By Kim McDarison
Thirteen graduates of a “Leadership Development Academy” program developed by the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin (WDBSCW), and facilitated in partnership with Opportunities, Inc., and Madison College, were recognized Monday in a ceremony held at the Opportunities, Inc., headquarters building in Fort Atkinson.
According to Robin Kennedy, vice president of mission advancement with Opportunities Inc., and a teacher of some of the program’s instructional sessions, the development of the academy’s programming began several months ago. Opportunities, Inc., partners with the WDBSCW through the organization’s WorkSmart program, she said, which is described on the WDBSCW’s website as a network used to connect underserved populations with services and opportunities.
Kennedy said she shared the teaching role during the academy with MATC employee Heather Kennedy. While the two find a last name in common, they are not related, Robin Kennedy said.
The program helps support workers in the Jefferson County area who have been downsized or disconnected from their employment due to layoffs and closures, among other sets of circumstances, Kennedy noted.
The Leadership Development Academy was facilitated through use of a grant received by the WDBSCW. The academy’s mission is to engage with and help advance new leaders in the manufacturing sector, Kennedy stated, describing the group as a “critical and essential workforce.”
Some 40 family members, fellow employees and well-wishers, along with program facilitators gathered Monday at Opportunities, Inc., in honor of the students who were chosen by their employers to participate in the leadership program, according to Barb LeDuc, a WDBSCW board member, President of Opportunities, Inc., and a guest speaker at the graduation ceremony.
Among graduates recognized were: Nate Opps, an employee with Aztalan Engineering; Sandy Meyer, Ryan Nagle, Mustapha Singhateh, Josh Smulder and Lor Yang, all employees of Fisher Barton; Ryan Braun and Zach Stauffiger, both employees of Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage; Demetrius Samuels and Josh Weber, both employees of Jones Dairy Farm, and Noah Hartwig, Josh Langhoff and Tanya Neminski, all of whom are employed by Opportunities, Inc.
Along with LeDuc, speakers at the graduation ceremony included Becca Collins, programs manager and a board member with the WCBSCW, and Neminski, who was among graduates receiving recognition.
Ceremony, speakers
During her comments, LeDuc recognized the graduates, whom, she said, represented companies from across the Jefferson County area.
Noting her 15 years of service as a WDBSCW board member, LeDuc said that while many of the organization’s programs focused on dislocated and economically disadvantaged workers, “this program gave us the opportunity to advance the incumbent worker.”
She cited several program goals, listing among them: giving students an opportunity to learn from one-another, sharing best practices, working to advance future leaders through skills and knowledge, and finding enjoyment in training.
Following LeDuc, Neminski, who is a quality control facilitator at Opportunities, Inc., said she has been employed with the company for six years, and is new in her position as a quality facilitator.
“I have worked in many positions since joining Opportunities, Inc.,” she said, adding that she was guided by “great” leadership and given support.
She expressed appreciation for being chosen to participate in the academy, stating her definition of leadership as “connecting with people and building relationships. The words that come to mind when I think of good leadership are trust, honesty, respect, accountability, self-confidence and communication.”
She described the academy as “very helpful and (it) opened my mind to different ideas and ways to be a good leader.”
She noted her enthusiasm to make use of her new tools in the upcoming year.
During the ceremony, the 13 graduates were asked to stand before their guests and peers, and receive a certificate in recognition of successfully completing seven sessions held during the month of October.
Sessions included: 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.
The event concluded with photo opportunities, social time and refreshments.
In other news
Opportunities, Inc., hosted a recognition of its employees as part of Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, which was recognized nationally during the week of Sept. 11.
According to information supplied by Opportunities, Inc., the week “is a great opportunity to highlight the dedicated, innovative direct support workforce that is the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities.”
According to Kennedy, the organization participates annually because, she said: “Simply put, (it) makes our mission possible.”
She defined a direct support professional as a person who works directly with people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. The aim of a direct support person is to assist people in realizing their full potential so they can become integrated and engage with their community, she said.
Offering some statistics, Kennedy said 80% of services delivered locally to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities come through direct support professionals.
In September, Opportunities, Inc., hosted a reception for several of its employees during which they were acknowledged and thanked for their contributions.
Several speakers were on-hand to offer thanks to the employees, including Jefferson County Administrator Ben Wehmeier, State Rep. Cody Horlacher, State Sen. Steve Nass, State Rep. Barb Dittrich, and Jeff Theder, vice president of operations with Jones Dairy Farm and an Opportunities, Inc., board member.
Opportunity, Inc., employees recognized during the reception were: Jason Frey, vice president of sales and customer service; Ingrid Yunck, employment services manager; Hannah Kane, direct support professional; Diane Cantwell, CFO; Gwen Kammer, direct support professional; Suzanna Dean, vocational support; Lisa Norman, direct support professional; Kennedy; Serena Gray, vocational support supervisor; Nicole Kozak, direct support professional, and Jane Benisch, direct support professional.
Photos from both events follow.
Barb LeDuc, a Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin board member, president of Fort Atkinson-based Opportunities, Inc., and a guest speaker at the “Leadership Development Academy” graduation ceremony, which was held at Opportunity Inc’s headquarters, addresses assembled guests. During the program, 13 graduates of the academy received certificates.
Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin (WDBSCW) board member and Program Manager Becca Collins addresses graduates and guests during a graduation ceremony held Monday at Opportunities, Inc. A month-long, multisession academy was made available to a select group of employees working within the field of manufacturing from across the Jefferson County area. Participants were selected by their employers. The program was made available through a grant procured by the WDBSCW.
Graduates, academy facilitators and guests fill a conference room at Opportunities, Inc., Fort Atkinson, in advance of a ceremony organized in recognition of the graduates’ achievements.
Thirteen graduates of the Leadership Development Academy, a month-long, workshop-based program developed by the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin in partnership with Opportunities, Inc., and Madison College, assemble to receive their certificates. They are: Josh Langhoff, of Opportunities, Inc., back row, from left; Nate Opps, Aztalan Engineering, and Mustapha Singhateh, Fisher Barton, followed by Ryan Braun, of Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage, middle row, from left; Ryan Nagle, Fisher Barton; Noah Hartwig, Opportunities, Inc.; Josh Smulders, Fisher Barton, and Demetrius Samuels, Jones Dairy Farm, followed by Sandy Meyer, Fisher Barton, front row, from left; Lor Yang, Fisher Barton; Tanya Neminski, Opportunities, Inc.; Josh Weber, Jones Dairy Farm, and Zach Stauffiger, of Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage.
Demetrius Samuels, an employee with Fort Atkinson-based Jones Dairy Farm, at right, receives his certificate.
Leadership Development Academy graduates Zach Stauffiger, a harvest team leader, at left, and Ryan Braun, a formulation team lead, both employees of Watertown-based Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage, display their certificates.
Opportunities, Inc., employees and several community leaders who arrived at the Fort Atkinson-based company headquarters in recognition of Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, celebrated nationally during the week of Sept. 11, gather. The community leaders gave speeches offering words of thanks to the support professionals. They are: Jefferson County Administrator Ben Wehmeier, back row, from left; State Rep. Cody Horlacher; Opportunities, Inc., Vice President Sales and Customer Service Jason Frey; State Sen. Steve Nass; Vice President of Operations with Jones Dairy Farm and Opportunities, Inc. board member Jeff Theder and Opportunities, Inc., Employment Services Manager Ingrid Yunck, followed by Opportunities, Inc., Direct Support Professional Hannah Kane, middle row, from left; Opportunities, Inc., CFO Diane Cantwell; Opportunities, Inc, Direct Support Professional Gwen Kammer, Opportunities, Inc., vocational support staff member Suzanna Dean; Opportunities, Inc., Direct Support Professional Lisa Norman; Opportunities, Inc., Vice President of Mission Advancement Robin Kennedy, and Opportunities, Inc., Vocational Support Supervisor Serena Gray, followed by Opportunities, Inc., Direct Support Professional Nicole Kozak, front row, from left; Opportunities, Inc., Direct Support Professional Jane Benisch; Opportunities, Inc., President and CEO Barb LeDuc, and State Rep. Barb Dittrich.
Kim McDarison photos.
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