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Ben Leibl

Ben Leibl is a Public Relations Specialist for Kwik Trip Inc., based in La Crosse, WI. At Kwik Trip, he assists coworkers with their ongoing educational needs. He directs the Kwik Trip praise program, which last year meant acknowledging over 2600 unsolicited guest compliment letters. Before joining Kwik Trip in 2020, Ben was an instructor and principal in Oshkosh, WI, and Omaha, NE. He holds degrees from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. Ben sits on the Boards of the Boys and Girls Club in La Crosse, WI, and is Chair of St. Paul's Lutheran School Board. Ben and his wife Heidi have three children and live in Holmen, WI.

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Connie LeCleir-Meyer

Connie is an experienced leader with over 35 years of experience in electronics manufacturing, legal, health insurance, healthcare, education, and training. She has held leadership positions in human resources, customer service, production management, corporate training, and project management. Her skills include soft skills training, public speaking, facilitation and coaching, project management, team building, leadership development, and learning management. She has a bachelor's degree in organizational management and communication and a master's in Adult Education and Distance Learning.

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Ken Pearson

Ken Pearson, Business Development & Campus Manager at CVTC-Chippewa Falls & Neillsville, has been driving small business and economic development since 2013. With a degree from UW-Superior and an MPA from Texas A&M, he offers expertise in strategic planning, marketing, and finance. With a diverse background, including roles in HR, business consulting, and media sales, Pearson is dedicated to empowering professionals for mission-driven success through strategic goal setting and resource management. Passionate about supporting businesses, he draws inspiration from his father's experiences as a self-employed logger in Wisconsin's Northwoods.

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John Cook

John Cook is a seasoned educational technology specialist, holding a master's in educational technology. His career is characterized by experience in teaching, software development, and tech leadership. John specializes in using educational and productivity software and developing efficient workflows. His approach combines technical skills with an understanding of educational needs, making him effective in delivering hands-on technical training. John's commitment lies in practically integrating technology tools to enhance engagement and efficiency.

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Melody Brennan

Melody holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota and is currently the director of educational technology. Previously, she was the interim associate dean for the Business, Arts, Sciences, and Academic Initiatives Division and a program director and instructor for the Foundations of Teacher Education program at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). Melody was an Assistant Professor and Program Director of Early Childhood Education in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Melody previously worked as an elementary and middle school teacher in the Wayzata School District in Minnesota and as a preschool teacher and director in Eau Claire, WI.

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Larissa Smith

Larissa is an instructional technologist at CVTC specializing in Canvas training, support, and using tools like DesignPLUS to enhance course design, accessibility, and engagement. Focused on creating consistent and compelling learning experiences across all modalities.

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Melissa Wilson

Melissa Wilson is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience in career development. As the former Career Services Director at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF), she has guided countless students and professionals toward achieving their career goals.

Melissa specializes in providing actionable strategies for career growth, crafting compelling application documents, and effectively utilizing LinkedIn to build a professional brand. Her expertise empowers individuals to navigate the job market with confidence and stand out in their fields. Her current role at CVTC is in Business Development and as the River Falls Campus Manager.

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Kayla Sygulla

Kayla has been working at CVTC for over 3 years and is currently working as an Educational Technology Specialist to support students, staff, and the college's Learning Management Systems. Kayla is also certified to teach yoga, and her day-to-day work inspires her to educate others on how to achieve personal goals in the physical body and mind.

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Christy Langman

Christy Langman is a mindfulness and yoga teacher who discovered these transformative practices after experiencing burnout as a special education teacher. Now, as co-owner of The EPIC Company, she empowers parents, teachers, teens, and workplaces to integrate simple yet powerful tools into their lives, fostering greater joy and ease. Living with ADHD, Christy brings a relatable, real-world approach to her work. She shares her life with her husband, two teenage sons, and a therapy dog, and finds happiness in the outdoors, meaningful connections, reading, and walks.

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Deanna Hoyord

Deanna Hoyord has been employed at CVTC in the Health Education Center for 23 years. Before coming to CVTC, she worked in healthcare for 12 years. For the past 15 years, Deanna has practiced the Zentangle® method and is a Certified Zentangle® Teacher (CZT).

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Dan Lytle

Dan Lytle is the Director of Economic Development and Regional Campus Management at CVTC and has over 15 years of experience managing workforce and economic development initiatives. He serves on many Economic Development boards, including the Greater Menomonie Development Corporation, St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center Management Committee, The Regional Business Fund, Pierce County Economic Development Corporation, and the Dunn County Economic Development Corporation. Before CVTC, Dan managed the Eau Claire County Job Center and coordinated workforce development programs for the Department of Workforce Development, Department of Children & Families, Department of Human Services, and Department of Labor.

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Marya Wilson

Marya is the Principal and Organizational Dietician for MW Advising and Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She serves the manufacturing, service, higher education, non-profit, and government sectors. She brings first-hand knowledge to the learning experience and a clear understanding of the underlying emotional processes that drive behaviors and create individual and team success. She has a BA in Psychology, MS in Management Technology, MA in Human Development, and a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems.

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Julie Bates-Maves

Julie, Ph.D., LPC, is a Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The University of Wisconsin-Stout. Her clinical experiences and teaching focus on trauma, substance use disorders and reducing the stigma of mental health care.

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Matt Lind

Matt Lind has experience creating and implementing company policies and procedures that meet government regulations and codes, including initial creation, updating, re-evaluating, pre-visit planning, post-visit action planning, and follow-up. Matt offers a background in Lean Management, Occupational Safety, and the Department of Transportation. He is a Lean Champion, Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma, and an authorized trainer through the National Safety Education Center.

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Kristi Hagen

Kristi Hagen is a full-time Behavioral and Social Sciences instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College. Her teaching areas include Sociology, Psychology, Race & Ethnicity/Diversity, Social Problems, Gender Studies, and many other behavioral science courses. Kristi has master’s degrees in psychology, sociology, and education. She has applied work experience in all three fields. She has worked for mental health institutions, counseling, and therapy centers. She was the Associate Director of the Social Research Laboratory at Northern Arizona University. She has taught at several higher education institutions, including Northern Arizona University, Coconino Community College, Qingdao University, and other two-year and four-year institutions. She has also taught classes in China, Taiwan, and Germany. Her research areas focus on a wide range of social issues and policies. When not teaching at CVTC, Kristi teaches yoga, cardio-fitness, and SPIN classes and volunteers with local agencies. She is also an avid traveler (70+ countries), outdoor enthusiast, cook, and lover of the arts.

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Josh Royes

Josh Royes is a data scientist and consultant with over eight years of experience in applied research, process improvement, and data-driven strategies. He holds a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has worked in roles spanning research, analytics, and teaching. A member of SIOP, Josh has presented at international conferences and helps companies optimize employee and organizational data.

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Hanna Bartels

Hanna Bartels is a working writer and English Instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College with a background in operational management. She received her BA in Writing from Northwestern University and her MFA in Fiction from Queens University of Charlotte. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Sun Magazine, Brink, Moon City Review, and elsewhere.