Madison’s Novii CPA is an accounting firm with startup vibes

Name an industry, and chances are there are at least a few startups vying to “disrupt” it with some status-quo-busting product or business model.

But accounting?

The business of preparing financial statements and filing taxes might not sound ripe for revolution. But after working with many clients who owned small businesses, certified public accountant Victoria Thayer caught the startup bug too.

“It was so inspiring to see all these entrepreneurs that just had an idea, started a business and took the leap,” Thayer said. “So I started thinking well … maybe I should give it a try.”

She envisioned a company that would help business owners understand their finances and financial options so they can achieve their goals. While many startups proffer human-replacing technology, Thayer imagined transforming the accounting industry by getting accountants to interact more with their clients and colleagues. 

Last May, she quit her job as an auditor to do just that. She named her firm Novii CPA, a combination of “novus” (new) and “vision,” with an extra “i” inspired by tech startups.

Read more from the Cap Times

Vogel Bros. Building Co.: Revitalizing the Heart of Hilldale

For Immediate Release
March 29, 2024

Media Contact:
Katie Kulchytskyy
608.241.5454

Revitalizing the Heart of Hilldale
Demolition and Groundbreaking at Hilldale Shopping Center

MADISON, WIS. – Revitalizing the Heart of Hilldale. Hilldale Shopping Center is thrilled to announce an ambitious project that will breathe new life into our beloved community at Hilldale and greater Madison. This transformative initiative aims to convert a former theater space into a dynamic and vibrant streetscape, showcasing an array of exciting retail tenants that promise to enhance the overall shopping experience.

This project entails a 25,000-square-foot renovation of existing space for mixed use, accommodating new retail and restaurant tenants. The exterior façade will also be reimagined, enhancing the experience of visitors to Hilldale Mall. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024. WS Development, the Massachusetts based firm that owns and manages Hilldale Shopping Center, has partnered with Eppstein Uhen Architects, Inc. (EUA) for design and Vogel Bros. Building Co. as the construction partner.

Chris Boyce, Director of Asset Strategy and Development of WS Development indicated, “The upcoming project marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Hilldale Shopping Center, reinforcing our commitment to community engagement and fostering a lively, inclusive atmosphere. The decision to repurpose the former theater space reflects our dedication to creating spaces that resonate with the pulse of Madison and stay relevant to the evolving nature of retail.

“Our vision for the future of Hilldale was informed by input from local residents to ensure our growth aligns with the community’s aspirations. We are confident that this project, which is only just beginning, will not only meet but exceed the expectations of Madison residents, creating a thriving space for shopping, socializing, and community engagement.”

“Vogel Bros. is excited to partner with WS Development, return to Hilldale, and eager to bring our expertise to the table for the redevelopment that will convert existing space into a pedestrian-friendly experience,” says Matthew Schultz, Vice President of Vogel Bros. Building Co.

WS Development (www.wsdevelopment.com) is one of the top five private, retail-first developers in the United States. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, WS Development has been a leader in the acquisition, development, management and redevelopment of retail and mixed-use properties. Its diverse portfolio consists of more than 100-plus properties totaling 20-plus million square feet with 5-plus million square feet in new developments.

Vogel Bros. Building Co. (www.vogelbldg.com) is a fifth-generation construction services company with offices in Madison, WI and Lakeland, FL. As an award-winning company, Vogel Bros. has earned recognition for completing large-scale complex projects, encouraging innovation, embracing new technologies, and making a difference in our communities. We owe our success and longevity to the values established by the Vogel family that have been shared through the generations and are embodied in our employees. Vogel Bros. mission is to continually improve our services in order to enhance the lives of the people in the communities we serve.

NewBridge Madison Board of Directors Job Announcement

NewBridge is an innovative non-profit organization that provides a bridge to successful aging, for older adults aged 60 and older, in the Madison area.

• We offer comprehensive, wholistic services for adults 60 years and older, www.newbridgemadison.org.
• We provide over 40,000 community meals provided annually.
• We serve more than 10,000 participants each year.
• We assist over 1,200 low-income older adults in accessing critical services (housing, food, health and wellness) and address racial disparities.
  Join our board and become a champion for older adults! Become an influential voice for one of the most underserved and underfunded populations in our community. We are seeking board members to be active advocates and ambassadors for older adults and our agency. This is a great opportunity to play an instrumental role in helping secure the financial resources and partnerships necessary for NewBridge to remain the best agency serving older adults.
  Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  We know that to achieve our goals, fulfill our mission, and realize our vision, we need to include Board members with perspectives drawn from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, skill sets, areas of expertise, and lived experience. At NewBridge our commitment is to create and maintain a board that is diverse in its composition, inclusive in its culture, and equity-focused in its approach to how it views our mission, our work, and the communities we serve.
  Open Positions
  1) Volunteer Board Member: Area of Expertise – Fund Development/ Fund Raising
  2) Volunteer Board Member: Area of Expertise – Advocacy/Community Connections
  3) Volunteer Board Member: Area of Expertise – Lived Experiences and/or Older adult NewBridge Board members play a crucial role in corporate governance, guiding strategic
  decisions, fostering accountability, and shaping our agency’s future.
  Board responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
• know our agency’s mission, policies, programs, and needs
• determine which programs are consistent with our mission and monitor their effectiveness
• ensure strong fiduciary oversight and financial management
• ensure adequate resources (financial and otherwise) for our agency to fulfill its mission
• ensure NewBridge builds and maintains an internal culture of inclusion and representation across all levels of our agency
• ensure legal and ethical integrity
  Expectations of individual Board Members include but are not limited to:
• commitment to the mission of NewBridge and understand its collective purpose
• attend 70% of our Board meetings
• prepare for, attend, and participate in board meetings
• participate fully in one or more committees or task forces
• respect the experiences of all who bring their voices and lived experiences on to the board and our agency
• NewBridge Madison values diversity and inclusion, and actively promotes anti-racism. We expect all staff, contractors, and board members to be intentional about honoring these values and to commit to advancing equity and inclusion in our work with older adults.
• serve as active advocate and ambassadors for the agency
• leverage connections, networks, and help secure financial resources and partnerships necessary for our agency to advance its mission
• identify give a meaningful personal financial donation and/or of your time and talent
• maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of NewBridge
  The NewBridge Board is a volunteer board. Members are not paid and dedicate their time and expertise to support our agency and our work with older adults.
  To receive an application or for more information contact Executive Director Jim Krueger, jimk@newbridgemadison.org
  NewBridge Madison intentionally values and promotes diversity, inclusion and anti-racism in serving older adults.

WPS Health Solutions® a winner of the Top Workplaces Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Corporate Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions^® a winner of the Top Workplaces Award 

MADISON, Wis.—March 26, 2024—WPS Health Solutions has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2024 honor by The Wisconsin State Journal for a fourth year. This list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling Respected and Supported, Enabled to Grow, Empowered to Execute, and more. 

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.” 

“At WPS, we are fostering a thriving culture that energizes people to do meaningful work, ignites collaboration, and builds momentum for the future,” comments WPS Chief People Officer Moira Klos. “We are proud to receive this award for the fourth year in a row! Winning is a testament to the cultural journey we are on.” 

About Energage 

Making the world a better place to work together.^™ 

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com. 

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, Wisconsin, has more than 2,600 employees. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com. 

###

‘Mythbusters’ Host, Author Kari Byron to Speak on Unlocking Curiosity at Wisconsin Union Directorate Event April 24

MADISON – Author and “MythBusters” television host Kari Byron will share her thoughts on how to use curiosity to solve problems at Shannon Hall in Memorial Union on April 24 at 7 p.m. at a Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) Committee-hosted free lecture.

The event, titled “Curiosity Unlocked: An Evening with Kari Byron,” will feature a 60-minute lecture followed by a 30-minute audience Q&A. The event is free, but tickets are required. Current University of Wisconsin–Madison students may register for tickets on April 9 at 2 p.m. Students will require a promo code, which they will receive via email, to acquire their ticket. Any remaining tickets will become available to the general public on April 10 at 2 p.m., with a limit of two tickets per person. Ticket registration for the event will be available here. 

Known for her work on reality science television shows such as “MythBusters,” “Thrill Factor” and “The White Rabbit Project,” Byron has a steady presence in the science education community. Using her own arts background, Byron works to connect the fields of art and science, which can be regarded as conflicting approaches. 

Byron is the co-director of the National STEM Challenge, a competition that fosters creativity, critical thinking and a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics for middle and high school students. She is also the co-founder of EXPLR Media, which provides science-related resources to kids worldwide.

Her book, “Crash Test Girl: An Unlikely Experiment in Using the Scientific Method to Answer Life’s Toughest Questions,” explores the use of the scientific method in her own life to solve everyday issues, including career-building, love and friendship.

“I’m a living, limping, example of how being a risk-taking methodologist can bring you love, success, and inspiration,” Byron said in her 2018 autobiography. “I had to be a crash test girl to evolve into a road-tested woman.”

The WUD DLS Committee brings engaging and influential people to the UW–Madison campus to encourage thought-provoking conversations. WUD includes 12 committees and six Wisconsin Hoofers clubs that program thousands of events each year.

Patrons can learn more about the upcoming free talk featuring Byron here.