Forward Janesville Staff

Shar Hermanson
President and CEO
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Shar Hermanson joined Forward Janesville as President and CEO on June 10, 2024.

Hermanson most recently served as executive vice president of Mid-West Family Madison, managing eight radio stations and a digital marketing agency. Previously, Hermanson served in multiple executive-level sales and management capacities at WCLO-WJVL and The Gazette. 

"Shar's experience, demonstrated leadership capability and unique knowledge of Janesville's business community and culture positions her well to guide our organization and diverse membership; her enthusiasm and collaborative approach were apparent during the selection process," said Craig DeGarmo, chair of the Forward Janesville CEO selection committee.

Hermanson has previously served as a Forward Janesville Ambassador, as a leader in the fundraising group Girls Night Out of Rock County and on the Board of Directors of the YWCA.  

"I'm thrilled to be back in Janesville; I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and continuing the foundational work in economic development and community engagement Forward Janesville is known for," Hermanson said. “Most importantly I am excited to work with the phenomenal team that Forward Janesville has in place and the amazing network of Forward Janesville volunteers.”

Megan Matuszeski
Director of Events & Member Services
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Megan Matuszeski has spent her 20-year career in the corporate wellness and benefits field as a strategic, innovative, and data focused well-being professional who builds relationships by creating trust and empowering others to thrive and be at their best. She has a bachelor's degree in Health Promotion & Wellness and a master's degree in Health Education. Megan’s professional experiences include program management (including creation, implementation, and evaluation), vendor management, community/business relationship development, event planning, and one-on-one coaching/advising. Before joining Forward Janesville, Megan was the Director of Wellness at the Fiserv corporate headquarters in Brookfield where she was viewed as a collaborative partner focused on improving the well-being of others.  

In 2004, Megan and her husband, Jesse, decided to call Janesville their home. After three years of living in Janesville, they relocated due to a career shift. Thankfully, another career opportunity brought them back to Janesville in 2016!

Megan spends her time with her husband, friends, family, and their two dogs, Roxy and Penny - she loves to hike and be outdoors as much as possible. She also is an avid reader, a beginner artist, and considers herself a mocha connoisseur. She is excited to work at Forward Janesville and is looking forward to helping the community she calls "home" to grow and prosper.

Eric Schmoldt
Director of Business Development & Marketing
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Eric Schmoldt is Director of Business Development & Marketing at Forward Janesville. He works to build relationships with and support our members through FJI's mission, and he also coordinates content for our various channels of communication. If your business is interested in joining Forward Janesville, fill out this brief form to get the conversation started with Eric. Prior to assuming this role, he spent the past several years as a Forward Janesville Ambassador, including serving as vice chair in 2023. 

Eric is a lifelong storyteller with extensive experience in journalism and communications, as well as digital and content marketing, social media and public relations. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he served as an Adjunct Instructor, teaching a journalism course in the fall semester of 2023. Born and raised in Janesville, Eric spent a handful of years out-of-state before returning to Janesville, where he currently resides with his wife and two daughters, in 2013. 

Connect with Eric on LinkedIn.

Claire Gray
Director of Policy & Strategic Initiatives
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Claire Gray is Director of Policy & Strategic Initiatives at Foward Janesville, Inc (FJI). She supports the organization's policy objectives and buttresses FJI's key projects, many of which focus on education and economic development. Claire is a driven professional with workplace experience in sourcing and category management for a regional supermarket retailer and non-profit fundraising and program management for an international education non-profit.  Her professional background shifted from the non-profit industry to corporate sourcing and category management due to her interest in, and passion for, local, responsible and sustainable supply chains. She received her MBA from the Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management at UW-Madison in 2013 and her undergraduate degree in Cultural Anthropology and International Studies from Macalester College (St. Paul, MN) in 2006.

In 2015, Claire stepped away from formal employment to raise her children. She remained active in the community through volunteer board positions on the Children's Museum of Rock County (CMRC), the Business Improvement District (BID) in Downtown Janesville, and the MOMS Club of Rock County. She joined the FJI team in Fall 2022 and supported the organization's process improvements and execution on events and communications prior to becoming the Directory of Policy & Strategic Initiatives. 

Edward Caceres
Adelante Janesville Outreach Coordinator
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Edward Caceres joined Forward Janesville as the Outreach Coordinator for Adelante Janesville, our Latino Outreach Program, in 2024. Edward, a native of Lima, Peru, brings a unique blend of cultural diversity and professional expertise to the program. Fluent in both Spanish and English, he is a passionate advocate for business and community development. Edward holds a degree in Marketing from the Peruvian Business School (IPAE) and a master's degree in management from Rockford University, enhancing his knowledge and skills. He is also a dedicated advocate for renewable energies and sustainability, reflecting his commitment to a brighter future.

Edward Caceres se unió a Forward Janesville como coordinador de extensión de Adelante Janesville, nuestro programa de extensión latina, en 2024. Edward, nativo de Lima, Perú, aporta una combinación única de diversidad cultural y experiencia profesional al programa. Habla español e inglés con fluidez y es un apasionado defensor del desarrollo empresarial y comunitario. Edward tiene una licenciatura en Marketing de la Escuela Peruana de Negocios (IPAE) y una maestría en administración de la Universidad de Rockford, potenciando sus conocimientos y habilidades. También es un defensor dedicado de las energías renovables y la sostenibilidad, lo que refleja su compromiso con un futuro mejor.

Rinn Webber
Manager of Operations and Finance
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Rinn Webber is the Manager of Operations and Finance at Forward Janesville. A recent transplant to Rock County, Rinn has previous professional background in Human Resource management and small business operations. Prior to her relocation to Rock County, she led a small business in her home state of Washington for over 15 years. Rinn has a BA in Business Leadership from the University of Puget Sound and is in the process of completing her MA in Mental Health Counseling from Adler University. Rinn has a passion for community service and strives to uplift the community around her. She believes a community is only as healthy as its least healthy member and looks for all opportunities to better herself and those around her.

Rinn enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, Kona & Roscoe and is excited to get to know and experience Janesville and the rest of Rock County. Rinn is thrilled to join Forward Janesville’s team on their mission to Move Janesville Forward!

Sommer Brockman
Brand Sales & Marketing Specialist
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Sommer Brockman joined the Forward Janesville staff as Brand Ambassador in 2025. Sommer is a dynamic project and event management professional who has a diverse background spanning outdoor clothing, wine & spirits, and film industries. Sommer brings experience in managing creative projects and delivering results. She is known for her ability to organize, execute and deliver successful projects on time and within budget. Her experience spans sales, marketing, events, and social media, but what really drives Sommer is building strong relationships and creating experiences that make an impact.

Originally from Modesto, Calif., Sommer and her family — including her husband, Zach, President of the Beloit Sky Carp minor league baseball team, and their 5-year-old daughter — relocated to Beloit in 2022. Outside of her professional role, Sommer is dedicated to giving back to her community, including currently serving as a board member for Family Services of Southern Wisconsin. She has a history of volunteering with local nonprofits like The Arthritis Foundation and Family & Children’s Services of Tulsa and is passionate about supporting local charities and fundraising efforts.