Being in the right place at the right time has been a theme of Mary Goggans’ career — most notably, she says, having the opportunity to lead and shape Encapsys, LLC into a global manufacturing and innovation leader from 2015 to 2023.
Recently retired and with more time to devote to community leadership, Goggans says another opportunity that’s been timed right is stepping into a co-chair leadership role with New North, Inc., as it closes in on its 20th anniversary as an 18-county nonprofit regional economic development corporation. Goggans was formally introduced as New North, Inc.’s newest co-chair June 6, but her connection and service to the board dates back to 2017.
“I’m passionate about making sure everybody sees how incredible this community is,” says Goggans, who relocated to Northeast Wisconsin from Atlanta 30 years ago while employed by Kimberly-Clark. “New North really helped open my eyes quite a bit more [to] the quality of the companies and size of companies in our region.”
New North, Inc. President and CEO Barb LaMue says Goggans is an ideal choice to serve in the role as the organization looks to further embrace innovation.
“Mary brings more than three decades of high-level leadership experience in our region,” LaMue says. “She successfully built an international leader in microencapsulation innovation, along with having a strong background in multiple industries within the New North.”
Goggans spent more than 25 years at Kimberly-Clark before assuming leadership of Appleton-headquartered Encapsys, where she led revenue and EBITDA growth of more than 100%, and doubled the company’s patent filings.
Goggans replaces Microsoft’s Michelle Schuler, who will remain a member of the board and executive committee.
Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry CEO Sachin Shivaram remains in the organization’s other co-chair position, to which he was named in October 2022.
Goggans describes New North, Inc. as a tremendously successful organization, first and foremost because of LaMue and the professional staff who “do all the work.” She says the organization would be well served to spend some time on its 20th anniversary reflecting on its agility as well as its fearlessness in the face of challenges.
She points to New North, Inc.’s growth of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, its strong relationship with Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and its leadership in helping develop broadband infrastructure as some of its most impressive recent accomplishments.
“[Barb LaMue] does a good job of making sure we’re focused on what the shareholders want,” Goggans says. “And then she’s also bringing in opportunities from the WEDC. I attribute that to her and her team and how they’re organized.”
Going forward, Goggans continues to see business and talent attraction as the biggest challenges New North, Inc. will face. But there’s also much work to do to continue the important technology work she credits Schuler with championing.
“What’s coming at us head-on is the next step in technology: AI and helping our companies understand and get ready for AI and how to use it,” Goggans says.
Goggans is thankful that Schuler will remain connected to the effort as a continuing board member, and she hopes her background in innovation and entrepreneurship will bring new perspectives and opportunities.
“I can see how things fit together and how to make things work,” she says. “I have that entrepreneurial mindset, which is growing something from nothing, how to add shareholder value, and things like that. It’ll be fun.”
Three regional business leaders begin New North, Inc. board terms
As of July 1, regional leaders Holly Brenner of C.D. Smith Construction, Sherry Coley of Amundsen Davis and David Westphal of USI Insurance Services have been named to the board of directors for New North, Inc.
“We are excited to add these three inventive leaders from across our region,” said New North, Inc. President and CEO Barb LaMue. “They represent pillar industries within the New North.”
