Designer Claire Johnson Joins The Creative Company’s Culture of Story-Driven Experiences

FMI: Laura Gallagher
608.442.6336
laura@thecreativecompany.com

Designer Claire Johnson Joins The Creative Company’s Culture of Story-Driven Experiences

Madison, WI – The Creative Company is pleased to announce that Claire Johnson has joined the firm as a graphic designer.

Claire Johnson arrived at her current position by way of school and stage. Johnson began her career as a special education teacher. She first noticed her visual-communication skills while accommodating curriculum for students in special education programs – a talent for which she was tapped to train her industry peers. Johnson also brings a decade of leadership creating, designing, and developing stage costuming as she helped bring characters to life for the Verona Area Community Theatre where her family plays an active part.

Now, she brings her talent for engaging visuals and creating meaningful human connections to benefit The Creative Company’s clients. 

“We are thrilled Claire is joining our firm,” said Laura Gallagher, President and Founder of The Creative Company, “She’s a creative force whose leadership and expertise will be of tremendous value to everyone we work with. I’ve known Claire Johnson for 20 years and have seen the thoughtfulness she puts into all her creative endeavors. Her portfolio stands head and shoulders above her peers. We’re excited to share her talent with our clients.”

Claire’s new role at The Creative Company allows her to design story-driven experiences, including branding, websites, marketing templates, product design, wayfinding and experiential design.

“Knowing Laura and the team as I have, I was able to see firsthand the innovative and creative culture The Creative Company brings to our community and our state,” explained Claire Johnson. “When I began my search for a new role, I knew I wanted to work with a visionary company that would allow me to create unique visual experiences with a diversity of creative voices. The Creative Company was my first call and I’m so glad to be on the team.” 

Claire received her associate’s degree in Graphic Design from Madison Area Technical College. She also holds a bachelor of science from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Special Education and Teaching.

The Creative Company is a leading PR and marketing firm representing top nonprofits, businesses, and cooperatives, helping them evolve, promote, and protect their brands and reputations. The Creative Company is certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise by the State of Wisconsin and won 2022 Dane County Small Business of the Year.

Visit thecreativecompany.com for more information. To schedule a meeting with Claire Johnson, please email her at claire@thecreativecompany.com or call 608-442-6336 to schedule a free 30-minute consultation.

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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Molly Rae Joins Oak Bank as Human Resources Manager

For Immediate Release

Contact: Karen Virnoche, 608.441.6000
kvirnoche@oak.bank

Molly Rae Joins Oak Bank as Human Resources Manager

Fitchburg, WI – Oak Bank, Fitchburg’s community bank since 2000, welcomes Molly Rae to the team as a Human Resources Manager.

Rae comes to Oak Bank with more than nine years of experience in human resources. In her role at Oak Bank, Rae’s responsibilities include recruiting and onboarding new associates, managing benefits and payroll programs, and helping ensure compliance with local, state, and federal employment regulations.

“Molly comes to Oak Bank with great enthusiasm and is a wonderful addition to our team,” said Terry Taylor, Oak Bank President.

“I hope to bring fresh ideas to Oak Bank to help our associates be successful in their roles and continue to build on the already incredible culture at Oak Bank,” said Rae. “What we do behind the scenes, if you will, creates the best possible banking experience for our clients.”

Rae lives in Madison and is a very active volunteer, leading a co-ed professional business fraternity supporting the Ronald McDonald House. Rae is thrilled to be one of the newest Packers season ticket holders after 25+ years on the waitlist.

About Oak Bank
Oak Bank has been deeply rooted in the Fitchburg community and Madison area for 23 years, meeting the financial needs of homeowners and businesses by offering top-notch service, quick answers, and creative solutions, all while supporting over 125 local nonprofits each year. Visit oak.bank to learn more.

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Wisconsin Union: Limited-Edition Purple, Teal Mini Terrace Chair Purchases Will Support Suicide Prevention Efforts, Mental Health Resources at UW–Madison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2023 

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-8862

READ RELEASE ONLINE: union.wisc.edu/about/news/2023-mini-chair

LIMITED-EDITION PURPLE, TEAL MINI TERRACE CHAIR PURCHASES WILL SUPPORT SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AT UW–MADISON

MADISON – The purchase of the Wisconsin Union’s limited-edition, mini, purple and teal version of an iconic symbol of summer in Madison, Wisconsin, called the Terrace chair, will support the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s suicide prevention efforts and mental health resources for students with a portion of each sale going to University Health Services’ (UHS’) Suicide Prevention Fund.

The Wisconsin Union team will place about 860 of the purple and teal mini chairs, measuring about 4 inches tall, on the shelves of the Badger Market at Memorial Union for sale on May 1, where they will remain on sale while supplies last. If some of the mini chairs remain on May 15, the team will also make them available in its online Terrace Store. The Union does not anticipate creating more of the purple and teal chairs.

The Wisco Industries team in Oregon, Wisconsin, crafted the chairs and painted them purple after which the Wisconsin Union, including UW–Madison students, hand-painted flecks of teal, making each chair completely unique. Design inspiration was drawn from purple and teal ribbons that are used to raise awareness and support of suicide prevention.

The UHS and the Wisconsin Union teams began discussing the creation of the limited-edition chair and how it could support suicide prevention and mental health promotion efforts for UW–Madison students in summer 2022.

“The Terrace chair is a symbol of joining together as a community, so it’s a fitting extension of its identity to support the well-being of UW–Madison students,” said Mark Guthier, associate vice chancellor for student affairs and executive director of the Wisconsin Union.

The Suicide Prevention Fund at UHS helps fund suicide prevention programs and mental health resources at UW–Madison, including population-level prevention efforts and clinical services and support for students.

“Supporting the mental health of UW–Madison students is central to our work at UHS,” said Jake Baggott, associate vice chancellor for student affairs and executive director of UHS. “All members and supporters of our Badger community can play a role in suicide prevention and contribute to a culture of care at UW–Madison.”

UHS offers confidential, no-cost mental health services to UW–Madison students, including daily drop-in counseling opportunities through Let’s Talk, individual counseling, group counseling, and psychiatric care.

UHS also offers a 24-hour mental health crisis line at (608) 265-5600 (option 9) for students and anyone concerned about a student’s well-being in addition to training and education on suicide prevention created for University team members and students. Additional suicide prevention resources are available at uhs.wisc.edu/prevention/suicide-prevention.

In addition to purchasing teal and purple mini chairs, those looking to support the University’s mental health and suicide prevention initiatives can make tax-deductible donations directly to the Suicide Prevention Fund here.

In recent years, the Wisconsin Union’s other limited-edition mini chairs have included a cow-print chair in 2019, which supported the UW School of Veterinary Medicine’s building expansion project, and a 2020 chair that featured a painting of the Earth and benefited the UW–Madison Green Fund. Patrons can still purchase a limited supply of cow-print mini chairs in the Union’s online Terrace Store and in the Union’s Badger Markets at Memorial Union and Union South. 

On an ongoing basis, customers can purchase mini red, green, yellow and orange Terrace chairs and tables in the Badger Markets at Memorial Union and Union South as well as in the online Terrace Store.

Patrons can purchase full-size red or white Terrace chairs and tables exclusively in the online Terrace Store.

Sales of the regularly available mini and full-size Terrace furniture help the nonprofit Wisconsin Union provide free and low-cost events, activities and services; its spaces; and Union student leadership opportunities, some of which provide academic stipends of up to 80% of students’ in-state tuition.

Yellow, orange and green Terrace chairs rose to fame with their presence at the Wisconsin Union’s outdoor dining and entertainment space, called the Memorial Union Terrace. The trademarked sunburst design of the chair purportedly first appeared with its current design in the 1960s at the Terrace. About 2,000 full-size Terrace chairs sit on the Memorial Union Terrace from early spring to late fall each year and have come to mark the start of summer in Madison and a time of outdoor gathering in the community.

To purchase the limited-edition, mini, purple and teal chairs, while supplies last, patrons can visit the Badger Market at Memorial Union beginning May 1 and, if supplies continue to be available, can also shop for the chairs in the online Terrace Store beginning May 15.

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About the Wisconsin Union

The Wisconsin Union enhances the lives of members and visitors through recreational, cultural, educational and social opportunities. Formed in 1907, the Wisconsin Union is a membership organization that blends study and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more about the Union and its tradition of providing experiences for a lifetime: union.wisc.edu.