Partner Training Team Staff Biographies

I joined the Partner Training Team in December 2018 with Dynamic Workforce Solutions. Prior to joining PTT, I worked as a W-2 Case Manager/FEP in Waushara county and a FSET Case Manager in Waushara and Green Lake Counties from 2015-2018. As a Case Manager, I determined eligibility for the W-2 program, completed enrollments, ongoing case management, and job retention services for both programs, developed and facilitated workshops to participants, and served as supervisor for on-site work experiences. I also mentored other workers and facilitated quarterly meetings for workers in rural offices to brainstorm solutions for barriers that these participants face.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in History from UW Superior in 2015. At UWS, I worked in the Career Services department for 3 years where I assisted students in resume creation, interview preparation, and internship exploration. I also interned at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center where I served as an oral history intern recording interviews with veterans.

I currently live in Ashland, Wisconsin. When the weather is nice, I try to be outdoors. My favorite activities include hiking, camping, boating, and skiing. When the weather isn’t as nice, I enjoy bowling, yoga, and crossword puzzles.

On August 21, 2017, I joined the Partner Training Team as a W-2 and Child Support Trainer with Dynamic Workforce Solutions. Prior to joining the training team, I worked as both a FEP and a W-2/FSET Operations Coordinator for Workforce Connections.

While working as a FEP, I determined eligibility for W-2 and Emergency Assistance, created and monitored work experience sites, and provided case management services to all W-2 and FSET participants. As an operations coordinator, it was my responsibility to train and mentor new staff, develop trainings for both staff and program participants, and work with local child support agencies to provide services to non-custodial parents. I also served as the agency liaison for Motivational Interviewing; ensuring that all staff had the proper training and received continuing education on the topic.

Prior to Workforce Connections, I worked as an Economic Support Specialist in Crawford County for two years. In this position, I determined eligibility for Medicaid, Foodshare, Child Care Assistance, and Long-term Medicaid and also provided ongoing case management.

My office is in Bagley, Wisconsin right on the banks of the Mississippi River. It’s been home my entire life and where I enjoy spending any free time that I have. Whenever I find a free minute I will be outside enjoying whatever season Wisconsin is throwing at me.

I have been with Partner Training since June 12, 1996, first as a trainer with the State of Wisconsin where over the years I developed training programs for W-2, FoodShare, Medicaid, and Child Care. As of September 27, 2015 I became a Child Support trainer/supervisor with Dynamic Workforce Solutions.

I graduated from UW-Whitewater with a BS in Early Childhood Special Education and did some post-grad work in education at San Diego State University. I worked primarily with children (school system and 0-3 program) and adults with developmental disabilities (independent living and job development/job coach) until starting with the JOBS program in 1993 where I was a Case Manager and a Case Management Supervisor.

I returned to MATC for an AA in Visual Communications. I specialize in the design and delivery of distance training products and am active in CBT development and Systems projects.

I was the lead of the project that resulted in the distance design for new W-2 staff. I was the W-2 New Worker Training Lead for many years and am currently the CS New Worker Training Lead.

I have presented several workshops on distance training methodology to the National Staff Development Association.

I joined the Partner Training Team in January of 2023 working as an Administrative Assistant with Dynamic Workforce Solutions. Prior to joining the Partner Training Team, much of my experience was in the hospitality industry. I attended Nicolet Area Technical College and specialized in Culinary Arts, before working in the hospitality industry for about ten years. During this time, I gained management experience and learned valuable leadership skills as well as customer service.

After leaving the hospitality industry, I spent some time working in call centers, honing my customer service and support skills which also helped to prepare me for my Administrative Assistant position. Immediately prior to joining the Partner Training Team, I worked at the New Day Shelter in Ashland, WI as an advocate for victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

I am currently located in Rhinelander, WI and in my free time I enjoy spending time going on walks outdoors, playing guitar, playing video games, reading, and spending time with my cat, Lyle.

I am excited and grateful to be a part of the Partner Training Team, and am looking forward to becoming an integral member of the team.

I joined the Partner Training Team in July 2014, after working mostly as a W-2 Case Manager/FEP/Job Developer in Langlade County for a little over 3 years. I also worked as a WIA and FSET Case Manager for a brief time.

Previously, I worked with United Way of Marathon County performing a variety of tasks such as overseeing Speaker’s Bureau and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, maintaining the website, and helping with HR/IT/Finance duties. I spent the majority of my career working at AVAIL, an abuse center in Antigo, where my main focus was designing and delivering training and/or informational programs on various abuse topics to the community and at state conferences. During that time, I also advised a teen peer education team and was part of the Education Committee for the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Based on my past experience, I am one of the trainers with PTT who educates W-2 workers on the topics of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

I currently live in the Wausau area and volunteer with Make-A-Wish Wisconsin as a Wish Granter.

I joined the Partner Training Team as a W-2 Trainer with UW-Oshkosh - Center for Community Development, Engagement and Training (CCDET) on July 3, 2017. Prior to this, I worked as a W-2 Case Manager/FEP in Green Lake County from 2014 to 2017. As a case manager I determined eligibility for the W-2 program, emergency assistance, and job access loans. I developed and facilitated workshops for W-2 participants, created work experience sites, and supervised work experience participants.

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services and Leadership from UW Oshkosh in 2014. I completed internships with both UW-Oshkosh’s CARE program (Campus Awareness for Relationship Education) and the Oshkosh Housing Authority.

My favorite hobby is reading; I am never without a book in my purse. Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, and Stephen King are some of my favorite authors. I also enjoy traveling, shooting pool, and swimming. When I’m feeling exceptionally patient, I like to do counted cross stitch.

Some of my duties with the Partner Training Team are: assisting new W-2 workers completing NWT and developing and delivering training about W-2 programs, policies, procedures, and Enhanced Case Management. Inspiring confidence in new workers is my favorite part of training.

I have been a trainer with the Partner Training Team since 1996 first under contract with UW-O CCDET and since 2005, with Kaiser Group. I have 16 years of experience training Wisconsin Works (W-2) and was part of the training team during the implementation of W-2. Before entering the training field, I was a Case Manager/Eligibility Worker for Green and Winnebago Counties from 1993-1996.

I received my Bachelor of Science in Social Work in 1991 from the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh and maintain my State of Wisconsin Social Work license.

I am past President of the Wisconsin Social Services Association (2006-07).

I am the Partner Training Team liaison with the Coalition against Domestic Violence. I train new workers and experienced staff in policy, procedures, systems, and Enhanced Case Management.

I have been with the Partner Training Team (PTT) since July 2011 and work for UW-Oshkosh/CCDET. Before I came to work with the PTT, I was a W-2 FEP for four years in St. Croix and Pierce Counties. I also worked for some years as a Job Developer with Minnesota’s TANF program. My background in training and development came from my experience planning, developing and conducting Job Club’s and job search workshops for W-2 participants as well as obtaining a degree in Training & Development.

Some of my duties include being the project lead for the Labor Market Information CBT that is a part of NWT and a prerequisite for the Job Development classroom course, and for the W-2 T Employment Focused Engagement Strategies and SSI/SSDI Processes classroom courses. I’m also a part of the NWT monitoring team. In addition to these projects and teams, I am the ECM state lead. I really enjoy reviewing curriculum and anything to do with evaluation. I think one of my professional highlights was meeting Dr. Donald Kirkpatrick!

My office is in Hudson. I love heading out on the road to meet up with my co-workers and to get out in the field to train. Being out on the road certainly makes for some good stories and adventures!

I became part of the Partner Training Team at the beginning of August 2023. I have been working in Child Support since March 2022, in Vernon County as a Child Support Specialist/Case Worker. I received my Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Human Services from Western Technical College.

Before I started with the PTT and Child Support, I worked at Viroqua Area Schools as a Paraprofessional to assist students with 1:1 work to provide instructional, behavioral and other support to students in and out of the classroom. Before that, I was at VARC (Vernon Area Rehabilitation Center) as a Client Services Specialist, which helped clients with disabilities achieve meaningful work, life skills, and relationship building. While at VARC, I also worked for Insite as an Employment Specialist, which helped clients find careers they were interested in and help them gain the abilities for interviewing, asking questions, and get them ready for their new career. I currently live and work in Tomah Wisconsin. In my free time I like to do throw darts, go to rodeos, and spend time with friends and family.

I am excited to see where the future takes me being a part of the training team and all the new relationships I will build along the way.

I joined the Partner Training Team as a Child Support Trainer with Dynamic Workforce Solutions in June 2023. Prior to joining the training team, I worked as both an Economic Support Worker and Staff Development Specialist for Outagamie County for over 21 years.

While working with Outagamie County, I determined eligibility for income maintenance programs (FoodShare, BadgerCare, Child Care, and Long Term Care), utilizing KIDS in that process. I was responsible for training new staff as well as experienced staff, developing trainings to assist with that process. I provided assistance to coworkers, supervisors, attorneys, and other staff in regards to policy and process. It was my responsibility to keep current records of trainings and guarantee that all staff completed the necessary trainings timely. At different times throughout my employment, I was also involved in the interviewing process, offering feedback to supervisors. I was also on many different workgroups within the local department and with other agencies.

I call Appleton home and have lived in the Fox Valley area for most of my life, having lived in Milwaukee briefly during childhood. My husband and I have been married twice, yes twice, and we have three adult children. We are avid homebodies, enjoying time with just us or the kids and our dog. I do love to travel and take annual road trips with my two oldest children. I have been to 35 states as of 2023.

I became part of the Partner Training Team in May of 2022. I have been working in Child Support since 2017, in both in Marathon and Taylor Counties. I received my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh while also joining the Wisconsin National Guard.

I currently live and work in Medford Wisconsin. In my free time I like to do a little woodworking and fishing.

I am excited to bring my knowledge and energy to the training team.

I joined the Partner Training Team as a W-2 Trainer with Dynamic Workforce Solutions on January 3rd, 2018. Before joining PTT, I was a W-2 Case Manager/FEP in Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties. As a FEP, I determined eligibility and participant placement in the W-2 Program, and provided ongoing support and case management. I specialized in working with CMF participants, providing job retention and supportive services, processing Job Access Loans, assisting with problem resolution and troubleshooting, and resource referrals. In addition, I planned and facilitated weekly group case management workshops for customers in paid placements. I assisted in training and mentoring new staff members. I gained recognition for exemplary customer service and my ability to connect with and inspire participants.

Prior to my work in W-2, I worked as a residential program manager and coordinator with inddiduals with disabilities in both residential and vocational capacities. I also worked in a minimum-security prison as an employment specialist. In this role, I worked with inmates who were nearing their release dates on overcoming their background, developing employment skills, and job readiness. I helped to ensure inmates had the vital documents they would need for employment, and assisted them in obtaining work-release jobs while incarcerated to help them gain recent work experience and earn money for their release to help reduce reciddism.

My office is located in Neenah, Wisconsin. I love the Fox Cities area, as it offers tons of things to do but still manages to maintain a small-town feel. I spend as much time as I can enjoying the many festivals and events offered in my community.

I started with the Partner Training Team on September 2, 2020, as a Child Support Trainer. My prior experience comes from 25 years working for my local agency. I started as the financial worker, then office manager and progressed to case manager.

As a case manager I established support and enforced court orders. I also served as the child support liaison and mentored other county employees.

I graduated from WITC with an associate degree in Accounting.

I truly enjoyed working for the county and having the ability to provide support for the children and family’s in my community. I am looking forward to bringing my experience to teach, train and coach learners.

I currently reside in Gordon, Wisconsin “Up North”! I enjoy family get togethers, cooking, gardening and being a grandmother!

I joined the Partner Training Team in July of 2023, prior to that I worked as a Child Support Paralegal in Columbia County for almost 3 years. While in Columbia County I worked on my cases from beginning to end and became well versed in child support but as I’ve learned, there’s always something new to learn in the great big world of child support. 

I received my Associate Degree in Business Management in May of 2017 from Madison Area Technical College. While at M.A.T.C. I also minored in Training Management, which I have been able to put to good use in my new position with Dynamic Workforce Solutions.

I currently live in Oxford, Wisconsin with my husband and children. When I’m not chasing after my children or the pets of the house, I enjoy going to concerts, listening to music, traveling, anything cats, and crafting; although I may have more Pinterest fails than success.

I’m excited to be part of the Dynamic Workforce team and consider myself lucky to have such an amazing team around me.

I joined the Partner Training Team as a Child Support Trainer for the first time in February of 2022. After 8 months, I wanted to switch things up and see what it was like to work in Economic Support. After giving it a go for six months, I knew it was time for me to return back to the PTT and that is exactly what I did in April 2023.

Prior to PTT, I was a FSET (FoodShare Employment and Training) Case Manager for 6 years, where I provided strength-based, motivational employment and training to program participants while maintaining community awareness and partnerships. I was a local mentor and trainer for new FSET Case Managers. As a bilingual Case Manager, I also specialized in working with our ELL/Refugee populations.

I am a Wisconsin native and received my associate degree in criminal justice from NWTC. My home office is in Menasha where I reside with my four children.

I have been a contracted trainer with the Partner Training Team since July 2012. I came to the training team with 22 years of experience in the field as a W-2 Team Lead/Supervisor, FEP/Case Manager, and Agency Training Liaison (ATL). I was responsible for training, mentoring/coaching FEP’s as part of my day to day responsibilities. I am part of the Emergency Assistance Program training team and have helped develop new curriculum and desk aides since joining the Partner Training Team. I train new workers and experienced staff in policy, process, systems, and Enhanced Case Management courses. I also monitor, mentor, and track new workers through the completion of their required distance/classroom new worker training.

I am an active member of the Wisconsin Employment and Training (WETA) Board and take an active role in the planning of their annual conference.

I am employed by UW-Oshkosh, Center for Community Development, Engagement and Training (CCDET) and I am the Distance Learning Coordinator for the DCF/DFES/Partner Training Team (PTT).

I have been with Partner Training since 1993. Over the years with PTT, I have been a Regional Trainer, the Tech Support Manager for PTT staff, the Training Center Coordinator, and since 2002, the Partner Training Distance Learning Coordinator and Administrator of the Pathlore Learning Management System (LMS) PTT utilizes. As the Distance Learning Coordinator, I have assisted the training staff in developing New Worker Training (NWT) and Enhanced Case Management (ECM) course materials that are delivered entirely online, or incorporate online components in a larger blended learning environment. I maintain the Partner Training marketing website, publish all materials to the Trainer’s Resource webpage and the Curriculum website, and help manage the central office repository for all course materials.

I have been working with the Partner Training Team (PTT) since October 2013 under the UW-Oshkosh-CCDET contract. I moved from Pittsburgh, PA to Waukesha, WI in March 2005 looking for a change and by the end of 2005 I had found one with a W-2 agency Policy Studies Inc. From December 2005 – December 2012 I worked in various roles starting from Retention Case Manager, Supervisor and ultimately Manager with Maximus (formerly Policy Studies Inc.) with my main focus being on Business Services, Training, Work Experience and Subsidized Employment.

Since starting with PTT, I have become a part of the New Worker Training Monitoring Team, created new desk aids and worked on creating new curriculum for the Transform Milwaukee Jobs program. I enjoy learning something new every day and being in this position has given me the opportunity to continuously learn not only from the material created but from the other staff as well!

I have been working for the Partner Training Team since 2000, and moved into the role of Training Coordinator/Liaison in 2018. I coordinate all PTT's W-2 and Child Support training and work with state managers for training planning. I come from a background of eligibility determination and case management as I worked as a FEP in Richland County from 1996-2000. In a previous life, I spent 10 years working in radio (WRCO, Richland Center).

I received certification from the University of Iowa College of Social Work as a Family Development Specialist. I am a member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP), Wisconsin Employment and Training Association (WETA) and served as President of the Wisconsin Social Services Association (WSSA) from 2009-2011.

I currently serve on the board of the Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP), do volunteer work with Community Players of Southwestern Wisconsin and Peace United Methodist Church (both in Richland Center) and I am a member of the Richland County Board of Supervisors.

In addition to my role with PTT, I am also the Training Program Manager for Dynamic Workforce Solutions (DWFS) overseeing all DWFS Wisconsin W-2 and Child Support training staff.

I started with UW-Oshkosh/CCDET and the Partner Training Team on November 30, 2020 as a W-2 Trainer. I have worked in the Human Services field for over 10 years, with experience as a Domestic Abuse Advocate, W-2 FEP & Team Lead, and in the Section 8 & Public Housing programs. I graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Sociology.

I grew up in central Wisconsin, and still live here now with my husband and son. I enjoy traveling. My favorite hobby is amateur photography—usually using my son as a model.