September 28, 2026
The Door County Economic Development Corporation’s Talent Attraction & Retention Employer Forum brought together a diverse group of stakeholders for meaningful conversations around one of the most important issues facing our community today: attracting, developing, and retaining talent. From workforce trends and recruitment strategies to community resources and emerging initiatives, the forum showcased not only the challenges we face, but also the innovative solutions already taking shape across Door County.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, presenters, and attendees for making this event such a success. Your willingness to share ideas, ask questions, and engage in honest discussion helped create a collaborative environment focused on action and progress.
Missed the event? Presentation materials from the forum are now available and can be accessed by clicking the link below. We encourage employers and community partners to explore these resources, share them with colleagues, and continue evaluating ways to strengthen their talent attraction and retention efforts.
The forum also provided an opportunity to highlight workforce resources designed to help strengthen Door County’s ability to attract and retain the people who power our economy.
Door County Key is designed to better understand what employees and prospective employees need to build a career, find fulfillment, and create a life in Door County. The program brings together information and resources related to the factors that can influence where people choose to live and work—from housing to career opportunities and community connections. By better understanding these needs, Door County Key can help employers attract and retain talent while helping individuals find the resources they need to make Door County home.
NextWave is a welcoming entry point for connection and engagement in Door County, designed for adults ages 18–45—whether you’re new to the area, building your career, or looking to get more involved in the community. Created by DCEDC leadership, NextWave is focused on engaging and enriching Door County’s next generation by creating opportunities to build relationships, strengthen professional and community connections, and grow as members and leaders of the community.
One of the strongest takeaways from the forum was that workforce development is not the responsibility of any one employer or organization. It takes collaboration, creativity, and sustained commitment from partners across the community.
That’s why DCEDC remains committed to convening conversations, sharing resources, and supporting initiatives that strengthen Door County’s workforce. We invite employers and workforce partners to stay engaged through our Workforce Development Committee, where participants collaborate on emerging workforce needs, share best practices, and help shape future initiatives.
Staying Connected
For more information about these efforts or to join the Workforce Development Committee, please contact Shauna Blackledge, DCEDC’s Director of Business Development, at shauna@doorcountybusiness.com or (920) 743-3113 x2.
Check out the latest at DCEDC!
Shauna joins DCEDC from Door County Health & Human Services where she served as a Public Health Strategist and Public Health Educator.
She also previously worked at United Way of Door County as the Community Impact Coordinator of Health and at Gunslinger Custom Paint as a project manager.
Shauna received a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing and Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has a strong background in organizational strategy, data-driven decision making, and cross-sector collaboration.
MWS Associates has leased office space in the Business Center since the inception of our company in 2018 and from 2015-2018 with the previous company that I worked for. The Business Center was the clear choice for us to locate our main office for several reasons: location, cost effectiveness, reliable high-speed internet, services offered and full access to the conference room. It truly offers everything our company needs to headquarter our business from without the hassle of owning our own office building with the maintenance, yard care and snowplowing that goes along with ownership.
A major benefit for us is the ability to host in-person and online meetings in the newly renovated, state-of-the-art conference room. COVID changed many aspects of our business with a major increase in online meetings being one of them. Many companies struggled with technology issues to host or participate in online meetings with poor audio, video quality, background noise and unprofessional business settings negatively affecting meetings. The size, layout and quality of the A/V equipment of the conference room now allows us to host annual company-wide in-person meetings as well. Every October we bring our entire staff in from around the country for weeklong meetings and the conference room comfortably allows us to host 20+ people. The setting also allows us to host on-site meetings with key accounts. Clients appreciate being able to combine a business trip with bringing their family to enjoy a few extra days to experience all Door County has to offer.
Jeff Bruemmer joined DCEDC in July of 2001. Jeff is responsible for maintaining the DCEDC Business Center, located at 185 East Walnut Street in Sturgeon Bay. Jeff was born and raised in Kewaunee and moved to Sturgeon Bay in 1985.
Kathy Lasee is responsible for the organization’s financial operations, as well as the operations of the Business Development Center in Sturgeon Bay. A Door County native, Lasee graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Lasee is a charter member of the Peninsula Symphonic Band and previously worked as a music teaching assistant for the Sturgeon Bay School District. Prior to joining DCEDC in October of 2023, Lasee was the Office Manager of Kevin’s Automotive in Sturgeon Bay. During her professional career, she also worked in the loan office at Baylake Bank (now Nicolet National Bank) in Sturgeon Bay.
Devin Vandertie enjoys working with entrepreneurs and businesses to help foster economic growth in Door County. She is also passionate about helping nurture the next generation of the community’s workforce. Devin has recently earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and is involved with Leadership Door County, which brings together professionals from diverse business sectors who are inspired to make a positive impact on the quality of life in Door County. A Door County native, Vandertie cares deeply about cultivating a community that is not only a desirable destination, but also an exceptional place to live and to work. In addition to her recent achievement of a master’s degree, Devin is a graduate of Southern Door High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Prior to joining the DCEDC staff in October of 2023, Vandertie was the Laboratory Assistant Supervisor at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.
Michelle Lawrie has more than twenty years of experience in economic development at regional and local levels. Michelle’s career in Washington, D.C., Arizona and Wisconsin has focused on serving the public interest through economic development, issue advocacy and coalition-building. Michelle began her economic development career at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), in Phoenix, Arizona. After serving in several roles at GPEC, Michelle became the President and CEO of the Western Maricopa Coalition (WESTMARC) in western Maricopa County, Arizona. Michelle later also served as Economic Development / Community Development Director for the communities of Goodyear, Arizona and DeForest, Wisconsin. Michelle has extensive experience working in development of strategies and performance measures for communities and organizations, as well as leading teams toward achieving goals desired by communities, businesses and residents. Michelle is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.