Chamber Blog Archives | Greater Green Bay Chamber

Chamber Ambassador Spotlight

MEET VANESSA MORAN

Chamber Ambassadors represent the Greater Green Bay Chamber in the community and actively engage with members and nonmembers. These dedicated volunteers serve as trusted liaisons, answering questions about membership, promoting local businesses, attending Chamber events and celebrating milestones at ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings.

Every Chamber Ambassador brings a unique story and a personal commitment to making Green Bay a better place to live, work and do business. In this monthly blog series, we introduce the passionate individuals who give their time, energy and enthusiasm to serve our members.

Vanessa Moran became a Chamber Ambassador in 2024. She serves on the school board for the Howard-Suamico School District and has experienced firsthand the importance of partnerships in preparing students for future success. Being a Chamber Ambassador allows her to strengthen relationships and support local businesses to promote collaboration that benefits our community and local schools.

She understood the value of connections when her daughter came home after attending the Greater Green Bay Chamber’s Find Your Inspiration. The annual event gives local eighth grade students a hands-on look at the careers shaping Greater Green Bay. Vanessa remembers her daughter showing her brochures and sharing information about college and career possibilities with energy and enthusiasm. She says, “When students see career pathways and real-world opportunities right here in our community, it helps them envision their future and stay motivated in the classroom. Building these relationships not only strengthens our local economy but also creates partnerships that directly support student success and workforce readiness.”

Her favorite memories come from supporting her fellow Chamber Ambassadors. Vanessa cheered on Jim Knopf in NEW Dancing with Our Stars: “I made a sign for him, and the moment he spotted it in the crowd was unforgettable.” She calls it a fun reminder that being a Chamber Ambassador means not just supporting businesses but also celebrating each other as part of a community.

Vanessa enjoys the sense of teamwork that comes with being a Chamber Ambassador, because “we’re all working toward the same goal of supporting growth and strengthening relationships in our community.” So, what would she say to someone considering the volunteer role?

“It is a wonderful way to connect with people, support local businesses, and be part of something bigger than yourself. It’s not only about networking. It’s about building relationships, celebrating successes, and strengthening the fabric of our community. If you enjoy meeting new people and want to make a positive impact, being an Ambassador is both fun and meaningful.”

Chamber Membership

MELINDA MORELLA-OLSON: “GREATER POSSIBILITIES.”

Greater Green Bay Chamber membership fuels growth, talent and impact.

Melinda Morella-Olson discovered the Greater Green Bay Chamber during a career transition. After six years in education, she stepped into a new role leading community engagement and fund development for Live54218, now known as Wello.

“The Chamber was incubating Live54218, which is a neat model and a testament to the true partner that the Chamber is in the community,” Morella-Olson recalls. “It afforded me opportunities to find my footing and understand industries and sectors that were unfamiliar to me.”

She quickly got involved with the Chamber Young Professionals (CYP) program and started building relationships.

“Some of my best friends in the world are people I met during that time in my life when CYP was helping me build my career,” said Morella-Olson. “The professional development opportunities with CYP were so incredible.”

The CYP program challenged Morella-Olson to step into her own leadership and lead professional development for other young professionals. Those experiences stretched her and helped her to grow in ways that she would not have considered otherwise.

“Being involved in Chamber programs and attending Chamber events really allows you to step into that space and maybe meet someone you didn’t know and make a connection you didn’t know would be so impactful on your life,” said Morella-Olson. “My life is greater because of the Greater Green Bay Chamber. The relationships, the learning, the networking, the opportunity, the development is top notch.”

Today, Morella-Olson serves as Senior Director of Operational Transformation at Breakthrough, an active Greater Green Bay Chamber member. Many of her colleagues participate in Chamber programs such as CYP, the Chamber Ambassadors and Leadership Green Bay. The perspective and energy they bring back to the workplace from those experiences, she says, are “truly incredible.”

“They broaden their understanding of our community and community issues,” said Morella-Olson. “They’re more engaged team members. They’re more engaged community members, and it’s just beneficial for our organization.”

She previously spent time as the co-chair of the Chamber’s Talent Taskforce out of a personal interest in sharing what makes Greater Green Bay special.

“I wasn’t responsible for recruiting talent at my organization, but my passion really lies in bringing people to this community,” said Morella-Olson. “I love this community. I think we have a lot to offer. We were looking at innovative strategies and ways to bring people to Greater Green Bay that maybe hadn’t been talked about or hadn’t talked about in that way.”

So what would Morella-Olson say to organizations considering Chamber membership?

“You’re going to get out of it what you put into it. If you’re not sure if you should attend an event or if you’re uncomfortable stepping into that space by yourself, grab a colleague, grab a coworker, grab a friend and just go see what it’s all about,” she said. “I can attest to the fact that you can get so much out of an experience with the Chamber, so just do it.”

Chamber Ambassador Spotlight

MEET JOSH BUSHMAKER

Josh Bushmaker became a Chamber Ambassador in 2022. A mortgage loan officer for AnnieMac Home Mortgage, he wanted to become more engaged with the community. He has also learned a lot about his community during his time as a Chamber Ambassador: “I think we all feel like we know almost everything we have here, but what you learn is how much we really have here to be proud of and promote.”

Some of Josh’s most impactful moments as a Chamber Ambassador have come from conversations with business owners. He prefers to skip the phone call and visit in-person to learn more about the challenges Chamber members face and celebrate in the successes they achieve.

Helping at the annual Welcome Back Packers Luncheon stands out as his favorite memory: “You get to meet people from all over and help them find their tables. The excitement they have when the player or coach gets to their table and the interactions that they have with the player or coach are just something to behold. They tend to all act like kids who are starstruck.”

Josh says it has been “so much fun” to serve as a Chamber Ambassador with a group of people who care about the community. He encourages anyone interested in joining that group to take the chance. “It’s something special that is hard to describe without being part of it.”

Small Business Feature

Rapid Refuel

The Greater Green Bay Chamber defines any business with less than 50 employees as a small business. Small businesses make up more than 80% of our membership base, and we are proud to offer them support and resources through programming, events and workspaces.

This blog post is part of a monthly series highlighting the small businesses in our community. Learn more about Rapid Refuel in this Q&A with Owner, Tanya Matuszewski.

Tell us about Rapid Refuel. What services do you offer? Who is your audience?

“Rapid Refuel is locally owned and operated in Howard. We bring gas to you wherever you may be – home, work, at the gym – like DoorDash, but better – for your gas. Order your fuel with a few taps in our app in less than a minute.

We offer monthly memberships for:

Residential VIP
Business Fleets
Employee Perk Program
Boats

We are here to help families, business professionals, and businesses save time and money.”

When was Rapid Refuel established?

“July 2025”

Why did you decide to start Rapid Refuel?

“We saw a need in the area. You can get your groceries and food delivered to your house, why not gas also? Life isn’t slowing down, so why not help families and businesses with this time-saving convenience.

As of mom of 3 (they are older now), if this would have been a service available when we were in the thick of activities, school, business, I would have 100% been a customer. So, it’s time to help other families.

Additionally, being a business owner in different industries previously, Rapid Refuel provides the ability to help other business owners by offering a service to add profits to the bottom line.”

How would you describe your journey as a business owner?

“Business ownership is fun, rewarding, and challenging – the growth, the ability to learn to pivot and change if something isn’t working. Being willing to understand not all decisions you make are going to work-however, what all your decisions are doing are teaching you. You have to be willing to be a student as a business owner. Surround yourself with others who know more about areas of your business than you do and learn from them.”

What has been the most rewarding moment for you as a business owner?

“The most rewarding moment as a business owner was most recently when we were being referred on a social media post by someone we don’t know.”

What has been the most challenging part of owning a business?

“The most challenging part of owning a business is finding the balance between being a mom, wife, and business owner. There is no such thing as ‘balance’ truly, however, you have to be sure to shut off and spend time with those who truly matter. The work will be there tomorrow morning or Monday, you only get moments with your children or spouse once so make the most of them. This can be very challenging to do especially in the business start up phase–setting boundaries around work time and sticking to them is important.”

Who has been the most influential person to you as a business owner?

“My husband, Aaron. We have been in business ownership together for over 25 years. He is always my biggest supporter, challenges my thinking, and believes in me.”

What are you the most excited about as you look to the future of Rapid Refuel?

“Spreading the word in the Green Bay area to all the families and businesses. The future for Rapid Refuel is very exciting as we continue to :

Deliver to employees who are using a perk that they actually love.
Help families take one thing off of their to-do list and spend more time as a family.
Help businesses have revenue dollars turn to profits because their crews are on the job getting more done.”

How can people find Rapid Refuel?

Find us online at:
Website: www.rapidrefuelgb.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rapidrefuel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rapidrefuel/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RapidRefuel/shorts
TikTok: @rapidrefuelgb

Greater Green Bay Chamber is Now a Certified Family friendly WOrkplace

Family Friendly Workplaces is happy to announce that the Greater Green Bay Chamber has earned a silver-level certification as a Family Friendly Workplace, recognizing its commitment to supporting employees’ well-being and work-life balance.

“A truly great workplace is one where people are supported as individuals, not just employees. This certification affirms our commitment at the Greater Green Bay Chamber to building a culture that respects balance while encouraging growth,” said Lara Fritts, President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Chamber. “Investing in our people generates lasting value that extends beyond our workplace and into the communities we serve.”

“This certification helps define the standard for values-driven workplaces in our region,” said Nikki Schneider, Director of Talent and Education at the Greater Green Bay Chamber. “It strengthens our ability to attract and retain talent and sends a clear message that supporting people is essential to long-term success. We hope other organizations in Greater Green Bay will follow our lead.”

The Greater Green Bay Chamber earned this certification after a comprehensive evaluation of its workplace policies, including flexible work options, parental leave, healthcare benefits, and family-centric support programs. As a certified employer, the Greater Green Bay Chamber is now entitled to use the Family Friendly Workplaces logo in its talent attraction and retention work, as well as access a range of other benefits.

“We’re proud to recognize the Greater Green Bay Chamber as a Family Friendly Workplace,” said Neil Kline, Executive Director of Family Friendly Workplaces. “Their certification leads the way in northeast Wisconsin, and we believe it is a major encouragement to other employers in the region to consider certification themselves.”

FFW is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Baldwin that certifies nearly 75 employers across Wisconsin as it works to engage employers and communities in an effort to address Wisconsin’s long-term workforce shortage.

For more information about Family Friendly Workplaces and its certification program, visit www.familyfriendlyworkplaces.org.

Chamber Ambassador Spotlight

MEET JENNA VANBOXTEL

Jenna VanBoxtel became a Chamber Ambassador in January 2025. An active member of the Chamber Young Professionals (CYP) program, she wanted a larger role at the Chamber to become more involved in the community, expand her network and meet new people.

She believes connecting with area businesses builds a stronger community through collaboration, networking and a sense of belonging. Like many of her fellow Chamber Ambassadors, she calls the experience “very rewarding” and says the volunteer role has helped her to stay informed with what is happening in Greater Green Bay.

Her favorite memories since becoming a Chamber Ambassador come from connecting with other Chamber Ambassadors at events: “I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know them better and building stronger relationships through our shared experiences.”

What would Jenna tell someone interested in becoming a Chamber Ambassador? “Get involved! This experience has provided me with valuable connections and opportunities for personal and professional growth. It offers an inviting atmosphere to network and volunteer within the community.”

CHAMBER FOUNDATION FEATURE

Developing Community Leaders: Anne’s Story

Anne describes herself as a natural-born leader. She was the student who instinctively stepped up when a group project needed direction: “It didn’t matter the group. I was going to do it.”

As a sophomore at Ashwaubenon High School, her eyes were fixed on her future, asking herself: “How do I get into the University of Wisconsin–Madison? How do I build a strong academic résumé?” She played tennis and soccer, but even as a competitive athlete, she knew she would need more to stand out. That is when Anne learned about the Greater Green Bay Chamber’s Teen Leadership program.

“Teen Leadership is so important in growing and developing leaders,” she said. “You get out of your comfort zone; you get out of your school district and make connections to your community with people that you might be able to reach out to 25 years into the future.”

Her Teen Leadership experience consisted of monthly session days, team-building exercises, a community project and visits to places around Greater Green Bay. A graduation ceremony held at the brand-new Meyer Theatre marked the end of her time in the program, but Anne graduated feeling inspired to continue her leadership journey. Teen Leadership introduced her to Greater Green Bay not just as the place she grew up in but as an area full of people, possibilities and potential.

Anne fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer. She graduated from UW-Madison and received her law degree from Marquette University Law School, now practicing law as an Associate Attorney at Ruder Ware in Green Bay. She has stayed connected with the people she met in Teen Leadership every step of the way through text messages, emails, social media, even as college classmates.

“I think the plan was always to come back to Green Bay,” she reflects. “If Green Bay hadn’t progressed as it has, thanks to a lot of leaders in the community, it wouldn’t have been as attractive for me to return home.”

Her colleagues encouraged her to go through Leadership Green Bay, and after years of navigating a demanding litigation schedule, the timing aligned for her to be part of the Class of 2026. What strikes her most is how Leadership Green Bay mirrors her experience in Teen Leadership.

“I think that’s one of the goals of Teen Leadership and Leadership Green Bay,” she says. “To bring good, smart people who have high aspirations and want Green Bay to be better, together. Learning about Green Bay that young and now learning about it again as an adult connects those experiences in a way that inspires me to get more involved.”

Anne’s story reflects what makes the Chamber’s talent pipeline powerful. It meets people where they are, gives them space to grow and reconnects them to their community when they are ready—even twenty years later.

Your investment in the Greater Green Bay Chamber Foundation develops future community leaders and makes it possible for students like Anne to build a network that will last a lifetime.

Chamber Membership

JACKIE KRUTZ: “ADVANCING THE GREATER IN GREEN BAY.”

Greater Green Bay Chamber membership fuels growth, talent and impact.

Jackie Krutz moved to Green Bay surrounded by family, but she soon realized she needed more than personal connections. She needed a broader professional network. That’s when she turned to the Greater Green Bay Chamber to explore new opportunities.

“One of the hardest things is understanding what impact I have on this community,” she said. “The only way to do that is to meet other people and understand the needs of the community.”

Jackie credits the Chamber’s Community Concierge Program with helping her meet fellow professionals and build meaningful relationships. Through the program, she quickly formed new friendships with people both similar to and different from herself. Those connections have enriched her work as Director of Titletown Development for the Green Bay Packers.

“One of the things I absolutely love about my job at Titletown is the impact it has on the community both from a family perspective but also the new individuals moving to Green Bay because of the amenities, career opportunities and growth happening here today,” said Jackie. “Working together with the Chamber and making some impactful connections in the community has helped me in my career while growing the objectives and goals for Titletown in a larger way.”

Titletown is a 45-acre mixed-use development next to Lambeau Field created by the Packers to spark economic growth and support future development across the region.

“The Greater Green Bay Chamber and the Green Bay Packers are aligned in expanding both business and economic development in the region. We work together to develop initiatives that will support that growth,” said Jackie. “Titletown is an initiative of the Green Bay Packers that is rooted in especially economic development, and that is a shared goal of the Chamber.”

In addition to economic development, Jackie says Chamber membership also supports the Packers’ talent development goals. “One of the ways we’ve leveraged the Chamber is providing leadership opportunities that allows them to start networking and connecting with others outside of their comfort zone and job so that they can be the next generation of leaders in our organization.”

Chamber membership helps people like Jackie become stronger leaders, create wider networks and multiply their impact on the community.

Chamber Ambassador Spotlight

MEET SUE LAGERMAN

Sue Lagerman became a Chamber Ambassador in September 2018. She believes in building strong community connections and working together to reach shared goals: “Being a Chamber Ambassador is very special to me. I’m proud to be part of an organization that champions innovation, nurtures growth and talent, and drives meaningful impact.”

Sue earned the Ambassador of the Year Award in 2022 for her dedication to the role and willingness to go above and beyond to further the Chamber’s mission and help member businesses. She remembers that as her favorite moment of being a Chamber Ambassador, but she is quick to give credit to the others who wear the green jacket alongside her. “I am just one member on a great team of Ambassadors who I know have the same desire to support and promote the Chamber and its members,” she said.

In her time as a Chamber Ambassador, one interaction with a local business owner stands out. They expressed heartfelt appreciation for the visibility their company gained through the Chamber’s efforts, praising Chamber Ambassadors and staff for their warmth and professionalism. She calls Greater Green Bay an “exceptional blend of talent and opportunity.”

Connecting local businesses with the Chamber may be part of the job description as a Chamber Ambassador, but Sue knows those connections open doors to new opportunities, encourage mutual support and drive local economic growth for a stronger, more collaborative community.

So, what would Sue tell someone interested in becoming a Chamber Ambassador? “If you are interested in meeting new people, sharing information, building partnerships and friendships, and being part of a supportive team, please consider applying. It is a decision you won’t regret!”

Small Business Feature

Green Bay Cookie Co.

The Greater Green Bay Chamber defines any business with less than 50 employees as a small business. Small businesses make up more than 80% of our membership base, and we are proud to offer them support and resources through programming, events and workspaces.

This blog post is part of a monthly series highlighting the small businesses in our community. Learn more about Green Bay Cookie Co. in this Q&A with Owner, Erika Dunne.

Tell us about Green Bay Cookie Co. What services do you offer? Who is your audience?

“Green Bay Cookie Co. has deﬁnitely changed over the last 3 1/2 years. What started out as a custom sugar cookie business has turned into a gourmet NYC cookie storefront/custom sugar cookie business. Our audience has now become every and all cookie lovers, as we oﬀer a wide variety and assortment of cookie ﬂavors you cannot get anywhere else. However, we still maintain our very large sugar cookie business, which does custom orders for people wanting celebration cookies for baby showers, birthdays, weddings, etc. along with extremely large corporate logo orders.”

When was Green Bay Cookie Co. established?

“In 2022, I started The Tattered Whisk which was solely a custom sugar cookie business built out of my home bakery in my basement. Last year, in December 2024, I opened Green Bay Cookie Co. After a summer of doing nighttime markets and starting to sell large gourmet NYC cookies, I realized when the markets ended that I needed to place to continue to sell and my business had just grown so much exponentially that I could no longer continue doing this out of my basement bakery. So, I took the plunge and opened up the storefront.”

Why did you decide to start Green Bay Cookie Co.?

“In 2022, I had just turned 40 and really just wanted something just for me. I’m a mom of 7. My twin girls were 6 months old at the time I started this business, and I was just looking for something to do that was mine, outside of the kids, and an outlet for me. So, I took a little online cookie decorating class, turned out to be pretty good at it, started a website, gave out samples, and orders started coming in. I never dreamed it would turn into what it has as a full-blown brick-and-mortar business in the great city of Green Bay.”

How would you describe your journey as a business owner?

“In one word, ‘crazy.’ I never imagined when I started with zero clients and zero orders that in only a few short years, I’d be doing thousands and thousands of cookies every week. I never imagined opening a store. It never crossed my mind when I started. It’s just been a crazy journey and a very, very successful journey, but that success has come with sacriﬁce. I miss out on things with my kids, somedays are very long, I am not a stay at home mom like I was before, as I’m at the shop everyday. Finding the work/life balance has been the most challenging part since opening the store. However, I am getting way better at it, and this next year I will be even more successful in balancing both sides of my life. I’m really proud of that progress.”

What has been the most rewarding moment for you as a business owner?

“That’s a hard question. I feel like those moments come in the small, but really important, moments of the great cookie reviews people take the time out of their day to leave, expressing their love for our cookies, and then in the bigger moments of doing cookies for celebrity’s and large organizations like Taylor Swift, the Green Bay Packers, Associated Bank, Lil Wayne, etc.”

What has been the most challenging part of owning a business?

“The most challenging part for me as a mom with 7 kids is ﬁnding the work/life balance. Having to work long hours some days and not leaving the shop on time makes my time away from my kids longer, and I hate that. I’m really working on only working in ‘normal’ business hours the best I can. We are closed Mondays, so that’s my day to pick up the kids and spend the afternoon with them. We get icees, hit Target or the dollar store, and grab some fun little things. I try and make it fun. They know it’s mom’s day. It’s important to them, and I just want to balance out my time in the store and my time with my family better. It’s a work in progress.

The second most challenging aspect is just being a small business and wearing a million hats. I am the baker, creator, social media manager, website manager, front of the house, cashier, packager, product manager, shipping manager, answer all the comments and emails, etc. Wearing all those hats gets tiring. I am working on letting some of that go and have hired help with a baking assistant which is amazing. Even the part-time hours she is in has made a huge diﬀerence! But again, it’s all about ﬁnding the balance with these things, and it’s always a work in progress.”

Who has been the most influential person to you as a business owner?

“You know, I don’t really have someone that inspires me. To be honest, it would be me. I really try to focus on myself and inspire myself with new ideas and the best work ethic. I pride myself on my work ethic. No one can work like I do, and I’m really proud of that. I have really perfected my craft and work my butt oﬀ everyday. When I’m working, I’m going as fast as I can to get everything I need to done to get back to my kids. I’m 100% ALL day. I don’t take a lunch, a break, I just work. I can do the work of 10 people, and until recently, I did this all by myself. I guess my kids inspire me, because I just want to give them a mom that they are proud of and show them what hard work looks like and how hard work pays oﬀ if you give it all you have everyday.”

What are you the most excited about as you look to the future of Green Bay Cookie Co.?

“I’m most excited about the growth of Green Bay Cookie Co. Last December, I opened the store full-time, 5 days a week, with zero experience of running a store and zero idea what that would look like. I started with maybe 6-10 ﬂavors, it was just me, and it was a lot that ﬁrst month. December is already a hard month, because I do thousands of sugar cookies every week. So, keeping up with those orders, making large gourmet cookies to stock the store, stocking the store with sugar cookie holiday options, and running the store myself was all new and got a little crazy.

Last year, I worked every day in December until past midnight. This year, I have a new employee (which is so awesome and is beyond helpful to get everything we need to done)! I have experience now, and it is just so much easier than last year. The growth in one year of Green Bay Cookie Co. from starting with 6-10 ﬂavors to now oﬀering over 50 rotating in ﬂavors – we have special holiday ﬂavors, we oﬀer corporate cookie boxes and cookie platters this year. It’s just crazy what this business has accomplished in a year, and I look forward to that continuing and expanding into diﬀerent products. It’s always evolving, and that’s really the best part, watching and being in this little cookie business evolution.”

How can people find Green Bay Cookie Co.?

Come visit us at:
940 Hansen Rd, Ste E
Green Bay, WI 54304

Find us online at:
Website: www.greenbaycookieco.com
Facebook: @greenbaycookieco
Instagram: @greenbaycookieco

Chamber Ambassador Spotlight

MEET VANESSA MORAN

Chamber Membership

MELINDA MORELLA-OLSON: “GREATER POSSIBILITIES.”

Chamber Ambassador Spotlight

MEET JOSH BUSHMAKER

Small Business Feature

Rapid Refuel

Tell us about Rapid Refuel. What services do you offer? Who is your audience?

When was Rapid Refuel established?

Why did you decide to start Rapid Refuel?

How would you describe your journey as a business owner?

What has been the most rewarding moment for you as a business owner?

What has been the most challenging part of owning a business?

Who has been the most influential person to you as a business owner?

What are you the most excited about as you look to the future of Rapid Refuel?

How can people find Rapid Refuel?

Greater Green Bay Chamber is Now a Certified Family friendly WOrkplace

Chamber Ambassador Spotlight

MEET JENNA VANBOXTEL

CHAMBER FOUNDATION FEATURE

Developing Community Leaders: Anne’s Story

Chamber Membership

JACKIE KRUTZ: “ADVANCING THE GREATER IN GREEN BAY.”

Chamber Ambassador Spotlight

MEET SUE LAGERMAN

Small Business Feature

Green Bay Cookie Co.

Tell us about Green Bay Cookie Co. What services do you offer? Who is your audience?

When was Green Bay Cookie Co. established?

Why did you decide to start Green Bay Cookie Co.?

How would you describe your journey as a business owner?

What has been the most rewarding moment for you as a business owner?

What has been the most challenging part of owning a business?

Who has been the most influential person to you as a business owner?

What are you the most excited about as you look to the future of Green Bay Cookie Co.?

How can people find Green Bay Cookie Co.?

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