Time

Topic & Session

About

2:30 pm

Tour of Prairie du Chien
Meet in the Lobby of the hotel

5:00 pm

“Rural Voices” hosted by WI Public Radio and PBS Wisconsin

Moderator: Frederica Freyberg 

Panelists:

• Hope Kirwan, Reporter, WI Public Radio
• Rob Mentzer, Managing Editor, News, WI Public Radio
• Steven Potter, Reporter, PBS Wisconsin

Frederica Freyberg is PBS Wisconsin's news director and the anchor of Here & Now, PBS Wisconsin's live weekly program that covers news concerning state issues and politics throughout the state. Freyberg also produces field reports for the program as well as news documentaries.

With an extensive journalistic career that includes more than 30 years as a reporter, Freyberg initially worked as a reporter for WFRV-TV in Green Bay. She moved on to Madison's WMTV-TV, where she produced, reported and anchored. At Milwaukee Public Television, Freyberg was a reporter, producer and host. While there, she worked with PBS Wisconsin on Wisconsin Week as a producer and substitute anchor. Freyberg returned to commercial news at WISN-TV in Milwaukee as a reporter before moving to WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, where some of her reporting assignments included covering western Wisconsin. Before coming to PBS Wisconsin full-time, Freyberg was the state government reporter for Wisconsin Public Radio.  More about Frederica

6:00 pm Welcome Reception

6:45 pm Dinner on Own | Recommendations

Thursday, April 30 Schedule | The Waterfront Hotel

8:45 am

Opening Remarks Welcome to Prairie du Chien

Donna Walker, WI Rural Partners President & Mayor Dave Hemmer, Prairie du Chien (Invited)

10:15 am  The State of the State—From the Ground Up Local Perspective

11:15 am Immigration and Rural Wisconsin

Nancy Hernandez, President, Hispanic Collaborative

Nancy Hernandez is the president of the Hispanic Collaborative, where she leads the coordination of more than 500 organizations and individuals seeking to improve economic opportunities among the state's fastest-growing population. The Hispanic Collaborative tracks the outcomes and well-being for targeted populations in the nation's biggest 50 cities on its Hispanic Well-Being Index. Ms. Hernandez is also the president and founder of ABRAZO Marketing and Communication, a leading integrated marketing firm dedicated to connecting companies, institutions and organizations with diverse and urban audiences. ABRAZO offers primary research, branding, strategic planning, creative design, copywriting, media services, digital marketing and public relations delivered by a team of insightful, diverse professionals.

She is a founding member and past president of the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, past president of TEMPO Milwaukee and has served on the executive committee of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin. She formerly chaired the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation and currently serves on the board of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha where she co-chaired the 2022 Campaign. She has served as vice chair of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and currently serves on the board of Society Insurance, Marquette University, and Medical College of Wisconsin. For her extensive community service and volunteerism, Nancy was also chosen for the United Way Philanthropic Five award. She holds and MBA from Marquette University, and lives in Bayside Wisconsin with her husband Andy and daughter Delia.

Francis Henn, Economic Recovery Corps Fellow, Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.

Francis works at the intersection of advocacy and economic development, with a focus on supporting immigrant communities in rural Wisconsin. With a background in American Cultural Studies, Peace Corps service in rural Guatemala, and experience as both an entrepreneur and small-scale farmer, he brings a cross-sector perspective to rural development. In his current role, Francis build bridges between immigrant communities and local economic development ecosystems, advancing culturally competent resources, leadership pathways, and inclusive economic opportunities.

1:15 pm Rural Wealth Building: Financial Empowerment + Homeownership

Rhiannon Tonies, Program Manager for the Jefferson County Financial Empowerment Center. She joined Community Action Coalition in 2020 and have worn many hats over the past five years—from serving as a crisis counselor to leading mental health education initiatives and managing a housing aid program for individuals experiencing financial stressors.

She has lived in Wisconsin her entire life and have called Jefferson County home for the past decade. This community means a great deal to me, and I truly believe there’s no better place to live and raise a family. My background is in education, and I’ve always had a deep passion for helping others reach their goals.

Heather Nunez, Local Government Manager with Jefferson County, WI

More information coming soon. 

2:15 pm  How Development Affects Local Finances

Jason Stein, President, Wisconsin Policy Forum

Jason Stein has worked with the Wisconsin Policy Forum since 2018, serving as President since July 2024 and prior to that as Vice President and Research Director. In his time with the Forum, his reports have received multiple awards from the Governmental Research Association.

Before joining the Forum, Jason worked as a Capitol reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and for the Wisconsin State Journal. He is the author with Patrick Marley of “More than They Bargained For: Scott Walker, Unions and the Fight for Wisconsin.” His reporting was recognized by journalism groups such as the American Society of News Editors, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors

Michael Luckey, County Administrator ,Jefferson County

Michael Luckey is County Administrator for Jefferson County, Wisconsin. In that role, he serves as the county’s chief administrative officer and is responsible for implementing the policies adopted by the Board of Supervisors and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the county’s employees. The administrator also presents the county’s annual budget and sets long-term and strategic priorities. Prior to working for Jefferson County, Michael spent nearly a decade as an aide in Madison, working in senior leadership positions throughout the Wisconsin State government. He on the Board of Gianna’s Joy, a resource center for expecting mothers and young families, and President of the Board of the Lake Mills St. Vincent de Paul. He is an active member of his local Catholic Church. Michael received a Bachelor’s degree in Government from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and his Master of Public Affairs degree from the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison. He and his wife live in Lake Mills with their two young children.