Workforce Waves

This episode explores the topic of women in the workforce through the lens of leadership. Discover the impact that the pandemic has had on women and some of the current trends of women in leadership. You'll also hear about how women can create opportunities to practice leadership and how small everyday actions can create positive collective change. 

In this episode, you'll learn about Roadtrip Nation and how they are using new virtual road trip models to reach youth where they are and. Discover how and why Roadtrip Nation has partnered with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership to drive local digital storytelling around workforce pathways. You'll also hear about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Roadtrip Nation, and how they h...

In this episode, you'll hear about the benefits of shopping locally, during the holiday season and throughout the year. Discover the impact that local shopping has on area businesses and the community. 

Chytania Brown, President & CEO at Employ Milwaukee, joins the program to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion both in the workplace and in communities and reveals the efforts that her organization has made to increase diversity, equity and inclusion. Discover why diversity efforts must go beyond hiring diverse candidates, and how to retain diverse talent. 

In this episode, you'll hear about the role of humor in the workplace, and why humor is an essential leadership trait. Ted Schick from Schick Corporate Learning joins the program to discuss 4 elements of leadership, the importance of humility for leaders and how leaders can use humor to be more effective and connect with their employees. 

In this episode, you'll hear about the rural healthcare initiatives currently underway in Northwest Wisconsin. Joining the program are Scott Schultz, Director of Industry & Innovation at the NWWIB, Dawn Knapp, Grant Coordinator for the Collaboration of Wisconsin Grant, and Matthew Filipek, who is in charge of the NWWIB's COVID-19 call center. You'll hear about a range of initiatives, from response...

Marcia Galvan, Project Coordinator at the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, joins the program to discuss the work that she is doing leading the Support to Communities grant in her region, fostering opioid and substance abuse recovery through workforce development. Discover strategies to assist those struggling with substance abuse and what employers can do to help. You'll also learn...

S tacey McKinney from Mckinney Realty joins the program to provide insight into the Northwest Wisconsin real estate market. Discover the shifts that have occurred over the past year and the amenities that are most important to potential buyers. Stacey also shares tips for anyone who is interested in selling a home in Northwest Wisconsin, as well as what buyers should consider when searching for a...

In this episode, you'll hear from Julie Fox, Regional Tourism Specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, and Mary Monroe Brown, Director of the WI Office of Outdoor Recreation,  as they discuss how 2020's tourism season impacted local and regional economies. Discover why outdoor recreation in Northwest Wisconsin has flourished over the past year, and the impact of shifting work trends on...

In this episode, you'll hear about some of the available resources for businesses and employers in the region, including assistance with onboarding or upskilling workers. You'll hear about the incumbent worker training program, on-the-job training (OJT), and more.   

In this episode, Barb Lundberg from the Northwest Wisconsin Investment Board interviews Jennifer Kuklinski, Professor of Business and Social Science at Northland College and owner of 3P Insights, LLC,, as they discuss recruiting for diversity. Discover action steps that businesses can take to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, and hear an example of a company that has been su...

In this end-of-year episode, Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board CEO Mari Kay-Nabozny is joined by NWWIB staff, as they discuss the challenges and opportunities of 2020, and the lessons learned. Mari and her team discuss Zoom fatigue, working from home, virtual job fairs and more!     

Jason Rae, Founder and President/CEO of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, joins the program to discuss how to create an inclusive workplace culture where everyone feels that they can bring their full self to work. Discover important inclusive terminology and the business impact of creating an inclusive work environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted just about every business and organization on some level. In this episode Lance Ausing, Regional Economic Development Director for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discusses how COVID-19 has impacted his organization and the region, and reveals what businesses need to do to recover and thrive in the "next normal." 

Michelle Chase, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Founder of Chase Consulting, LLC, joins the program to discuss some of the most common mental health issues that employees are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also shares tips for employers about how they can support their employees, and provides coping strategies and resources. 

We know that 2020 has brought economic and social challenges, but is there is silver lining even in the middle of all these difficulties? Joel Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Washburn County Economic Development Corporation, discusses the positive trends that have come from challenging times, and the innovation that is happening in the region. 

Before the pandemic struck, remote work was accelerating in the U.S. But the past few months has been a very strange test of our white-collar future and in some cases, those jobs considered blue-collar too. Join us to discuss how to "Work Like a Boss" during a Pandemic with guest Nancy Lyons. 

Caleb Frostman, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, joins the program to share the efforts that are being made to respond to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover some of the unique unemployment challenges, the impact of the current crisis on Native American communities, and the potential long-term geographic impact of the pandemic. 

In this episode you'll hear from Scott Schultz and Jessica Wagner-Schultz as they discuss their journey of growing up in Northwest Wisconsin, leaving the region, and then eventually returning after 14 years. Discover some of the unique benefits of living in rural vs. urban areas, and why those benefits may be amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scott and Jessica also share some of the challeng...

In this episode, you'll discover what employers need to know about immigration, including current trends and updates. Hear about the crucial role that immigration plays in the workforce system and the regional economy, as well as the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the immigration system. 

In this special episode, you'll discover updates and resources to help you during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn what to do if you are seeking unemployment insurance, the economic impact on the local economy, and how to navigate working from home. 

When you think about the public library, you may not always think about employment and workforce assistance.  However, the role of libraries has expanded quite a bit, and libraries in rural areas are playing a critical role in helping people who are looking for jobs. In this episode, you'll learn about the Libraries Activating Workforce Development Skills (LAWDS) project, which brings together pub...

Janet Ady, President and CEO of Ady Advantage, joins the program to discuss the economic challenges and opportunities in rural America. She shares her thoughts on talent recruitment and retention, the importance of data, and how to create a shared vision for your community. 

In this episode you'll hear about the Talent Generator, a new online tool offering smart tips and best practices for creating and sustaining a successful student talent development program. The featured guest is Rebecca Deschane, T alent Initiatives Director, a joint position with WEDC and the University of Wisconsin System.

This episode features an interview with Chad Dull, Vice President of Academics at Minnesota State  College Southeast, as he discusses what poverty informed practice is, and what service providers and employers need to keep in mind when working with people living in poverty. Chad shares examples from his work and talks about the mindset shift that is required to engage in poverty informed practice.