Message from the WEDA Board Chair 

By WEDA Board Chair Rebecca Deschane

The Power of Connections: Why WEDA Membership Matters

Economic development is rarely a solo endeavor. Whether you’re navigating a tricky project, chasing down a new funding opportunity, or just trying to keep pace with a changing landscape, chances are someone else in the WEDA network has faced the same challenge or is chasing a similar opportunity. That’s the real value of WEDA membership: a professional network built on shared experience, mutual support, and the simple fact that we’re all stronger when we work together.

Being part of WEDA means having a statewide community to lean on. It means picking up the phone and calling a fellow member who’s already worked through a similar issue. We’re seeing this happen in real time, as members have shared input to help shape the Demystifying Development series. It means showing up to an event and leaving with a handful of new contacts and good ideas, just as many did at BEDC in Fond du Lac last month.

From the Capitol to the classroom, from state partnerships to municipal meeting rooms, WEDA members show up for each other and for the communities they serve. That kind of connection doesn’t happen by accident – it happens because our members choose to invest in the network, year after year. And they’re choosing to lead when called upon.

Strategic Plan Update

Our strategic plan continues to guide WEDA’s work, and we’re excited to share some good news on that front. Wenda Roycroft and Haley Makela have stepped in as co-chairs of the strategic plan committee, and we’re grateful for their leadership as we move this important work forward. Thank you both for raising your hands and taking on this role for our organization.

The committee is currently focused on identifying concrete implementation steps to bring the strategic plan to life. This is where the plan moves from paper to practice, and where member involvement matters most. If you’re interested in getting involved with the implementation work, reach out, your experience and your voice belong in this conversation.

The Network Works Best When We Show Up

WEDA’s strength has always come from members choosing to stay connected and show up for each other, not just for themselves. That doesn’t stop here. Consider hosting or co-teaching an ED101 session in your own community, get involved with YPEN’s growing group of young professionals, and don’t forget to register for the Fall Best Practices Conference in Kenosha this September.

Thank you for being part of this amazing network. Together, we’re not just talking about the power of connections. We’re living it, one partnership at a time.