A Closer Look Panel Series
advocacy
in Action
Wednesday, April 3 | 2-4 p.m. | Christie Theatre
"A Closer Look" Panel Series continues this semester as we examine the intersections between poverty and other systems of inequity, along with ways we can work toward equity. The panel series will challenge ideas and assumptions and destigmatize poverty issues, address structural barriers that contribute to poverty and raise awareness of community resources.
A Closer Look at the Cost of Living and ALICE Status
This panel will focus on the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population and the increasing costs of living in the United States.
Natalie Bomstad
Panelist | Executive Director of Wello
Natalie has a decade of experience leading multi-sector coalitions to drive community-rooted, equitable collective well-being efforts. She is passionate about co-creating transformational change to the policies, systems, and structures that influence individual and community well-being through strong relationship and trust building. She believes in intentional, strategic work that builds up from need with strategies that restore dignity and hope. Recognizing a gap in local well-being data, Natalie spearheaded an effort to establish Brown County, WI’s first measures of subjective resident well-being in 2018. This work, in collaboration with diverse, cross-sector partnerships, earned Wello and the City of Green Bay a RWJF Culture of Health Prize Finalist designation in 2021.
Natalie is a people-centric leader and lifelong learner driven by curiosity, justice, and a passion for action. She provides leadership on a local, regional, state, and national level to promote a collective well-being approach to the ways in which we invest resources and make decisions that ensure all people thrive today and into the future. Natalie serves the community in a variety of capacities, including as a national advisor to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s New Ways of Understanding and Measuring Collective Well-Being Work Group, a member of Tuft’s Food and Nutrition Innovation Council - Economic Development, as the Chair of the Brown County United Way Advocacy Council, a member of the Green Bay Neighborhoods Leadership Council, and incoming President for Envision Greater Green Bay. She is the recipient of the 2020 Woman of Strength award, 2015 Future 15 award, and 2024 University of Green Bay - Council of Trustee Community Service Award.
Natalie enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures. She is married to her high-school sweetheart and has two children, Lillian (3) and Lincoln (2). She earned a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences from Michigan Tech and a Master of Public Health - Administration and Policy degree from the University of Minnesota.
Rashad Cobb
Panelist | COO of Brown County United Way
Rashad Cobb serves as the first ever Chief Operating Officer for the Brown County United Way.
Working in the nonprofit sector speaks to Rashad’s calling because it affords him an opportunity to contribute to community while continually building and building upon relationships with partners that enhance the quality of life for residents in the Greater Green Bay community. With over twenty years in the nonprofit sector (workforce development, social services, prison reintegration, youth development) with the previous six being dedicated to roles in philanthropy, Rashad is a natural listener who has a passion for people and the varying experiences that they bring to the table. These traits are most evident when Rashad convenes nonprofit and community groups, and when he participates in local, regional, and statewide panels both as a moderator and panelist.
When not at work Rashad is involved in several activities and organizations around great Green Bay including but not limited to his participation as a current or former City of Green Bay Police and Fire Commission commissioner, City of Green Bay Transit Commission commissioner, NeighborWorks Green Bay board member, Literacy Green Bay board member, Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin board member, Advance Economic Development board member, Northeast Wisconsin School of Innovation ad hoc member. In addition to his service in these roles he also supports the work of the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce (CURRENT & Young Professionals Advisory Council), Green Bay Neighborhood Leadership Council, Green Bay Area Public School District and Downtown Green Bay & Olde Main Business Districts. When he is not involved in these activities Rashad also finds time to mentor a handful of high school students and young professionals in the community. This work has led Rashad to being named Young Professional of the Year in 2014 by the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce and Citizen of the Year in 2022 by City of Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich.
Originally from Milwaukee, Wis., Rashad likes to spend his free time watching soccer, traveling, losing to his wife in whatever sports related competition they engage in, and taking in as much live music as possible. He attended Marquette University where he graduated with a bachelors’ degree in Business Management with a focus on supply chain management. He has been a resident of the Greater Green Bay community for eighteen years and he is working to try to make the community a better place for those residents that are most often overlooked, misunderstood, and underrepresented.
Preston Cherry, Ph.d, AFC, CFT-I, CFP
Panelist | Founder & CEO of Concurrent Financial Planning
Dr. Cherry is the Founder & CEO of Concurrent Financial Planning and Director of the Financial Planning Program and the Charles Schwab Foundation Center for Financial Wellness at UW–Green Bay. Preston specializes in empowering individuals to share stories that create their life’s design, helping them achieve financial freedom and well-being.
Dr. Cherry is an award-winning financial advisor, renowned personal finance speaker, founder, podcaster, and professor to next-generation financial planning professionals. Preston has over 18 years of financial services and academic experience, including financial planning and investment management, published research in top journals, often cited and authors in recognized personal finance publications, and extensive leadership in the planning profession. He is a CNBC Advisor Council and Kiplinger's Advisor Collective Member.
When Preston is not focusing on your journey towards confidently conquering Life Money Balance®, you can find him listening to his vinyl record collection, spending time with his wife, and happily expecting their first child.
Accessibility Accommodations
If you have a disability and would like to discuss accommodations, please contact the Student Engagement Center at 920-465-2720.
Resources for You
View this helpful guide of UW-Green Bay and community resources for individuals who may be facing financial insecurity, need assistance with childcare, are struggling with mental health, or are looking for community-based support.
Want to Know More?
Contact Grace, the Student Engagement Center's AmeriCorps Campus Compact VISTA, to learn more about this ongoing panel series.