Leadership Sun Prairie
Leadership Sun Prairie is a program for emerging leaders, that provides exclusive training to increase leadership throughout our community.
The course was developed by the Sun Prairie Area School District, City of Sun Prairie and the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce in response to the need for formal leadership development on a community-wide basis. Leadership Sun Prairie emphasizes leader concepts and community needs.
Training sessions require a commitment of one full day each month from September to April (excluding December), with a graduation ceremony in May.
Each monthly session is held in a different location and will feature local leaders and specialists in various forums, including lectures, round table discussions and tours throughout the community. Leadership will enable you to develop skills to help guide you and our community to success.
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to empower and inspire individuals to unlock their full potential as effective, ethical and compassionate leaders. Through learning experiences, mentorship, and personal growth initiatives, we focus on fostering the skills, values, and perspectives that empower our participants to make a meaningful difference in their organizations and communities.
Course Content:
- Leading Change: Developing leadership skills through team building, identifying leadership styles and qualities.
- Health and Wellness: Personal and community health issues, alternative medicine options and stress relief.
- Government: Overview of city services, departments, planning issues and emergency services.
- Business and Industry: Tours of local businesses, economic development goals, strategies, and small business issues.
- Education: Key issues in today’s education environment such as diversity of population, revenue caps and discussions with students.
- Volunteerism: Personal and community benefits, motivation, how to get involved and opportunities available.
- Communications and Media: Working with media, technology, effective personal communication, cable access TV, advertising, and public relations tips.
Course Objectives:
- Develop awareness and understanding of the resources, processes, programs, and issues in our community.
- Broaden the participants’ knowledge of the economic, political, and social systems.
- To promote involvement and participation in volunteer, elective and appointed positions.
- Increase participants’ analytical and decision-making abilities and develop a support system amongst participants which will aid them in their leadership journey for the betterment of our community.
For more information on the Leadership Sun Prairie program, please email info@sunprairiechamber.com.
Class of 2026 Course Summaries:
A huge thank you to all of our facilitators, speakers and lunch sponsors!
Leadership Sun Prairie Class XXVII 2025-2026
Alissia Wright
Community Action Coalition (CAC) nonprofit organization
Housing Manager
Hi, my name is Alissia Wright (Lisa) for short. I am a Housing Manager at CAC nonprofit organization. I have lived in the Sun Prairie area over 8 years now and I am excited to learn more about the community I live and work in.
Alyssa Smet
Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department
Recreation Coordinator
I am a Recreation Coordinator with the Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. I am passionate about working with our community and have the privilege of overseeing recreational sports, fitness, arts and enrichment, summer camps, (and more) programs for all ages. My favorite thing about my role as a recreation coordinator meeting new people in our community and see them participate in the activities that bring joy and engagement into their lives. While I am relatively new to Sun Prairie, the community that I have found in the short time I have been here has made the city feel like home!
Prior to taking on my role with Sun Prairie PRF I had the opportunity to work for the Green Bay Parks, Recreation and Forestry department for seven years. I am a semi-recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin Madison where I double majored in Conservation Biology and People-Environmental Geography. While at the University of Wisconsin I rekindled my love for facilitating group programming and learning experiences while leading outdoor sport and environmental education classes.
I enjoy all things outdoors in my free time- camping, kayaking, and reading in her hammock to name a few! I can also be found exploring new cities with my partner, napping with my kitty, and exploring new restaurants and music venues with my friends.
Audra Wendt
Human Resources Business Partner
City of Sun Prairie
Audra Wendt is a Human Resources Business Partner for the City of Sun Prairie, where she has worked since 2022. She brings over 11 years of human resources experience, with a focus on full-cycle recruitment, workplace safety and worker’s compensation, employee training and development, and employee recognition. Prior to joining the City, Audra worked in the private sector with companies such as TDS Telecom and Sherwin-Williams.
Originally from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Audra earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Wisconsin–Stout and a master’s degree in educational psychology from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Before transitioning into human resources, she spent eight years in social services, providing job skills training for adults with disabilities.
She has lived in Dane County since 2014 with her husband and daughter. In her free time, Audra enjoys water aerobics, crocheting, gardening, and reading.
Cole Steinhoff
Rhyme
Client Manager
Cole Steinhoff is a dedicated Client Manager at Rhyme, proudly serving the Madison East and Sun Prairie areas. He’s passionate about helping local businesses run smoother, safer, and smarter by giving them the tools they need to succeed. Whether it’s through managed I.T. services or managed print solutions, Cole makes sure each client feels supported and confident in their technology.
Rhyme is more than just a company—it’s a family-run business with deep roots and strong values, and Cole has been part of that family for over 12 years. He’s worked in many different roles during that time, starting out as a delivery driver and growing into leadership. Today, he’s as focused as ever on growing not just the company, but himself as a professional and a community member.
Cole grew up just down the road in Lodi, Wisconsin, and spent many of his early days visiting Sun Prairie. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, he decided to make Sun Prairie his home—and he hasn’t looked back. He loves the people, the energy, and the sense of community here. If you're out and about on a Friday night, you might spot him enjoying pizza at Full Mile or shooting a game of pool at The Rock.
Demancea Star
Star Media Group, LLC
Founder
Demancea Savieh Star, also known as Dee Star, is the Founder of Star Media Group, LLC, and the host of OuttaDeeBox. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he lives in Sun Prairie and has been serving the industry for over 13 years. Dee holds an Associate’s Degree in Audio Engineering from Madison Media Institute and is a Video Camera Operator, Photographer, award-winning podcaster, and Video Editor.
Dee has worked with brands like the Big Ten Network and ESPN, and spearheaded technical directing and camera operation for the Madison Capitals Hockey Team. Through Star Media Group, he provides professional and affordable multimedia services to promote brands that strive to positively impact the community.
Dee launched OuttaDeeBox, a pre-recorded bi-weekly podcast to educate and empower the community by supporting former and current inmates and their families in Wisconsin. He uses the podcast to bring to the forefront the community resources that
can help inmates secure employment opportunities, housing, mental health support, and substance abuse treatment.
Dee is on a mission to cut the recidivism rate in Wisconsin and provide inmates a second chance to restart their lives. In his podcast, OuttaDeeBox, he features inspirational stories shared through the spoken word or other forms of musical artistry. Driven by the desire to help reshape lives for the better, Dee uses his production house as a channel to inspire and promote positivity.
Additionally, Dee was an honor roll student at the Madison Media Institute and served as the Founder and President of the Student Council. He has always been passionate about community service and aims to empower at-risk youth, the inmate community, and low-income families.
Emily Rebarchek
City of Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department
Recreation Coordinator
My name is Emily Rebarchek, I am a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional beginning my fifth year as a Recreation Coordinator with the City of Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. I oversee our school-based programs including preschool and afterschool care as well as a few other enrichment programs throughout the year – you might also see me out at some of the incredible events we work hard to put together for our community!
If I’m not working I’m probably picking up a new hobby, reading a book or outside exploring Wisconsin’s parks, trails and lakes with my fiancé Sean and our dog Olive!
Kevin Warych
Sun Prairie Police Department
Chief of Police
I am honored to serve as your Chief of Police and to be a participant in Leadership Sun Prairie. With over 23 years of law enforcement experience, I joined the Sun Prairie Police Department on May 12, 2025, after spending my entire career with the Green Bay Police Department. Throughout my professional career, I’ve been committed to public service, taking on various leadership roles that have prepared me to support a motivated workforce, foster a strong organizational foundation, and work to protect Sun Prairie where families can thrive.
My policing philosophy is rooted in the principles of community engagement and building relationships based on trust, respect and legitimacy. I believe the most effective way to enhance public safety is by working collaboratively side by side with residents and officers to understand concerns, amplify community voices, and strengthen perceptions of safety across the city of Sun Prairie. In addition to prioritizing community partnerships, I am deeply committed to creating a healthy and supportive workplace culture. Our department’s goals are clear: deter crime, hold individuals accountable, support employee wellness, and deliver public safety through proactive problem-solving approach based on building relationships.
I could not do any of this without my family. I am blessed to be married for 16 years to my wife Melissa, and we have three children Austin (22), Addison (15), and Brayden (14). We have dedicated our lives to our children by giving them the opportunities they deserve. We are proud of Austin for following his passion for photography, Addison for Swimming, and Brayden for hockey. We are so blessed as family is “everything”. Though we do not live in Sun Prairie, we moved to Waunakee to live on the same street as our extended family.
I look forward to meeting and working with you and all residents, business owners, and community leaders to ensure Sun Prairie continues to be a safe, inclusive, and vibrant place for everyone.
Lena Ugren
Urban Art Bloom Inc.
Founder | Muralist
Lena Ugren is a Wisconsin based artist and muralist whose work explores identity, duality, and the transformative power of public art. Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lena moved to the U.S. in 2014 and brings a global perspective to her creative and community work. She holds a degree in Architecture and an associate degree in Graphic Design, and her murals can be found in the U.S., Mexico, Greece, and Bosnia.
As the founder of Urban Art Bloom Inc., Lena launched the inaugural Sun Prairie Mural Fest in 2025—a citywide celebration honoring creativity, culture, and the legacy of Georgia O’Keeffe. She is passionate about using art to foster belonging, spark conversation, and make public spaces more inclusive and inspiring.
Through the Chamber’s Leadership Program, Lena hopes to deepen her connection with the Sun Prairie community, develop new leadership skills, and learn more about the people, systems, and values that shape the city’s future.
Lizeth Gallengos Diaz
Sunshine Place
Early Childhood Zone Housing Case Manager
Lizeth Gallegos Diaz serves as the Early Childhood Zone Housing Case Manager at Sunshine Place. She began this role in January 2025, after previously working as the organization’s Bilingual Housing Navigator since January 2024. Lizeth supports families in the Sun Prairie and Marshall areas, particularly those enrolled in Dane County home visiting programs.
In her current role, Lizeth provides a range of services, including rental education, housing navigation, landlord mediation, assistance with applications, connection to community resources, and emergency funding. She is also actively involved in collaborative efforts such as the Sun Prairie Housing Coalition and the Dane County Doubled Up Committee. Lizeth is passionate about raising awareness of the housing crisis and the urgent need for stable housing and emergency shelter in the community. She remains a committed advocate for the well-being of the families she serves.
Originally from Los Angeles, Lizeth relocated to Madison’s East Side in June 2022 for employment opportunities. She is a proud first-generation Mexican-American who graduated from high school in 2018 and earned a Bachelor's degree in Criminology with a minor in Sociology in 2021. Prior to joining Sunshine Place, she worked for nearly two years as a Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Case Manager at Professional Services Group.
Outside of work, Lizeth enjoys spending time at home with her partner and their four beloved pets—two dogs and two cats. She describes herself as a homebody but also finds peace in spending time outdoors and practicing meditation. Lizeth is excited to continue learning more about the Sun Prairie community and looks forward to building strong connections with her team and the families she supports.
Mary D'Amico
City of Sun Prairie | Downtown Sun Prairie
Business Improvement District Manager
Mary D’Amico is the Business Improvement District Manager for Downtown Sun Prairie, bringing experience in event planning and business operations across non-profit and for-profit sectors.
A recent Sun Prairie resident from the Chicago suburbs, she’s passionate about community engagement, volunteers with special needs and anti-human trafficking organizations, and enjoys kayaking, hiking, and creating stained glass art.
Megan Meyer
City of Sun Prairie
Deputy City Clerk
Megan serves as a Deputy City Clerk for the City of Sun Prairie. Her priority is ensuring efficient and accessible municipal operations for the Sun Prairie community while supporting public records, council meetings, election administration, licensing, and more.
Before joining the Sun Prairie Clerk’s Office, she was a Continuing Legal Education Program Planner for the State Bar of Wisconsin. She previously served as Deputy City Clerk for the City of Greenwood Village, CO, and City Clerk for the City of Columbus, WI.
Megan earned her AAS in Paralegal Studies degree from the ABA-accredited program at Madison College in 2016. She later completed her BA in Public Administration at Southern New Hampshire University in 2018.
She is an active member of the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association, serving on the Professional Education Committee, 2026 Conference Committee, and the Ad-Hoc Clerk’s Manual Update Committee. She’s also a member of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, the National Association of Parliamentarians, the National Society of Leadership & Success, and the Lambda Epsilon Chi National Paralegal Honor Society.
Megan lives in the Sun Prairie area with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to new communities, catching up with friends over good food, solving NYT puzzles, and going on adventures with her boys.
Melissa Buckingham
Hilton Garden Inn Sun Prairie
Assistant Chief Operations Executive
I have worked in the hospitality industry since I was 15 years old. I started out as a waitress/ hostess at Spring Garden Restaurant in Waunakee WI, in my hometown. It was there where I found my passion for serving guests in my community and loved seeing all the regulars that would come in to dine in the restaurant. I continued to work for Spring Garden Restaurant for four years throughout High School. While working for Spring Garden Restaurant they helped me do a youth and apprenticeship program through the Waunakee School District to allow me to use my work as credits for my growth in the restaurant/ hospitality industry. From there I then moved on to the Hotel industry working as a Breakfast Attendant for Staybridge Suites Madison East for nine years. I continued to grow and learn more about the hotel industry while working at Staybridge.
I then moved on to The Marriott Residents Inn and worked as a breakfast hostess. I was then moved from working as a Breakfast Hostess to the Front Desk, to the Front Desk Supervisor, and then the Assistant General Manager. This is where I really found my passion for working in the Hotel Industry by making our hotel guests stays more memorable and enjoy learning about the guests that would stay with us, providing excellent guest service, and learning the operations of the front desk daily tasks.
I then left the Marriott Residence Inn after four and a half years to take on another opportunity as the Assistant General Manager for the Hampton Inn and Suites Madison West Ganser Campus which I was able to work with 3 Hilton branded hotels Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn and Suites and TRU. This is where I really flourished in learning more about the Hilton Brand and overseeing more of the Hotels operations learning about budgets, labor, leadership, and making connections with the hotel team from front desk to housekeeping and maintenance departments. Even through the COVID-19 Pandemic I still stayed strong and true to making our guests comfortable and happy during their stay. I said to myself,” if our industry can get through this difficult time we will be unstoppable and come back strong as an industry as a whole.” Which we did and I still love what I do every day though it has its many challenges.
In May of 2021 I was given the best opportunity so far in my career to be the Assistant Chief Operations Executive here the Hilton Garden Inn in Sun Prairie. Although I was sad to leave the Hampton Inn, I just knew this is where I belonged and I would have a great impact on the hotel and its success. Working here in Sun Prairie feels a lot like home to me since I grew up in just a town over and Sun Prairie has a lot to offer to its community. I am looking forward to learning more about the Sun Prairie Community and strengthening my leadership skills.
Randy Jones
Fairway Home Mortgage Company
Team Lead Corporate Mortgage Closer
I am a mortgage professional with seven years of experience in loan processing, loan closing, and team leadership. I currently serve as Team Lead Corporate Mortgage Closer at Fairway Home Mortgage Company, where I oversee complex loan processes and
guide clients through the homebuying journey.
A lifelong Sun Prairie resident and former collegiate athlete, I also help coordinate and run the annual Culver's Isthmus Bowl football game at Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium.
I am passionate about community growth and financial education and building relationships that strengthen local neighborhoods. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and building Lego sets.
Rebecca Timm
Bank of Sun Prairie
Credit Analyst
I am a Credit Analyst at Bank of Sun Prairie, a role I have been in for three years. As a Credit Analyst, I provide support to the commercial loan department through financial statement analysis and evaluating risk involved with each credit. Prior to transitioning to the commercial lending world, I spent 9 years in retail banking as a Relationship Banker for a large national bank. The career move to community banking was one of the best I’ve made. It has given me the opportunity to meet new people and become more involved in the community where I live. I have been a Sun Prairie resident since 2019, although I have lived in the Madison area since 2010. Originally from Green Bay, my family moved to Stevens Point when I was in high school. I graduated from UW-Stevens Point in 2005 with a degree in Spanish and International Relations.
Outside of work, I love spending time with friends and extended family, especially my young niece and nephew. I also currently serve as Treasurer for Sun Prairie Parks Friends, a non-profit organization founded in 2020 that assists in the preservation and improvement of recreational opportunities, land, ecosystems, structures, and equipment within Sun Prairie Parks through volunteering, financial contributions, advocacy, and collaboration. With Bank of Sun Prairie and Sun Prairie Parks Friends, I have enjoyed volunteering for community events that include Corn Fest, Earth Day Cleanup, National Night Out, and community playground builds.
I look forward to connecting with other professionals through Leadership Sun Prairie and learning more about our great community!
Rex Owens
Sun Prairie, WI
Community Leader & Author
Rex Owens is a longtime Sun Prairie resident with a professional background in public administration, higher education, and health services. Over his 30-year career, he served as a budget analyst for the State of Wisconsin, an administrative officer at the University of Wisconsin–Madison where he helped establish the first campus-wide recycling program and managed the Kohl Center, and later as a contract specialist and transportation manager with Care Wisconsin, supporting seniors through Medicaid and Medicare services.
In addition to his professional career, Rex is an accomplished author of several historical novels, including the Irish Troubles Series and The Life and Times of Rowan Daly. He also produces and hosts the podcast My World and Welcome to It, which highlights people living creative lives.
Community service is at the heart of Rex’s work. He currently serves as President of the Sun Prairie Public Library Board of Trustees and is actively involved with the Dane County Library Services Board, Sun Prairie Rotary, Friends of Sun Prairie Parks, and SPARC. He has also contributed to the Sun Prairie Library Foundation’s capital campaign and the Library Next Chapter Committee. His past service includes leadership roles with the Sun Prairie Civic Theater and Wisconsin Writers Association.
Rex holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Urban Studies from Indiana University and a Master of Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University. Through Leadership Sun Prairie, he looks forward to connecting with fellow community leaders and contributing to the future of the city.
Suelena Lee
City of Sun Prairie
Controller
My name is Suelena Lee, and I currently serve as the Controller at City of Sun Prairie. I bring over a decade of experience in Finance and Accounting, having begun my career in the private sector before transitioning to public service. For the past three years, I’ve worked with the City, where I support key functions such as the annual budget development, capital improvement planning (CIP), the procurement process, and property tax collections.
I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, a city known for its diverse neighborhoods, vibrant community events, and extensive public transit system. In 2020, I became a homeowner in Sun Prairie, and I’ve come to truly appreciate how much the community offers—from shopping and dining to family-friendly leisure activities—all without needing to leave town.
In my free time, I enjoy cross stitching and attending local events with my young family. I’m excited to continue exploring everything Sun Prairie has to offer and look forward to becoming even more involved in the community.