LGBT Chamber announces third class for Business Leadership Academy

MILWAUKEE, WI – The award-winning Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce today announced the participants selected for the third class of its Business Leadership Academy. This interactive, ten-month experience develops and strengthens the skills of existing and emerging LGBTQ and allied leaders in the workplace by providing quality and transformative programming.

Those individuals selected to participate in the year-long program are:

• Becky Crowley, Johnson Bank
• Cory Highshaw, U.S. Bank
• Crystal Fisher, Herzing University
• Curtis Vandenbusch, BMO Harris Bank
• David Doyle, Kohler
• Dr. Anna Koeck, Theia Vision Care
• Jamie Almquist, Laughing Dogs & Playful Pets
• Lauren Mason, Kohl’s
• Lumi McWhorter, Wipfli LLP
• Matt Peschke, Marcus Hotels & Resorts
• Mikki (Jennifer) McNeil, Molson Coors
• Nicole Blawusch, Laughing Dogs & Playful Pets
• Rebecca Grey, Kohl’s
• Robb Clasen, Thrivent
• Sarah Goforth, Molson Coors
• Shelley Hickman, Shelley Hickman State Farm
• Tiffani Kimball, Thrivent

“We have an amazingly talented group of individuals who applied and were selected to participate in the third year of our Business Leadership Academy – our largest class yet,” said Jason Rae, President & CEO of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “This diverse group of phenomenal LGBTQ and allied leaders is learning the skills they need to help build an even more welcoming business community in Wisconsin.”

The 2021 Business Leadership Academy meets virtually twice a month on the second and fourth Tuesday from February to November from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Each of the sessions will be facilitated by industry experts, certified trainers, and other business leaders from the community. Through the Business Leadership Academy, participants will gain a deeper understanding of their own leadership styles, as well as how to engage and inspire others. Topics include managing a team, effective communication, self-care, and more.

Graduates of the program are eligible for participation in the Business Leadership Academy’s Alumni Network, which connects previous program graduates for continued learning, professional development, and networking.

“We’ve had two amazing groups complete the Business Leadership Academy and we are really excited for this new cohort. Through this program, we are looking forward to helping develop the skills needed to break the rainbow ceiling and get more LGBTQ and allied people into senior leadership positions at businesses and companies in Wisconsin,” added Rae.

More information on the Business Leadership Academy can be found online at https://wislgbtchamber.com/businessleadershipacademy/.

The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce is an organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and LGBT-allied businesses, corporations and professionals throughout the state of Wisconsin. It offers networking opportunities, business development efforts within the LGBT community, and educational programming to its members. The organization has more than 650 members from around the state. In 2015, the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce received the National Chamber of the Year Award from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). More information can be found online at: www.wislgbtchamber.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.