Executive Agenda

Call Directions Website Contact the business

Executive Agenda Wisconsin's oldest and largest peer executive membership organization Individual coaching sessions with a seasoned business professional and confidante.

Executive Agenda (EA) exists to help its membership—Wisconsin senior managers and executives other than
CEOs and presidents—attain high levels
of personal and business performance, make superior decisions, and realize improved personal and business results. These outcomes are achieved through continuous learning and leadership development rooted in professionally facilitated, small group discussions and individual coaching. In today's turbulent business climate, leadership development and continuous executive learning may be the only things that provide a sustainable advantage. Imagine what you could be learning, if you could draw on the wisdom of other Wisconsin senior managers personally committed to your success and
development. What could you be accomplishing, if your executive growth and continuing
education was specific to your unique circumstances? How much more effective would your decision making be, if you could benefit
from the perspectives of other professionals who "have been through it before"
and represent a wide range of industries, businesses and functions? Not only is it critical for an organization's leadership to stay current to compete, but executives are increasingly expected to assume responsibility for their own learning and development. In fact, more than ever before, companies are actively recruiting learning-oriented managers. Executive Agenda helps its members engage in continuous education through a unique peer learning and development process built on three key components:

Membership in an ongoing, tight-knit, small group of caring, committed and
discerning peers. Group meetings facilitated by a professional Chairman and structured around uncovering diverse insights and working through members' real-world issues. EA's approach to executive development, growth and learning often must be experienced before its uniqueness can be fully comprehended and appreciated. However, the Wisconsin executives who comprise EA's membership enhance their leadership skills, make better decisions, produce greater results, and build long-term trusting relationships.

EA 2 and EA 28, along with their Group Chairs, Kris Best and Andrew Worley, gathered at Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan, WI,...
10/10/2026

EA 2 and EA 28, along with their Group Chairs, Kris Best and Andrew Worley, gathered at Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan, WI, September 24-25, 2026, for their Q3 Retreats.

Both groups made time for reflection and peer learning. EA 28 participated in the Life Line exercise, exploring the experiences that have shaped who they are, while EA 2 used the Wheel of Life exercise to reflect on balance across different areas of life.

While the groups held separate meetings, they came together for a combined team building exercise. This gave members the opportunity to get to know one another, expand their networks, and build connections outside their regular EA groups.

On September 22-23, 2026, EA 24, led by Group Chair Ron Thimm, gathered at Epic in Verona, WI, for their Q3 Retreat. The...
10/06/2026

On September 22-23, 2026, EA 24, led by Group Chair Ron Thimm, gathered at Epic in Verona, WI, for their Q3 Retreat.

The majority of the 1½ day Retreat was devoted to reflection, peer learning, and open discussion about career, life balance, and shared perspectives. Members also enjoyed a hosted tour, team-building exercises, and a fun evening out. EA 24 is already looking forward to next quarter’s meeting!

Congratulations to two of our EA 14 members, Travis Froze (President – Northeast Wisconsin Market, First Business Bank),...
10/01/2026

Congratulations to two of our EA 14 members, Travis Froze (President – Northeast Wisconsin Market, First Business Bank), and Lori Schumacher (Chief Financial Officer, Galloway Company), on being named 2026 Executive Excellence honorees by Insight on Business!

Seventeen Northeast Wisconsin leaders were chosen for this recognition, which spotlights the decisions, ideas, and leadership shaping the future of business in this region. We're proud to see Travis & Lori among them.

They'll be honored on December 3 at the Executive Excellence Awards at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

EA 20, led by Group Chair Steve Johannsen, made their way to Nakoma Golf Club in Madison, WI on September 16, 2026 for t...
09/30/2026

EA 20, led by Group Chair Steve Johannsen, made their way to Nakoma Golf Club in Madison, WI on September 16, 2026 for their Q3 meeting, followed by a social hour and dinner.

The day started with an introduction to their newest member, Roman Ripp from Gilson – welcome aboard, Roman! The group then participated in discussion and group work. The primary focus of the day was based on the Life Line Exercise, which is a reflective tool to help identify the life experiences that shape who you are.

Group Chair Debbie Rudan led her EA 5 Q3 Retreat on September 16-17. Day 1 kicked off with a group Highlights Tour at Ta...
09/28/2026

Group Chair Debbie Rudan led her EA 5 Q3 Retreat on September 16-17. Day 1 kicked off with a group Highlights Tour at Taliesin Preservation, a Frank Lloyd Wright property located in Spring Green, WI, followed by an amazing dinner at North and South Seafood & Smokehouse.

On the second day, the group met at Epic in Verona, WI, hosted by EA 5 member Karsten Smith, where they held their all-day meeting and went on the Epic Horticulture tour. The group participated in some exercises and great discussions, welcomed their newest member (Brian Burmeister), and celebrated the 5-year member anniversary of Andrew Smith.

On September 15-16, 2026, EA 30 led by Group Chair Tim Bandt, traveled to Appleton, WI, for their Q3 Retreat.Day 1 began...
09/21/2026

On September 15-16, 2026, EA 30 led by Group Chair Tim Bandt, traveled to Appleton, WI, for their Q3 Retreat.

Day 1 began at U.S. Venture, Inc., where members took a deep dive into AI strategy and shared updates on their current initiatives. That afternoon, the group volunteered at Community Clothes Closet, then came together for dinner and some great conversation.

On Day 2, the group met at Bubolz Nature Preserve, where a change of scenery set the tone for a collaborative morning workshop followed by lunch.

On September 16, EA Group Chairs Mike Palm, Frances Parker, Eric Schmidt and Andrew Worley, along with EA 42 member Mark...
09/18/2026

On September 16, EA Group Chairs Mike Palm, Frances Parker, Eric Schmidt and Andrew Worley, along with EA 42 member Mark Lenerz, represented Executive Agenda at Exec Connect, presented by In Business Madison. We proudly served as Major Partner, celebrating the 2026 Power 100 honorees shaping Wisconsin's Capital Region!

For more than two decades, this invite-only event continues to bring together the region's most influential leaders for a night of genuine connection. It was a privilege to celebrate this year's recognized leaders and network alongside the decision-makers driving this region forward.

A special thank you to Amy Hansen and the entire In Business Madison team for another outstanding event – and congratulations to all of this year's Power 100 honorees!

On September 10, 2026, Group Chair Jon Harry recognized EA 35 member Becky Davies of Paper Transport on her 5-year membe...
09/14/2026

On September 10, 2026, Group Chair Jon Harry recognized EA 35 member Becky Davies of Paper Transport on her 5-year member anniversary during their Q3 meeting at Packer Fastener in Green Bay, WI, hosted by Colin Cochart. Congrats, Becky!

On September 2, 100+ senior-level leaders gathered at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI for Executive Agenda's se...
09/04/2026

On September 2, 100+ senior-level leaders gathered at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI for Executive Agenda's second Executive Fuel seminar of 2026 - an event that featured engaging content and cross-community interaction. Speaker Derrick Mains challenged the room to rethink why some organizations execute flawlessly, while others stay stuck in the same firefighting, year after year.

As a six-time COO, Derrick didn’t theorize about broken systems from the outside, instead, he was the one responsible for fixing them, across hundreds of companies and nearly every industry. He showed leaders why the same breakdowns keep repeating: not because people are failing, but because the systems were never designed to work.

There were numerous practical takeaways including the following:
- You can't fix what you can't see: map the actual flow of work, not the org chart version
- Expose the invisible hand-offs and disconnected loops that no amount of motivation will fix
- Stop managing people around broken systems: redesign the system itself
- See It, fix It, run It: Diagnosis, design, and improvement as a repeatable cycle, not a one-time project
- The goal isn't just solving today's problem, it's building the capability to solve the next one

Derrick is a 2022 Emmy Award-winning content creator, five-time author, and creator of The System (The Operating System for Operations). He was named 2024 New Speaker of the Year and 2025 Top Performing Speaker for one of the global organizations serving the CEO/executive peer group industry.

EA 29, led by Group Chair Chuck Croft, made their way to The Osthoff Resort & Spa in Elkhart Lake, WI on August 25-26, 2...
09/01/2026

EA 29, led by Group Chair Chuck Croft, made their way to The Osthoff Resort & Spa in Elkhart Lake, WI on August 25-26, 2026 for their Q3 Retreat.

Day 1 of the 1½ day Retreat kicked off with a pontoon tour of Elkhart Lake, followed by a group dinner and bonfire at the resort. Day 2 shifted to reflection and peer learning, with a full day focused on career, life balance, and shared perspectives. The EA 29 members are already looking forward to next year!

Address

16655 W Bluemound Road Ste 320
Brookfield, WI
53005

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

(262) 821-3600

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Executive Agenda posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Executive Agenda:

Shortcuts

Share