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.
