Business and Professional Coalition
Welcome, business professionals!
“Carthage College sees regional economic development as a priority, and we partner with employers on education and employment initiatives to increase our region’s growth and prosperity,” says Carthage President John Swallow.
The Carthage Business and Professional Coalition is a network of our region’s professionals, civic leaders, and business owners who are focused on advancing the economic development of our region. The coalition meets regularly for programs featuring guest speakers, panels, and group discussions that highlight important economic issues affecting southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
The mission of the Carthage Business and Professional Coalition is to promote learning, conversation, and relationship-building, in order to cultivate a stronger and more vibrant community through regional economic development and talent attraction.
2025-26 Program Series: Wisconsin Horizons
The 2025-26 season of the Business and Professional Coalition will look ahead to how Wisconsin’s economy is poised to change in the coming years. We will explore the changing composition of the workforce, new labor needs, and opportunities in healthcare and the creative industries, as well as the changing power needs and resources of our state.
Carthage College is poised to be a knowledge leader and strategic partner as SE Wisconsin adapts to these changing economic forces. With our “tuned-in” intelligence about regional employers and workforce needs, we are uniquely prepared to guide students and young adults toward tomorrow’s most-needed careers.
Join us for these informative and exciting topics:
Focus on Film, Innovation in the Creative Industries — Date TBD
Join us for the Business and Professional Coalition’s first exploration of the creative industries — the growing economic sector behind today’s vast array of arts, culture, and entertainment offerings. In this panel, Carthage alumni from across the film industry will share the stage to talk about innovation and change in their respective fields. From how cutting edge technologies are transforming production, to how film incentives leverage local economies, this engaging panel will explore how film sets operate as engines of creativity and opportunity.
All Business and Professional Coalition events are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Business and Professional Coalition and our corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact Phil Hood at 262-551-5960 or phood@carthage.edu.
- Learn about sponsorship opportunities.
- Join our email list to stay up-to-date on Business and Professional Coalition events and news.
Honoring the Legacy of Ralph Tenuta
The Business and Professional Coalition honors the legacy of Ralph Tenuta, Carthage trustee emeritus and Kenosha leader, who passed away Jan. 15, 2020. He founded the coalition in the early 1990s as a forum for leaders to gather and discuss mutual concerns and opportunities. To honor the contributions Mr. Tenuta made to Carthage and the local community, a portion of the proceeds raised through sponsorships will support the Ralph Tenuta Experiential Learning Fund, which helps Carthage students access internships and work-based learning experiences that prepare them for their careers. This fund is managed by The Aspire Center, Carthage’s renowned comprehensive four-year career development program.
Support Experiential Learning: Give Today
Steering Committee Members and Program Sponsors
The coalition is guided by a steering committee of business and community leaders and chaired by Nicole Ryf, president of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance. Ms. Ryf is a nationally recognized economic development professional with more than 15 years of experience in public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Over the course of her career, she has worked in multiple states at the local, county, regional, and state levels, including the Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism. Her exceptional expertise will help inform the Business and Professional Coalition’s programming to ensure we address the most cutting-edge topics of our day.
Committee Members
- Nicole Ryf, President, Kenosha Area Business Alliance; Committee Chair
- Tatjana Bicanin, Executive Director, Building Our Future Kenosha
- Craig Curran, President, Nosco
- Carolyn Friesch, CEO, United Way of Kenosha County
- Mike Gentile, President of Hand Tools, Snap-on Tools
- Kimberly Kane, President and CEO, Kane Communications
- Samantha Kerkman, Kenosha County Executive
- Seth Klugherz, Vice President of Marketing, HARIBO
- Jim Ladwig, Sr. Director Global Community Affairs, S.C. Johnson
- Bethany Larson, Venture Investment Director, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
- S.R. Mills, CEO, Bear Property Development
- Mark Molinaro, Architect, PID Architects
- Vince Montemurro, CFO, Riley Construction
- Brandon, Quinn, Principal and CEO, Lee Mechanical, Inc.
- Tom Moore, Regional President Southeast, Johnson Financial Group
Our Corporate Sponsors
The Business and Professional Coalition is made possible by the Sam and Gene Johnson Distinguished Visitors Program.