcitieschamber.com.
Leadership Fox Cities program participants (past and present) are encouraged to get engaged with the Leadership Fox Cities Alumni Association. Learn more and apply at https://foxcitieschamber.com/talent/leadership-fox-cities-alumni-association/.
