Reggie Newson is an accomplished, high-performance, dedicated CEO and senior leader with 20+ years of success driving organizational change with proactive, positive influence, helping teams and leaders to embrace new processes and structures.

He has a rich history of community impact through high-profile roles in the public and private sectors, most recently holding multiple roles during nearly a decade of service with Ascension Wisconsin. He also previously served as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and in key roles with WE Energies and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Newson earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Political Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, as well as a Master of Business Administration degree with a focus in corporate communications from Concordia University-Wisconsin. He has certificates in Project Management and Six-Sigma Black Belt and non-profit leadership experience from leading institutions such as Duke University and the National Urban League.

I began my career at Wellpoint Care in 2009. The diversity of the work that I do ensures that no day is like any other. I have the opportunity to lead teams who are focused on supporting the work of our mission — because they understand that ultimately the work we do, whether internally or externally, impacts the families we are here to serve. Wellpoint Care has created an environment that allows me to thrive professionally, while supporting my work-life balance in the various seasons of both my professional and personal life. We are allowed opportunities to be innovative and creative together in how we achieve goals while never losing sight of our mission. It’s encouraging to see the result of the organization listening to feedback by providing space for us to come together as an agency and have conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion, and then be a part of the work towards change.

I am a first-generation Puerto Rican, born in the United States and first in my family to have graduated college and continued on to receive master’s degree. I’m bilingual and fully fluent in Spanish. I oversee the Mentoring Program and am a part many other diversity-related committees. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, reading, volunteering and being outside.

Nancy Reed has almost 30 years of healthcare experience, including experience in both mental health and child welfare. She is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and has an MBA from Marquette University. Most recently, she was the Director of Intake and Admissions at Granite Hills Hospital and prior to that worked at Children’s WI for over 27 years in various leadership and clinical roles.

Nancy is a value-centered leader who is passionate about equity. She looks forward to helping position Wellpoint Care for future growth and collaborating across all teams to ensure equitable care.

My Story

“Everything you do has some effect, some impact.” -Anonymous

Kristi Scharl has several years’ experience in public accounting, specializing in not-for-profit audit. Her focus is on process and systems improvements, as well as aligning financial policy and practice with the organization’s mission and vision. She comes to Wellpoint Care Network from the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, where she served as Chief Financial Officer for four years. She oversees financial affairs and information technology.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting and Marketing from Winona State University. Certified Public Accountant.

Christa Shields is a relationship-driven nonprofit leader with more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, marketing and community engagement. She’s spent her career helping mission-based organizations grow their impact by building meaningful donor relationships, telling authentic stories and creating systems that work.

Her work has spanned housing, health equity, education and youth services — with leadership roles at Hebron Housing Services, Food For Health, Special Olympics Wisconsin and more. Whether she’s launching a major campaign, writing an appeal letter or planning a community event, Christa leads with purpose, empathy and a deep belief in the power of connection.

She holds an MBA and a BA in Interpersonal Communication from Cardinal Stritch University, serves on the Shorewood Foundation Board, and loves volunteering at the Urban Ecology Center. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her on early morning walks to catch the sunrise, planning her next family camping trip or trying out new recipes to share with family, friends and coworkers.

My Story

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” -Jackie Robinson

Ted previously served as President and CEO of the social enterprise FEI Behavioral Health, Inc.  He directed all strategic aspects of the business and oversaw all product, sales, and marketing activities of the organization. FEI was a for profit organization owned by the non-profit corporation the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities (now Social Current).  As such, Ted held a key management position on the executive leadership committee of the Alliance and worked directly with the other non-profit entities of the Alliance as well as hundreds of non-profit social service agencies around the country.  He regularly supported these non-profit groups by helping define strategic growth opportunities that would help create new product and service offerings while growing revenue from non-traditional sources.  In 2021, he was entrusted by the parent company Board of Directors to direct and lead the sale of FEI.

Ted is known as a collaborative leader with a record of success by achieving results through holistic relationship development, strategic marketing, and an emphasis on growing revenue.  His reputation is that of an industry thought leader with a track record of transforming corporate culture, building brands, and growing customer and partner relationships.

Education & Experience

Ted is a graduate of Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin and holds degrees in Psychology and Philosophy.

My Story

“We cannot think of being acceptable to others until we have first proven acceptable to ourselves.” ― Malcolm X

Sonja Williams is an accomplished leader with 25 years of talent optimization, inclusion and belonging, and organizational devlopment experience. She leads the delivery of innovative and equitable employee-centered services for Wellpoint Care Network’s workforce. Driven by a desire to support the work of community-based organizations with compelling missions, she has performed impactful work at organizations such as Acelero Learning, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, American Cancer Society, Milwaukee County and Next Door. Sonja actively serves on the boards of Vision Forward and Triangle of Hope as a volunteer in her efforts to support the Greater Milwaukee community.

Education & Experience

Wellpoint Care employee since 2021. Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.