Registration is now open for the New North Summit – Region on the Rise – scheduled for June 9, at the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay.
Speakers will offer practical insights on embracing change, technology and building an empowering workplace culture.
A link to register can be found newnorthsummit.com; an early-bird entry fee is available through April 15.
The 2026 Summit program opens with presentation of the flags by the Oneida Nation Color Guard and performance of the National Anthem by Grammy Award winner Esteli Gomez of Lawrence University.
New North Board Co-Chairs Sachin Shivaram of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry and Mary Goggans, Encapsys founder, will address business and community leaders from the region and provide an update on New North activities over the past year.
New North President and CEO Patti Habeck will unveil the latest on the region’s strategic planning that will provide a forward-focused roadmap designed to drive even greater resilience and growth for Northeast Wisconsin.
The event’s initial keynote address will be given by Rima Alaily, corporate VP and general counsel at Microsoft. She leads the global legal team that enables Microsoft’s cloud and AI infrastructure, helping to ensure companies worldwide have the capacity they need to power their AI transformation through a community-focused sustainable approach.
Following a brief break, John Miller, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, will provide state-level updates on economic-development activities.
The morning’s second keynote speaker, communications coach and author Denise Thomas, then takes the stage. She is a nationally recognized leadership strategist and executive communications coach, who has more than two decades of experience helping leaders and organizations navigate change, build trust and communicate with clarity, confidence and connection. The author of the best-selling The Only One in the Room, Thomas blends storytelling with practical, immediately applicable leadership strategies.
Due to the recent passing of planned keynote Bob Chapman, a third speaker is being secured. Each Summit guest will receive a copy of Everybody Matters, Chapman’s best-selling book.
“By sharing his message, we honor Bob’s enduring legacy that continues to remind us that the way we lead impacts lives far beyond the workplace,” says Habeck.
For the second straight year, New North will recognize alumni of Insight on Business’s 40 Under 40, giving these young leaders the opportunity to get better connected to the region. The formal announcement of the New North Workplace Excellence Award follows.
The morning program will conclude with Ann Franz of the NEW Manufacturing Alliance celebrating the organization’s 20 years of successes.
Following a lunch and networking break, two concurrent breakout sessions will be held: a panel on cross-industry talent development strategies and a roundtable discussion on entrepreneurship.
New North’s Jason Mathwig and Rebecca Deschane will begin the first session by providing an overview of New North’s role in industry alliances, along with New North Hires Heroes and initiatives around career pathways and digital skilling.
Regional leaders in the construction, digital and healthcare industries – Hope Voight of Tweet Garot, Dan Suda of EDCi and Dr. Ashwani Bhatia of BayCare Clinic – then will discuss, “The Workforce Reality Check: What’s Actually Working in 2026.”
In the entrepreneurship session, WEDC’s Miller returns to the stage to share his personal experience as an entrepreneur.
A panel of successful entrepreneurs from the New North region follows. Participants include Nicole Hurd of Auvia Health, along with Lily Schuette and Jessica Nicholson of The Nook Lounge & Bookstore – both winners at the NEW Launch Alliance Pitch Event held last December – and Sam and Richard Smith of Optimal Cleaning Solutions, Packer Mentor protégés.
The New North Summit wraps up with a networking reception from 2:30-4:30 p.m., with an option to partake in a networking activity led by Ian Abston, Forward 48 and Hoan Group. Musical entertainment will be provided by singer/songwriter Austin Skalecki.
Event agenda updates will be provided at newnorthsummit.com on an ongoing basis.
