Meet the Executive Board
This is your Team section. Briefly introduce the team then add their bios below. Click here to edit.
Rona Neri
Executive Board - President
Rona, a founding member of our nonprofit, is a passionate wildlife photographer whose work is inspired by both global and local landscapes. Known for her commitment to conservation and community engagement, she uses her art to raise awareness and foster connections between people and nature.
Brian Benz
Executive Board - Treasurer
Brian Benz serves as the Treasurer for Create Waunakee, bringing extensive financial expertise to the village’s arts community. Outside of his board service, Brian is a Vice President at First Business Specialty Finance, LLC, a subsidiary of First Business Bank. A true pillar of the Waunakee community, he is dedicated to fostering local growth and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the arts. Brian’s leadership combines professional rigor with a deep-seated passion for seeing Waunakee thrive as a vibrant cultural hub for all residents.
Elizabeth Weller
Executive Board - Secretary
Elizabeth, a retired special education teacher, brings her keen eye and exceptional talent to our team, enhancing our vision with her unique perspective. Her insights and experience make her a vital asset to our board.
Edgar Steenwinkel
Executive Board Member
Advisory Team - Chair of Especially Create Waunakee-
Edgar plays a role both on the Board and the Advisory Team. In these roles he combines his background in engineering with expertise in technology. As the founder of the Especially Waunakee initiative, he is focused on fostering creative economy opportunities for individuals with cognitive disabilities, promoting inclusivity and innovation in the community.
Todd Schmidt
Executive Board
Todd Schmidt is the visionary founder of Create Waunakee and a dedicated member of its Executive Board. Serving as the Village Administrator for the Village of Waunakee since 2010, Todd has been a driving force behind the community’s growth and modernization. He is a passionate advocate for the creative economy. Through his leadership, Todd bridges the gap between civic governance and cultural innovation, ensuring that Waunakee remains a premier destination for artists and creators alike
Meet the Advisory Team
This is your Team section. Briefly introduce the team then add their bios below. Click here to edit.
Erin Chicoine
Advisory Team
Erin is the talented Owner and Photographer behind Studio E Photography, capturing moments with a keen artistic eye. Her foundation in photography from Illinois State University informs her professional approach and creative vision. As a member of Create Waunakee, she brings her photographic expertise to enrich the local arts community.
Deb Nies
Advisory Team - Chair of Groundlings Theater
Deb Nies is a passionate community builder in Waunakee, best known for creating interactive public art installations on Main Street like the Wishing Tree, the Waunakee Chalkboard, and the Wind Phone. Professionally, she is the CMO of eight restaurants and the Executive Producer of Groundlings Theater. Deb channels her passion for connection into mentoring as a Big Sister and supporting others through After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD).
Dave Perek
Advisory Team - Chair of Make Music Waunakee, Grocery Getaway
Dave Perek is a dedicated community member and musician in Waunakee, best known for his commitment to building a vibrant local music scene. As the new chairperson of Make Music - Waunakee and the music organizer for Grocery Get Away, Dave provides platforms for local artists to connect with the community. He channels his passion for performance and sound through his band, Only Lemons, and his dedication to creating shared musical experiences for everyone.
Elizabeth Teeter
Advisory Team -
Deeply invested in the vibrancy of Waunakee, Elizabeth is both a teacher and an artist herself, championing the power of creativity to build a stronger community. She brings a belief in the transformative impact of shared artistic experiences and opportunities for local engagement
.
Kylie West
Advisory Team -
Kylie's role at the Village of Waunakee has been foundational to the development of Create Waunakee's programming, organization, and administration. Her contributions have been essential in shaping the group's structure and initiatives. Continuing her leadership across numerous committees, Kylie remains a driving force within Create Waunakee.
Meet the Staff
.jpg)
Jennifer Norback
Development Director
As the Development Director at Create Waunakee, Jennifer Norback offers a rich history in the arts, holding a BA in Art History and having worked across various facets of the industry. From managing galleries in Chicago and Paris to directing arts residencies, her experience aligns perfectly with the organization's mission. Jennifer's passion for the arts and expertise in fundraising are key to advancing Create Waunakee's goals.
Shelly Norris
Especially Waunakee - Head Baker & Creative Training Lead
As Head Baker & Creative Training Lead for Especially Waunakee, Shelly Norris shares her extensive baking knowledge with program apprentices. She empowers individuals with cognitive disabilities by teaching them to produce and market delicious cakes and stroopwafels. Through Shelly's guidance, apprentices gain meaningful employment and build self-sufficiency.