Thirteen graduate from Workforce Development Leadership Academy 

Thirteen individuals identified as leaders within their respective companies graduated Monday from the Workforce Development Leadership Academy.

The academy, which offers a variety of leadership-oriented workshops to selected participants, is conducted at Opportunities, Inc., Fort Atkinson.

The academy is further supported by the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin and Madison College.

Monday’s graduates included: Katie Topel, Aztalan Engineering; Shana Ollarzabal, Johnsonville; Austin Feirtag and Destiny Roth, both of Jones Dairy Farm; Francisco Perez, Jaciel Flores, and Tim Errickson, from Nestle Purina Pet Care Co.; Chad Nimm, Daltyn McKee, Meredith Siegel, and Neil Dempsey, of Opportunities, Inc., and Eduardo Arana and Jose E. Ordaz, both of Palermo’s Pizza.

During the ceremony, opening remarks were delivered by Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin Program Director Becca Collins, followed by remarks made by guest speaker Shannon Petravich, senior operations manager at Palermo’s Pizza.

Topel, in her role as student speaker, also delivered remarks.

Following the speakers, each graduate received a certificate of graduation.

The academy is an ongoing program begun in 2022 to engage with and help advance new leaders in the manufacturing sector, according to its organizers.

Those enrolled in the academy attend workshops focused on such topics as essentials of leadership, building high-trust relationships, leading and facilitating teams, diversity and inclusion, time management and personal productivity, navigating conflict and crucial conversations, and bullying and harassment in the workplace.

Program instructor and vice president of mission advancement at Opportunities, Inc., Robin Kennedy, congratulates Workforce Development Academy participant Katie Topel of Aztalan Engineering. Topel served during Monday’s graduation ceremony as student speaker. She and 12 of her fellow students received certificates of graduation during Monday’s ceremony. Contributed photo.

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