About Us

Naomi Bodway is the founder and owner of The Source House, a full-service Branded Merchandise Agency, with expertise in product knowledge, trends, imprinting techniques, program implementation, e-commerce, targeted marketing, and vendor relations. She was Director of Scheduling for a Republican Wisconsin governor and has been active in the political arena at the local, state, and national levels. Bodway was a double major in Communication Arts and Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. David Gundersen earned a BA from Yale University, a Masters in Health Policy and Management from Emory University, and a Secondary Education Teaching Credential. Immediately out of college, he was a Charter Corps member of Teach for America, teaching middle school science and health in Compton, CA.  

After teaching, David committed over a decade to health policy. He worked as a Congressional Legislative Assistant for Steve Gunderson, as Director of Wisconsin’s School Health Programs, and as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Tobacco Control Board during the Thompson Administration. In 2007, at the age of 39, David went back to dental school to address the hidden epidemic of oral disease.  

In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Gundersen is a founder and trainer on the Wisconsin Dental Pain Protocol (WDPP), an opioid prevention partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Health and the Wisconsin Hospital Association. He is also the Founder and President of Hometown Smiles, a public-private school-based dental model assuring that any student in participating districts who needs dental care gets it.  

He has also served on numerous boards and leadership positions, including the Board of the Wisconsin Public Health Association, Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dental Association, and on the Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition.  

Dr. Gundersen has also published two children’s books, Blacktooth and Dentina, under the pen name Davie Fletcher. 

Scott Froehlke spent fifteen years as staff working for a State Representative, State Senator, Governor and a U.S. Senator – three Republicans and a Democrat. He served for 20 years as a Madison-based contract lobbyist representing a range of clients, including the Towns Association, Trial Attorneys, and Land Trusts. He has also served on the board of three non-profit conservation organizations, including organizing citizens in Central Wisconsin, where he grew up and currently lives, in support of legislation to protect groundwater.

Masood Akhtar is an inspiring figure whose life and work have made a significant impact on both local and national levels. His journey from being an Indian-born American Muslim entrepreneur to a renowned activist demonstrates his dedication to fostering peace, inclusivity, and understanding across different communities.

The We Are Many - United Against Hate movement he founded is a powerful testament to his belief in forgiveness, peace, and unity. The initiative addresses the root causes of hate, bigotry, and racism, aiming to build stronger, more inclusive communities while empowering youth to actively contribute to the cause. Akhtar's efforts in this regard are a reflection of his commitment to promoting harmony in an increasingly polarized world.

In addition to his community-driven initiatives, Akhtar’s involvement in the Immigration and Refugee Task Force showcases his focus on bridging divides between local law enforcement and immigrant communities, working to reduce fear and build trust.

His recognition from various organizations, including the Southern Poverty Law Center, the FBI, and Governor Tony Evers, underlines the impact of his work and the positive influence he has had on both his local community and beyond. His acknowledgment by President Biden as one of the 16 "Uniters" at the United We Stand summit at the White House highlights the national recognition he has received for his efforts in promoting unity and combating extremism.

Akhtar’s role as a keynote speaker, panelist, and media guest further amplifies his reach, allowing him to continue sharing his message of peace, tolerance, and unity on broader platforms. His work is truly shaping a future where people come together, not in opposition, but in mutual respect and understanding.

Matt Rothschild was the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign from 2015 through June 2023. He’s the author of 12 Ways to Save Democracy in Wisconsin, published by the University of Wisconsin Press (2021). Prior to joining the Democracy Campaign at the start of 2015, Matt worked at The Progressive magazine for 32 years – for most of those, as editor and publisher. His opinion pieces have run in the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times, the Miami Herald and a host of other newspapers, and he’s appeared on Nightline, NPR, C-SPAN and WISC-TV, where he does election night commentary. In Wisconsin, you may have heard him on The Devil's Advocates, WOJB, WORT or Wisconsin Public Radio.

Carrie Bohman is a Social Studies Teacher at Madison West High School, where she has taught since 2004. As a teacher, she is passionate about preparing the next generation of engaged citizens by focusing on civic engagement and civic learning. She works to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate meaningfully in our democracy.

View United Wisconsin interview with Carrie Bohman

Heather Galloy is an American Sign Language (ASL) instructor in the Eau Claire Area School District, one of the largest and top-rated public school districts in Wisconsin. Galloy worked as a teacher for deaf and hard of hearing students. In 2006, she helped write and create the Eau Claire District’s ASL program.  She has taught for 26 years, and is a member of the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC). Galloy studied at UW-Richland and graduated with a B.S. degree in Deaf Education & Elementary Education at Augustana University, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Pete Christianson has 40 years of legal experience and decades as a lobbyist. He served as Board Chair of the Wisconsin Alumni Association national board of directors. He has a law degree from the UW-Madison.

Dr. Joe Heim is former chair of the Department of Political Science/Public Administration at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and was Director of the Public Administration Program at the University and acted as the University’s Legislative Liaison. He is committed to helping many local, regional and statewide organizations and can be regularly seen and heard as a political analyst on radio and TV, including Wisconsin Public Radio and TV.

Mary Ann Gerrard served as legal counsel and Director of Government Affairs for a large Wisconsin business trade association. She worked as Deputy Commissioner in the Office of the State Commissioner of Transportation and served in several roles for the University of Wisconsin System. She resides in La Crosse.

Russ Barcelona is the co-founder of the business psychology firm Ascend Talent Strategies, (ATS) Inc. and functioned as the President until his semi-retirement in December 2023. Russ has a Ph.D. from the Illinois Institute of Technology. As a business psychologist, Russ leveraged rigorously developed individual, team, and organizational assessments as a backdrop to understanding and improving decision-making in the space of human capital. Currently, Russ is highly engaged in conducting a team coaching process (developed internally with his partners at ATS) with current and potential clientele. For fun, he travels the planet with his wife Jennifer, reads Nordic Noir, grows heirloom tomatoes, and hikes the national parks (current count is twenty-three).