Leadership River Falls

LEADERSHIP RIVER FALLS Class of 2025-2026

The River Falls Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the graduation of the Leadership River Falls Class of 2025–2026 during a special gathering at West Wind Supper Club.

Throughout the eight-month program, participants explored many facets of the River Falls community while developing leadership skills and building valuable connections. The class experienced the creativity and energy behind the community’s arts and culture sector, as well as the dedication to customer service and hospitality that supports local businesses and restaurants. Participants also witnessed the important work of local nonprofit organizations and gained insight into the innovation and resilience that drive the region’s business and agricultural industries.

Additional program days focused on natural resources and sustainability, education, and city government, providing participants with a deeper understanding of the people, organizations, and systems that help River Falls thrive.

As part of the program, Melissa Wilson of Chippewa Valley Technical College led sessions focused on leadership strengths and personal development. Participants explored communication styles, teamwork, and the importance of continued growth as leaders both professionally and personally.

Beyond the educational experiences, the Leadership River Falls class formed meaningful relationships, shared new experiences, and challenged themselves to step outside of their comfort zones throughout the program.

While the 2025–2026 Leadership River Falls program has officially concluded, the Chamber hopes participants will continue using the knowledge, connections, and leadership skills gained through the experience to make a positive impact throughout the community for years to come.

Congratulations to our Graduates:

· Rillie Bartz, River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau

· Brooke Dusk, WESTconsin Credit Union

· Alicia Kysylyczyn, Family Fresh Market

· Collin Geraghty, River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau

· Austin Hines, River Falls State Bank

· Rosa Magnus, River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau

· Adam Martinson, City of River Falls

· Brooks Ostendorf, City of River Falls

· Dan Solinger, First National Bank of River Falls

· Kris Thompson, Chippewa Valley Technical College

· May Xiong, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Thanks to our many partners and presenters for a great year:

· Melissa Wilson, CVTC

· Dawn Johnson, CVTC

· Chelsea Will, DWD

· Melisa Hansen, RFSD

· Jenna Hanson, RFSD

· Sheri Marnell, UWRF

· Ashley Steiner, Wonderworks Theatre

· Jim DePeso, Community Theatre

· Kaye Fritz, Community Art Base

· Doug Rohde & Ashley Winch, The Commerce Hotel

· Corinne & Fred Barr, Tarnation Tavern

· Candice Anderson, Community Food Pantry

· Steve Leonard, Kinni River Land Trust

· Lance Hovland, Hope for Earth

· Brooks Ostendorf, City of River Falls

· Keith Gunderson, FFA

· Peterson Dairy Farm

· City of River Falls Team

We will reopen registration for class of 2027-2028 in the summer of 2027. Thank you for your interest

Past Participants and Distinguished Alumni:

Class of 2025-2026

Rillie Bartz, River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau
Brooke Dusk, WESTconsin Credit Union
Alicia Kysylyczyn, Family Fresh Market
Collin Geraghty, River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau
Austin Hines, River Falls State Bank
Rosa Magnus, River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau
Adam Martinson, City of River Falls
Brooks Ostendorf, City of River Falls
Dan Solinger, First National Bank of River Falls
Kris Thompson, Chippewa Valley Technical College
May Xiong, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Class of 2023-2024
Susan Grisar, River Falls State Bank
Sheri Marnell, UW River Falls, St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center
Amy Weiss, First National Bank
Annie White Ladnier, HOPE Lutheran Church
Chelsea Obermueller, Guinn, Vinopal & Zahradka, LLP
Dawn Johnson, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Andrea Place, WESTconsin
Megan Hausch, United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys

Class of 2021-2022
Alexandra Pashina, River Falls Chamber of Commerce
Andrea Whitmer-Nicholson, WESTconsin Credit Union
Carrie Borgstrom, Royal Credit Union
David Keating, Miron Construction Co.
Emily Kovach-Erickson, River Falls Chamber of Commerce
Eric Viessman, City of River Falls Public Works
Jeff Schuman, River Falls State Bank
Mark Klapatch-Mathias, UW-River Falls
Rebecca Helgeson, First National Bank of River Falls
Samuel Hozzsu, City of River Falls
Shelly Smith, Our Neighbors’ Place
Sheri Carlson, Security Financial Bank

Class of 2019-2020
Amy White, City of River Falls
Jennifer Sell, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Jessica Curtis, Crank Worx Bike Shop
Kenney White, UW-River Falls
Megan Hanson, Royal Credit Union
Melissa Welke, WESTconsin Credit Union
Rebecca Prendergast, UW-River Falls
Sarah Karlsson, City of River Falls

Class of 2018 – 2019
Alan Symicek, UW-River Falls
Amy Peterson, City of River Falls
Carrie Snyder, Royal Credit Union
Cindy Campbell, City of River Falls
Krista Paulus, Security Financial Bank
Kristy Treichel, Ayres Associates
Laura Bower, River Falls State Bank
Lisa Jahns, First National Bank of River Falls
Maren Valentine, Oso Clean
Mary Qualls, WESTconsin Credit Union
Samantha Hamann, UW-River Falls

Class of 2017 – 2018
Amy Knutson, UW-River Falls
Andrew Erickson, River Falls State Bank
Brandy Howe, City of River Falls
Brianna Munthe, Royal Credit Union
Heather Paurus, Vibrant Health Family Clinics
Holly Bembenek, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Jenny Knospe, WESTconsin Credit Union
Kellen Wells-Mangold, UW-River Falls
Kim Nesbitt, First National Bank of River Falls
Kimberly Bernard, Allina Health
Kristin Jepson, Kristin Jepson State Farm
Maria Lewis, Pair-fection Catering
Marissa Ostern, River Falls Chamber of Commerce
Tracy Waid, Family Fresh Market
Zach Regnier, City of River Falls

Class of 2016 – 2017
Roselyn Mae Annett, River Falls Housing Authority
Kaleah Bautch, UW-River Falls
Tami Cybulski, Royal Credit Union
Molly Johnson, Security Financial Bank
Melissa Mallow, WESTconsin Credit Union
Kari Merriam, River Falls Area Hospital
Dan Miller, UW-River Falls
Jennifer Mueller, River Falls School District
Jenna Nievinski, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Emily Pfannes, First National Bank
Keri Schreiner, City of River Falls
Ken Thill, City of River Falls

Class of 2015 – 2016
Angie Bond, City of River Falls
Dan Lytle, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Danette Olson, First National Bank of River Falls
Jennifer Peterson, School District of River Falls
Jordan Lubich, Security Financial Bank
Karen DesLauriers, River Falls State Bank
Kensey Schultz, Vibrant Health Family Clinics
Kristi Hartmon, City of River Falls
Kristin Samp, UW-River Falls
Kristin Frank, WESTconsin Credit Union
Michelle Filkens, Greg Peters State Farm Agency
Monica Wright, Express Employment Professionals
Pamela Terwilliger, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Tammy Smith, Royal Credit Union

Class of 2014 – 2015
Danielle Campeau, UW-River Falls
Chris Cernohous, City of River Falls
Debbie Eastman, River Falls State Bank
Bridget Heib, City of River Falls
Julie Hove, Royal Credit Union
Mike Huth, City of River Falls
Amanda Kane, UW-River Falls
Tami Langer, Security Financial Bank
Amber Pechacek, WESTconsin Credit Union
David Schmidt, First National Bank of River Falls
Monica Steiner, Steiner Plumbing Electric & Heating Inc.

Class of 2013 – 2014
Vicki Andersen, Family Fresh Market
Judy Berg, River Falls Chamber of Commerce
Lisa Cernohous, River Falls Police Department
Julie Christine Cross, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Tiffany Gaulke, UW-River Falls
Dave Hovel, City of River Falls
Cliff Jennings, River Falls Area Hospital
Greg Koehler, River Falls Municipal Utilities
Colleen Leuschner, Royal Credit Union
Brian Manion, WESTconsin Credit Union
Roxane Molinari, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Mike Moody, River Falls Fire Department
Caitlin Perszyk, UW-River Falls
Kaydi Peterson, First National Bank of River Falls

Class of 2012 – 2013
Linda Berg, Renaissance Academy
Russ Blasius, WESTconsin Credit Union
Jennifer Herink, UW-River Falls
Robert Hughes, Econo Lodge
Laura King, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Pat Lapekas, Lapekas & Associates
Amy Luethmers, UW-River Falls
Maranda Mahr, River Falls Chamber of Commerce
Kerri Olson, River Falls State Bank
Bridget Schaefer, First National Bank of River Falls
Amy Tryba, River Falls Area Hospital
Nate Wells, School District of River Falls

Class of 2011 – 2012
Judie Babcock, Foster Community Foundation Inc.
Casey Cook, Bo’s ‘N Mine
Brian Dado, School District of River Falls
Mark Gillen, UW-River Falls
Lu Ann Hecht, City of River Falls
Toni Hinz, Riverview Hotel & Suites
Karen Jubie, Chippewa Valley Technical College
John Lisowski, Security Financial Bank
Paul Shepherd, UW-River Falls
Richard Smith, First National Bank of River Falls
Tony Steiner, City of River Falls

Class of 2010 – 2011
Janet Burns, River Falls Municipal Utilities
Janna Carl, River Falls Food Pantry
Christine Engel, School District of River Falls
Tonja Lesmeister, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Mike Noreen, River Falls Municipal Utilities
McKenna Pfeiffer, UW-River Falls
Angela Schoettle, First National Bank of River Falls
Lori Severson, River Falls Area Hospital
Jolene Sullivan, American Family Insurance
Mary Van Galen, UW-River Falls
Dawn Wills, River Falls Community Television

Class of 2009 – 2010
Cedric Ellingson, Bo’s ‘N Mine
Nelson French, Kinnickinnic River Land Trust
Dale Gallenberg, UW-River Falls
Mark Huttemier, UW-River Falls
Kent Kittleson, River Falls Area Hospital
John Kleven, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Joel Larsen, First National Bank of River Falls
Kristin Loney, First National Bank of River Falls
Gregg Nelson, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Susan Nielsen, Leaderscapes Incorporated
Jim Thies, UW-River Falls
Michel Tigan, Big Brothers Big Sisters

Class of 2008 – 2009
Program not held.

Class of 2007 – 2008
Fred Barr, Designer Doors
Leslie Bleskachek, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Aaron Davis, Aaron Davis – Country Insurance Agency
Ryan Johnson, BioDiagnostics, Inc.
Ozcan Kilic, UW-River Falls
Dr. Rion McClelland, Chiropractic Family Health Center
Carol McClelland, UW-River Falls
Joan McDonald, UW-River Falls
Lori Otto, UW-River Falls
Nicole Shella, River Falls State Bank
Margaret Smith, Kinnickinnic River Land Trust

Class of 2006 – 2007
Chris Blasius, River Falls Municipal Utilities
Jennifer Elsesser, UW-River Falls
Isaac Grover, Quality Computer Services
Dawn Kerr, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Sheri Kromrey, Designer Doors
Ken Osowski, First National Bank of River Falls-Prescott
Beth Senoraske, River Valley Physical Therapy
Lauri Wilson, Community Member
Melissa Wilson, UW-River Falls

Class of 2005-2006
Claire McCarty Kilian, UW-River Falls
Dallas Giles, River Falls Area YMCA
Heather Logelin, River Falls Area Hospital Foundation
Isaac Cudd, Pack & Ship at the Renaissance
Jason Neuhaus, UW-River Falls
Jon Michels, Kinnickinnic River Land Trust
Keven Syverson, UW-River Falls
Laura Thompson, First National Bank
Laurie Hansen, Picture Perfect Studios
Lisa Thompson
Matt Fitzgerald, UW-River Falls
Mary Ayala, Designer Doors
Nick Carstens, River Falls Chamber
Susie Swenson, First National Bank
Todd Schultz, River Falls State Bank

Class of 2004 – 2005
Kris Ainsworth, River Falls Medial Clinic
Dean Benoy, Designer Doors
Chuck Beranek, River Falls Municipal Utilities
Rosanne Bump, River Falls Chamber of Commerce
Amy Carroll-Olson
Jack Cullen, First National Bank of River Falls-Prescott
Linda Jacobson, UW-River Falls
Stasia Robbie, Express Personnel
Rose Rude, UW-River Falls
Dan Semi, UW-River Falls
Jane Terkelson, First National Bank of River Falls

Class of 2003 – 2004
Melissa Godden, First National Bank
Gretchen Link, UW-River Falls
Lynette Nack, First National Bank
Brad Mogen, UW-River Falls
Brandi Poellinger, River Falls Chamber of Commerce
Jean Solum, River Falls State Bank
Michael Thompson, BioDiagnostics
Jerry Waller, UW-River Falls

Class of 2002 – 2003
Darian Blattner, River Falls Area YMCA
Barb Cernohaus, First National Bank
Sandy Ellis, UW-River Falls
Brent Greene, UW-River Falls
Jeff Hanson, PressEnter!
Steve Healy, Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services
Mike Niesen, O’Keefe, Inc.
Susan Ginter-Watson, UW-River Falls
Sheila Wickersham, First National Bank

Class of 2001 – 2002
Tracy Bruesewitz, First National Bank
Susan Taylor Campbell
Jacquelyn Goodman, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Steve Healy, Pierce-Pepin Cooperative Services
Valerie Malzacher, UW-River Falls
Alice Reilly-Mykelbust, UW-River Falls
Maxfield Neuhaus, St. Bridget’s
Wendy Querna, River Falls State Bank
Kimberly Gould-Speckman, UW-River Falls Foundation
Mike Stifter, UW-River Falls

Class of 2000-2001
Kent Forsland, Designer Doors
Connie Foster, UW-River Falls
Dawn Gallinger, UW-River Falls
Carl Gaulke, River Falls Municipal Utilities
Lois Jenkins, First National Bank
Tom Parent, Whole Earth Grocery
Ken Pletcher, Rodli, Beskar, Boles & Krueger
Emily Ronninger, UW-River Falls