Katie Blohowiak Steps Into Position as the New WISE Board Chair
WISE is excited to introduce our new Board Chair, Katie Blohowiak. Katie has been a member of the WISE Board for three years and is a tireless advocate for the organization. Here’s a chance to learn a little bit more about Katie and her vision for the future of WISE.
WISE: Katie, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Katie: Hello everyone! I’m Katie Blohowiak. I live in Mishicot, WI and work at Schreiber Foods in Green Bay, WI. I’ve been with Schreiber for 15 years. I started as an intern on the Transportation Team and worked my way through Supply Chain Planning (from finished goods to raw materials to co-manufacturing). I did a brief stint in Operations Systems implementing a new plant floor system in all of our domestic facilities.
Now, I’m working as an Enterprise Project Manager to lead some of our company’s top strategic projects. I also co-lead our women’s business resource group, Leveraging & Inspiring Female Talent (LIFT). I have two daughters, Olive (10) & Cora (9). My husband, Dave, and I keep busy chasing them around to all sorts of things, including but not limited to LOTS of basketball & softball. This is my second year coaching 4th grade basketball and I’m convinced there’s a special place in Heaven for elementary school teachers! I workout nearly every day at FIRE Fitness with a group of incredible people who inspire me to be the best version of myself.
WISE: Tell us about your history with WISE.
Katie: I have been involved with WISE for just over five years. I was nominated to participate in a Mentor Circle, which was a great opportunity! From there, Peggy Davies, a former WISE Chair, reached out to gauge my interest in joining the Board and of course I jumped at the chance to expand my network. At my first in-person Board meeting, I raised my hand to get involved on the Executive Committee. The rest is history! I’ve had the absolute honor of working with so many incredible women throughout the industry over the last three years that I have served on the WISE Executive Committee.
WISE: How has being involved with WISE made an impact on your career?
Katie: WISE has allowed me the chance to truly expand my network and learn from some of the most inspiring and successful females in the private label industry. I have been able to learn not only tactical skills, but also many strategic skills as it relates to the future of WISE. These skills have transferred to problem solving in many situations for my job at Schreiber Foods and have also been an invaluable resource as we double down on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts at Schreiber Foods.
WISE: What are you looking forward to seeing from WISE in 2024?
Katie I’m excited for another successful year of some of our “staples” i.e. Mentor Circles, webinars, DEI Learning Series, and our annual meeting. I’m also looking forward to integrating several new Board members and building stronger relationships with our partners, both new & existing. A huge focus for 2024 will be on continuing to drive value for partner companies and understanding how WISE can be the “easy button” when it comes to DEI efforts for those partners.
WISE: What would you say to companies considering a partnership with WISE?
Katie: Jump In! There are so many benefits for ANY size organization. We offer so much information through our WISE Resource Center and quarterly webinars. There are amazing professional development opportunities within our Mentor Circles and our Junior Board. And, our DEI Learning Series is an amazing way for companies to offer DEI training without having to develop their own curriculum. Of course, I can’t forget to mention the network that WISE provides. The people in this organization are enthusiastic, driven and wanting to create positive change. I’d have to ask those companies, “What are you waiting for?”