What if leadership didn’t start with a title—but with self-awareness? What if impact wasn’t measured only in outcomes—but in how deeply we connect, how much we grow, and how courageously we show up for our communities?
That’s the foundation of Forward 48: a statewide leadership development experience built to equip emerging leaders across Wisconsin with the people, knowledge, and resources to create meaningful, sustainable change in their careers and in their communities. This spring, 51 participants from 16 different communities across the state joined us in living that mission—through reflection, relationships, and real-world experiences.
On April 17, we kicked off the Spring 2025 Cohort at the American Family Insurance DreamBank—a community initiative dedicated to helping people achieve their dreams. The space in Madison, Wisconsin offers inspiring events, a collaborative workspace, thought-provoking exhibits and more–the perfect location for our participants to get their first look at the Forward 48 experience.
As a part of their pre-work, participants were asked to review a video created by our friend Beth Ridley—a former corporate executive turned workplace culture consultant, speaker, and author. In this video, Beth emphasizes the importance of Inclusive Leadership and what it truly means to be inclusive leaders.
We created this community to help rising leaders learn how to connect, learn, grow, and show up authentically—but in order to do this, we have to set the stage.
On April 17, we reminded our participants that Beth’s Inclusive Leadership Principles remain not only at the core of our mission, but in each and every carefully curated piece of Forward 48 programming.
From the drafting of Forward 48’s application to the review process, from the selection of Forward 48’s Participants, Alumni and Faculty Speakers to the creation of our Curriculum Principles, every decision is made with intention—to foster self-awareness, build authentic connections, seek deeper understanding, and inspire a lifelong commitment to inclusive leadership.
By embedding these values into the fabric of the Forward 48 experience, we create the conditions for real growth and real impact.
But these principles don’t just guide our curriculum—they shape our results.
Here’s how they came to life this spring:
BE SELF-AWARE
“[Forward 48] was inspiring…but you have to be receptive to it, excited for it, and passionate about the journey for growth. Your mindset changes, your communications skills grow, and you see yourself differently.” – Meghan Langmyer, Marketing Manager at Discovery World (Milwaukee)
At the heart of inclusive leadership is self-awareness—the ability to recognize your strengths, your blindspots, and how your choices shape the world around you. Through DISC assessments, courageous conversations with their Home Teams, and spotlights with some of Wisconsin’s top leaders, participants were invited to examine who they are and how they lead.
By the end of our six-week experience…
- Confidence in recognizing blindspots and biases increased by 7.6%
- Confidence in practicing inclusive leadership in daily life grew by 5.5%
- Over 20 hours of deep engagement with diverse, civic leaders fueled by personal growth
FOSTER CONNECTIONS
“Forward 48 has given me the knowledge, connections, and vision to pursue my goals when I did not have that before.” – Matt Laska, International Customer Care Representative at Trek Bicycle (Madison)
“The way Forward 48 fosters networking is unlike anything else I’ve experienced and I’m so grateful to be a part of this cohort and now the alumni community.” – Brianna Schubert, Digital Editor at Milwaukee Magazine (Milwaukee)
Forward 48 isn’t just about building skills—it’s about building community. Participants were placed into cross-sector, cross-city Home Teams, where week-by-week, they practiced inclusive leadership by sharing a challenge or idea they’re working through, while their peers offered thoughtful feedback and fresh perspectives. The purpose is to foster vulnerability, deepen connections, and help each other move the needle on the work that matters most.
This Spring, we also launched our Alumni Buddy Program, connecting current participants with past graduates who provided mentoring, encouragement, and access to the broader Forward 48 community.
The result? A 19.7% increase in confidence around having the network needed to navigate their leadership journey—and over 50 new alumni added to our 500+ strong network of engaged leaders invested in each other’s success across companies, communities, and our state.
SEEK TO UNDERSTAND
“We all came from different walks of life but we had an amazing bond.” – Camille Ffrench, Health and Wellness Coach at Sculpting Sistas Fitness (Milwaukee)
“To be in a networking group where people actually show up to help each other—it’s like nothing I’ve seen in my 15-year career.” – Michael Merritt, AVP of Commercial Lending at Peoples State Bank (Milwaukee)
Curiosity, empathy, and openness are leadership skills that Forward 48 aims to put into daily practice. Throughout the cohort experience, participants hear directly from Wisconsin’s most inspiring civic and business leaders—not just about their triumphs, but their failures, biases, and the lessons they’re still learning. Spring 2025 was no different.
Forward 48’s Faculty Speakers are some of the most respected leaders within Wisconsin’s business community: from Telisa Yancy (President, American Family Insurance), to Mary Ellen Stanek (President, Baird Funds), to Laura Kohler (Chief Sustainable Living Officer, Kohler Co.), to Craig Dickman (Managing Partner, TitletownTech)—the caliber of leaders in the room where it happens does not go unnoticed.
In bringing together respected and rising leaders, Forward 48 continues to bridge the divide not only across industries or cities, but across generations—encouraging dialogue, learning, and meaningful exchange that strengthens our leadership ecosystem and fostering greater understanding, collaboration, and respect among all who lead.
This commitment to understanding led to a:
- 6.0% increase in confidence in practicing empathy and curiosity
- 11.3% increase in ability to build authentic and diverse relationships
- 11.6% increase in the belief that their community’s leaders support their growth and the growth of the next generation of leadership
Participants joined us from Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and even Marshfield. Yet, through vulnerability and shared learning, they found common ground and sparked new ideas to bring back home.
BE COMMITTED
“Forward 48 gave me invaluable connections that will last a lifetime while challenging me to work on being a TRUE leader in every sense of the word.” – JD Leisemann, Business Insurance Associate at M3 Insurance (Waukesha)
Leadership doesn’t end after six weeks. It deepens.
That’s why Forward 48 is designed to sustain growth long after the cohort ends through our Alumni Network, ongoing events, and a shared commitment to building a stronger Wisconsin.
After completing the program:
- Participants’ confidence in their community’s potential to support their growth as civic leaders increased by 12.6%
- Participants’ likelihood of staying in Wisconsin long-term increased by 4.7%
This isn’t just professional development—it’s a movement. A statewide coalition of changemakers ready to lead with empathy, curiosity, and conviction.
Looking Ahead: Shaping the Future of Wisconsin—Together
“I just loved being here… Thank you Forward 48 for giving us the chance to show the true leaders inside us.” – Fatma Letifi, Diverse Business Assistance Manager at On Broadway, Inc. (Green Bay)
At Forward 48, we’re shaping the future of Wisconsin, together.
The future of Wisconsin is bright because it’s being shaped by leaders like Meghan, Matt, Brianna, Camille, Michael, JD and Fatma.
In a time when burnout is rising and connection is fading, Forward 48 offers something different: a proven pathway to build resilience, grow influence, and lead with purpose. Whether you’re a business leader seeking to invest in your team or a young professional looking to take the next step in your leadership journey, here’s what Forward 48 can do for you:
For Business Leaders:
- Attract and retain top talent by offering meaningful, values-driven development experiences (a top priority for millennial and Gen Z workers)
- Build a pipeline of inclusive leaders who are equipped to drive innovation, empathy, and collaboration
- Strengthen your culture by embedding leadership development into your organization’s DNA
- Support Wisconsin’s future by investing in a statewide network of changemakers who give back to their companies and communities (in more ways than one!).
For Emerging Leaders:
- Grow your confidence through real-world leadership challenges and feedback
- Build authentic relationships with peers and mentors who are invested in your success
- Expand your impact by learning how to lead with clarity, curiosity, and conviction
- Join a powerful network of 500+ civic-minded professionals committed to moving their companies and communities forward.
We’re not just building better leaders—we’re building a stronger, more connected Wisconsin.
“If you’re ready to lead with purpose—or empower someone else to rise—we’d love to hear from you.”
🔗 Learn more about Forward 48 and get involved. 🔗
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Regan Andersen is a Milwaukee-based communications and engagement professional with over six years of professional experience spanning from grassroots organizing to local government to corporate partnerships.
As the Communications & Engagement Manager for Forward 48 and the Hoan Group, Regan spearheads communications, community partnerships, and digital direction for one of the region’s most influential civic leadership development networks.
A proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Regan is passionate about storytelling, community-building, and fostering meaningful connections. Outside of work, she enjoys creative projects, spending time outdoors, and sharing a good meal with her loved ones.