Building A Stronger Workforce
As a non-profit workforce resource serving 10 counties in northwest Wisconsin, we are dedicated to strengthening the Wisconsin workforce and connecting people to opportunities. Whether you're a career seeker or employer, we provide training, employment, youth jobs and career planning, and support services to help you succeed.
Committed to Strengthening the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce
At the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board (NWWIB), our mission is to create, and continue to improve, an innovative and quality strategic direction for the regional workforce development system. We are dedicated to strengthening the Wisconsin workforce and connecting people to the programs and services they need to thrive. Through our partnerships and programs, we offer training, employment support, youth jobs and career planning, and more.
Our Workforce Partners
As we move forward in this new era of workforce development under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, our focus will remain on excellence and continuing to achieve high-impact, quality outcomes that serve the needs of the workforce and employers. The NWWIB has been working to strengthen the current and future workforce of northwest Wisconsin in order to increase and expand economic development activities within the region through many regional collaborative efforts.
Serving Northwest Wisconsin
Our services are available to anyone living in the following counties:
- Ashland
- Bayfield
- Burnett
- Douglas
- Iron
- Price
- Rusk
- Sawyer
- Taylor
- Washburn
Driving Workforce Success Through Data and Statistics
At NWWIB, we are dedicated to strengthening the Wisconsin workforce and connecting people to opportunities. Our data and statistics demonstrate the impact we have on the local workforce and economy. Explore our success stories to see how we have made a difference.
strategic plan
Our Strategic Plan guides our day-to-day priorities. Through data collection, review, and discussion, together with our Strategic Directions & Development Committee, we have crafted 5 Key Objectives for our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. While the Key Objectives remain the same, how we accomplish these objectives can be adjusted at any time to better align with the current economic trends of our region. Our Strategic Plan is a living document representing a moment in time, so we give ourselves the flexibility to adapt as needed to best serve our region and align with the Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment.
Our Success
Participants/Individuals served in 2023.
Our Research
Total number of listening sessions and digital equity outreach events in 2023
Our Involvement
Resource and job fairs hosted/supported in 2023
Annual Report
Read more about NWWIB's efforts and impact in 2023
Our Reach
Downloads of our Workforce Waves podcast in 2023
GOVERNANCE
The role of the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board (NWWIB) is that of a coordinating, planning, and collaborating entity resulting in a workforce system that is flexible, seamless, and responsive to the dual needs of job seekers and employers. The board is committed to seeking out best practices and developing strategic initiatives that will lead to economic self-sufficiency for residents of our region. We actively work to support local businesses by collaborating with them to create a talent pipeline for a knowledge-based economy. We are always seeking private sector business members who want to become involved in the workforce development activities in our region and are interested in serving. The NWWIB is a public/private partnership between government and business that plans, administers, and coordinates employment and training programs for adults and youth in the ten Northwest Wisconsin counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn. As a workforce development board, NWWIB strives to create a training and employment system that involves education, economic development, prospective training operators, area employers, employees, workers, and job seekers.
Milestones and Achievements
Explore the key milestones and achievements in NWWIB's history.
2021
New Partnerships Formed
We established valuable partnerships to expand our reach and impact.
2020
Record Job Placements
We helped individuals secure employment through our job placement programs.
2019
Skills Training Expansion
We expanded our skills training programs to meet the growing demands of the workforce.
2018
Youth Employment Initiative Begins
We launched an initiative to provide youth with job opportunities and career guidance.
2001
NWWIB is formed
The Beginning
Awards
2020 Duluth Touchstone Awards
The NWWIB was a nominee and winner of the Inclusiveness Touchstone award from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. The award highlighted the work done to bring the EverGrow Learning Center to reality.
Community & Economic
Development Award
Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board's Superior Talent was recognized as a finalist at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's (WEDA) Community and Economic Development Awards.
Rural Innovation Recognition
The NWWIB was selected as a member of the USDA Rural Workforce Innovation Network. This network will be working closely with the USDA and other partners to identify common challenges and opportunities to building a rural workforce that meets the needs of rural America.
Family Centered
Employment Recognition
The NWWIB was selected as one of twelve Workforce Boards across the nation to participate in a Community of Practice for family-centered employment strategies. The project is funded through the W. K. Kellogg Foundation – with a focus on creating scalable strategies for Boards to engage families in their efforts around training and employment success. This includes integrating family centered strategies with traditional WIOA plans.
Meet Our Team
Dedicated professionals driving the workforce mission.
Matthew Filipek
Pathways Home Re-Entry Career Coach
Ryce Davis
Special Projects Case Coordinator
Mari Kay-Nabozny
NWWIB CEO
Friday
Office Dog/Barketing Assistant
Bella Potack-Rettler
Office Manager
Melissa Rabska
Chief Operating Officer
Eric Faber
Digital Navigator - Bayfield County
Dawn Knapp
Director of Grants
Jay Seppanen
Digital Navigator - Ashland, Iron & Sawyer County
Lisa Marie Westberg
Digital Navigator - Douglas, Burnett & Washburn County
Ana Minski
Re-Entry Coach - Pathways Home 4
Interested in Joining Our Team?
Open Positions
Mari Kay-Nabozny
NWWIB CEO
Board of Directors
Meet the people who give their time and expertise to drive the mission of NWWIB.
Andrea Chartier
Tammi Follet
Elain Ogilvie
Crystal Rohde
Michelle Johnson
Edward Gruhl
MJ Sills
Jennifer Shearer
PC Rasmussen
Kristine Porter
Bambi Pattermann
Brent Harju
Kelly Klein
Judy Aspling
Kerri Trubachik
Thomas Draghi
Brad Gast
Dr. Russell Swagger
Dale Kelm
Mary McPhetridge
Ashley Moore
Skyler Dural-Eder
Interested in joining the board?
Interested in joining the board?
Apply TodayBoard of Directors
Our Board of Directors is comprised of business leaders, workforce development partners, community organizations, and tribal representatives who are committed to creating a workforce system that meets the needs of the employers and workers in Northwest Wisconsin. The Board is committed to seeking out best practices and developing strategic initiatives that will lead to economic self-sufficiency for our region’s residents.
Youth Committee
The Youth Committee consists of members from the NWWIB and other community members with a special interest or expertise in youth policy. It shall be the responsibility of the Youth Committee to provide strategy and guidance to the agency in the administration of the various youth programs authorized and funded by WIOA.
Strategic Directions and Development (SDD) Committee
The Strategic Directions and Development Committee (SDDC) consists of a cross-section of NWWIB members from the public and private sectors. The committee drives the strategic direction of the NWWIB’s activities and initiatives. This includes supporting initiatives to increase the labor supply for high-demand industries in cooperation with local, regional, and statewide economic development partners.
One-Stop-Operator (OSO) Committee
The One-Stop Operator (OSO) committee consists of a combination of standing and elected members who contribute time, talent and/or treasure to the Job Centers. Standing members include regional executives with the authority to carry out functions and direct actions of local level staff. Members represent partners and constituent groups as identified in Section 121 of WIOA.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is comprised of select members from the Executive Committee. The committee meets quarterly to review and monitor the NWWIB’s financial operations. This includes overseeing the budget, monitoring cash flow, maintenance of financial records, and reviewing financial procedures as necessary.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is comprised of the Board’s officers and other Board members. This Committee is charged with the establishment of plans, priorities, and goals for the organization. The committee is responsible for the review of programming changes, proposals, new programs, and projects proposed by the staff throughout the year.
Executive committee
The Executive Committee is comprised of the Board’s officers and other Board members. This Committee is charged with the establishment of plans, priorities, and goals for the organization. The committee is responsible for the review of programming changes, proposals, new programs, and projects proposed by the staff throughout the year.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is comprised of select members from the Executive Committee. The committee meets quarterly to review and monitor the NWWIB’s financial operations. This includes overseeing the budget, monitoring cash flow, maintenance of financial records, and reviewing financial procedures as necessary.
One-Stop-Operator (OSO) Committee
The One-Stop Operator (OSO) committee consists of a combination of standing and elected members who contribute time, talent and/or treasure to the Job Centers. Standing members include regional executives with the authority to carry out functions and direct actions of local level staff. Members represent partners and constituent groups as identified in Section 121 of WIOA.
Strategic Directions and Development Committee (SDD)
The Strategic Directions and Development Committee (SDDC) consists of a cross-section of NWWIB members from the public and private sectors. The committee drives the strategic direction of the NWWIB’s activities and initiatives. This includes supporting initiatives to increase the labor supply for high-demand industries in cooperation with local, regional, and statewide economic development partners.
Youth Committee
The Youth Committee consists of members from the NWWIB and other community members with a special interest or expertise in youth policy. It shall be the responsibility of the Youth Committee to provide strategy and guidance to the agency in the administration of the various youth programs authorized and funded by WIOA.
Board Of Directors
Our Board of Directors is comprised of business leaders, workforce development partners, community organizations, and tribal representatives who are committed to creating a workforce system that meets the needs of the employers and workers in Northwest Wisconsin. The Board is committed to seeking out best practices and developing strategic initiatives that will lead to economic self-sufficiency for our region’s residents.