Starion Bank Welcomes Kildahl as Chief Operations Officer

Starion Bank is pleased to announce that Chris Kildahl has been named Chief Operating Officer. With more than two decades of experience in financial leadership and operational expertise, Kildahl brings a dynamic and disciplined approach to the bank’s executive team.

“I’m honored to join Starion Bank and help advance Starion’s vision for community banking and innovation through embedded finance,” said Kildahl. Their commitment to serving local communities aligns perfectly with my own values, and together we can continue delivering outstanding results for our customers.”

Kildahl has a strong background in executive leadership. Throughout his career, he has played pivotal roles in building and mentoring high-performance teams across multiple disciplines, as well as driving strategic initiatives and guiding transformational growth.

“Chris brings a wealth of experience and a strategic instinct that perfectly matches Starion Bank’s mission, said Dave Rogstad, Starion Bank President. “We’re excited to welcome him to our leadership team and look forward to the impact he’ll make in taking our customers and communities even farther.”

Kildahl is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant. He holds an MBA from North Dakota State University and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Management Information Systems and Finance from Minnesota State Moorhead.

About Starion Bank

Starion Bank, a family-owned $2 billion asset super-community bank, has been a pillar of North Dakota’s financial landscape since its establishment in 1969. With 16 locations spanning North Dakota and Wisconsin, Starion remains dedicated to providing top-notch financial services to individuals, businesses, and communities. Learn more at StarionBank.com.

Capitol Bank to Host Care Package Assembly for Troops

Madison, WI (October 7, 2025): On October 13th, Capitol Bank is honored to host the 4th annual Letter from Home campaign to support active-duty service men and women currently overseas. Led by Capitol Bank’s Verona Retail Manager Hannah Stillman, Letter from Home is a yearly initiative to assemble care packages every fall for troops abroad.

Starting in 2021, Letter from Home has grown from four care packages to thousands, officially becoming a nonprofit in 2024. Over the years, packages have been delivered to a number of different bases in combat zones. This year’s shipments are slated to arrive with troops in the Middle East in time for Veteran’s Day. This event underscores Capitol Bank’s commitment to supporting charitable and nonprofit work in the Greater Madison area. Giving back to good causes like Letter from Home represents the core values of Capitol Bank’s community-focused mission.

In addition to Capitol Bank staff volunteers, members of American Veterans Post 57 and several active-duty military personnel from around the country will also be in attendance. Media are invited to attend beginning at 10:30 am.

About Capitol Bank: Capitol Bank, locally owned and operated, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work, and do business. We are proud of the partnerships we have established with organizations, businesses, and individuals in the Greater Madison area. Our philosophy of community support is demonstrated at the corporate level, as well as in the time and energy our employees devote to our community each year. Capitol Bank is Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

Madison’s Marsha Lindsay Unveils Competitive Edge Research at London Summit

First of three global presentations highlight findings on the use of AI, execs’ futures

LONDON  — In research released in London Sept. 30, Marsha Lindsay, CEO and Chief Analyst of Lindsay Foresight & Stratagem in Madison, revealed many CEOs, leadership teams, and Boards of Directors are unaware that marketplace forces, such as AI, are risking the future viability of their companies and their careers.

Lindsay, a globally respected researcher, keynote speaker and trainer on competitive advantage to C-suites and Boards based in Madison, Wis., focused her study on more than 300 discussions with senior executives and directors of corporate boards. Her work uncovered a widespread leadership gap resulting in outdated plans that don’t adequately optimize customer-centric practices.

“Many executives are starting to experience a decline in sales, margin and momentum, but struggling to figure out why,” Lindsay said. “They’re missing out on efficiencies along with opportunities to scale. They’re misapplying AI technology. They have a seriously out of date conception of brand strategy.”

She said that for true competitive advantage, companies must deliver their products in consumer-centric ways that validate their customers’ self-concept and enable their personal aspirations.

“Forty years ago, Peter Drucker stressed customer focus. Today, few operate with the customer-centricity needed to compete in the future,” Lindsay said. “Achieving competitive advantage requires organizing and operating with the utmost focus on buyers and users. This means operations, data, AI, insight, innovations– revolving at ever faster rates to meet and exceed expectations for instant access, immediate satisfaction, and personalization.”

Lindsay presented her initial findings last week at The Indie Summit, an international conference produced by thenetworkone. She will also speak on the critical role of customer centricity for competitive advantage in Washington, D.C., at the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Oct.13 and Nov. 5-6 at the World Business Forum’s USA and Canada conference, called World of Business Ideas (WOBI), on the topic, “Rethink Your Competitive Strategy.”  Both conferences are in New York City.

NACD is an influential organization for more than 24,000 directors of boards including many from Fortune 500 companies. WOBI is a premier annual conference that brings together thousands of senior executives from around the globe to explore cutting-edge ideas in leadership, innovation, and business strategy.

Dupaco’s Gift of Innovation grant empowers nonprofits to grow and thrive

Applications now open through Nov. 14.

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Nonprofits looking to expand their impact have a unique opportunity through Dupaco Credit Union’s Gift of Innovation grant. In partnership with The Innovation Lab, Dupaco is launching the second year of this transformative program designed to fuel nonprofit growth through innovation support.

Instead of a traditional monetary award, the grant provides a range of innovation sessions—valued up to $40,000 in total—from 1-day sessions to a full year of capacity-building services.

The grant is designed to help nonprofits overcome resource constraints that may limit their potential. Innovation sessions can help organizations with challenges such as:

• Strategic planning
• Process development
• Financial sustainability
• Business model improvements

“Last year’s response confirmed what we believed: Nonprofits are eager to innovate but often lack the resources to do so,” said Joe Hearn, President and CEO of Dupaco Credit Union. “As a not-for-profit, mission-driven organization, Dupaco is proud to continue supporting nonprofits in their journey to grow, succeed and deepen their impact. This grant is one way we help build a brighter community for all.”

Each innovation session is tailored to meet the unique needs of the selected nonprofit. Sessions are conducted with Eric Dregne, Director of The Innovation Lab.

“We work closely with each nonprofit to ensure the session delivers real value,” Dregne said. “Participants can expect to leave with two to three highly actionable strategies that strengthen their operations and capacity.”

Nonprofits interested in accelerating their mission are encouraged to apply by November 14, 2025. Eligible applicants must be a 501(c)(3) public charity and reside and operate within Dupaco’s charter area. To learn more and apply, visit dupaco.com/ways-we-give.

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ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 176,000 with assets exceeding $3.6 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. Learn more at www.dupaco.com.

MMSD Launches New Community Newsletter to Keep Madison Residents Informed

MADISON, Wis.—Today, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is launching “MMSD: InFocus,” a new community newsletter designed to keep Madison residents, business leaders and partners informed about what’s happening in MMSD.

“This is about connection, awareness and accountability,” said Edell Fiedler, MMSD’s senior executive director of communications. “Our schools belong to the community, and we need to share how we are investing in students, facilities and programs that benefit all of Madison.”

The newsletter will provide updates on district initiatives, facilities projects, student successes and financial stewardship, giving residents a clear view of how their tax dollars are being used to support students and strengthen Madison’s neighborhoods.

“Strong public schools are essential for strong communities, ” Fiedler added. “Whether or not you have children in MMSD, the success of our schools matter. They impact the local economy, property values, workforce readiness and the overall vitality of Madison. We want our community members to feel informed, connected and proud of what our students and their schools are accomplishing.”

Community members are encouraged to sign up for the newsletter through the MMSD website or by scanning the QR code below to begin receiving monthly updates directly in their inbox.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.