Speakers

Rebecca Ryan - Keynote

Rebecca Ryan is an energetic entrepreneur and the founder of Next Generation Consulting (NGC), a research and consulting firm that helps clients engage the next generation. In 2007, Rebecca became a 2EO, with responsibilities for sales, marketing and positioning.

NGC has conducted interviews, focus groups, and surveys with over 25,000 young professionals since 1998. Cities, states, arts organizations, and companies use NGC's research and applications to attract and develop the next generation of citizens, patrons, employees and customers.

Ryan summarized her firm's research in her 2007 book, Live First, Work Second: Getting Inside the Minds of the Next Generation. Dr. Richard Florida, author of the best-seller, The Rise of the Creative Class and The Flight of the Creative Class wrote the forward to Ms. Ryan’s book. He writes, "I am a HUGE Rebecca Ryan fan," and considers "NGC one of the most reliable sources for CEO’s, mayors, legislators, economic developers and non-profit leaders who want to attract and retain the next generation of creative workers."

Rebecca was named the 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the 2006 Communicator of the Year by Women in Communication.

Prior to starting NGC in 1998, Rebecca held posts with the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Association of Business and Industry, and Keep Iowa Beautiful.

Rebecca was raised in West Bend, Wisconsin by members of the "greatest generation." She "boomeranged" back to Wisconsin after living, working and playing professional basketball in Iowa, Minneapolis, Germany and Hungary, respectively.

Rebecca serves as the youngest ever trustee of Alverno College and on the boards of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee.

You can catch Rebecca in her own words at her blog: www.nextgenerationconsulting.com/blog.
You can find more information about her book at the NGC site: Live First, Work Second: Getting Inside the Minds of the Next Generation

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Contact Information
Rebecca Ryan
Founder/2EO
211 S. Paterson St., Ste. 100
Madison, WI 53703
888.922.9596
rr@nextgenerationconsulting.com


Molly Foley

Molly Foley is our first line of response for all communities, companies, and young Professionals Organizations (YPOs) that want to become talent magnets. Molly's fingerprints are on the YP impact survey, the YP Summit, and everything else that we do to help attract, retain, and engage the next generation of leaders.

As the founder of the Young Professionals Network of the Quad Cities (YPN) she has worked to attract and retain young professionals to the Quad Cities, IL/IA region since 2002 and grew YPN to a nationally recognized network of over 1,500 young professionals offering diverse programs that engage the next generation. Molly has also been involved in the national YP movement for several years, speaking and offering her leadership at the YP Summit.

Prior to joining NGC, Molly was employed by the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce. She began her career with the Chamber in 2001. As Vice President she was responsible for a broad range of functions related to Chamber and Community development.

Outside of NGC, Molly is active in community development within the Quad City region. Her dedication to community growth has landed her a seat as a Commissioner on the board of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Airport Authority and the advisory committee for a bi-state redevelopment project called RiverVision. Molly's dedication to service is evident in her involvement in the local non-profit and arts sector. She serves on the board of MidCoast Fine Arts, an arts organization dedicated to increasing the vitality and visibility of the Quad City arts scene and has been active as a volunteer in several other Quad City nonprofits.

Molly lives in Rock Island, Illinois (Quad Cities) with her husband P.J. (Paul) and her goldendoodle Smitty.

Contact Information
Molly Foley
Lead Consultant
211 S. Paterson St.
Madison, WI 53703
888.922.9596
mf@nextgenerationconsulting.com


Tom Stellman

TIP Strategies Inc. is an economic development consulting firm based in Austin, Texas, with a strength in regional strategic planning. Tom Stellman, TIP President, will present findings from research to develop a regional competitiveness strategy toward building a strong, 21st Century economy in our multi-county region.

(Presentation)
Contact Information
Tom Stellman
President/CEO
7000 North Mopac, Suite 305
Austin, TX 78731
512.343.9113
tstellman@tipstrategies.com