Events

Presentation Description: Behind the Scenes at WEDC: Economic Development in Central Wisconsin

About our Speaker:  Join us as we welcome Josh Miller, Regional Economic Development Director for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), for a conversation about the work happening right here at home. Josh covers Region 6 — Lincoln, Marathon, Clark, Wood, Portage, and Adams counties — partnering with local businesses, governments, and organizations to attract investment and support growth. As a Marshfield native who's spent his career serving this region, Josh brings a grounded, local perspective on where Central Wisconsin is headed and what it will take to get there.

Presentation Description: Dave will share practical strategies for improving how teams make decisions together — helping leaders replace long, unproductive meetings with a simple framework that builds alignment and cuts through conflict faster.

About our Speaker: Dr. Dave Webb is an educator, superintendent, author, and speaker who spent over a decade leading a team of 29 directors and principals through the real pressures of high-stakes leadership — from navigating dysfunctional boards and passing a bond referendum in a down market, to managing conflicts ranging from hallway disputes to union negotiations. Drawing on decision-making research from his doctoral dissertation, Dave developed the IROD method, a framework built around four simple questions that help teams move from stuck to aligned. He's the author of Homerun Leadership and now works with school districts, city and county leaders, nonprofits, and corporate teams to help them make better, faster decisions together.

Presentation Description: The Rotary Foundation is the engine behind Rotary's global impact — turning member contributions into clean water systems, life-saving vaccines, scholarships, and peacebuilding efforts in communities around the world. In this session, we'll explore how the Foundation works, where the dollars actually go, and how Marshfield Rotary's own giving connects to a network of service spanning more than 200 countries and geographic areas. Whether you're a longtime Rotarian or new to the organization, you'll walk away with a clearer picture of how a shared commitment to giving turns into lasting, measurable change.

About our Speaker: Ben Bauer is a member of the Marshfield Rotary Club, where he has served as Club President and currently supports the club as its social media and communications manager. He was recently appointed Rotary Public Image Coordinator (RPIC) for Rotary Region 36, leading public image efforts across districts and clubs beginning in 2027. Ben brings a background in strategic communications and creative leadership to his Rotary work, serving as VP of Marketing at Simplicity Credit Union. An experienced speaker, emcee, and facilitator, Ben has hosted major club and district events and represented Marshfield Rotary at the 2026 Rotary International Assembly in Orlando.

Presentation Description: Public health touches nearly every part of daily life — from the air we breathe to the systems that support mental health, substance use recovery, and childhood development. In this session, Kristie Egge from Healthy People Wood County will share a snapshot of the state of public health in our community: the trends shaping local health outcomes, the initiatives underway to address them, and where residents and organizations like Rotary can plug in to help move the needle. Whether you're new to public health topics or a longtime advocate, this update will give you a clearer picture of where Wood County stands and what's ahead.

About our Speaker: Kristie Egge, MPH, serves as Supervisor of Strategic Initiatives at Healthy People Wood County, where she oversees teams and partnerships and has more than 14 years of public health experience, including overseeing well over $3 million in grant funding. She has led efforts across Wood County addressing mental health, substance use, chronic disease, and childhood development, with a focus on making systemic changes that improve health outcomes and reduce inequities. Kristie is originally from Osseo and now lives in Wisconsin Rapids with her husband and three children.