Pack the Pantry on State Street! (Jan. 16–Feb. 14)

The River Food Pantry is currently moving to its new home at 3301 Packers Ave on Madison’s Northside. This larger facility will allow The River—Dane County’s busiest food pantry—to expand their services and reach even more people as the need for food assistance continues to rise.

Before opening their doors in late January, The River needs our help to fill their new warehouse with food and essentials for our community.

You and your business are invited to support this effort by participating in Pack the Pantry on Packers Ave. There are several ways to get involved:

1.     Donate Food Directly: Drop off nonperishable donations at either of the following locations:

• 127 State Street: Volunteers will collect donations starting Friday, Jan. 16–Saturday, Feb. 14, at the following times:
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 am–1:30 pm
  • Fridays from 4–7 pm
  • Saturdays from 12–7 pm
• The River, 3301 Packers Ave: Look for the black donation drop-off bin near the loading docks, available Monday–Friday from 10 am–2 pm starting Jan. 9. A drive-thru donation drop-off will also be held on Monday, Jan. 26 from 10 am–4 pm.

2.     Host a Food Drive: Use your business to collect food and supplies in one of The River’s donation barrels or your own containers. You can focus on collecting 1 type of item or a variety of nonperishables.

3.     Host a Round-Up Campaign: Offer customers the opportunity to round up their purchase at checkout to support The River.

4.     Sponsor Cases of Food and Supplies: Make a financial contribution to help The River purchase cases at wholesale pricing to fill pallets in the new warehouse.

Businesses that donate $1,500 or more will receive sponsorship benefits, including recognition on our website, at 127 State Street, and more!

Learn more and give today at www.riverfoodpantry.org/pack-the-pantry.

Boardman Clark Welcomes New Attorneys Virginia Bartelt, Lindsey Cobbe, and Ashleigh Hacker

Boardman Clark is proud to announce the addition of three attorneys to the firm: Virginia Bartelt, Lindsey Cobbe, and Ashleigh Hacker. Each brings distinguished practices and years of experience to Boardman Clark.

Virginia Bartelt practices primarily in the areas of trust and estates, real estate, and business. Her clients include a wide variety of individuals, families, real estate investors, and business owners. Regardless of the type of work she’s doing, her goal is to provide her clients with practical solutions and to help them find peace of mind.

Lindsey Cobbe and Ashleigh Hacker are members of the firm’s Family Law Practice Group. Lindsey focuses her practice on divorce litigation and mediation, child custody and physical placement matters, and financial issues, including child support, maintenance, and property division. She also drafts marital property agreements (pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements) and cohabitation agreements. Ashleigh represents clients through all aspects of divorce litigation, and in child custody, child support, and maintenance cases. She has extensive experience working with business valuations, complex financial assets, intra-state jurisdictional issues, and Hague Convention matters, and also represents clients in appellate cases.

“Virginia, Lindsey, and Ashleigh are outstanding attorneys with excellent reputations in their fields,” says Marta Meyers, chair of Boardman Clark’s Family Law Practice Group. “We know our firm and our clients will benefit immensely from their insight and leadership.”

M3 Promotes Erik Vandermause to Chief Information Officer

M3 Promotes Erik Vandermause to Chief Information Officer

MADISON, WI – M3 is proud to announce the promotion of Erik Vandermause to Chief Information Officer and member of the firm’s executive operating committee, effective January 9, 2026. In this role, Vandermause leads M3’s digital strategy, driving transformation and advancing the firm’s next generation of growth and effectiveness.

Vandermause joined M3 in 2023 as Vice President of Applied Intelligence, where he led the firm’s data, analytics, digital, and CRM initiatives. His leadership in combining advanced technology with human insight has helped M3 deliver new levels of value for clients, employees, and partners.

Prior to joining M3, Vandermause served as a Managing Director at Accenture, helping insurance clients realize value from innovation in the front office. He also held several leadership positions at CUNA Mutual Group, including Director of Insurance Product Management and Vice President of Digital, Contact Centers, and Data.

“Erik’s wealth of experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy has already made a significant impact on M3,” said Mike Moore, Chief Operating Officer and partner at M3. “As CIO, his vision and leadership will continue to strengthen our position as a forward-thinking organization focused on delivering exceptional and specialized outcomes for our clients.”

Vandermause earned his master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Wisconsin –Madison and his bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Norbert College.

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About M3

M3 Insurance is a top private and independent insurance broker and risk management firm in the nation. Recognized as a leader in the products it represents and the industries it serves, M3’s people act as an extension of each client’s team, providing world-class resources to help manage risk, secure insurance solutions, and deliver comprehensive employee benefits. With a strong commitment to community, M3 works to build better places to live and work. For more information on M3 visit M3ins.com.

Stories of Campus and Culture Celebrates Black History, Storytelling, and UW–Madison Alumni Community

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Black Affinity Group will host Legacy & Libations: Stories of Campus and Culture on Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. at the Urban League Black Business Hub in Madison. The free event invites alumni and community members to gather for an afternoon celebrating Black legacy, cultural storytelling, and connection within the UW–Madison community.

The program will feature a cultural presentation by the SoulFolk Collective, highlighting narratives rooted in Black history and campus experience, along with wine education led by the Milwaukee Wine Academy, spotlighting Black-owned producers and the cultural significance of wine. Guests will also enjoy curated snacks and opportunities for alumni networking and community engagement.

The event is free and open to alumni and the public, with advance registration encouraged.

Event Details:
What: Legacy & Libations: Stories of Campus and Culture
When: Sunday, February 1, 2026 | 3:00–5:00 PM
Where: Urban League Hub, TruStage Entrepreneurship Event Center, 2222 S. Park Street, Madison, WI
Cost: Free with RSVP
Register: https://www.uwalumni.com/events/black-ag-legacy-libation-campus-stories/

Dupaco’s Gift of Innovation awards sessions to fuel nonprofit growth

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Fifteen nonprofits across Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois will amplify their missions through Dupaco’s Gift of Innovation grant program, in partnership with The Innovation Lab. The program is designed to spark creative solutions and lasting impact.

The Gift of Innovation Grant recipients are:

• Catherine McAuley Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
• Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, Cedar Rapids
• Central Iowa Shelter and Services, Des Moines, IA
• CommUnity Crisis Services, Iowa City, IA
• Dubuque Area Labor Management Council, Dubuque, IA
• DVIP & RVAP (Domestic Violence Intervention Program), Iowa City
• Embolden WI, Madison, WI
• Families Forward, Des Moines
• Galena Art & Recreation Center, Galena, IL
• Moms Connect Dubuque, Dubuque
• New Hope Village, Inc., Carroll, IA
• Opening Doors, Dubuque
• Red Basket Project, Dubuque
• Waypoint Services for Women, Children and Families, Cedar Rapids
• Willkie House, Des Moines

This is the second year of this transformative program that fuels nonprofit growth through innovation support. Rather than a traditional monetary award, the grant provides innovation sessions to help nonprofits overcome resource constraints that may limit their potential. Sessions can help organizations work through challenges such as strategic planning, process development, financial sustainability, business model improvements and more.

This year’s program represents $67,000 in innovation support, delivered through tailored sessions that span one day, two days or 1 year. Sessions are conducted by Eric Dregne, Director of The Innovation Lab.

“It’s been exciting to work with the 2025 recipients of the Gift of Innovation program, to work through challenges that were holding them back,” said Eric Dregne, Innovation Lab director. “We cannot wait to get to work with the 2026 recipients to further impact the nonprofit sector and the people and communities they serve.”

“At Dupaco, we believe innovation is a catalyst for positive change. By equipping nonprofits with tools and strategies to think differently, we’re helping them unlock new ways to serve their communities,” said Joe Hearn, President and CEO of Dupaco Credit Union. “And when nonprofits thrive, the ripple effect strengthens families, neighborhoods and entire regions.”

The next Gift of Innovation grant cycle will open in fall 2026. Organizations that are interested in applying can watch www.dupaco.com/ways-we-give for updates.

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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 178,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com.