Experience

Wisconsin Investment Partners

• United States
• Investment Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Associate

  • Jan 2022 - Dec 2022

  Madison, Wisconsin, United States I took an early retirement in January of 2022, and this is NOT my new job! It's a terrific learning, mentoring and networking opportunity in an area of great interest for me. The mission of the Wisconsin Investment Partners Associate Program (WIPAP) is to build a community of professionals with an interest in startups and investing that complement and extend the expertise of the Wisconsin Investment Partners (WIP) network. WIP will engage with WIPAP to screen, evaluate and mentor… Show more I took an early retirement in January of 2022, and this is NOT my new job! It's a terrific learning, mentoring and networking opportunity in an area of great interest for me. The mission of the Wisconsin Investment Partners Associate Program (WIPAP) is to build a community of professionals with an interest in startups and investing that complement and extend the expertise of the Wisconsin Investment Partners (WIP) network. WIP will engage with WIPAP to screen, evaluate and mentor startups. It’s an opportunity to help develop investors and advisors, as well as to introduce members to many entrepreneurs. WIP is one the foremost angel investment group in Wisconsin, and has invested over $40M to date, into 75+ portfolio companies and hundreds of investment rounds. With about 100 active members, WIP members bring a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to the investment process. WIPAP facilitates the introduction of entrepreneurs to WIP, aids in screening potential portfolio companies and educates its members on the subject of angel investing. Through this program, I am: -Gaining knowledge of the angel investment process -Learning how to evaluate startups -Learning how to structure investments -Strengthening my network of connections -Meeting entrepreneurs and learning about their companies -Participating as an active member of deal screening and evaluation committees -Connecting with and mentoring high value startups -Attending WIP networking events with portfolio company representatives and/or other presenters Show less



American Family Insurance

• United States
• Insurance
• 700 & Above Employee

• Integrated Content & Design Specialist (Copywriter)

  • Nov 2019 - Jan 2022

  Madison, Wisconsin, United States

• Social Media Administrator

  • May 2009 - May 2020

  Madison, Wisconsin Area Community manager for all of American Family’s corporate social media marketing platforms Social media subject matter expert, consultant, and advisor for the Marketing Division and any other divisions in the organization that use social media Led and acted as project manager for the research, RFP, selection process, training and implementation of several social media technology solutions Coordinated the design, development, and delivery of Facebook training for American… Show more Community manager for all of American Family’s corporate social media marketing platforms Social media subject matter expert, consultant, and advisor for the Marketing Division and any other divisions in the organization that use social media Led and acted as project manager for the research, RFP, selection process, training and implementation of several social media technology solutions Coordinated the design, development, and delivery of Facebook training for American Family employees at program launch in 2009 Developed, implemented and led our very successful agent social media program, including agent training, support and compliance monitoring from 2009 through 2014 Helped select professional speakers and planned and delivered popular social media training sessions at American Family’s National Business Owners Conferences in 2011 and 2013 Developed and enforced the agent social media policy and advised Human Resources on the employee social media policy

• Lean Startup Coach and Mentor, Ignite Lean Innovation

  • May 2017 - Jul 2019

  Madison, Wisconsin Area Loaned from the Marketing division to the Ignite Lean Innovation department for 18 months Participated in Ignite Lean Innovation Boot Camp in April 2017 Active participant and leader on Team ClearHorizn, an Ignite Lean Innovation Accelerator team, from May 2017 through February 2018 Coached four Ignite Lean Innovation Boot Camps between September and December 2017 Ignite Lean Innovation Coach for Team No Fear from February through August 2018, and the Integrated… Show more Loaned from the Marketing division to the Ignite Lean Innovation department for 18 months Participated in Ignite Lean Innovation Boot Camp in April 2017 Active participant and leader on Team ClearHorizn, an Ignite Lean Innovation Accelerator team, from May 2017 through February 2018 Coached four Ignite Lean Innovation Boot Camps between September and December 2017 Ignite Lean Innovation Coach for Team No Fear from February through August 2018, and the Integrated Marketing Team from August 2018 to present Ignite Lean Innovation mentor - Mentored two Boot Camp coaches May 2009 Extensive Lean Startup observation, training, practice, and coaching from May 2017 to present. During this time, I've focused on increasing my knowledge, experience, and expertise by developing high performing teams and guiding them in customer empathy and testing critical assumptions through rapid experimentation in order to deliver new value customers and the organization. For more than 16 months I have focused on leveling up the following skills: self-awareness, building rapport, collaboration, feedback, storytelling, smart risk-taking, adaptability/dealing with ambiguity, critical thinking, and goal-focus.



American Family Insurance

• United States
• Insurance
• 700 & Above Employee

• Curriculum Development Designer | Social Media Consultant

  • Oct 2003 - May 2009

  Madison, Wisconsin Area Designed and developed training for a wide range of methods and modalities including instructor-led classes, manager-led classes, WebEx sessions, online modules, instructor portals, participant reference websites, job aids, etc. Consulted with leaders, subject matter experts and learning audience experts in the client divisions to analyze performance gaps and educational needs. Demonstrated experience measuring and assessing learning with assorted tools. Earned an… Show more Designed and developed training for a wide range of methods and modalities including instructor-led classes, manager-led classes, WebEx sessions, online modules, instructor portals, participant reference websites, job aids, etc. Consulted with leaders, subject matter experts and learning audience experts in the client divisions to analyze performance gaps and educational needs. Demonstrated experience measuring and assessing learning with assorted tools. Earned an exceptional reputation for my innovative ideas around the use of social media in education. For example, I was the first person in the division to use blogs and online discussion forums as a way to engage our learners and subject matter experts outside the classroom. I was considered the "Chief Innovation Evangelist" by my peers in the division for taking initiative in activities such as (1) developing a social network at Ning.com for the Curriculum Design & Development Department, (2) being the first company employee to join Yammer and rallying others in the division to experiment with it, (3) planning the design and implementation of the first SharePoint team site for the Curriculum Design & Development department, and (4) researching ways to use sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn in adult education. Attended Mastering Training Design course where I learned to design and deliver training using the 4MAT design methodology. Attended Creating Live Online Learning Course where I learned design techniques for creating highly interactive synchronous learning programs using WebEx Training Center. Certified by Langevin Learning Services as an Instructional Designer/Developer and as an e-learning Specialist. Attended Judith Hale's Test Development course where I learned about performance-based learning and a process for developing good, fair and valid tests.

• Corporate Training Instructor | Learning Specialist

  • Feb 2000 - Oct 2003

  Madison, WI Facilitated and delivered educational programs through a variety of instructional methods including classroom training, WebEx sessions, discussion forums, blogs, wikis, etc. Presented at a regional PLRB conference, teaching participants how to design and deliver training for adult learners in a claims environment. Attended several courses where I learned to facilitate live online synchronous learning events using WebEx Training Center. Attended the Ed Jones… Show more Facilitated and delivered educational programs through a variety of instructional methods including classroom training, WebEx sessions, discussion forums, blogs, wikis, etc. Presented at a regional PLRB conference, teaching participants how to design and deliver training for adult learners in a claims environment. Attended several courses where I learned to facilitate live online synchronous learning events using WebEx Training Center. Attended the Ed Jones Train-the-Trainer program, where I learned adult learning principles, planning, designing and evaluating effective training, and proven classroom training techniques. Professional Affiliations: American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) Society of Insurance Trainers and Educators (SITE) Wisconsin Association of Insurance Trainers

• Casualty Claim Specialist

  • Apr 1997 - Feb 2000

  Madison, Wisconsin Area Designed and delivered employee training. Managed claim unit in the manager's absence. Assigned claim losses, utilizing employees' skills and abilities in order to manage fluctuation workloads and to maximize the unit's efficiency. Reviewed claim files and provided direction to adjusters while complying with corporate claim standards. Acted as a liaison between Claims and other departments. Independently handled files of a severe or complex nature.

• Casualty Claim Field Aduster

  • Feb 1994 - Apr 1997

  Cedar Rapids, Iowa Area Independently investigated, negotiated and settled high exposure first the third party personal injury, property damage and vehicle theft claims. Selected to participate in the Claims Management Development Program, where I received proactive training preparing me to fill a management position in Claims. AEI Claims Law Course - Earned Casualty Claim Law Associate (CCLA) and Fraud Claim Law Associate (FCLA) designations through self-study courses.

• Casualty Claim Desk Adjuster

  • Jan 1992 - Feb 1994

  Eden Prairie, MN, Des Moines, IA, Cedar Rapids, IA Investigated, negotiated and settled first the third party personal injury, property damage and theft claims.



Metro Sales Inc.

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Inside and Outside Sales Representative and Telemarketing Supervisor

  • Jul 1990 - Jan 1992

  Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area Sold Ricoh copier systems at 125% of quota. Supervised activities of Telemarketing Sales Representatives. Completed the Dale Carnegie Sales Course in October 1990. Finalist in the Sales Talk Championship and received "Continuous Performance" and "Perfect Attendance" awards.