City Wide, Spring 2025
April 8, 2025
City Wide 2025 Theme:
Leading with Empathy
Spring 2025 Speakers
Playlist
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Natalie Villegas
Presentation Title
Leading Through the Lens of Self-Awareness
Natalie Villegas
Natalie Villegas attended Milwaukee School of Engineering, earning her B. S. in Architectural Engineering, and worked in industry before becoming an educator. Natalie returned to her alma mater, MPS’ Alexander Hamilton High School, where she taught in, and led, the technical education department. She says she always knew, from a young age, that she wanted to do something in education and STEM but wasn’t sure what that exactly was. Natalie furthered her training by obtaining an M.A. in Education at Mount Mary University. Today, Natalie is director of the CREATE Institute at MSOE. She facilitates project-based experiential learning opportunities on campus with industry partners and the Center for Teaching and Learning. A large part of her job is fostering the MSOE Mindset in students by building leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators. She is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership from Marquette University.
Fabiola Ramirez
Fabiola "Fabi" Ramirez has served as Chief of Staff (COS) at Carmen Schools since August 2023. A proud alumna of Carmen (Class of 2012), Fabi has been with the organization since 2016. As Chief of Staff, she is responsible for overseeing the execution of key strategic priorities aligned to the organization's mission. She works closely with the leadership team to drive operational efficiency, improve school performance, and foster a strong organizational culture. Fabi also plays a central role in managing cross-functional projects and supporting the CEO in high-level decision-making and board relations. Born in Mexico and raised in Milwaukee, Fabi graduated summa cum laude from Beloit College with a double major in Political Science and Education as a first-generation college student. Fabi began her career as a teacher at Carmen, later becoming a school leader at Carmen South Middle School. She holds two master's degrees in Education from Marquette University and Alverno College. Prior to her current role, she was Assistant Director of Innovation at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Fabi is passionate about community and youth development and in her free time enjoys playing soccer, exploring new restaurants, and playing Catan with family and friends.
Fabiola Ramirez
Presentation Title
Leading with Empathy and Holding High Expectations
Liz Filter
Presentation Title
Fumbles, Celebrations, and Lessons, Oh My! A Beginner's Guide to Servant Leadership
Liz Filter
Liz is a seasoned professional and dedicated advocate for individuals with disabilities, currently serving as the President and CEO of VARC, Inc. With nearly 15 years of unwavering leadership to the organization, Liz has played a pivotal role in shaping its vision and mission to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for those with diverse needs. VARC’s corporate office is in Viroqua, serving division offices across the state including Racine and Burlington. Certified in Organizational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and coupled with her Master’s degree in Psychology, Liz is equipped with a deep understanding of both the psychological aspects and the organizational dynamics crucial for effective leadership in the disability service sector.