Johanna Wicklund, the former Chief Operating Officer, and a staff member with over two decades dedicated to serving youth, has taken over as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Bay & Lakes Region. She will lead the strategic direction and operations of three Clubhouses and 10 school-based sites.
“Johanna is a passionate leader with a proven track record of 20-plus years with Club,” said Paul Belschner, chair of the board of directors at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Bay & Lakes Region. “She has been acting CEO during our recent transition and has shown exemplary leadership. Johanna’s strategic vision and strength-based leadership style have improved every aspect of our Boys & Girls Clubs. Her commitment to developing safe spaces and quality programs, supported by dedicated mentors, has positioned Club to propel outcomes for youth. Through her guidance, we will continue to enrich the lives of young people in our communities across the region.”
Wicklund has a deep understanding and appreciation for the needs and interests of local youth. Through partnerships with local organizations, community-minded individuals and volunteers, she has enhanced Club’s capacity to offer opportunities for youth to pursue their goals and realize their dreams.
“Since starting in my first role at the Lutsey Unit nearly 24 years ago, Club has been my life’s calling,” said Wicklund. “I’m humbled and honored to continue the momentum of an incredible organization that inspires our next generation of leaders and difference makers. I’ve never been more committed to opening doors of opportunity for all young people to thrive and achieve success.”
Wicklund has spent her entire professional career at the Boys & Girls Club serving local youth in a variety of capacities. She began at what was then Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay in the spring of 2000 and spent 14 years as the Director of Program Development & Evaluation. During this time, she was responsible for fund development through grant writing, outcomes assessment and program development and improvement.
She was then promoted to Senior Director of Strategy & Measurement role for six-and-a-half years where she oversaw the organization’s strategic direction and programmatic and organizational measurement. Most recently, Wicklund served three years as the Chief Operating Officer, which included the integration of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay and Shawano with the Boys & Girls Club of Door County. This allowed the organization to strengthen its operations, programming, staff and financial position. The organization rebranded to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Bay & Lakes Region in March of 2023.
“Johanna is deeply invested in Club and its mission,” Belschner added. “She is compassionate and cares about every child who walks through the doors of our Clubhouses and school sites. Johanna will continue to create lasting change as the organization grows to support more local youth in achieving great futures.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Bay & Lakes Region is a non-profit that specializes in youth development, serving children and adolescents across Door County, Green Bay and Shawano. Club’s mission is to provide all young people with opportunities to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible individuals. It does this through safe spaces, caring mentors and quality programs.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Bay & Lakes Region:
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Bay & Lake Region is many things to the kids we serve because kids today need many things! We are safe spaces, after school and in the summer, for kids to connect and thrive. We are caring mentors that go deep to meet each child where they are at and help them get where they want to go. And we are innovative, high-quality programs, designed to empower youth to excel in school and lead healthy, productive lives. Our professionally trained team of youth development experts provide youth in our communities with a variety of programs that are intentionally focused.
