Learn from others
Exchange proven practices, perspectives, and insight with excellence-minded people and organizations.
About the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence
Better Organizations, Better Results
The Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence is a community of organizations and individuals sharing a common belief: by learning from others, we can expedite and increase the success of every improvement effort.
Contact usOur history
Wisconsin Center of Performance Excellence
Better Organizations, Better Results
Started in 1997 under the administration of Governor Tommy Thompson and continuing with the support of Wisconsin governmental leaders, Wisconsin Forward Award (WFA) joined 40 state based quality programs in the country dedicated to raising productivity through the use of a systems-based management framework, the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence.
Today, the Wisconsin Forward Award program is administered by the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence. We help organizations and communities enhance performance, operational excellence, and sustainability that lead to great places to work and learn, improved outcomes and better quality of life in our state.
Continuous improvement, innovation and best practice sharing
Whether large or small, in business, education, government, health care, or manufacturing, the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence encourages and supports innovative, future-thinking Wisconsin enterprises and communities by providing training and technical assistance, benchmarking and assessment tools, consultative services, and of course, one of the premier state quality award programs in the nation, the Wisconsin Forward Award.
Our purpose
Better organizations. Better results.
We help organizations and communities enhance performance, operational excellence, and sustainability that lead to great places to work and learn, improved outcomes, and a better quality of life across our state.
Improve with purpose
Use sound frameworks and candid feedback to focus improvement efforts where they matter most.
Strengthen Wisconsin
Build healthier organizations, stronger communities, and better outcomes for the people Wisconsin serves.
Our Team
Meet the WCPE Board of Directors
Meet the dedicated and experienced members of the WCPE Board of Directors, each committed to guiding our organization toward continued success and growth.
Board ChairPeter LaBonte
Organizational Effectiveness & Performance Excellence Leader
Milwaukee County
Vice ChairJim Christensen
Principle Consultant
StatOrg Services LLC
TreasurerPaul Neitzel
Chief Operating Officer
MetaStar, Inc
SecretaryMeredith Wentz
Assistant Chancellor
University of Wisconsin – Stout
Jeff Allar
Head of HR (Retired)
Oruna Ingredients
Stacey Mueller
Executive Director
Froedtert Health
Elizabeth Menzer
Executive Director
WCPE
Colleen McGuigan
Business Excellence Consultant
WCPE
Joyce Gustafson
Quality Manager
WCPE
Past Recognition
Featured Awards
Recognized Excellence and Proficiency Across Industries
2022
- Ortho Molecular Products, IncExcellence
2020
- CESA 6High Proficiency
- Ortho Molecular ProductsProficiency
2019
- Monona Terrace Visitor and Convention CenterMastery
- CESA 6Proficiency
- West Salem School DistrictProficiency
- Curative Care NetworkProficiency
- Chippewa Falls Unified School DistrictChallenger
2018
- Black River Memorial HospitalExcellence
- Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)Proficiency
- Milwaukee CountyChallenger Recognition
2017
- MetaStar, Inc.Excellence
- Columbus Community HospitalMastery
- Goodwill Retail ServicesProficiency
- Curative Care NetworkCommitment
- School District of JanesvilleCommitment
- West Bend School DistrictCommitment
- Concordia University Department of EducationChallenger
- Royal Credit UnionChallenger
2016
- Muskego Norway School DistrictMastery
- Holy Family MemorialMastery
- MetaStar, IncMastery
- Milwaukee County Department of AdministrationCommitment
- Curative CareChallenger
- Department of Employee Trust FundsChallenger
- Milwaukee County Health and Human ServicesChallenger
- HSHS Western Wisconsin DivisionChallenger
2015
- Monona Terrace Community & Convention CenterMastery
- Columbus Community HospitalProficiency
- Community Care, Inc.Challenger
2014
- American Society for Quality (ASQ)Excellence
- HSHS St Joseph's HospitalExcellence
- Crossing Rivers HealthProficiency
- Holy Family Memorial, Inc.Proficiency
- Waukesha County Technical CollegeProficiency
2013
- Kohl's Department Store – Retail Payment SolutionsMastery
- MetaStar Inc.Mastery
- Otago Museum, New ZealandMastery
- Holy Family Memorial, Inc.Commitment
- North Central Health CareCommitment
- Marquardt VillageChallenger
- Southwest Family Care AllianceChallenger
2012
- Black River Memorial HospitalMastery
- Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Cedar, Inc.Mastery
- Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital and ClinicsMastery
- Chippewa Valley Technical CollegeMastery
- Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeProficiency
- Goodwill of Southeastern WI – Retail ServicesCommitment
- ILeadChallenger
- North Central Health CareChallenger
2011
- SSM Health Care of Wisconsin, Inc.Mastery
- Central Wisconsin CenterMastery
- Bay Area Medical CenterMastery
- Howard-Suamico School DistrictProficiency
- Black River Memorial HospitalProficiency
- Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeCommitment
2010
- Pewaukee School DistrictExcellence
- Kohl's Department Stores – Credit DivisionMastery
- Muskego-Norway School DistrictMastery
- Stoughton HospitalMastery
- Black River Memorial HospitalProficiency
- Clement ManorProficiency
- Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Mayo Health SystemProficiency
- Group Health Cooperative of SCWProficiency
- Workforce Connections, Inc.Proficiency
- Grant Regional Health CenterCommitment
- Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital and ClinicsCommitment
2009
- Sacred Heart HospitalExcellence
- Central Wisconsin CenterMastery
- Pewaukee School DistrictMastery
- School District of ElmbrookMastery
- St Clare Hospital & Health ServicesMastery
- St Mary's HospitalMastery
- Evergreen Retirement CommunityProficiency
- Kohl's Department Stores – Credit DivisionProficiency
- Upland Hills Health, Inc.Proficiency
2008
- Agnesian Health Care, Inc. & St Mary's Care CenterExcellence
- ASQMastery
- Bay Area Medical CenterMastery
- Physicians Plus Insurance CorporationMastery
- Sacred Heart HospitalMastery
- St Clare Hospital & Health ServicesMastery
- St Clare Meadows Care CenterMastery
- St Mary's HospitalMastery
- Monona Terrace Community & Convention CenterProficiency
- Red Cedar Medical CenterProficiency
- Stoughton HospitalProficiency
- Franciscan Skemp HealthcareProficiency
- Kohl's Department StoresProficiency
2007
- Agnesian HealthCare, Inc.Mastery
- MetaStar, Inc.Mastery
- Pewaukee School DistrictMastery
- St Clare Hospital & Health ServicesMastery
- St Clare Meadows Care CenterMastery
- St Mary's Care CenterMastery
- St Mary's HospitalMastery
- Evergreen Retirement CommunityProficiency
- Upland Hills Health, Inc.Proficiency
- Trostel Whitewater MoldingCommitment
2006
- Luther Midelfort, Meriter Hospital, Runzheimer International & Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare All Saints MedicalExcellence
- ASQMastery
- Bay Area Medical CenterMastery
- Northcentral Technical CollegeMastery
- St Clare Hospital & Health ServicesMastery
- St Clare Meadows Care CenterMastery
- 3M CompanyProficiency
- Children's Hospital of WIProficiency
- Community Memorial HospitalProficiency
- ProHealth Care, Inc.Proficiency
- Red Cedar Medical CenterProficiency
Connect with WisQuality
Let's move your organization forward.
Whether you are exploring an assessment, looking for a learning opportunity, or ready to connect with the WisQuality community, we would be glad to hear from you.