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January
Applications for our 2026-2027 SCIL Program are now open!
Have a colleague, family member, or friend who would benefit from our program? Forward this email to them and let them know we are now accepting applications for our 2026-2027 program that begins in September. Enrollment is limited to 20. Word of mouth continues to be the number one method for new SCILsters to hear about our program. Thank you for your support!
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December
SCIL Day Recap
The SCIL participants reached an exciting milestone on Thursday, December 11, 2025, celebrating the halfway point of its current leadership class with a full day of learning, reflection, and inspiration from influential leaders across the region. The day began at Culver’s Headquarters, where the class was welcomed by Craig Culver, Co-founder of Culver’s, and Rich Modjeski, Chief Operating Officer. Participants learned about Culver's process and how Culver’s “customer-first” mindset - shaped by Craig’s childhood - became the foundation of the brand. -
November
“Inaction is Acceptance”: Sauk County Institute of Leadership Participants Learn Cultural Competency
On Thursday, November 13, 2025, the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) met at the Frank Fischer Senior Center in Lake Delton to expand participants’ understanding of culture and its relevance to leadership. The group started the day by sharing an artifact that reflects their personal culture. Many of the items shared were founded in food and family. It was a unique experience for all to practice sharing a piece of their identity with others and offering an opportunity for connection with people in the group. Read more about what the SCIL participants learned, including more on "Inaction is Acceptance."on goes here
Alumni Spotlight
Emily Herritz (Class of 2024)
The last few years have been pretty big ones for me in regard to my mindset and general outlook on life. I have made it a priority to look inward and really figure out what I want, how I plan to get there, and identify what is holding me back. I started some of that work prior to SCIL, but the program really propelled me forward to put that work into action. SCIL made me actually “do the work” (which I needed) and put into practice things I thought I was working on, but honestly was not doing much more than just thinking about.
I believe Morgan and I have talked previously about how my focus word is courage. My goal has been to be intentional about understanding why I do, or don’t do, certain things – am I afraid, am I being true to myself, am I staying true to my goals? Do I really believe I can achieve those goals? That last one is a big one for me. I realize now I was afraid to fully admit to some of my dreams because I didn’t truly believe they were attainable. I was afraid to admit I wanted something in fear of what would happen if I didn’t get there. What then?
SCIL helped me realize that failure and fear are actually a large part of the process. I truly took to heart the concept of stepping outside of my comfort zone and recognizing that is a good thing. It is necessary for any true growth to happen. I have my SCIL poster hanging in my office and look at it daily. Failure is not something to be avoided or looked down upon. It is a necessary part of my journey and where learning and growing happens.
I recently used this in a very big way. I had a job opportunity cross my path that would mean a very large change. My gut was initially screaming no, but what I learned over the past few years (especially in SCIL) helped me stop and reflect on why my first instinct was “no.” Was I scared? Big time. Did I feel safe in my current position? For sure. Did I think I could do this new job? Definitely. Was I afraid to admit I really wanted the career development it will hopefully lead to? ABSOLUTELY.
This last one was a large part of what eventually moved me to say yes to this new position. If I truly want to grow, then I have to be willing to take the steps necessary to make that happen. Which means I have to be willing to stretch, fail a time or two and get a little uncomfortable.
I recently transitioned to the Director of Accounting at Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston. Time will tell what actually happens, but I am proud of myself for having the courage to take this leap and chase my dreams.
Thank you to everyone who attended our 2025 SCIL Connect Networking Lunch with Kwik Trip’s Ben Leibl
Ben spoke on compassion in the workplace, how we should treat others, and why we shouldn't "keep score" with our coworkers. He also focused on how serving others without expecting anything in return is an important key to finding happiness in life.
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Alumni by Year
Class of 1998
Heidi Accola, Mark Bostwick, Beth Bradley, Larry Cliford, Kevin Fitzgerald, Shelly Granberg, Pat Gudenschwager, Ann Helwig, Sandi Holt, Aice Hutter, Tim Miller, Judith Stoeckmann, Dale Turner, Theresa Wimann
Class of 1999
Barb Blair, Jen Stewart, Joe Cognac, Paul Empey, Jean Klang, Tim Lueck, Larry Marlette, Carla Mercer, Mo Reilly, Susanne Stoeckmann, Char terBeest-Kudla, Tom Williams, Suzanne Wipperfurth
Class of 2000
Shelly Bomkamp, Mike Clague, Jim Daniels, Buddy Huffaker, Laura Jelle, Joan Kenney, Shirley Koehler, Pat McSweeny, Donna Neuwirth, Steve Schmelzer, Larry Schroeder, Janice Schyvinck, Bruce Stewart, Maxine Worman, Bob Zirngible
Class of 2001
Ken Carlson, John Crowley, John Dietrich, Patti Farber, Judy Fowler, Tom Grunwald, Melani Guentherman, Staci Hunt Ramsey, Marcy Huffaker, Pam Maxwell, Connie Molberg, Wayne Morse, Carol Olson, Kathy Schauf, Teresa Searock, Pete Shrake, Jim Tobakos, Lerna Mae Wiese, Cindy Zirngible
Class of 2002
Linda Bormann, Ron Frye, Carla Gorski, Mark Graupman, Gabe Jensen, Leslie McFarlane, Pearl McGuire-Hadlock, Carolyn Novak, Bob Parkhurst, Penny Pohle, Scott Sidell, Robin Smelcer, Bev Vaillancourt
Class of 2003
Carol Anderson, Arline Beagan, Diane Bindl, Derek Cowan, Jolene Gruber, Teresa Hays, Tammy Koenecke, David Loether, Patrice Luer, Jim Marsden, Laura Nedeau-Owen, Rob Nelson, Lynn Olson, Roger Pescinski, Mike Rogers, Paul Wolter, Jan Zechel
Class of 2004
Marianne Baumgarten, Paul Beagan, Michelle Britzman, Karen Cook, Vern Fowler, Brad Hintz, Beverly Hoege, Brenda Holloway, Maureen Kirk, Chris Mueller, Stephen Plaisance, Cheryl Shanks, Tara Zitsner
Class of 2005
Alice Allen, Chris Bernudez, Kathy Blum, Lucille Danube, Carolyn Davis, Margaret Dobrovolny, Larry Fisher, Jason Khodadad, Teresa Langer, Steve Lundin, Shawna Marquardt, Joe Spitz, Brandon Wegner
Class of 2006
Julie Andrews, Brenda Bergman, Jackie Bodette, Bobbie Boettcher, Corrie Boyer, Linda Damos, Jeff Fray, Toby Grabs, Lori Knadle, Jennifer Kobylecky, Gary McDermott, Monica Meyers, Shawn Murphy, Rene Pilon, Rose Valek
Class of 2007
John Alt, Nena Beier, Cindy Bondendein, Myra Dorow, Dawn Eno, Connie Hartje, Marcia Karstetter, Samantha Kimball, Carmen Luther, Linda Marshall, Melanie Mielke, Barbara Mortimore, Nancy O’Donnell, Jeanine Richards, Joseph Svetlik, Josephine Tarnutzer, Nancy Thome, Rene Zimmerman
Class of 2008
Jennifer Bailer, Jason Begalske, Dan Bergman, Sue Bergs, Tommy Brennan, Ann Burke, Robert Clyde, Brain Duvalle, Greg Glaser, Eric Johnson, David Jones, Ruth Joyce, Doug Mering, Drew Miner, Diane Reinfeldt, Kay Roherty, Mickey Snyder, Marilyn Sprecher
Class of 2009
Tara Baumgarten, Michelle Dent, Christine Dutton, Jed Eichhorn, Mary Farrell-Stieve, Dale Jaedike, Deb Johnsen, Kelli Kayser, Todd Krysiak, Heather Lesch, Kristie Meier, Ashley Nedeau-Owen, Mark Rozmarynowski, Debbie Schiffman, Wendy Schneider, Raynelle Syftestad, Robert Van Meeteren
Class of 2010
Margaret Brickner, Angela Brozak, James Carter, Carrie Covell, John Dougherty, Tywana German, Hattie Heller, Anne Horjus, Bonnie Johnson, Jody Kapp, Serge Koenig, Kari Labansky, Andrew Moon, Christian Russo, Amy Ryan, Renee Thums, Jason Timlin, Janet Volk, Matthew Warming
Class of 2011
David Armstrong, Nancy Betzold, Landiz Brozak, Karen DeSanto, Tyler Douglas, Anna Grogan, Bill Helm, Aleah Kuchta, Ryan La Broscian, Jason Lane, Angela Mack, Steven Paske, John Pohlmann Sr., Jo Anne Preston, Joshua Sanders, Tracy Niesen-Breunig, Robert Sinden, Marsha Stolte, Jenni Walsh, Lisa Wenzel, Julie Wuerger
Class of 2012
Debra Bauer, Marc Boucher, Terry Brickl, Diane Endres, Angela Galle Sylvester, Jordan Gilbert, Judy Gurgel, Anna Hawley, Jean Judd, Quincy Kissack, Christopher Lapp, Mitchell Lohr, Andrea Mauch, Jared Paget, Jordyn Schara, Anna Schmelzer, Scott Von Asten, Colin Walsh, Cathleen Warwick, Ryan Werner, Beth Ann Zick, Alyssa Ziegler, Rosemary Zuch
Class of 2013
Aaron Andres, Konya Antonetti, Charles Burnley, Brian Cunningham, Jennifer Endres Way, Mary Fabian, John Fritsch, Jim Haas, Marie Harper, Jennifer Helt, Philip Johnston, Tamara Lavender, Ken Meicher, Robin Meier, Bridget Morrey-Seals, Brady Neuman, Melanie Platt-Gibson, Cathy Witte
Class of 2014
Marissa Aron, Amy Bachhuber, Brendan Ballweg, Tyler Ballweg, Ruth Browning, Joann Douglas, Charles Ecklund, Holly Fenske, Stuart Fields, Roger Friede, Kimberly Gochanour, Samantha Kimball, Julie Lane, Ben Marsden, Morgan McArthur, Michael McShane, Amanda Meddaugh, Kimberly Miller, Nicole Querio, Nellie Schmitz, Melissa Southworth
Class of 2015
Meg Allen, Kurt Cottier, Adam Gulden, Danna Hillmer, Karen Hoekstra, Ryan Hulleman, Darren Jorgenson, Matt Jurvelin, Melissa Keenan, Rauel La Breche, Jennifer Mack, Michelle O’Connor, Kris Rasmussen, Amy Reine, Laura Rossitor, Joe Sabol, Pam Thompson, Morgan Tribbey, Vicki Wildes
Class of 2016
Rachel Adair, John Bachhuber, Scott Ballweg, Janene Clark, Jennifer Crubel, Brianna Deaton, Theresa Dietz, Vincent Graves, Dena Jarog, Karen Kothbauer, Janelle Krueger, Andrews Pemberton, John Philipp, Rebecca Powell, Katy Prange, Becky Radke, Ryan Roers, Brian Sadler, Jennifer Vosen, Sharon Warden, Kevin Weber
Class of 2017
Rachel Breunig, Stephanie Brickl, Ann Calhoun, Kyle Crosby, Elizabeth German, Abby Hays, Jeff Hoeben, Joshua Holler, Tricia Jones, Cindy Kissack, Ashley Litscher, Tezra Menne, Lexie Meyer, Nathaniel Newby, Jennifer Niles, David Olson, Matt Ryczek, Margaret Sage, Katie Schofield, Charles Spencer, Jodi Vogel, Haley Weisert, Kurt Wenger, Robin Whyte
Class of 2019
Jessica Bergin, Niki Conway, Pedro Dominguez, Theresa Douglas, David Earleywine, Jenni Gavin, Nicki Cabaj Green, Abby Howell-Dinger, Kira Meister, Gina Mitcham, Emily Olson, Kyra Peach, Jared Pinkus, Ross Retzlaff, Sara Roltgen, Ashley Schreiber, Linda Spencer
Class of 2020
Gina Baldwin, Becky Cassity, Kristina Coopman, Donna Crary, Kimberley Evert, Jessica Gavin, Ethan Giebel, Cheryl Goeckermann, Lauren Goff, Haley Hoffman, April Little Reichhoff, Adrienne Olson, Julia Randles, Tammy Seiler, Melissa Shimniok, Tiffany Sloan, Tammy Woirol
Class of 2022
Haley Bonilla, Briana Collman, Lacey Fulk, Antowan Hallmon Sr., Steven Jakubowski, Brian Kerr, Melissa Leathers, Philip Matthews, Seth Meise, Marissa Miller, Fr. Dave Mowers, Zach Ott, Karen Peterson, Jessie Phalen, Dan Rindfleisch, Tim Ripp, Heather Sloan, Nicole Tidwell
Class of 2023
Mari Burri, Amanda Coorough, Megan Haag, Monica Jaled, Sara Jesse, Laurie Killam, Rebecca Kirch, Mark Ladsten, Logan Littlegeorge, Andrea Lombard, Angela Lowe, Brittany Melka, Jodie Molitor, Greta Schaller-Alonso, Paul Sprosty, Angela Witczak, Dan Zurawski
Class of 2024
Brandon Barber, Joshua Behnke, Sara Benton, Kyle Blechner, Katie Burch, Gaile Burchill, Wendy Collins, Kristine Fischer, Allyson Hayes, Travis Helms, Jessica Herrewig, Emily Herritz, Brenda Miller, Sara Pahl, Stacy Parsons, Emmie Phillippi, Michael Randles, Joyce Smidl, Cari Teasdale, Michelle Zuelke
Class of 2025
Adam Liegel, Andrea McPherson, Anita Nielsen, Ben Gruber, Benjamin Marsden, Blair Murphy, Caitlin Opatik, Carrie Kingcade, Cassandra Fowler, David Clemens, Deidre Kannenberg, Fremina Funmaker, Grace Vosen, Haley Siehoff, Jodi Feiner, Megan Krautkramer, Missy Frenz, Sarina Falcon, Sharilyn Munneke, Steve Lisser
