Katherine M. Gehl is a business leader, entrepreneur, and political innovation activist. Katherine was president and CEO of Gehl Foods, Inc., high tech food manufacturing company in Wisconsin, where she led an aggressive and transformational growth strategy. In 2015, Katherine sold the company—in part to be able to dedicate more time to political reform.  Over the past decade, Katherine has focused on the urgent need for non-partisan political innovation and reform on both state and national levels. In 2016, Katherine invited Michael Porter from Harvard Business School to join her in applying Michael’s tools for understanding industry competition to politics. Together, they co-authored research and analysis on our political system titled, “Why Competition in the Politics Industry is Failing America.” Today, Katherine will tell us about this exciting work.

Tax policy, trade practices, regulatory enforcement, and foreign relations have all changed dramatically in the past year. Despite the divisive issues we debate, we still share broad economic priorities: business growth, greater access to employment, and individual prosperity. Ryan James Boyle, Vice President and Senior Economist within the Global Risk Management division of Northern Trust, will investigate how the economy has changed and what businesses and consumers can expect in the new year.

It’s not your grandma’s pickled herring company. Baensch Food Products, makers of Ma Baensch Marinated Herring, an iconic Wisconsin product, has a storied past and bright future with owner Kim Wall manning the helm.  Since purchasing the company in 1999, Wall has preserved the “Legend” of Ma Baensch, while evolving the product’s branding and marketing to attract millennials. Responding to consumer demand, she has maintained the original formula while creating a 100% clean product. She also only buys herring from sustainable fisheries and has a progressive hiring practice which includes ex-offenders. Join Kim as she shares Ma Baensch’s recipe for success.