Get to know: Kristie Schwahn
Manager of facilities and workplace solutions, Thrivent Financial
As manager of facilities and workplace solutions at Thrivent Financial, Kristie Schwahn has helped shape some of the company’s most significant real estate strategies. Now, she’s playing an important role in one of the largest mixed-use developments in Wisconsin: Wilden Portfolio Park, a 580-acre community project in Appleton.
In 2023, Thrivent announced it would explore new possibilities for its Ballard Operations Center and the 600 acres of land surrounding it on Appleton’s north side. Through collaboration with the city of Appleton and community feedback, the vision for Wilden emerged as an integrated residential, recreational, retail, employment and entertainment community, along with 180 acres of parks, trails, natural areas and ponds.
“The project represents a unique opportunity to create something transformative for Northeast Wisconsin while establishing a model for thoughtful, community-centered development,” Schwahn says.
Schwahn, a Brillion native and UW-Stevens Point grad, started with Thrivent more than 20 years ago as a facilities planner. She says Wilden will be the first multi-phase, mixed-use project in Northeast Wisconsin that creates a complete community where people can live, work and play. “This level of integration is rare in Wisconsin but represents the future of sustainable community development and the importance of it,” she says.
The master plan calls for more than 2,000 housing units, with construction set to begin later this year. The first phase will bring 450-500 homes over the next three to five years. A recent economic impact study by Baker Tilly projects $700 million in construction activity and an annual operational impact of $230 million, as well as more than 2,000 permanent jobs, once the site is completed.
“Beyond the numbers, we’re creating a new model for live-work-play communities that will make the Fox River Corridor more attractive to businesses seeking to recruit and retain talent,” Schwahn says.
Learn more about Wilden Portfolio Park at Insight’s InDevelopment conference Sept. 16 at Thrivent in Appleton. Register at insightonbusiness.com/indevelopment.
— Amelia Compton Wolff
Art lot
The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership completed the Downtown Fond du Lac Art Lot project in July. The public art initiative features 11 unique murals painted on private building exteriors at 13 Fourth St. Murals that explore themes such as Fond du Lac’s history, community and natural features are meant to provide photo opportunities and drive downtown foot traffic. Contributing artists include Kiba Freeman, Paul Krikau, Melanie Peterson, Chloe Tschudy, Katelyn Lavernz, Mindy Leitner, Lena Ugren and Abigail Wendt.
Wisconsin lags in early-stage investment
Wisconsin’s early-stage investment continues to fall, bucking national trends. In 2024, Wisconsin startups raised $374 million across 92 deals — down from $490 million in 2023 and a far cry from the $869 million peak in 2021, according to the Wisconsin Technology Council. While venture capital nationally is rebounding thanks to massive AI investments, Wisconsin is missing out. Top deals in the state remain focused on health care, with Elephas Biosciences’ $55 million round leading 2024. Experts say the state lacks the AI deal mix seen on the coasts, contributing to a decline in both deal volume and total dollars raised.
Team transport
De Pere-headquartered Paper Transport has expanded its partnership with the Green Bay Packers. For the past nine seasons, the truckload carrier and logistics provider has hauled the Packers’ equipment for away games to cities across the United States. This expanded partnership goes beyond logistics to include joint efforts in talent recruitment and brand visibility, and includes designation as A Dedicated Transportation Partner of the Green Bay Packers. “For the past nine years, our drivers have worked to ensure the Packers’ gear arrives safely and on time — no matter the opponent, distance or the conditions,” said Tyler Ellison, CEO of Paper Transport. “To be formally recognized as A Dedicated Transportation Partner of the Packers is a tremendous honor for our team.”
