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Weidner Center for the Performing Arts
2420 Nicolet Drive
Green Bay, WI, Wisconsin, 54311
United States

Andrew Becker

Biochemistry PhD candidate

Andrew Becker is from the small town of Slinger Wisconsin, and completed his bachelor’s degree in human biology with an emphasis in dietetics from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Currently, he is completing his Ph.D. in biochemistry in Dr. Jong-In Park's lab at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The focus of his research is to investigate how certain types of cancers utilize the ERK1/2 signaling pathway to promote their proliferation. Along with his research, Andrew has an immense passion for nutrition. He believes it is important for everyone to understand how the foods they eat affect their health. He has made it a life-long goal to continuously teach the public about nutritional health whenever he gets the opportunity.

Dennis Buehler

President and CEO

Dennis Buehler became President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation in 2017 following 25 years of work in the nonprofit sector. Many of these years were spent as Executive Director for prominent cultural organizations such as the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Milwaukee Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre. His leadership also extended to the boards of community, cultural and educational institutions across the United States. In 2005, the Milwaukee Business Journal recognized him as one of its Forty under Forty awardees, along with honoring his work in their inaugural Power Book of top Milwaukee business executives in 2009. He serves on the board of Achieve Brown County and POINT for the Basic Needs Giving Partnership. Mr. Buehler’s volunteer work includes the Greater Green Bay Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force and a local no-kill animal shelter. He has also spoken on the regional impact of collaborative work at local, state and national conferences.

Jessica Van Slooten

Associate Professor of English, Writing and Women and Gender's Studies

Jessica Lyn Van Slooten grew up on a farm in Western Michigan and spent summers picking blueberries and reading voraciously. She now lives on the other side of Lake Michigan in Manitowoc, WI, where she is an Associate Professor of English, Writing, andWomen’s and Gender Studies at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. She teaches courses on women writers, gender and popular culture, romance writing, and more. Jessica has published numerous articles on teaching and assessing gender studies courses, and popular romance fiction and film. She is currently drafting a romance novel set in a small midwestern town.

Renita Robinson

CEO

Renita Robinson is the CEO of the YWCA Greater Green Bay. Formerly licensed as a graduate social worker (LGSW), and 6-12th grade English and social studies teacher, Renita was honored as Co-Teacher of the Year by the Boston Anti-Defamation League in 1997, has lead organizations and university departments, been an adjunct instructor, and been a Senior Grant Specialist for the State of Minnesota. Since 1998, Renita has developed curriculum, designed conferences and programs and conducted workshops as the owner/trainer of Teach ‘Em To Fish, LLC. She has completed all course work for a doctorate in teaching and learning - University of Minnesota Duluth. Prior to this season in her life, she was a highly accomplished and decorated student-athlete at the University of Nebraska. (i.e. Dean’s List, All Big-8 Student Athlete, NCAA National Champion - women’s triple jump in 1989, winner - 1988 Olympic Trials Exhibition, and formerly ranked 26th in the world in the women’s triple jump.).

Siobhan Marks

Educator, Historian

Siobhan Marks’ Anishinaabe name is Zeegwan Noodenese meaning the warm breeze of Spring. She is Miigizi (Eagle) Clan and a descendant of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin and Cree, which she can trace back to the 1700’s. Her mother was Ojibwe and Irish. She is a Second Degree Midewiwin of the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge in Bad River, Wisconsin and passionate about Anishinaabe culture and language, with an emphasis on the original dress of Woodland women. Over the past 11 years, she has studied historical pieces and has made a number of traditional dresses that she calls "Our Grandmothers Dress", representing the historical eras this important dress was worn. She has shared the story of Our Grandmothers Dress and how to make them with women in tribal communities throughout the US and Canada, and has presented at conferences, Universities and museums. She began this work with her Uncle, Neil Oppendike, who walked on only a few months ago.