State of the Association: WEDA Interim President & CEO Kathryn Berger
Dear WEDA Members,
As we move into the final month of 2024, I’m excited to share some key updates that highlight WEDA’s
ongoing commitment to growth and service to our members. This is a pivotal moment for our organization as we strengthen our operational foundation and prepare to welcome new leadership in 2025.
The WEDA Board of Directors has made a significant decision to partner with Badger Bay Management, an association management company that brings a wealth of expertise and experience. Badger Bay will now manage WEDA’s back-office operations, ensuring a seamless infrastructure that supports our mission. Their team serves over 35 other membership associations across Wisconsin, providing support and infrastructure in areas such as:
- Website and Communications to keep members informed and engaged
- Membership Services to improve data management and events coordination
- Information Technology for enhanced security and efficiency
- Banking and bookkeeping to ensure efficient and timely transaction processing with robust internal controls
- Governance and Finance to contribute to effective Board and Committee meetings, financial oversight, and compliance
By entrusting these critical operations to Badger Bay, we are positioning the next President & CEO to focus on advancing member services, strengthening strategic partnerships, and leading WEDA’s mission with vision and energy.
The search for WEDA’s next President & CEO is about to begin, and we invite members to help spread the word about this exciting opportunity to shape the future of our organization. Stay tuned to your inbox and the WEDA website for updates on the process. We are confident this next chapter will bring fresh ideas and dynamic leadership to advance WEDA’s mission.
As we look ahead, we also bid a heartfelt farewell to Sharon Berge, who is retiring as Grants and Membership Administrator at the end of November. Sharon’s dedication to WEDA’s mission and her exceptional ability to get things done have been invaluable—she will be greatly missed.
At the same time, we are excited to welcome Eric Ostermann, CEO of Badger Bay, and Liza Rosenthal, our new Events and Membership Manager, to the WEDA family. You’ll have an opportunity to meet them both at the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, February 5-7, 2025, in Milwaukee.
This year’s Governor’s Conference will be one for the books as we kick off WEDA’s 50th Anniversary celebration and commemorate the 50th anniversary of Tax Increment Financing in Wisconsin. With these major milestones, we’re planning an event that reflects the incredible growth and impact of economic development across the state. We hope to see strong attendance from all regions of Wisconsin for what promises to be an inspiring conference that honors WEDA’s legacy and highlights ideas that will build a prosperous future.
