Opening Doors Leadership Forum: Strengthening Wisconsin's Workforce

A Leadership Challenge

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Wisconsin's workforce challenge is no longer simply an employment issue. It has evolved into a leadership issue.

As employers across the state struggle to fill critical positions, demographic shifts are reshaping the future labor force. Leaders are increasingly recognizing that workforce development begins long before a job opening exists. It starts in classrooms, communities, and through intentional partnerships between education and businesses. Wisconsin continues to face a structural labor shortage, with more job openings than available workers. Long-term demographic trends further pressure the state's labor force.

The Forum's Purpose

To address this challenge, InitiativeOne and School Perceptions are uniting educators, employers, workforce organizations, and community leaders for the Opening Doors Leadership Forum on Friday, September 18, at InitiativeOne in Green Bay. This complimentary event will be available both in person and virtually, allowing leaders from across Wisconsin to participate.

Rather than viewing workforce development as an isolated business or education issue, the forum aims to foster meaningful dialogue around a simple premise: strong communities are built when education and businesses collaborate effectively.

Morning Sessions: Think Tank and Leadership Forum

The morning begins with InitiativeOne's signature Think Tank, a leadership experience that has become a trusted forum for executive leaders, business owners, educators, and community influencers throughout Wisconsin and beyond. Participants will then transition into the Opening Doors Leadership Forum, where discussions shift from leadership to action. We will explore innovative partnerships, practical workforce strategies, and new opportunities to better connect students with future careers.

The forum will also feature a live demonstration of Opening Doors, a School Perceptions platform that connects students, educators, families, and employers through career exploration, workforce engagement, and community partnerships.

Bridging Education and Workforce

"Preparing students for success and strengthening our workforce are not separate conversations; they're the same conversation," said Tracy Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of InitiativeOne. "Every employer is looking for future talent. Every school is preparing future graduates. The opportunity lies in bringing those worlds together with greater intention. That's exactly what this forum is designed to do."

Across Wisconsin, employers are competing for talent while schools expand career readiness, technical education, youth apprenticeship, and work-based learning opportunities. The Opening Doors Leadership Forum recognizes that lasting workforce solutions require stronger relationships, not merely new initiatives.

"Schools cannot solve workforce challenges alone, and employers cannot build tomorrow's workforce without education," said Bill Foster, Chief Executive Officer of School Perceptions. "When those leaders come together, remarkable things happen for students, businesses, and entire communities. This forum creates the space for those conversations while showcasing practical tools that can help communities move from ideas to action."

Interactive Leadership Experience

Designed as an interactive leadership experience—not a conference—the forum will bring together district school superintendents and administrators, counselors, CTE and ACP leaders, business owners, executive teams, HR leaders, workforce organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development leaders, and community partners committed to preparing the next generation of student leaders.

Participants will leave with practical ideas, new relationships, and examples of how education and businesses can collaborate to strengthen local workforce pipelines while creating greater opportunities for students.

Event Details

Opening Doors Leadership Forum

Strong Workforce. Ready Students. Real Partnership.

Hosted by InitiativeOne in partnership with School Perceptions

Date: Friday, September 18

Location: InitiativeOne, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Attendance: In person or virtually

Registration: Complimentary

About InitiativeOne

InitiativeOne is a nationally recognized leadership development organization. We equip leaders and organizations to build cultures of trust, accountability, and intentional leadership through executive coaching, organizational consulting, leadership transformation programs, and our signature Think Tank series.

About School Perceptions

School Perceptions partners with school districts across the country. We strengthen communication, increase community engagement, and develop innovative solutions that connect schools, families, businesses, and communities through initiatives, including the Opening Doors platform.

In conclusion, the Opening Doors Leadership Forum is a pivotal opportunity for leaders to come together. By fostering collaboration between education and business, we can address workforce challenges effectively. Let's build a stronger future for Wisconsin together.