
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
9:00-10:30: Welcome, Data and Initiative Updates
10:30-10:45: Break for Networking, Snacks
10:45-11:30: The Workforce Lens Panel: Why Literacy Matters More Than Ever
11:30-12:00: Connection Through Real Stories: Navigating Literacy and Life
12:00-12:45: Lunch
12:45-2:45: Action Planning: Setting Our 5-Year Goal
2:45-3:00: Break for Networking, Snacks
3:00-3:30: Report Outs, Action Commitments, 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.
Only 54% of third-graders in Brown County are reading at grade level.
Coming together and working together on this complex issue leads to shared accountability .
What you’ll do:
Connect: Build relationships with parent leaders, elected leaders and decision makers from diverse backgrounds and sectors.
Goal Setting: Contribute to setting a shared goal for improving third grade reading outcomes, then identify how each team, program, and individual will contribute to reaching it. This is about aligning our efforts so every action, big or small, moves us toward the same measurable impact.
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
University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
Wipfli
May 6, 2026 Speakers & Presenters
Panel: The Workforce Lens: Why Literacy Matters More Than Ever

Rebecca Deschane
New North, Vice President, Talent Development

Sabrina Zerhouni
JBS Foods, Communication & Employee Engagement Manager

Rick Crosson
Brown County Library Board Trustee
Other Speakers: Achieve Brown County Backbone Team

Sarah Beckman
Achieve Brown County, Executive Director

Ashley Bethke
Achieve Brown County, Director of Partnership Advancement

Atithi Ghimire
Achieve Brown County, Data Manager

MaKayla Neinas
Achieve Brown County, Communications & Engagement Manager
2026 Breakout Facilitators

Eden Weller
he/him
Weller Workshops

Stephanie Ortiz, she/her
Weaving Ways

Lynn Debilzen, she/her
The Collective Shift Co.
Meet Our 2026 Event Planning Team
April Pingel
Community Volunteer
Danielle Moldenhauer
Johnson Financial Group
Kimberly Stevens
Dyslexia Reading Connection
Susan Lagerman Brown County Library
Rick Crosson
Brown County Library Board Trustee
