Join Login

Category: Member News

Learn who’s growing, changing, moving and more! Stay on top of what’s new with your neighboring businesses. We share news releases and announcements from your peers in the Madison area. Want to toot your own horn? Use our Submit Member News form to share your own stories.

Photo by Richard Hurd

WPS Health Solutions donates $20,000 to The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness to improve health and reduce disparities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions donates $20,000 to The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness to improve health and reduce disparities

MADISON, Wis.—Oct. 16, 2020—WPS Health Solutions today announced a $20,000 gift to The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, a Madison-based nonprofit organization that works to eliminate health disparities impacting African American women and their families. The gift will support the Foundation’s health and wellness education and heart disease prevention efforts.

WPS Health Solutions has a long history of investment in local efforts that build strong, healthy communities. The Madison-based company has nearly 4,000 team members throughout much of the United Sates, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, and Virginia.

“In considering our giving priorities this year, WPS chose to support The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness based on its strong record of work and leadership to improve Black women’s health outcomes, and to drive health equity in Wisconsin where racial disparities are among the highest in the nation,” said Scott Kowalski, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

Established in 2012, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness engages and supports over 5,000 women and girls each year to build healthier lives through education, outreach, support circles, powerful partnerships, and by influencing systemic change. The organization has gained statewide and national recognition for its advocacy to advance Black women’s well-being as a public health priority.

“We are honored and excited that WPS chose us as one of its giving partners and at this crucial time where the need is so great,” says Foundation CEO and President Lisa Peyton-Caire. “As we confront long-standing health disparities compounded by COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on Black women and families here in Wisconsin and across the nation, never has it been more urgent to support Black women to live their healthiest lives. We look forward to the powerful impacts we will make with WPS’ generous support.”

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation has been based in Madison, Wis., for nearly 75 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

About The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness

Established in June 2012, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization committed to mobilizing African American women to pursue and sustain mind-body-spirit wellness, and to raise the visibility and support of Black women’s health as a community and public health priority. To learn more, please visit ffbww.org.

Left to right: Lisa Peyton-Caire, founding CEO and President of the Foundation; Scott Kowalski, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at WPS; Janine Stephens, Chief Operations Officer of the Foundation; Megan Willauer, Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships at WPS; and Alia Stevenson, Chief Programs Officer of the Foundation.

Photo by Richard Hurd

KW2 Announces Account Director Promotion, New Hires

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Wallman, President
awallman@kw2madison.com
608-232-2300 

Growing Agency Announces Account Director Promotion, New Hires 

Madison, WI, October 15, 2020 — KW2, a 34-year-old full-service digital and marketing firm based in Madison, announces the promotion of Michelle Sweet to Account Director. She will lead the team with planning, training, hiring and account team mentorship.  

“Michelle excels at this work and I’m so excited to have her step into this role,” says KW2 Vice President and co-owner Jennifer Savino. “KW2 will be even better with of Michelle’s leadership and passion for what we do.”

KW2 also announces five new hires as the Madison marketing and digital firm is continuing their growth throughout 2020. The KW2 team grew quickly since May with the addition of new clients and work from longtime clients.

Longtime ad executive, Kelly Mlsna, has been hired as Account Manager. As veteran a marketer and creative collaborator, she brings deep experience to the agency, and will lead teams on KW2’s public health and business accounts.

Kelly brings big brand experience from companies like Lands’ End, Honeywell, LaCrosse Footwear, Descente, Erbert and Gerbert’s, Glanbia Nutritionals and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

“Kelly’s depth of experience really adds to our incredible team’s skill set,” Savino said. “She will use her 20 years of strategic problem solving in the industry to drive actionable results for our clients. We are very excited to welcome Kelly to the team.”

About KW2
KW2 is a 34-year-old marketing and digital agency in Madison, Wisconsin. We create change that helps public health, higher education and business organizations empower and improve lives. Research-based insights, strategies and creative have driven the agency’s successes for dozens of higher ed and public health clients and businesses like The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison College, UW-Madison, The Wisconsin Technical College System, The City of Columbus, OH Department of Public Health and Zerology. 

Photo by Richard Hurd

Kollath CPA Introduces KollathKares Grant Program for Wisconsin Nonprofit Organizations

https://www.kollathcpa.com/KollathKaresGrant.html

Photo by Richard Hurd

First-day Thanksgiving Baskets registrations at Goodman Center break all previous records

More than 2,200 families registered for GCC’s Thanksgiving Baskets 

Madison, WI Oct. 13, 2020 – On Monday, Oct. 12, the Goodman Community Center opened registration for its annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive, and 2,216 families and individuals have signed up to receive a basket. This is nearly 1,000 more registrants than the same time last year.  

“We’ve seen unprecedented levels of demand in our food pantry since the coronavirus hit Wisconsin, so this outpouring of requests early on in the registration process isn’t surprising,” said Francesca Frisque, Goodman Center Food Pantry Coordinator. “Obviously, we wish people didn’t have to worry about where their holiday meal will come from, but we’re also glad that we can be a reliable source of help.” 

For the last 32 years, the Goodman Center has provided Dane County families with everything they need to prepare a Thanksgiving meal at home, and this year, the Center has set a goal of serving 4,000 families.  

The registration period is scheduled to run through Oct. 23, but GCC may be forced to close registration early. This record setting pace has the Goodman Community Center concerned about its capacity to reach everyone and about the state of hunger in our community. 

As in previous years, the Goodman Center has partnered with MMSD social workers to identify families in highest need and ensure they get registered for a basket. The Center has also made the registration process easy, creating a simple online form that is available in three languages: English, Spanish and Hmong. 

Many people still call in to register by phone. “Our registration line was ringing off the hook yesterday, and we expect that to continue,” said Frisque. “We’re so thankful for the volunteers who are willing to help field the calls and answer questions. We’re lucky to have the most supportive community around.” 

The Goodman Community Center is seeking community support by way of food donations, financial contributions and volunteers. It will take a village to provide 4,000 Dane County families with a Thanksgiving feast. People who are interested in helping can learn more at goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving. 

How to register for a basket: 

Registration is open to Dane County residents from Monday, Oct. 12, through Friday, Oct. 23. 

  • Register online: goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving 
  • Register by phone: 608-204-8018, Mon. – Fri., 12:30 – 6pm.  

How to help: 

  • Host a food drive (in person or virtual): We have photos, posters, grocery lists and helpful tips to make your drive successful. Downloadable files are available on our website: goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving. 
  • Make a financial gift: Funds raised are used to purchase turkeys, perishable items and items needed to completely fill baskets. Donate online at goodmancenter.org/donate 
  • Volunteer your time: Many volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Contact GCC Volunteer Manager Mai Lor Yang for more information: mailor@goodmandenter.org or 608-204-8056. 

About the Goodman Community Center 

The Goodman Community Center is the largest community center in Dane County. The center offers many programs to strengthen the lives of preschoolers through teens, meals and social activities for older adults, a food pantry, a gymnasium and fitness center, catering services and community space. For more information about the Center, visit goodmancenter.org

Find Goodman Community Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

### 

Photo by Richard Hurd

Savant Ranked as One of America’s Best Wealth Management Firms

Firm recognized by Barron’s and RIA Channel

Savant Wealth Management (formerly Savant Capital Management), a nationally recognized, fee-only advisory firm headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, with locations also in Madison and Park Falls, has been named to Barron’s Top 100 Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) Firms ranking for 2020 and to RIA Channel’s Top 100 Wealth Managers list for 2020.

Barron’s, a weekly newspaper that reports on current financial information and market developments, weighed numerous factors in the rankings including technology spending, staff diversity, and succession planning. Throughout the years, Savant has been consistently recognized by the publication, most recently earning the No. 29 spot on its 2020 list of Top 100 RIA Firms in the nation. To view the complete list, click here.

RIA Channel, which provides educational investment content and events for the largest financial advisor community in the industry, ranked Savant #16 in its list of Top 100 Wealth Managers for 2020. The ranking includes wealth management firms based on size and growth in assets as of June 30, 2020, as reported to the SEC, regulatory data, organic research, and advisor surveys. Click here to view the complete list of Top 100 Wealth Managers.

Savant manages more than $8.3 billion in assets for its more than 6,300 clients worldwide. The firm has 18 offices located in Arizona, Illinois, New Mexico, Virginia, and Wisconsin. For more information about Savant Wealth Management, visit savantwealth.com.

About Savant Wealth Management

Savant Wealth Management, formerly known as Savant Capital Management, is a leading independent, fee-only firm serving clients for 30 years with more than $8.3 billion in assets under management. Savant Wealth Management offers investment management, financial planning, retirement plan, and family office services to financially established individuals and institutions. Savant also offers corporate accounting, tax preparation, payroll and consulting through its affiliate, Savant Tax & Consulting.

Savant is headquartered in Rockford, with locations in Bloomington, Chicago, Downers Grove, Freeport, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnshire, Naperville, Peoria, St. Charles, Sterling, and Wilmette, IL; Phoenix, AZ; Santa Fe, NM; Madison and Park Falls, WI; and McLean, VA. Please see Important Disclosures at savantwealth.com.

Neither rankings and/or recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Savant Wealth Management is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Rankings published by magazines, and others, generally base their selections exclusively on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser. Rankings are generally limited to participating advisers. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, Savant Wealth Management did not pay a fee to be included on any such ranking. No ranking or recognition should be construed as a current or past endorsement of Savant Wealth Management by any of its clients. ANY QUESTIONS: Savant Wealth Management’s Chief Compliance Officer remains available to address any questions regarding rankings and/or recognitions, including the criteria used for any reflected ranking.