Building A Stronger Workforce

As a non-profit workforce resource serving 10 counties in northwest Wisconsin, we are dedicated to strengthening the Wisconsin workforce and connecting people to opportunities. Whether you're a career seeker or employer, we provide training, employment, youth jobs and career planning, and support services to help you succeed.

Mission Statement

Committed to Strengthening the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce

At the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board (NWWIB), our mission is to create, and continue to improve, an innovative and quality strategic direction for the regional workforce development system. We are dedicated to strengthening the Wisconsin workforce and connecting people to the programs and services they need to thrive. Through our partnerships and programs, we offer training, employment support, youth jobs and career planning, and more.

Our Workforce Partners

As we move forward in this new era of workforce development under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, our focus will remain on excellence and continuing to achieve high-impact, quality outcomes that serve the needs of the workforce and employers. The NWWIB has been working to strengthen the current and future workforce of northwest Wisconsin in order to increase and expand economic development activities within the region through many regional collaborative efforts.

Workforce Investment Boards

Serving Northwest Wisconsin

Our services are available to anyone living in the following counties:

  • Ashland
  • Bayfield
  • Burnett
  • Douglas
  • Iron
  • Price
  • Rusk
  • Sawyer
  • Taylor
  • Washburn
Empowering

Driving Workforce Success Through Data and Statistics

At NWWIB, we are dedicated to strengthening the Wisconsin workforce and connecting people to opportunities. Our data and statistics demonstrate the impact we have on the local workforce and economy. Explore our success stories to see how we have made a difference.

strategic plan

2023/26

Our Strategic Plan guides our day-to-day priorities. Through data collection, review, and discussion, together with our Strategic Directions & Development Committee, we have crafted 5 Key Objectives for our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. While the Key Objectives remain the same, how we accomplish these objectives can be adjusted at any time to better align with the current economic trends of our region. Our Strategic Plan is a living document representing a moment in time, so we give ourselves the flexibility to adapt as needed to best serve our region and align with the Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment.

Our Success

1,259

Participants/Individuals served in 2023.

Our Research

9

Total number of listening sessions and digital equity outreach events in 2023

Our Involvement

3

Resource and job fairs hosted/supported in 2023

Annual Report

2023

Read more about NWWIB's efforts and impact in 2023

Our Reach

1,700

Downloads of our Workforce Waves podcast in 2023

Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board

GOVERNANCE

The role of the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board (NWWIB) is that of a coordinating, planning, and collaborating entity resulting in a workforce system that is flexible, seamless, and responsive to the dual needs of job seekers and employers. The board is committed to seeking out best practices and developing strategic initiatives that will lead to economic self-sufficiency for residents of our region. We actively work to support local businesses by collaborating with them to create a talent pipeline for a knowledge-based economy. We are always seeking private sector business members who want to become involved in the workforce development activities in our region and are interested in serving. The NWWIB is a public/private partnership between government and business that plans, administers, and coordinates employment and training programs for adults and youth in the ten Northwest Wisconsin counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn. As a workforce development board, NWWIB strives to create a training and employment system that involves education, economic development, prospective training operators, area employers, employees, workers, and job seekers.

History

Milestones and Achievements

Explore the key milestones and achievements in NWWIB's history.

2021

New Partnerships Formed

We established valuable partnerships to expand our reach and impact.

2020

Record Job Placements

We helped individuals secure employment through our job placement programs.

2019

Skills Training Expansion

We expanded our skills training programs to meet the growing demands of the workforce.

2018

Youth Employment Initiative Begins

We launched an initiative to provide youth with job opportunities and career guidance.

2001

NWWIB is formed

The Beginning

Empowering

Meet Our Team

Dedicated professionals driving the workforce mission.

Matthew Filipek

Pathways Home Re-Entry Career Coach

Dawn Knapp

Grant Project Coordinator

Ryce Davis

Special Projects Case Coordinator

Melissa Rabska

Director of Operations & Communications

Mari Kay-Nabozny

NWWIB CEO

Bella Potack-Rettler

Administrative & Outreach Coordinator

Friday

Office Dog/Barketing Assistant

Mari Kay-Nabozny

NWWIB CEO

Board of Directors

Meet the people who give their time and expertise to drive the mission of NWWIB.

Andrea Chartier

Workforce Development Specialist
Essentia Health
Duluth, MN

Tammi Follet

VP HR
Fraser Industries
Superior, WI

Elain Ogilvie

EEO Officer/ Human Resource
Mathey Construction Company
Ashland, WI

Crystal Rohde

Administrator/Business Development Specialist
Visions Northwest/NWRPC
Spooner, WI

Michelle Johnson

Community Engagement Specialist
Enbridge
Superior, WI

Edward Gruhl

Gruhl Education Consulting, LLC
Washburn, WI

MJ Sills

Unemployment Insurance
Eau Claire, WI

Jennifer Shearer

CEO
Indianhead Community Action Agency
Ladysmith, WI

PC Rasmussen

General Manager
Lakewoods Resort
Cable, WI

Kristine Porter

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Wausau, WI

Richard Nystrom

Owner
D & N Development
Superior, WI

Bambi Pattermann

Dean of Workforce & Economic Development
Northwood Technical College
Ashland, WI

Brent Harju

Apprenticeship Coordinator
Ironworkers #512
Hermantown, MN

Kelly Klein

NWWIB Board Chair, Iron County Development Zone Coordinator
Iron County Development Zone
Hurley, WI

Judy Aspling

HR Consultant
Avalon HR Services
Gordon, WI

Thomas Draghi

District Director
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Ladysmith, WI

Kerri Trubachik

Branch Manager
Associated Bank
Hayward, WI

Brad Gast

Dean of Business & Industry and Continuing Education
Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Dale Kelm

Owner/Administrator
Birch Haven Senior Living
Ashland, WI

Dr. Russell Swagger

President
LCO Ojibwe University
WI

Mary McPhetridge

Executive Director
Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce
Ashland, WI

Skyler Dural-Eder

President/CEO
Northwest Wisconsin - CEP
WI

Ashley Moore

Financial Planner
Prudential Advisors
Ashland, WI
Interested in joining the board?
Apply Today

Interested in joining the board?

Apply Today
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Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is comprised of business leaders, workforce development partners, community organizations, and tribal representatives who are committed to creating a workforce system that meets the needs of the employers and workers in Northwest Wisconsin. The Board is committed to seeking out best practices and developing strategic initiatives that will lead to economic self-sufficiency for our region’s residents.

01

Youth Committee

The Youth Committee consists of members from the NWWIB and other community members with a special interest or expertise in youth policy. It shall be the responsibility of the Youth Committee to provide strategy and guidance to the agency in the administration of the various youth programs authorized and funded by WIOA.

01

Strategic Directions and Development (SDD) Committee

The Strategic Directions and Development Committee (SDDC) consists of a cross-section of NWWIB members from the public and private sectors. The committee drives the strategic direction of the NWWIB’s activities and initiatives. This includes supporting initiatives to increase the labor supply for high-demand industries in cooperation with local, regional, and statewide economic development partners.

01

One-Stop-Operator (OSO) Committee

The One-Stop Operator (OSO) committee consists of a combination of standing and elected members who contribute time, talent and/or treasure to the Job Centers. Standing members include regional executives with the authority to carry out functions and direct actions of local level staff. Members represent partners and constituent groups as identified in Section 121 of WIOA.

01

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is comprised of select members from the Executive Committee. The committee meets quarterly to review and monitor the NWWIB’s financial operations. This includes overseeing the budget, monitoring cash flow, maintenance of financial records, and reviewing financial procedures as necessary.

01

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is comprised of the Board’s officers and other Board members. This Committee is charged with the establishment of plans, priorities, and goals for the organization. The committee is responsible for the review of programming changes, proposals, new programs, and projects proposed by the staff throughout the year.

01

Executive committee

The Executive Committee is comprised of the Board’s officers and other Board members. This Committee is charged with the establishment of plans, priorities, and goals for the organization. The committee is responsible for the review of programming changes, proposals, new programs, and projects proposed by the staff throughout the year.

02

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is comprised of select members from the Executive Committee. The committee meets quarterly to review and monitor the NWWIB’s financial operations. This includes overseeing the budget, monitoring cash flow, maintenance of financial records, and reviewing financial procedures as necessary.

03

One-Stop-Operator (OSO) Committee

The One-Stop Operator (OSO) committee consists of a combination of standing and elected members who contribute time, talent and/or treasure to the Job Centers. Standing members include regional executives with the authority to carry out functions and direct actions of local level staff. Members represent partners and constituent groups as identified in Section 121 of WIOA.

04

Strategic Directions and Development Committee (SDD)

The Strategic Directions and Development Committee (SDDC) consists of a cross-section of NWWIB members from the public and private sectors. The committee drives the strategic direction of the NWWIB’s activities and initiatives. This includes supporting initiatives to increase the labor supply for high-demand industries in cooperation with local, regional, and statewide economic development partners.

04

Youth Committee

The Youth Committee consists of members from the NWWIB and other community members with a special interest or expertise in youth policy. It shall be the responsibility of the Youth Committee to provide strategy and guidance to the agency in the administration of the various youth programs authorized and funded by WIOA.

04

Board Of Directors

Our Board of Directors is comprised of business leaders, workforce development partners, community organizations, and tribal representatives who are committed to creating a workforce system that meets the needs of the employers and workers in Northwest Wisconsin. The Board is committed to seeking out best practices and developing strategic initiatives that will lead to economic self-sufficiency for our region’s residents.