St. Norbert College dean and professor Dr. Bola Delano-Oriaran has joined the faculty of the leadership development program Forward 48, New North Inc announced in a press release Tuesday.
Forward 48 now is accepting registration for its Spring 2024 session.
New North Inc, the regional economic development agency for 18 counties in Northeast Wisconsin, partnered with Forward 48 in 2022 to grow the next generation of diverse leaders in the region. It also strives to help connect the region’s emerging young talent with high-profile executives.
“We are excited to continue our work with Forward 48, which is designed to help keep the best young minds in the New North region,” New North president and CEO Barb LaMue said in a statement. “We are especially proud to have Dr. Bola Delano-Oriaran, a leading voice on diversity and inclusion issues, play an important role with this program. She has long positioned the Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) communities for academic and professional success, along with guiding critical conversations on equity. Her voice only can help to diversify New North’s future leaders.”
Delano-Oriaran is Divisional Dean for Social Sciences, Professor of Education and Director of Student-Teaching Abroad at St. Norbert College in DePere. She is also cofounder of African Heritage Inc and was named one of Madison365’s Most Influential Black Leaders in 2015.
Forward 48 is a premier leadership development program whose vision is to build Wisconsin’s talent succession plan by educating top talent across communities and industries through experiential learning; connecting and deepening trusted relationships statewide through shared experiences and exclusive networking opportunities; and empowering participants to shape the city they call home. Participants also join the Forward 48 Alumni network.
The next Forward 48 cohort begins on April 11 and continues on the ensuing five Thursdays through May 16.
“Participation in Forward 48 was a tremendous learning experience,” said Juan Corpus, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion for New North Inc., who took part in 2023. “I was able to form connections with a number of professionals across multiple fields. Building a strong network plays a large role in your personal development, and this statewide program offers that opportunity among a host of benefits.”
Other members of the Spring 2024 faculty of Forward 48 are Jack Salzwedel, chairman of American Family Insurance; Michelle Nettles, chief people officer at ManpowerGroup; Vincent Lyles, executive director of Milwaukee Succeeds; Peter Feigin, president of Milwaukee Bucks; Sumathi Thiyagarajan, vice president of Milwaukee Bucks; Tim Sullivan, dean of Carroll University Business School and retired CEO of Bucyrus & Gardner Denver; and Dr. Timothy J. Fair, vice president at Burlington in New Jersey.
Companies within the New North region are invited to partner with Forward 48 for their professional development needs. Inquiries about participation in future cohorts can be directed to Corpus at juan.corpus@thenewnorth.com.
More information on Forward 48, along with a link to register for the upcoming cohort, is available at www.forward48.com.
