Speakers & Panelists

You'll be learning from people who've been in your shoes. Our speakers include award-winning marketers, the team behind North of Eight Design & Marketing, community leaders, and business owners who've seen firsthand what strategic marketing can do. They're here to share real strategies, real experiences, and real results.

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON

Emily Gall

Owner, Founder
North of Eight Design & Marketing

Emily is the founder of North of Eight Design & Marketing, a full-service agency based in Spooner, Wisconsin. With 15+ years of marketing and design experience, she's helped countless local businesses level up their marketing and see real results. Emily believes in straightforward, authentic marketing—no jargon, no fluff, just honest guidance that works for small teams. When she's not working with clients, you'll find her deeply involved in the Northwoods community, serving on the boards of various local organizations.

Kassie Dalsveen

Executive Director
North of Eight Design & Marketing

Kassie is the Executive Director and partner at North of Eight Design & Marketing, leading the agency's marketing, sales, and client success efforts. With a Master's degree in Agricultural Media & Communication and a passion for helping small businesses grow, Kassie brings strategic thinking and genuine care to every client relationship. She's committed to building authentic partnerships and delivering marketing solutions that actually move the needle for local entrepreneurs and business owners.

Eric Kratz

Operations Manager
North of Eight Design & Marketing

Eric is the Operations Manager at North of Eight Design & Marketing, where he designs and implements marketing systems and software solutions that deliver real results without the hefty price tag. A highly logical thinker with a passion for efficiency, Eric believes the best marketing tools are the ones that actually work for small teams. He's dedicated to helping businesses streamline their marketing operations and focus on what matters most.

Chaz Heinz

Vice President
Madsen Pest Management

Chaz is the co-owner and President of Madsen Pest Management, a thriving local business that's become a model for strategic marketing and growth in the pest control industry. A hardworking, down-to-earth leader, Chaz believes in knowing his customers on a personal level and taking pride in delivering exceptional service. At the Northwoods Marketing Summit, Chaz will share his real success story—how strategic marketing transformed Madsen Pest Management and what he's learned along the way. When he's not growing his business, Chaz enjoys spending time with family and friends in the great outdoors.

Maggie Olson

Communications
St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin

Maggie is the Communications Director for the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, where she leads public information and community engagement efforts. With extensive experience in government communications, municipal operations, and community relations, Maggie understands the importance of authentic, strategic communication. She also serves as Town Clerk for both the Town of Oakland and Town of Sand Lake, bringing deep roots and genuine connections to the Northwoods community. At the Northwoods Marketing Summit, Maggie will share insights on PR and community engagement—the foundation of building trust and visibility for any business.

Cara Bruce

Owner, Founder
CB Consulting

Cara Bruce is a marketing leader with over a decade of experience driving growth through full-funnel strategy, brand development, and data-driven campaign execution. She has led integrated marketing efforts across SaaS, healthcare, and agency environments, consistently improving lead generation, ROI, and customer engagement. Cara specializes in aligning marketing performance with revenue goals, building high-performing teams, and delivering measurable business impact.

Joan O'Fallon

Director of Communications
Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative

Joan O’Fallon, APR, is a strategic communicator and adjunct instructor with an emphasis in public relations and corporate comms. Her career journey has taken her from health care marketing to managing PR for k-12 public education to energy. Presently, she is the director of communications and serves on the executive team for Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative, where she is grateful for the opportunity to improve the quality of life in her hometown. Joan also serves on her church council, St. Croix Health Foundation and Burnett County Development Association. In all roles, Joan works to advance organizational goals through strategic communication and building trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders. She believes employees are the number one audience for brand communication. Joan says she has been blessed with many great teachers and finds it rewarding to pass her experience forward to a new generation. Joan has a master’s degree in strategic communication from the University of Minnesota and is Accredited in Public Relations. She follows PRSA’s Code of Ethics and is always learning.

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Kristen Murphy

Owner
Meraki Marketing Group

Kristen is the owner of Meraki Marketing Group, a social media and graphic design agency based in Osceola, Wisconsin. With a passion for helping businesses grow and stand out, Kristen works closely with clients to create authentic, eye-catching content that drives real results.

She believes marketing should feel genuine, not overwhelming—focusing on strategies that connect with people and support long-term success. Kristen is dedicated to helping small businesses thrive through creative storytelling, strong branding, and consistent online presence.