StartingBlock Marketing and Events Internship

If you like building communities and are passionate about working with entrepreneurs, and enjoy using your writing and social media, then this internship is a great fit for you!

StartingBlock seeks a Marketing, Communication and Events intern. This position will work on the monthly newsletter, events and social media. We are looking for someone who gets excited about event planning and coordination. Students who are energetic, self-starter and excited about entrepreneurship.

Apply here.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company: Jessi Booker promoted to Regional Vice President, Sales

Jessi Booker has been promoted to Regional Vice President, Sales at National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL). Booker joined NGL in 2006 as a New Business Representative and during her tenure with NGL has held various roles, advancing her way to Regional Vice President.

In her new role as Regional Vice President, Sales Booker will focus on developing and enhancing Preneed business development opportunities with NGL’s marketing organizations, independent agents and agencies. She will work closely with Judy Olson, Regional Vice President, Sales as she assists NGL’s Marketing Partners in growing their Preneed sales.

“Jessi is an extremely knowledgeable and valuable resource for everyone she works with both in the field and at NGL,” shared Olson. “I have been fortunate to work closely with her for over 15 years. I look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role as Regional Vice President on the Sales Team as we help support our customers’ goals through connection, collaboration and compassion.

“I look forward to moving into my new role as Regional Vice President and strengthening existing and building new relationships. I believe in providing our customers with reliability, trust and success as they serve families. Working in various departments at NGL throughout my career, including new business, customer service and agent support has uniquely positioned me to understand the multifaceted needs of policyholders, agents and Marketing Partners,” said Booker. “The Preneed industry is important because it gives families peace of mind and helps to alleviate some of the stress during one of life’s most challenging moments. I am passionate about preplanning because I’ve witnessed the benefits to families who know what to expect when their loved one passes away.”

Booker is married with three adult children and two grandchildren. She enjoys spending her weekends boating on the lakes in Madison with her family and friends.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

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Dane Buy Local Announces Shop Local Tour Featuring Black-Owned Businesses on May 25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2023

Available for interviews
Colin Murray, Executive Director of Dane Buy Local
2801 International Lane, Suite 110
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 712-3440
colin@danebuylocal.com
www.danebuylocal.com

Dane Buy Local Announces Shop Local Tour Featuring Black-Owned Businesses on May 25

Madison, WI – Dane Buy Local is proud to announce its upcoming Shop Local Tour presented by Madison Top Company on May 25, featuring Black-owned businesses in the community. The tour is part of Dane Buy Local’s ongoing efforts to support small businesses and promote the importance of shopping local.

The Shop Local Tour will take place on May 25 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will visit a variety of Black-owned businesses throughout the county. Participants will have the opportunity to meet the owners, learn about their products and services, and discover new and unique local businesses. This tour is sponsored by the Black Madison Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re excited to showcase the diversity of our local business community and support these amazing Black-owned businesses,” said Colin Murray, Executive Director of Dane Buy Local. “Shopping local is more important than ever, and we hope this tour will encourage residents to discover and support the amazing small businesses in Dane County.”

The participating businesses on the Shop Local Tour include:

Earthly Temptations, 1812 S. Park St

Hart Beat Boutique, 427 S. Yellowstone Dr

Herbal Aspect, 3547 University Ave

Jewelers on State St, 550 State St

JustVeggiez, 540 State St

Mentoring Positives, E. Washington Ave

The Shop Local Tour is open to the public. Save $10 right now, tickets can be purchased in advance for $39 per person (regular price  $49). Participants will receive a map and schedule of the tour, as well as a tote bag and other goodies from participating businesses, plus a drink and dessert at the end of the tour at Delta Beer Lab.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit Dane Buy Local’s website at danebuylocal.com/shoplocaltour

Dane Buy Local is affiliated with the Local Business Institute (LBI) and is part of a growing national movement of communities rallying to support their independent businesses and ensuring the opportunity to operate an independent business endures. Dane Buy Local creates a sustainable, vital local economy through collaboration, education, and promotion, as a non-profit member organization.

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Old National Bank announces $1 million in donations following Louisville tragedy

LOUISVILLE, KY, April 24, 2023 – Today, Old National announced $1 million in total donations in response to the tragic April 10 event at its downtown Louisville location. $600,000 of the total will go to provide additional support and care for those impacted while the remaining gifts demonstrate Old National’s immense gratitude to the entire community and particularly to the many heroes who emerged.

Donation distribution:

• $600,000  – “Love for Louisville Old National Survivors Fund” – established by Community Foundation of  Louisville: Fundraiser by National Compassion Fund : Love for Louisville Old National Survivors Fund (gofundme.com)
• $150,000 – Louisville Metro Police Foundation (supporting Officer Nickolas Wilt): https://saferlouisville.org.
• $150,000 – University of Louisville Hospital Trauma Center: uoflhealth.org/services/trauma-center/.
• $100,000 – American Red Cross: www.redcross.org

The “Love for Louisville ONB Survivors Fund” directly benefits Old National team members and their families who were victims of the attack. This newly established fund will be managed by the Community Foundation of Louisville in partnership with the National Compassion Fund (NCF). 100% of donations collected will go to those impacted. All funds donated will be distributed to the families of the deceased victims, injured survivors and for care to those who were present and experienced psychological trauma.

“Old National is committed to providing continued care and support to all our impacted team members and the families of those who lost their loved ones,” said Old National Bank CEO Jim Ryan. “We are grateful to our friends at the Community Foundation of Louisville for establishing this additional source of support for those impacted. This newly created fund will provide an opportunity for those yearning to help to have a direct impact.”

“From law enforcement representatives who risked their lives to first responders and the amazing team at the University of Louisville Hospital Trauma Center, there were so many brave and selfless individuals who emerged to care for our Old National family members,” said Jim Ryan. “We hope that these gifts reflect our immense gratitude for these heroes and our appreciation for the work of the American Red Cross to ensure life-saving blood is available during the most critical time of need.”

Ryan also noted the tremendous and overwhelming support that has been displayed since the days following the tragedy along with a strong desire by friends, team members, partners and community members to provide care through action. For those who have the means, we encourage donating to the organizations listed at the beginning of this release and/or providing support by giving the gift of life through a blood donation. More than anything, Ryan asked that members of the community help keep the memories of those who perished alive by “loving more, caring more deeply and supporting one another unconditionally.”

WPS Health Solutions earns BBB Torch Award for Ethics from Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions earns BBB Torch Award for Ethics from Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis.—April 20, 2023— Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Wisconsin announced its recipients of the BBB Torch Awards for Ethics, and WPS Health Solutions is among the winners. The recipients of this prestigious award were selected by an independent panel and recognized at the 2023 BBB Ethics Awards Luncheon hosted in Milwaukee.

“This award is significant because it validates and exemplifies what we experience each day at WPS—the highest standard of ethics and trust among employees, customers, and our communities,” said Vicki Cobb, Vice President of Internal Audit and Compliance. “I am so proud of each person at WPS for building a culture of trust with dedicated service for our customers.”

Entries for this award are evaluated by an independent, voluntary panel of judges comprised of business and community leaders. They are reviewed and judged on four key areas:

• Character
• Culture
• Customers
• Community

“The BBB Ethics Awards application is a grueling process, requiring the organization to analyze and communicate all aspects of their internal and external procedures to the judges,” said Julie Albrecht, Executive Director of the BBB of Wisconsin Foundation. “These organizations should be immensely proud of their commitment to ethics in their day-to-day operations.”

ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2021, people turned to BBB more than 200 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 6.3 million businesses and Charity Reports on 25,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including BBB Serving Wisconsin which was founded in 1939 and serves the state of Wisconsin.

About WPS Health Solutions 

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 2,700 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.