Who We Are

The Forward Fest Board comprises members from across the Madison tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem, including folks with nonprofits, private companies and social good enterprises.

Executive Directors

Libby Gerds

Groundwork Events

Molly Walsh

Groundwork Events

Board Members

Erin Courtenay

Board Member

Jazmynn Appleton

Progress Center for Black Women

Ross Larson

Paradigm

Mary Carbine

UW - Madison Innovate Network

Alnisa Allgood

Collaboration for Good

Preston Austin

Rabble

Bryan Chan

SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Tiffanie Mark

Matrix Coworking

Jillana Peterson

Zendesk

Terri Leigh Rhody

Covance

Hilary Stohs-Krause

Red Canary, Madison Women in Tech

Laura Strong

Exact Sciences

Rachel Whitmore

SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Matt Younkle

Forward Fest Board Chair

There are numerous ways to be a part of Forward Fest, and we pride ourselves on having something for everyone. See below for more details!

Attend

Every year, Forward Fest features more than 30 events across 5 days, located all across Madison. They range from day-long workshops to lunchtime get-togethers, and many are free to attend.

Sign up here to be the first to know when passes and registration are available!

Host

Have an idea for an event you'd love to see? Awesome - we'd love to have you!

Anyone can host an event; past Forward Fest event hosts have included such disparate organizations as Madison College, Collaboration for Good and Olbrich Gardens. Learn all about what's involved in hosting an event, as well as the myriad resources we provide to event hosts, on our "Host an Event" page!

Volunteer

Looking to donate your time, energy and talent to Forward Fest? We have multiple opportunities available, including:

On-site volunteering
Joining an official Forward Fest organizing committee
Hosting a Forward Fest event
and more!

Shoot as an email at info@forwardfest.org to learn more!

Sponsor

Forward Fest has grown every year, and much of that is thanks to our generous sponors. We have a wide variety of sponsorship opportunities available, and are happy to work with interested companies or organizations on an individual level to find something that works for you.

Shoot as an email at info@forwardfest.org to learn more!

Nothing that happens during Forward Fest would be possible without generous financial support from our sponsors, including the myriad event sponsors who provide space, refreshments, promotion and more!

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Send us an email at info@forwardfest.org to learn more!

Board Members

You!

Sponsors

Executive Directors

Board Members

Attend

Host

Volunteer

Sponsor

Festival Sponsors

Special Thanks To

Event Sponsors