Wellness in the Workplace Conference
Mid-State Technical College is excited to launch the Wellness in the Workplace Conference, a new, fully in-person event designed for HR professionals, organizational leaders, and wellness specialists navigating today’s evolving wellness needs. Attendees will walk away with actionable ideas, fresh perspectives, and meaningful connections to help strengthen wellness efforts within their organizations.
Event Highlights
Designed with today’s realities in mind, this conference brings together:
- Practical Breakout Sessions to gain actionable tools and strategies.
- Real-world Case Studies to learn from shared challenges and successes.
- Interactive Discussions highlighting effective workplace wellness strategies, leadership involvement, and community collaboration.
Cost: $ 80.00 per person
When
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where
Marshfield Campus
Registration deadline: Monday, May 11, 2026
Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
TBD
Gold Sponsors
Schedule
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:00–8:30 a.m. | Registration | Light Breakfast | Networking |
| 8:30–9:00 a.m. | Welcome and Ice Breaker |
| 9:00–9:50 a.m. | Breakout Session 1 |
| 10:00–10:50 a.m. | Breakout Session 2 |
| 11:00 a.m.–11:55 a.m. | Partnerships 101 Lightning Round |
| 12:00–1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Networking | Vendor Exhibit |
| 1:30–2:20 p.m. | Breakout Session 3 |
| 2:30–3:20 p.m. | Breakout Session 4 |
| 3:30–4:30 p.m. | Optional Closing Session: Succulent Planting Workshop |
Session Descriptions & Presenter Bios
Welcome and Ice Breaker
Ice Breaker Facilitated by Dr. Carrie Jarosinski, RN, DNP, CWP, CNE, Faculty at Mid-State Technical College
Breakout Sessions 1 & 2
- Option 1: How Leaders Align Multi-Generational Teams from Boom to Z
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Presenter: Kelly Hirn, Leadership Coach
Description: This interactive session equips participants with practical tools to improve communication across generational, personality, and role-based differences. By increasing self-awareness and introducing clear communication frameworks, participants learn how to reduce friction, address resistance, and create alignment more effectively. The session emphasizes real-world application, helping leaders and employees immediately improve conversations that impact performance, collaboration, and change execution.
- Option 2: Cultivating Healthier and More Productive Workplaces
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Presenter: Cheryl Denton, Wellness Specialist at Aspirus
Co-Presenters: Isabella Berg and Josh Zdroik
Description: This session explores what wellness truly means and the meaningful impact it has on workplace culture and performance. Participants will also gain insight into the range of services offered by Aspirus that support the whole person, equipping organizations with practical ways to foster environments where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.
- Option 3: Beyond the Benefit: Building Human-Centered Wellness Through Health Tech
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Presenter: Marsha Bushman, Senior Account Executive at Carrot Fertility
Description: As workplace expectations evolve, benefits must move beyond traditional wellness models. In this session, Marsha Bushman of Carrot Fertility will discuss how organizations can leverage health technology and inclusive fertility and family-building benefits to create more supportive workplaces. The session will highlight practical frameworks for integrating modern wellness tools, using data to guide benefit strategy, and ensuring employees feel supported across critical life stages—from fertility and pregnancy to menopause and beyond.
- Option 4: Purpose to Performance: How Joy and Intrinsic Motivation Can Empower Your Workplace
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Presenter: Samantha Diedrich, Business Development Executive at McClone Insurance
Description: Participants will explore how cultivating purpose and joy can transform employee engagement, innovation, and overall workplace wellbeing. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in workplace wellness and insights from her book Joy Toolbox, Samantha Diedrich introduces practical “Joy Tools” grounded in positive psychology and behavior change. Attendees will learn how purpose, gratitude, resilience, and meaning-driven work can unlock greater creativity, stronger problem-solving, and higher job satisfaction, and will leave with actionable strategies to help themselves and their teams move beyond simply completing tasks to creating a culture where people perform at their best because they truly want to—not because they have to.
Partnerships 101 Lightning Round
A lightning round with ideas for partnering with healthcare providers, nonprofits, community services, or other employers to expand wellness capacity.
Presenters:
- Kerri Zabel, PT, Vice President of Operations at Doctors of Physical Therapy
- Lori Allman, Director of Client Success at Anovia Health
- Cori Ann Richardson, AVP Community and Business Development Officer at Associated Bank
- Dr. Carrie Jarosinski, RN, DNP, CWP, CNE, Faculty at Mid-State Technical College
- Dr. Missy Servant, PhD, Director of Employee Experience at Nelson-Jameson, Inc.
Breakout Sessions 3 & 4
- Option 1: Navigating Mental Health in the Workplace
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Presenter: Mallory Bryan, Business Services Consultant at Wisconsin DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Description: Join the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for a session that will highlight best practices for supporting mental health in the workplace and fostering productivity. This session discusses the prevalence of mental illness in the United States, dispels common myths and stereotypes, shares practical insights on creating supportive environments, and explores how fostering mental health awareness not only enhances employee well-being but also drives productivity and strengthens workplace culture.
- Option 2: Thriving Under Pressure: Supporting Employees at Work, Home, and Beyond
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Presenter: Erin Hess, MS, CEO at South Wood County YMCA
Description: This session explores the many ways stress shows up in our lives and workplaces. While organizations focus on supporting employees on the clock, the realities of the digital age mean stress reaches us far beyond the workday. Together, we’ll unpack how stress finds us and consider practical ways to support well-being in an always-connected world better.
- Option 3: From Policy to Practice: Advancing Social Determinants of Health Through Workplace Wellness
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Presenter: Kristie Egge, Supervisor of Strategic Initiatives at Wood County Health Department
Co-Presenter: Niki Lucht, Epidemiologist at Wood County Health Department
Description: Workplace policies play a critical role in shaping the social determinants of health that influence employee well-being, engagement, and long-term financial security. This session explores how flexible, wellness-focused workplace policies, such as telework, comp time, walking meetings, combined wellness breaks, and financial wellness programs, can create healthier, more resilient organizations. Using Wood County’s Community Health Improvement Plan as a case example, participants will learn how the Human Resources and Wellness Program partnered with Extension to implement Financial Wellness at Work, an initiative designed to improve employee financial security. The session will highlight Extension’s evidence-based resources that support employers in addressing financial wellness as a key component of overall health. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to align workplace policy, wellness programming, and community health goals to drive meaningful and lasting change.
- Option 4: Nutrition and Lifestyle: Choose Right, Live Well
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Presenter: Rich Neumann, MS FMP, Culinary Arts Instructor at Mid-State Technical College
Description: This session discusses the foundations of healthy eating and lifestyle habits, emphasizing balanced macronutrients, nutrient‑dense foods, and the role of hydration. It highlights major diet‑related health risks, explains carbohydrate, protein, and lipid functions, and reviews credible nutrition resources. Explore weekly exercise recommendations, concerns with keto diets, and how GLP‑1 medications support weight management. The session blends practical nutrition science with real‑world tools to support informed, sustainable choices.
Succulent Planting Workshop
Participants will close the conference with a guided succulent planting activity designed to encourage reflection on the day’s discussions while connecting with fellow attendees. As they create their own plant arrangement, participants will consider how small, intentional actions can support both personal well-being and healthier workplace cultures. Just as nurturing a plant helps it grow, this activity symbolizes planting the seeds for lasting workplace wellness.
Facilitator: Beth Ellie, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Accreditation & Quality at Mid-State Technical College
Questions?
For general questions, please contact Sierra Van Rixel or call 715.389.7026
If you have a disability and need accommodations to take part in this activity, please let us know. Contact the event coordinator as soon as possible, ideally 14 days in advance.
