The public is invited to a gathering at Marian University, where leaders from the local community, along with Marian faculty, staff, students, and alumni, will discuss career development and industry. Conversations, Connections, and Community, will be held in the Sadoff Auditorium in the Stayer Center on Thursday, September 18, 2025, and will feature panels of local experts. Light refreshments will be served.

Session 1: 9:25–10:40 am: Classroom to Career: A Panel of Professionals

• Nikki Kramer: Fond du Lac County, Human Resources Director
• Bryan Mischler, LCSW: SSM Health Treffert Studios, Psychotherapist & Intern Supervisor
• Megan Bornemann: Muza Sheet Metal, Director of Human Resources
• Jill Nielsen: BCI Burke, Director of Human Resources
• Tammy Pitts: National Exchange Bank & Trust, Vice President – Talent Development 

This engaging conversation will feature professionals who regularly hire new graduates and will share insights from their experiences within their organizations. Panelists will discuss what they look for in candidates, the skills and mindsets that help graduates succeed, and practical advice for students preparing to launch their own careers.

Session 2: 10:50 am–12:05 pm: Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Insurance: Just Because We Can, Should We?

• Tim Cornelius: Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of Wisconsin, Deputy Chief Legal Counsel
• Rick Fox: West Bend Insurance Company, Senior Vice President, Chief Actuary & Chief Risk Officer
• Richard Wicka: National Guardian Life Insurance Company, Vice President – Associate General Counsel Regulatory and Risk
• Darren Ball: Germantown Mutual Insurance Company, Vice President of Operations

Technology and analytics are reshaping the insurance industry—bringing innovation, but also raising big questions. From satellites and social media to genetic profiles and driving trackers, data is being used in powerful (and sometimes intrusive) ways to set rates. What happens when insurance becomes almost individualized? Is it fair, affordable, and sustainable? Join regulators and industry leaders for an engaging discussion on the opportunities and challenges of data-driven insurance.

Session 3: 12:15–1:30 pm: Lead Where You Stand: Personal Branding, Leadership, and Civic Impact

• Sadie Howell:Envision Greater Fond du Lac, President & CEO
• Joe Venhuizen:Envision Greater Fond du Lac, Vice President of Membership & Resource Development

Your future career isn’t just about a résumé—it’s about the story you tell and connections you build along the way. In this interactive session, explore how personal branding, leadership, and civic engagement are intertwined. Learn how to shape your professional identity, expand your network, and use your voice to make a difference in your community. Through real-world examples, hands-on activities, and conversation with local leaders, you’ll walk away with practical tools—and the confidence—to build both your career and your community.

Marian University was founded in 1936 by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, a group of pioneering sisters, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The university has a rich tradition of dedication to the education of the whole person and offers a variety of undergraduate, masters and adult learning degrees at its main campus and online.