IceBreaker 2025
WELCOME
An apple falls. Lightning strikes.
A connection is made, and suddenly — an “aha.” While history loves to mythologize moments of clarity, the true story of Eureka is rarely instantaneous. It’s a journey marked by uncertainty, collaboration and unwavering effort.
Today, we spotlight that journey. Our keynote speakers — Anna Landmark, Greg Piefer and Suzanne Winter — will share how bold thinking, persistence and ingenuity can lead to breakthroughs that reshape industries, solve global challenges and improve lives.
Welcome to the sold-out 11th annual IceBreaker — a celebration of innovation, discovery and the transformative ideas that move the world forward.
2025 SPONSORS
Arctic Circle Sponsor
Glacier Sponsor
Elevate Local Sponsor
Dessert Sponsor
Registration Sponsor
Ice Floe Sponsors
Student Sponsors
Small and Emerging Business Sponsors
6AM Marketing
Culver’s Frozen Custard – Todd Drive Madison
gThankYou
Vicki Wagener Agency – American Family Insurance
Table Sponsors
Adams Outdoor Advertising; Anesis Therapy; Associated Bank; Baker Tilly; Bank of America; Bank of Sun Prairie; Blain’s Farm & Fleet; Epic; Findorff; Fleetworthy; Frank Productions; Godfrey & Kahn; HealthX Ventures; Investors Associated LLP; JP Cullen; KennedyC; Morgan Murphy Media; myVA Rocks; National Guardian Life Insurance Company; Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm; Quarles & Brady
EMCEE & SPEAKERS
Opal Ellyse Tomashevska
Emcee | Founder & Artist, OEM Publishing
Opal Ellyse Tomashevska is a published poet, emcee, bestselling author and podcast host. She is also the Director of Multicultural Business Strategy at TruStage. Opal was named one of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders by 365 Media in 2020 and received Edgewood College’s Dominican Mission Alumni Award in 2022. She holds a master’s degree in organizational development from Edgewood College, a bachelor’s in psychology from University of Wisconsin–Parkside and is a Credit Union Development Educator. Tomashevska serves on several boards, including the Lussier Community Education Center, The Melanin Project and the AACUC Midwest Chapter.
Erik Iverson
Sponsor | CEO, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Erik Iverson is the CEO of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the nation’s first university technology transfer organization. Since 2016, he has led the foundation’s efforts to advance research, invest in innovation and support startups through initiatives such as WARF Accelerator, WARF Therapeutics and WARF Ventures. Previously, he held leadership roles at the Infectious Disease Research Institute, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Perkins Coie. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Gustavus Adolphus College, a law degree from the University of North Dakota and a Master of Laws from New York University.
Anna Landmark
Speaker | Owner, Landmark Creamery
Anna Landmark, descended from eight generations of Swiss dairy farmers, founded Landmark Creamery in 2013. The creamery has earned accolades including Food & Wine’s “Best Cheese in America” and gold medals from the U.S. Cheese Championships and the American Cheese Society. Today, Landmark Creamery is recognized as one of Wisconsin’s premier small-batch artisan cheese and butter makers.
Suzanne Winter
Speaker | President & CEO, Accuray
Suzanne Winter is the President and CEO of Accuray. Before joining Accuray, Winter held senior executive roles spanning general management, commercial and business development across healthcare industry segments, including diagnostic imaging, cardiovascular, neurocritical care and surgery. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in chemistry from St. Lawrence University.
Dr. Greg Piefer
Speaker | Founder & CEO, SHINE Technologies
Dr. Greg Piefer is the founder and CEO of SHINE Technologies, a leader in next-generation fusion solutions. SHINE uses fusion technology to address global needs, starting with the production of medical isotopes that save lives and progressing toward clean, sustainable energy. Piefer holds a doctorate in nuclear engineering and bachelor’s degrees in physics and electrical and computer engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is an accomplished inventor and holds multiple patents.
PROGRAM
10:30 a.m.
Registration Opens
11:10 a.m.
Welcome Remarks
11:25 a.m.
Chamber President – Zach Brandon
11:40 a.m.
Speakers
12:45 p.m.
Chamber President – Zach Brandon
1:00 p.m.
Program Ends
THE MADISON PITCH
Backed by compelling data and aligned with authentic, tested brand standards, The Madison Pitch is your winning playbook for talent recruitment. The platform for this work, BeMadison, also features videos, virtual reality experiences and compelling content to enhance your talent acquisition efforts.
Accelerate and Lead members received an email granting exclusive early access to the Base version of The Madison Pitch. Updated annually, it features our 10 most-used slides and accompanying narrative from our place-based recruitment presentations.
Coming in May, members will have the opportunity to access the Pro and Concierge versions, which includes on-site training and our full catalog of economic content — updated in real time throughout the year.
Not an Accelerate or Lead member and interested in learning more about The Madison Pitch? Contact us at info@bemadison.com.