
About the Event
Your voice is welcomed here. We are inviting parents, teachers, administrators, policy makers, nonprofit advocates, and business leaders to the same table to discuss early literacy needs in Brown County.
We’ll review local data together. We will hear updates. We will align actions. We ensure every child in Brown County is reading at grade level by the end of third grade.
Hosted by: Achieve Brown County
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
9:00–3:30 (Check-in & breakfast starts at 8:15 am)
No cost to attend
Brown County Central Library – Downtown Green Bay
No cost to attend. All are welcome.
Space is capped at 200. Registration is required.
Agenda
8:15–9:00: Check-in, networking, breakfast
9:00–10:00 Welcome & Opening
10:00-10:10: Break/Snacks
10:10–12:00 Local Stakeholder & Community Updates
12:00–12:45: Lunch
12:45–2:30 Action-Planning Breakout Groups
2:30-2:45: Break/Snacks
2:45–3:30 Report-Outs & Closing
Why it matters:
Early literacy is a complex issue and is not one person’s responsibility.
The ability to read affects long-term outcomes for kids, teens and adults.
Data & trends will inform on where to take action.
You will hear what real people are witnessing about this complex issue.
What you’ll do:
Connect: Build relationships with parent leaders, elected leaders and decision makers from all backgrounds.
Problem-solve: Work in groups to identify gaps and co-design potential new actions we can take as a community to help more young people.
Commit: At the end of the convening, we’ll invite everyone to make an action commitment.
What can and will you do to support a Brown County where every child reads by third grade?
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors
Action Planning Sponsors
Greater Green Bay Community Foundation
H.J. Martin & Son
Rotary Foundation of Green Bay
Wipfli
Thank You to Our 2025 Speakers & Panelists
Speakers: community based literacy org updates

Corrissa Frank
Howe Community Resource Center, Executive Director

Eric Hoffman
Ampact, Executive Director of Wisconsin Programs: Wisconsin Reading Corps.

Eileen Metzler
Volunteer Center of Brown County, Reading Coaches Coordinator

Sarah Sugden
Brown County Library, Executive Director
Speakers: education org updates

Jessica Gille
Encompass, Associate Executive Director

Jamie Kriewaldt
Green Bay Area Public Schools, Director of Literacy

Dr. Jamie Tyrrell
Green Bay Area Catholic Education, St. Thomas More Principal

Stephanie Springer
Encompass, Director of Curriculum
Speakers: healthcare org updates

Jess Sepers, MPH
N.E.W. Community Clinic, WIC Director, Pages & Stages

DeDe Williams
Reach Out & Read Wisconsin, Executive Director
Panelists: systemic conditions panel

Amanda Garcia
Casa ALBA Melanie, Executive Director

Said Hassan
COMSA, Co-founder & Executive Director

Robin Scott
We All Rise: African American Resource Center, Executive Director & Founder
Speakers & Facilitators: backbone staff

Sarah Beckman
Achieve Brown County, Executive Director

Ashley Bethke
Achieve Brown County, Director of Partnership Advancement

Atithi Ghimire
Achieve Brown County, Data Manager

Benjamin Porter
Wisconsin Partnership, State Director
Thank you to our 2025 Breakout Facilitators

Eden Weller
Weller Workshops

Jordan Ogren

Rikki Harry
LEAP Nonprofit Consulting

Stephanie Ortiz, she/her
Weaving Ways
Meet Our 2026 Event Planning Team
April Pingel
Community Volunteer
Danielle Moldenhauer
Johnson Financial
Kimberly Stevens
Dyslexia Reading Connection
Susan Lagerman Brown County Library
Rick Crosson
Brown County Library Board Member
