When rising leaders participate in Forward 48, they walk in expecting to gain a stronger leadership perspective. What I tend not to anticipate is the profound impact of each faculty speaker’s masterclass.
We bring in speakers who don’t give the polished, standard version of success—they give the real one.
Last spring, our cohort saw this caliber of honesty firsthand:
- Anne Norman (EVP & Chief Marketing & Product Strategy Officer, UW Credit Union) dove into the “PhD of Self,” sharing how personal growth is the hardest, yet most essential, work a leader can do.
- Greg Wesley (President & CEO, Greater Milwaukee Foundation) and Kevin Newell (Founder & CEO, Royal Capital Group) proved that treating differences as an asset is the secret to building something that lasts.
- Tina Chang (Chairman & CEO, SysLogic) challenged us to align our daily grind with the actual life we want to build.
Fall 2026: Meet the Faculty
This fall, we are raising the bar again. Our upcoming faculty lineup represents the best of Wisconsin leadership across PR, law, sports, design, equity, and manufacturing. Get ready for these sessions:
- 10/15/26: Susan Finco – Owner & President, Leonard & Finco. A master of reputation, crisis management, and the first woman on the Green Bay Packers Executive Committee.
- 10/22/26: Judge Derek Mosley – Director of the Lubar Center at Marquette Law School. A expert in civic engagement, unconscious bias, and storytelling with impact.
- 10/29/26: Josh Glessing – President, Milwaukee Bucks & Fiserv Forum. A leader at the intersection of sports, strategy, and finance.
- 11/05/26: John Zeratsky – Author of ‘Sprint’, ‘Click’ & ‘Make Time.’ A venture capitalist who turns big ideas into high-impact execution.
- 11/12/26: Angela Russell – Leader in systems change and host of ‘Black Oxygen.’ The blueprint for building equitable, belonging-first communities.
- 11/19/26: Tim Albrecht – Group President, Milwaukee Tool. A masterclass in scaling a legendary brand while prioritizing culture and purpose.
Wisconsin doesn’t have a talent shortage. It has a talent connection shortage. Forward 48 is how we close it.
Nominate someone who is ready to be great at their leadership — or if that person is you, apply today.