Conference

SAVE THE DATE- 2027 WCCAA CONFERENCE

April 15th-16th, 2027

Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee, WI

Registration is now open for the WCCAA Annual Conference!

Celebrate Us

Thursday, April 30th, 2026- 8am-5:30pm

Friday, May 1st, 2026- 8am-3pm

Oshkosh, WI

INTRODUCING OUR CONFERENCE SPEAKERS:

Thursday, April 30th Speakers:

Lori Buxton

Lori Buxton is the Executive Director of the Association for Early Learning and has been involved in early care and education since 1995. She has served children and their families in many roles, including classroom teacher, program director, executive administrator, training consultant, and national speaker. Lori is a dynamic speaker who is passionate about encouraging, equipping, and empowering early education professionals to bring excellence to the important work we do for young children. She has been a featured guest on Preschool Podcast, Rock Star Radio with Kris Murray, 1Place Podcast Series, “Excellence in Childcare”, Director Dialogues with Chanie Wilschanski, and co-host “Small Talk! With Ron & Lori”. Lori is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Association for Early Learning Leaders, and served on Sesame Street PD Advisory Board.

Jeff Pertl, DCF Secretary

Secretary-designee Jeff Pertl was appointed by Gov. Evers in September 2024, after serving as the Department of Children and Families (DCF) deputy secretary for six years.

Secretary Pertl will speak about the current issues facing child care.

Dr. Kim Horjes

Kim has worked in the Early Childhood field for almost 50 years. Owning and operating three child care programs for 20 years, teaching at Fox Valley Technical College for 15 years. After retiring from FVTC she moved to Belize for 10 years where she provided training to the preschools. While in Belize she taught early childhood programs for two and four year institutions which she continues to do. She has also been a Chair for Early Childhood Higher Education Accreditation Peer Review teams for several years. Once moving back to Wisconsin she also became a Resource Navigator for First Five/Help Me Grow.

Amy Wilson

Amy has worked in the field of early childhood for over 25 years, as a direct service provider, training and technical assistance support, Birth – Five Outreach Coordinator, Early Intervention Team Leader and most recently as the Help Me Grow Fox Valley Director and Family Resource Navigator. Amy’s passion is linking parents and caregivers of young children to critical community resources, so they feel confident in supporting their child’s learning and growth. Amy has a B.S. in Early Childhood Special Education from UW-Eau Claire.

Lisa Brull

Lisa Brull is a dedicated educational leader currently serving as the Special Education Coordinator for the Oshkosh Area School District. With a career spanning over 30 years, Lisa has remained a steadfast advocate for students with diverse learning needs and the educators who support them.

Her extensive background in the field is characterized by a deep commitment to early intervention and inclusive practices. Lisa has held various roles across the special education spectrum, including teaching in Birth to 3 programs, Early Childhood settings, and Cross-Categorical classrooms. This broad range of experience has provided her with a unique “whole-child” perspective that informs her leadership and coaching today.

Lisa’s journey with Conscious Discipline began in 2008 when she was first introduced to its transformative principles. However, it was in 2016 that she made a pivotal commitment to the practice, embarking on a deep personal and professional journey of implementation. Since then, she has been instrumental in integrating Conscious Discipline into school culture, moving the needle from traditional compliance-based models toward a focus on self-regulation, safety, and the “School Family.”

As a coordinator and coach, Lisa is passionate about bridging the gap between neuroscience and the classroom. She empowers educators to understand the brain-state model, fostering environments where both staff and students can move from a state of survival to a state of thriving.

Lisa continues to lead with empathy and positive intent, proving that connection is the most powerful tool for lasting behavioral and academic change.

Friday, May 1st Speakers:

Kristin Brey

Kristin Brey is a multimedia storyteller, radio talk-show host, columnist, and content creator whose unique blend of humor, insight, and curiosity has made her a rising voice in Wisconsin media.

Kristin’s work is defined by the ambition “to get people to laugh, make the super-complicated super not, and motivate more people to give a damn.” She frequently highlights under-covered issues, doing so with a tone that blends journalistic rigor with comedic levity.

Kristin Brey stands out in the media landscape for combining local-state focus with broader cultural fluency. She’s built a bridge between the tech-savvy, social-media-fluent world and more traditional formats like radio and print. In doing so, she’s helping engage a new generation with Wisconsin issues, while retaining a grounded understanding of place and policy. Beyond her professional roles, Kristin Brey is a proud and vocal advocate for both Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. She’s a deeply engaged community member who’s quick to lend her humor and talents to local events — from Milwaukee Record’s Roast of Milwaukee to the annual Cream Puff Eating Contest at the Wisconsin State Fair. Whether she’s championing small businesses, celebrating local culture, or spotlighting civic pride on air and online, Brey remains steadfast in her belief that Milwaukee is the best city she’s ever lived in — and she makes it her mission to share that enthusiasm with everyone she reaches.

Alicia Schweitzer, Foley and Lardner

Alicia Schweitzer serves as Director of Public Affairs at Foley & Lardner LLP, bringing more than 15 years of distinguished experience in state government and public policy. Her expertise spans policy development, budget writing, rulemaking, and procurement, and she is widely recognized for her ability to guide clients through complex legislative processes with strategic insight and precision.

Prior to joining Foley, Alicia held key roles within Wisconsin’s legislative leadership, including serving as Policy Advisor to the Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly and working closely with other legislative leaders on major policy initiatives, the state budget, administrative rules, and legislative strategy. Her work has shaped critical policy decisions and strengthened the connection between government and the communities it serves. Earlier in her career, Alicia successfully managed campaigns for two members of the Wisconsin State Assembly, demonstrating her deep understanding of both governance and political engagement.

Beyond her professional achievements, Alicia is a proud member of the Air National Guard, where she currently serves as the State Air National Guard Paralegal, exemplifying her commitment to service and leadership both in and out of the public sphere.

Beth Mikrut-Gilles

Beth Mikrut-Gilles is a dedicated advocate for early childhood education and a passionate leader committed to supporting staff and strengthening the field. For the past 14 years, she has served as a business owner, administrator, center director, coach, and mentor—always with a focus on connection, encouragement, and growth. She and her husband, Patrick, own and operate three child care centers in rural Southwest Wisconsin, where they strive to create nurturing environments for children, families, and educators.

In her presentation, “Perseverance: The Power of Staying In,” Beth shares an inspiring message about grit, grace, and what it truly means to continue showing up—especially when the work feels heavy. Through real-life stories, practical insights, and heartfelt encouragement, she helps us reconnect with our “why” and reminds us that perseverance isn’t only about pushing forward; it’s about holding onto purpose, leaning on one another, and finding joy in the journey.

Conference Location and Hotel Accommodations

Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center

1 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901

Phone: (920) 230-3200

State that you are with WCCAA Conference Room Block and an agent will book your reservation. Limited Rooms Available.

Conference Rates

WCCAA Member:

1 Day: $190

2 Days: $300

Non-Member:

1 Day: $250

2 Days: $425

(Non-Members who attend conference will receive a coupon at conference for $25 off their first year membership to WCCAA. Coupon will expire on May 31st, 2026)

If you need any accommodations, please contact us at angieh@pgkids.net by April 15th, 2026.

NO REFUNDS or CREDITS will be issued.

Transfer of attendee may be accepted 15 days prior to Event.

Registration Closes on April 15th, 2026

Thank you to our Platinum Conference Sponsor!

2025 Conference

Thank you to everyone who attended the WCCAA Conference in Fond du Lac on May 9th, 2025! We hope you were able to gain some knowledge and refill your cup to Advocate, Transform and Inspire you at your programs!

Thank you to everyone who attended our WCCAA’s Future of Child Care Mini Conference in Eau Claire on November 8th, 2024! We hope you all enjoyed your time. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next conference!

Thank you to everyone who attended the WCCAA 2024 Conference on April 18th! We hope you had a great time and were able to learn some new things to bring back to your program.

Conference April 2024 Highlights