Friends of PBS Wisconsin

The Friends of PBS Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and exists to ascertain the needs of the communities served and support PBS Wisconsin through the securing financial support, positive community relations, a strong and effective volunteer system, and related administrative services.

Organizational Structure

The Friends of PBS Wisconsin has a Board of Directors comprised of individuals selected from across the state. New appointments are approved by current Board members. The Board is responsible for oversight of policies, budgets, financials, and the duties of the Executive Director. The Officers of the Board of Directors include the President, Vice President, Executive Director, Secretary, and Treasurer. The board is structured with the following standing committees: Executive Committee, Governance Committee, Finance Committee, and Advocacy and Engagement Committee. 

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A marquee reads "ETC Welcomes Friends of PBS Wisconsin" while members of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board post for a photo above the sign.
Directors of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board meet at Electronic Theatre Controls in Middleton, WI in 2024.

“To support the educational, cultural, and community broadcasting services of PBS Wisconsin…”

—From the Mission Statement of Friends of PBS Wisconsin.

Board of Directors

Kyle LaFond, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Kyle LaFond, President
MOUNT HOREB, WI
Term (2nd) end date: June 2025

Portrait of Friends of PBS Wisconsin board member Paula Bonner.

Paula Bonner, Vice President
MADISON, WI
Term (2nd) end date: June 2025

Nick Mischler, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Nicholas Mischler, Treasurer
WAUNAKEE, WI
Term (2nd) end date: June 2025

Jen McClure, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Jen McClure, Secretary
OCONOMOWOC, WI
Term (1st) end date: June 2026

Jen McClure is a board director and advisor with extensive executive experience in the media and communications, information services, and technology industries. She was previously vice president of digital and social media at Thomson Reuters, chief marketing officer of Redwood Collaborative Media, as well as founder, chairman and CEO of Society for New Communications Research. She serves on the boards of LUCI Creative and Miracle Messages, and previously served on the boards of KQED, Observer Publishing, and the United Nations Social Media Advisory Council. McClure holds a master’s degree from Stanford University, Bachelor of Arts degree from Sarah Lawrence, and a graduate certificate in history, politics and society from Oxford University.

Reed Hall, Immediate Past President
MADISON, WI
Term (3rd) end date: June 2025

Masood Akhtar, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Masood Akhtar
MADISON, WI
Term (2nd) end date: June 2025

Sujhey Beisser, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Sujhey Beisser
MADISON, WI
Term (2nd) end date: June 2026

Chris Borland
MADISON, WI
Term (1st) end date: June 2025

Lee Caraher, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Lee Caraher
EAU CLAIRE, WI
Term (1st) end date: June 2027

Tom Fisk, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Tom Fisk
APPLETON, WI
Term (1st) end date: June 2025

Tom Fisk is a partner at NAI Pfefferle and serves as managing broker for the firm. He is responsible for sales and leasing of retail, office, industrial, and investment properties in northeastern Wisconsin. Fisk has been in the real estate business for over 30 years and has been involved in leasing, site selection, property management, and property sales for both development companies and for brokerage firms. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin, and the Commercial Council Chairman of the Realtors Association of Northeastern Wisconsin. Fisk attended the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley and is a licensed real estate broker. He has been awarded numerous state of Wisconsin professional achievements for his brokerage work.

Eve Galanter, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Eve Galanter
MADISON, WI
Term (2nd) end date: June 2026

Eve Galanter founded the Wisconsin Civics Games, a statewide competition for high school students, as part of her work on the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation board. She is the former president of Galanter Public Affairs Consulting, has served on the Madison City Council, and was formerly the director of Sen. Herb Kohl’s Madison office. She served on boards for Wisconsin Women in Government, TEMPO Madison, the Madison Civics Club, the Madison Public Library, and Capital Times Kids Fund. As chair of the Wisconsin Women’s Network, Galanter spearheaded the Wisconsin Women’s Policy Institute, the first nonpartisan training program with the goal of increasing the number of women leaders in public policy.

Karen Michel, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Karen Michel
TOMAH, WI
Term (2nd) end date: June 2027

Karen Michel is president and CEO of IndiJ Public Media, a nonprofit organization that owns ICT, which covers the Indigenous world through ICT Digital and ICT Broadcast. Previously Michel was publisher and editor of Madison Magazine and past board president of Wisconsin Watch. She is former executive editor of The Daily Advertiser in Lafayette, Louisiana, and former assistant managing editor of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. She has written extensively about Native American issues as a freelancer and columnist. Michel holds a master’s degree in journalism, an honorary doctorate degree from Marquette University, and a degree in industrial technology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Michel is a Ho-Chunk tribal member.

Regina Millner
MADISON, WI
Term (1st) end date: June 2025

Regina Millner came to Madison with her family in 1976. In 1992, after graduating from University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Law and Graduate School of Business, she founded a commercial appraisal company and later a consulting firm that specialized in complex real estate projects. In 2012, Millner was appointed to the UW System Board of Regents. From 2012 to 2019, she served for four years as vice president and president of the UW System Board of Regents, as well as chair of several standing committees of the board. Millner is active on the Chazen Museum Council, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and Rotary Club of Madison as its program chair.

Oscar Mireles, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Oscar Mireles
MADISON, WI
Term (1st) end date: June 2025

Oscar Mireles has been the executive director of Omega School since 1994. During his tenure, he has personally assisted thousands of Dane County young adults with earning their GED/HSED credentials. Mireles published a book of poetry titled “Second Generation” and was poet laureate for the city of Madison from 2016 through 2020. He was also the editor of three anthologies titled “I Didn’t Know There Were Latinos In Wisconsin.” Mireles is the co-founder of Art Party Madison, a monthly networking event for artists and social activists. He is founder and director of Latinos Organizing for Understanding and Development, and he led the Madison Murals project which documented murals in downtown Madison.

Lisa O’Flyng
WAUSAU, WI
Term (2nd) end date: June 2027

Marc Perry, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Marc Perry
BELOIT, WI
Term (2nd) end date: June 2026

Steve Plumb, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Steve Plum
WALES, WI
Term (2nd) end date: June 2027

Steve Plum has been a public educator since 1993. Having worked in Minnesota and Wisconsin, his ideal concept of education provides a functional application to future student success as well as a springboard to creative and critical thought. Plum holds bachelor’s degrees in philosophy from St. John’s University and biology from Bemidji State University, and master’s degrees in biology and administrative leadership from Bemidji State and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He earned his Ph.D. in urban education at UW-Milwaukee. Plum taught science and biology in public education for 27 years and developed and directed the High School of Health Sciences in the Kettle Moraine School District, where he currently serves as superintendent.

Tracey Robertson, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Tracey Robertson
STURGEON BAY, WI
Term (1st) end date: June 2027

Tracey Robertson is CEO of QUAD DEI Consultants and is an equity coach, consultant, and social justice advocate. She is also workforce solution coordinator at We Are Hope Inc. Robertson co-founded FIT Oshkosh, active in 2014 through 2020, providing anti-racism education, training, advocacy, and research. She founded Colorbold Business Association to support Black entrepreneurs through collaboration, economic sustainability, access to capital, and education. Named one of the Most Influential African Americans in Wisconsin, Robertson was featured on PBS Wisconsin’s “Here & Now,” WBAY’S “Power 2 Change,” TEDxOshkosh, and has been keynote speaker for community and statewide events. She created Real Gospel Radio and hosted shows from 2017 until 2019. Robertson is a published author finalizing her second book “Growing Up Stained.”

Julie Steinert, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Julie Steinert
KOHLER, WI
Term (1st) end date: June 2027

Julie Steinert has a 35-year background in philanthropy, advancement, and community engagement. As philanthropy manager at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, she leverages her expertise to drive strategic initiatives while developing meaningful relationships with those served in palliative and hospice services. Formerly, she was senior director of advancement at Lakeland University. Steinert earned a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from Marquette University where she was actively involved in National Collegiate Athletics Association Women’s Track & Field and Marquette University Television. Complementing her professional endeavors, Steinert has dedicated her time to serving on the board of directors for the Sheboygan Pine Hills Country Club and as a celebrity dancer for Lakeland University’s Movers and Shakers Gala.

Randy VanRooyen, a member of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board

Randy Van Rooyen
LA CROSSE, WI
Term (1st) end date: June 2027

Randy Van Rooyen is senior vice president of strategic relationships at Trust Point with over two decades of investment experience with individuals, families, executive management teams, and nonprofit organizations. He works in concert with Trust Point’s development and client contact teams and directly with assigned clients to reinforce Trust Point as a trusted partner. Van Rooyen earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and earned the “Chartered Financial Analyst” designation, one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession. Van Rooyen is involved in Rotary Club and serves on various boards and investment committees. He enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle by biking and spending time outdoors.

Jon Miskowski, Ex-Officio
MADISON, WI

Five members of the Friends of PBS Wisconsin board pose for a photo after a meeting.
Friends of PBS Board Officers (from left to right): Reed Hall, Immediate Past President; Paula Bonner, Vice President; Nicholas Mischler, Treasurer; Jen McClure, Secretary; Kyle LaFond, President

MEETINGS

The Friends of PBS Wisconsin Board of Directors meets at least three times per year in locations across the state. Meetings of the Board of Directors and most of its committees are open to the public. To ensure that we have space for all who want to attend, we ask that members of the public who are interested in coming to a meeting phone us at (608) 263-2109 within the five days prior to a specific meeting.

FULL BOARD MEETINGS
FISCAL YEAR 2025

Friday, October 11, 2024
at 1:00 p.m.
Location: 3031 N Pleasant View Rd, Middleton or via Zoom
Agenda


Thursday,
December 12, 2024
at 2:00 p.m.
Online Only: Zoom
Agenda


Friday, March 14, 2025
at 1:00 p.m.

Location: TBA or Zoom
Agenda: TBA


Friday, June 13, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

Location: TBA or Zoom
Agenda: TBA

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
FISCAL YEAR 2025

Thursday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m.
Online Only: Zoom link TBA
Agenda: TBA

 

Thursday, November 21
at 2:00 p.m.
Online Only: Zoom link TBA
Agenda: TBA

 

Thursday, March 6 at 2:00 p.m.
Online Only: Zoom link TBA
Agenda: TBA

 

Thursday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m.
Online Only: Zoom link TBA
Agenda: TBA

 

Thursday, June 5 at 2:00 p.m.
Online Only: Zoom link TBA
Agenda: TBA

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
FISCAL YEAR 2025

Thursday, August 29 at 1:00 p.m.
Online Only: Zoom
Agenda


Tuesday, September 24
at 1:00 p.m.

Online Only: Zoom
Agenda

JOINT ADVOCACY COMMITTEE MEETINGS
FISCAL YEAR 2025

Wednesday, September 25 at 4:00 p.m.

Online Only: Zoom
Agenda

Tuesday, November 12 at 4:00 p.m.
Online Only: Zoom
Agenda

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
FISCAL YEAR 2025

Wednesday, October 23
at 10:00 a.m.

Online Only: Zoom
Agenda


Tuesday, November 12
at 11:00 a.m.
Online Only: Zoom
Agenda


Friday, December 6
at 1:00 p.m.
Online Only: Zoom
Agenda

Contact

Eric Greiling

Director of Development
Executive Director, Friends of PBS Wisconsin
[email protected]
608-265-0691

Black and white portrait of Friends of PBS Wisconsin Finance Manager, Lorrie Goodwin

Lorrie Goodwin

Friends of PBS Wisconsin Finance Manager
[email protected]
608-263-0931

Black and white image of a smiling woman with curly hair wearing a crochet cardigan over a white top.

Sally Buffat

Executive Assistant
[email protected]
608-263-4096