Message from the WEDA Board Chair, Jenny Kuderer-Radcliffe

Fellow WEDA Members,

As we enter the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the many reasons we are grateful in both our personal and professional lives. As I reflect on WEDA’s 50^th Anniversary in 2025, my deep gratitude begins with you – our members. Your commitment and engagement are the cornerstone of our success and the driving force behind WEDA’s mission to advance economic development throughout Wisconsin. From conference and academy participation, to testifying at legislative hearings or contacting your local lawmakers, participating in one of our networks or on a committee, or introducing a new member to WEDA, your continued investments is what drives WEDA forward.

I am also grateful to our dedicated WEDA Board for the commitments you have made in 2025 to growing and strengthening our organization. You’ve devoted significant effort to WEDA events, staffing, process improvement, budgeting, and so much more. You bring perspective from across the state that all advances the collective goals of WEDA. As we round out 2025, your WEDA Board is focused on strategic planning that will define our initiatives moving into 2026.

And to our WEDA Staff – President & CEO Melissa Hunt, V.P. of Legislative Affairs and Communications Michael Welsh, and our Badger Bay Team, Liza Rosenthal and Eric Ostermann, your day in and day out commitment to WEDA does not go unnoticed.  You continue to raise the bar on WEDA events, travel the state to network with economic developers and to teach ED 101, raise awareness of our legislative agenda in the capitol and so much more. Thank you!

I look forward to continuing to build on WEDA’s momentum throughout the rest of 2025 and into the new year. And I certainly want to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season.

Yours in economic development,

Jenny Kuderer-Radcliffe, CEcD, EDFP – 2025 WEDA Board Chair

Key Accounts Manager, Dairyland Power Cooperative