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 January), 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 2026-2027 Course Summaries:
A huge thank you to all of our facilitators, speakers and lunch sponsors!
Leadership Sun Prairie Class 2026-2027
Abby Eddy
CFS, Madison
Senior Managing Director of Executive Recruiting
Abby Eddy is at Senior Managing Director of Executive Recruiting at CFS in Madison, where she partners with organizations across Wisconsin to identify and recruit executive and professional talent within accounting, finance, and human resources. CFS is one of the nation's largest employee-owned search firms, giving every employee a vested interest in the company's long-term success while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and exceptional client service.
Originally from La Crosse, Abby earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. She began her professional career in Chicago, where she built a strong foundation in business development, sales leadership, and recruiting. Since joining CFS in 2019, she has partnered with organizations to attract top talent while helping professionals navigate meaningful career opportunities and advance their careers.
Abby relocated to Sun Prairie in 2020 and is passionate about developing leaders, strengthening local businesses, and building lasting relationships throughout the community. She is excited to participate in Leadership Sun Prairie and looks forward to learning from fellow leaders while contributing to the city's continued growth and success.
Outside of work, Abby enjoys traveling, playing tennis and golf, and spending time with family and friends.
Arrin Linzenmeyer
City of Sun Prairie
Deputy City Clerk
I have more than two decades of experience in municipal government and have dedicated my career to serving Wisconsin communities through professional, efficient, and responsive local government. I have proudly served as the Deputy City Clerk for the City of Sun Prairie for the past 20 years, prior to that, four years with the City of Mayville.
Throughout my career, I've been involved in nearly every aspect of municipal administration, including elections, licensing, records management, public meetings, customer service, and process improvement. I enjoy finding ways to improve processes, implement technology that enhances public service, and develop practical solutions that benefit both staff and residents.
One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been collaborating with and mentoring fellow municipal professionals. I enjoy sharing ideas, exchanging best practices, and helping others build confidence in their roles. I believe strong local government is built on preparation, communication, transparency, and a commitment to serving the public with integrity.
Outside of work, I'm married to my high school sweetheart and am the proud mom of two teenage daughters. When I'm not at City Hall, you'll likely find me cheering from the stands at their softball, volleyball and state basketball games!!
Chloe Gruber
Manager of Clinic Operations
Prairie Ridge Health
I currently serve as the Manager of Clinic Operations at Prairie Ridge Health, where I have the privilege of supporting our patients, our teams, and the communities we serve. My passion for healthcare began with witnessing the meaningful connections that can be created when people dedicate themselves to caring for others. Seeing the difference that compassion, kindness, and genuine relationships can make in someone’s life inspired me to find my place in healthcare.
While I didn’t always know exactly where my career path would lead, I was fortunate to discover healthcare administration. A field that allows me to support others, help strengthen teams, and contribute to delivering high quality care. I am passionate about creating meaningful connections, strengthening relationships, and making a positive impact within the communities we serve.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, staying active, and making the most of opportunities to be outdoors!
Jade Pekol
City of Sun Prairie - Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department
Community Events and Development Manager
My name is Jade Pekol, I am the Community Events and Development Manager for the City of Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department. I oversee about 35 events yearly and my continued goal is that these events are impactful to all community members who attend. I want them to leave feeling that they have a deeper sense of community, that they were welcomed and that their presence was appreciated. Before starting my role with the City, I oversaw fundraising events at Agrace Hospice. I love event planning and creating relationships with the community!
Outside of work you’ll find me reading, volunteering with animals, spending time with friends, or traveling the world! I have visited five continents and hope to reach all seven!
Jamison Larson
City of Sun Prairie
Street Technician
My name is Jamison Larson. I was born and raised in Minnesota until I was 32 years old. After I graduated high school, I attended Bemidji State University in Northern Minnesota. After a few years of college, I wanted to try something different. I attended the diesel driving school here in sun prairie back in 2012. I received my certification in heavy equipment with a Class A CDL driver's license. When I was attending school, I meet my wife who was from Deforest. I moved to Sun Prairie in 2017 and started working for the city in the same year. I started out as an LTE and quickly became a full-time employee.
Jen Thomas
New Heights Home Solutions
Co-owner
Jen Thomas is the co-owner of New Heights Home Solutions, a locally owned business serving the Sun Prairie area with window cleaning, gutter cleaning, soft washing, and holiday and permanent lighting services. She is passionate about providing exceptional customer service while building lasting relationships within the community.
As a small business owner, Jen enjoys creating opportunities for growth, supporting other local businesses, and finding ways to make a positive impact in the community. She believes strong leadership is rooted in integrity, collaboration, and a willingness to continuously learn.
Jen is excited to participate in the Sun Prairie Chamber Leadership Program to strengthen her leadership skills, expand her network, and gain new perspectives that will help both her business and the community continue to thrive.
Kalisha Johnson
Sun Prairie Utilities
Water Meter Reader and Customer Service Representative
I have more than 20 years of experience in customer service and have built my career around
helping others. In 2017, I had the opportunity to transition into the utility industry, working in
the field, which gave me a new perspective and valuable hands-on experience. I later joined Sun
Prairie Utilities as a Water Meter Reader and have since transitioned into a dual role as a Water
Meter Reader and Customer Service Representative, where I enjoy combining field operations
with customer support.
Outside of work, I am a wife and proud mom to a teenage son. In my free time, I enjoy
crocheting, which allows me to relax and express my creativity. I look forward to growing as a
leader, building new connections, and bringing what I learn back to my team and community.
Katie Johnson
Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce
Digital Content & Member Engagement Specialist
My name is Katie Johnson, and I’m the Digital Content and Member Engagement Specialist at the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce. A lot of my role involves social media, graphic design, promoting events, creating & sharing (MANY) emails, and working with our members.
I grew up in Jefferson, Wisconsin, and moved to Sun Prairie a little over a year ago. Working at the Chamber has given me the chance to meet so many people and learn a lot about the community, but I also know there is still so much of Sun Prairie that I haven’t experienced yet.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my friends and family, playing games, going to concerts, traveling, and exploring new things to see/do!
I’m excited to be part of Leadership Sun Prairie because I want to get to know the community beyond what I see in my day-to-day role. I’m looking forward to learning more about the people and places that make Sun Prairie what it is, making new connections, and pushing myself to try some new things along the way.
Kelly McClug
Sunshine Place
Development and Communications Coordinator
Kelly works as the Development and Communications Coordinator at Sunshine Place in downtown Sun Prairie. Her job includes fundraising, sharing about Sunshine Place programs through multiple communications channels, creating various internal and external communications materials, ensuring brand consistency, and telling the ongoing story of Sunshine Place. Kelly has a diverse background in nonprofit communications and earned her master’s at UW-Madison prior to joining the Sunshine Place team.
Kelly has lived with her family in Sun Prairie for a decade and enjoys working in a position to better the community she calls home. At work she most likes imagining new and creative ways to write about the magical moments that frequently happen at Sunshine Place, then designing pretty visuals so people might actually read what she wrote. She also loves her awesome co-workers. In her off time she reads mystery books, drinks too much coffee, snuggles her fur and human babies, and visits the local thrift stores.
Kiera Horton
YMCA
Sports & Programs Director
Kiera Horton is a sports and community development professional with experience leading youth athletics, recreation programs, community partnerships, and sports-based initiatives. She currently serves as Sports & Programs Director at the Sun Prairie YMCA, where she oversees K–8 athletics and enrichment programming. She leads efforts to expand access to high-quality youth programming.
Kiera is also the founder of Jumpshot Recruit, an initiative focused on creating opportunities and resources for young athletes navigating college sports recruitment. She holds a Bachelor's in Kinesiology and is currently working towards her Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Sports Management. Kiera is
passionate about using sports, leadership, and community development to create meaningful opportunities for people and communities. Through her professional and community involvement, Kiera is committed to becoming a stronger civic leader, building strategic partnerships, and contributing to the growth
and vitality of the communities she serves.
Lexi Hayes
Herzing University
Community Relations Specialist
My name is Lexi Hayes and I am the Community Relations Specialist at Herzing University in Madison, WI. As we hope to continue to grow our presence in the Madison and surrounding area, I am super excited to be part of the 28th Leadership Sun Prairie Class to deepen my understanding of our community, build meaningful relationships, and strengthen my ability to create impactful partnerships. I most look forward to learning from diverse perspectives and expanding my leadership skills. About me personally, I have a 4-year-old son, Oliver, and our favorite things to are be outside, check out new restaurants, and end the night with a Disney movie.
Mallory Rodriguez
State Farm - Mallory Rodriguez Agency
Insurance Agent | Owner
Mallory Rodriguez is a small business owner in Sun Prairie, where she leads a strong team serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout Wisconsin for all their insurance and financial services needs. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration as well as the ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant) and CLU® (Chartered Life Underwriter) professional designations from the American College of Financial Services. Mallory is an active community leader with experience serving on several nonprofit and community boards around Southern Wisconsin. She currently serves on the Executive Board of Midwest Mujeres and the Latino Professional Association of Dane County. She also is the founder of Excelencia Hispana, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting families with resources and opportunities. A mother of five, Mallory is passionate about entrepreneurship, financial education, community involvement, and creating opportunities for others. Through Leadership Sun Prairie, she looks forward to strengthening her local connections, learning more about the community, and continuing to grow as a leader.
Nathan Boehm
Johnson Financial Group
Relationship Banker 2
For the past six years, I’ve proudly called Sun Prairie home. As an Eagle Scout, I learned early that leadership is about leaving people and places better than you found them, a principle that continues to guide me today. I work in banking, helping individuals, families, and local businesses make confident financial decisions rooted in trust. Outside of work, Brook and I enjoy building our business together. I’ve found that some of the most meaningful opportunities in life start with being willing to meet someone new and have a genuine conversation.
I earned a degree in Outdoor Recreation Management and Leadership from Northern Michigan University, where my time in the Upper Peninsula deepened my appreciation for the outdoors, resilience, and servant leadership. Those experiences, along with the relationships I’ve built in Sun Prairie, continue to shape how I live, lead, and serve. My personal philosophy is simple: aim to improve by 1% every day.
I’m excited to be part of Leadership Sun Prairie and look forward to learning from fellow leaders, discovering new ways to contribute, and deepening my connection to the city I’m proud to call home. When I’m off the clock, you’ll usually find me exploring Wisconsin’s outdoors, attending a local event, or being supervised by my two fluffy feline managers, Miu and Mahina.
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Rebecca Griffin
Sun Prairie Area School District
College, Career & Life Readiness Coordinator
Rebecca has been a professional educator for 20 years. This is her 16th year working in the Sun Prairie Area School District, where she’s held many different positions including Reading Specialist, AVID Elective Teacher and AVID Coordinator, and where she currently serves as the College, Career and Life Readiness Coordinator for Sun Prairie West High School and Prairie Phoenix Academy. Her work involves supporting students with Academic and Career Planning and finding opportunities while still in high school to help them explore postsecondary options. Many of these opportunities involve Work Based Learning and apprenticeship experiences with Sun Prairie business partners.
Rebecca grew up in a military family, moving around every few years. She has loved calling the Sun Prairie community “home” for over a decade, and she and her family enjoy experiencing all that Sun Prairie has to offer.
Richard Gobeli
City of Sun Prairie
Fleet Manager
My name is Richard Gobeli, and I was born and raised in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Growing up in a close-knit community taught me the importance of hard work, responsibility, and treating others with respect. These values have guided me throughout my life and career.
I graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 2009 and participated in the Youth Apprenticeship Program working at Zimbrick GMC for my Junior and Senior years of high school. After high school I went to Madison Area Technical College and graduated with an Associates Degree in Automotive Repair and Maintenance. I continued my employment with Zimbrick for 8 years until I left to advance my career in the heavy truck industry with Sheehy Mail Contractors. I worked for Sheehy for 5 years. Two of those years were in Waterloo WI, before moving to Milwaukee WI to manage their location for the last three years of employment. I left there to move home to take care of my family. August of 2018, I started my employment with the City of Sun Prairie and have been working to advance my career. June of 2026 I was promoted to the Fleet Manager position.
In my free time I enjoy bowling and working on classic cars. I purchased a 1958 Chevy Biscayne in April of 2020 and have enjoyed rebuilding all major components of the vehicle. Now that all of those are done I enjoy driving that on the weekend to car meets and shows around Wisconsin.
Rob Stelzer
Bank of Sun Prairie
VP - Business Banker
Rob has worked at Bank of Sun Prairie since 2019, and has been in banking since 2012 in various roles. He lives in sun prairie with his wife and two sons. Rob is a Board member/Treasurer for Sun Prairie Youth Baseball & Softball and also a Volunteer for Meals on Wheels at Colonial Club.
Sarah Shumaker
Minocha Design Co.
Owner & Creative Director
Sarah Shumaker is the owner and creative director of Minocha Design Co., a full-service graphic design studio that specializes in working with small businesses and non-profit organizations. Sarah launched Minocha Design Co. in 2023. Prior to that you may have met her at a local Sun Prairie vet clinic where she worked as a veterinary technician for nearly 10 years. Sarah has a BS degree in Biology from Northern Michigan University and an AA degree in Graphic Design from Madison College.
Originally from west Michigan, Sarah moved to Sun Prairie with her husband, Rick, in 2013. They have 2 chocolate labs, Mocha & Latte, and they also foster labradors for a Wisconsin lab rescue group. Sarah is a nature lover, textile arts enthusiast, and forever-student. In her free time she likes to dabble in a wide variety of fine arts from printmaking and watercolor painting to weaving and embroidery.
Sarah is looking forward to continuing to explore everything Sun Prairie has to offer, strengthening her leadership skills, and deepening her involvement in the community.
Tom Culbertson
City of Sun Prairie
Public Works Crew Leader
My name is Tom Culbertson. I have worked for the Public Works department for twenty years. I grew up in Sun Prairie and attended high school here. I went to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and graduated with a degree in History and a minor in Safety. I work with a great group of guys and hopefully learn a few things in the class.