The Executive Excellence Awards honors the C-suite executives (CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, CHRO, CTO) and senior leaders whose vision, innovation, and leadership drive organizational success and strengthen Northeast Wisconsin’s business community.
Awards recognize excellence in four key areas:
- Financial Strategy & Excellence
- Talent & Culture Leadership
- Operational Innovation & Efficiency
- Technology & Digital Transformation
Together, these leaders set the standard for strategic leadership, innovation, and long-term business success.
Event Information
Thursday, December 3, 2026
Lambeau Field | Green Bay
- 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Registration & Networking
- 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Buffet & Networking
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6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Awards Ceremony
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Welcome
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Honoree program
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Executive of the Year Message – Sachin Shivaram
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Distinction awards
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- 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Post-Reception & Networking
Sponsorship Information:
[email protected]
General Event Information:
[email protected]
The 2026 Executive Excellence honorees are:
Financial Strategy & Excellence
- Travis Froze, President – Northeast Wisconsin Market, First Business Bank
- John Hogerty, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Bergstrom Corporation
- Katie Horan, Director of Finance & Administration, Appleton Airport
- Bradley Klingsporn, Chief Financial Officer, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
- Lori Schumacher, Chief Financial Officer, Galloway Company
Talent & Culture Leadership
- Maria Blochowiak, HR Director, Team Industries, Inc.
- Joseph McGrane, Executive Vice President, Legacy Private Trust Company
- Brooke Sanchez, Vice President – Executive Search, Employment Resource Group
- Amy Smith, Chief People Officer, Jewelers Mutual
Operational Innovation & Efficiency
- Sharla Baenen, Chief Operating Officer – Bellin Region, Emplify Health by Bellin
- Holly Brenner, SVP of Strategic Development and Marketing, C. D. Smith Construction
- Lindsay LaCourse, VP, Product Growth, Fox Communities Credit Union
- Jeff Shipley, Executive Vice President of Operations, The Boldt Group
- Brian Wetzel, Vice President, Operations, Immel Construction
Technology & Digital Transformation
- SriRaj Kantamneni, Executive VP & Chief Information & Digital Officer, Schreiber
- Kyle McMillan, Chief Information & Technology Officer, Plexus
- Joe LaChapell, Vice President of Information Technology, M2 Logistics
Inaugural Executive of the Year
Alongside the 17 Executive Excellence honorees, Insight has named Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry CEO Sachin Shivaram its inaugural Executive of the Year, a distinction recognizing his broader leadership and accomplishments at the 120-year-old Manitowoc manufacturer.
Originally posted on Insight on Business
Date posted: November 13, 2026