In Business Madison

New issue drop.

In Business Madison’s monthly issue debuts today with a cover story on UW-Madison’s new College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence (CAI). It’s particularly timely given the debate on the rapid speed of AI development and the technology’s potential pitfalls.

The October issue also features a story on married CEOs Julie Fussner of Culver’s and Don Fussner of Johnsonville; an interview with Myra Renee Kincade, the founder and CEO of Anesis Therapy, and a look at the new Grandad’s Farm Stop on Madison’s west side.

Fans of the upcoming Halloween holiday may also enjoy our profile of Dapper Cadaver, a supplier of lifelike props for Hollywood movies like “The Odyssey” and series including “American Horror Story” and “Law & Order.”

And don’t miss the 2026 Power 100.

Thanks for reading!

Full issue here: https://online.fliphtml5.com/nehfa/spus/ =1

📋 Who’s your choice? Time is running out to vote in the In Business Madison Choice Awards 2026 formally known as the Executive Choice Awards. Visit website to vote.

The story of how Cologuard overcame barriers to the early detection of colon cancer is perhaps the most compelling aspect of Kevin Conroy’s business career.

When considering the challenge Exact Sciences faced in developing a cancer screening test to find cancer at an early stage, Conroy said it’s important to understand the biology of colon cancer.

“When we started out to solve this problem, we asked, ‘Why we can’t simply find a biomarker for somebody who has a cancer in their blood?’” he said.

“Well, because the tumor isn’t deeply connected to the blood supply because it’s really small (at its earliest stages), so there isn’t much DNA being shed into the blood.”

Kevin Conroy’s leadership journey could include public service Former Exact Sciences CEO featured in IB’s first Leadership Lab

The Leadership Lab debuted with Kevin Conroy, former chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences, on Tuesday evening at the Madison Club.

Conroy served as CEO of Exact Sciences from 2009 to 2026 and chairman from 2014. Under his leadership, Exact Sciences developed Cologuard, which is used to screen for colorectal cancer.

When talking about his early days, Conroy credited his mom, a nurse, and dad, a salesman turned state legislator, in shaping him and helping him lead Exact Sciences.

“So, he served in the state Legislature for a long time, and I think it was really that household mix of a nurse educator and somebody involved in public policy.

“It was always part of the conversation, and the interesting thing about developing Cologuard is it required an immense amount of work in Washington, D.C., for us to get the FDA on board, to get Medicare on board, to get the key congressional committees to create what was called the parallel review path, which there was no product ever approved by the FDA and covered by Medicare on the same date.

“It usually required an extra three or four or five years, and we just couldn't raise enough money in the world to do a 10-year project. It was a five-year project, and I think that growing up in a household where you kind of understood the legislative process, that helped immensely.”

Full story on our website to come.

A nearly 50-year-old facility, the West Y offers a variety of programming for all ages — from senior socials and activities to fitness opportunities, children’s summer camps, full-time preschool, organized sports and more — but it has outgrown its building.

YMCA of Dane County CEO Mark Westover said changing local needs and demographics have highlighted areas that demand expansion — such as childcare that includes infants and clinical care for populations experiencing health disparities.

“There’s 2,300 Ys across the country, but we’re federated, which means that we can control our programming and do whatever best meets the needs of the community that we serve,” Westover said. “We’re the Young Men’s Christian Association, but we have individuals from all religious backgrounds that utilize us, and we have partnerships from all religious backgrounds.

“It’s so critical for us to expand our reach … so we are moving from this location. … It will position us centrally to serve the needs of Fitchburg and Verona and the Madison metro.”

The West Y will soon be replaced by a new, $58 million facility on a 7-acre site at McKee Road and Spoke Drive in Fitchburg.

Full story: https://ibmadison.com/new-fitchburg-ymca-to-offer-expanded-childcare-healthcare/

YMCA of Dane County, Inc.

New Fitchburg YMCA to offer expanded childcare, healthcare For years, Britnay Paffel’s sons have participated in programs at Madison’s West YMCA — programs she said have helped her family feel supported, build community and spend more time together. Her 4-year-old has attended the nonprofit’s early childhood education program, swim lessons and Five ...

Carrie Rodamaker said she just “fell into” her role as executive director of Taliesin Preservation, the nonprofit steward of Frank Lloyd Wright’s historic estate here. But after 24 years with the organization — working her way from gift shop assistant manager to the top spot — the famed property has become something of a home to her.

Taliesin, meaning “shining brow” in a nod to Wright’s Welsh heritage, is the famed architect’s 800-acre estate.

Rodamaker grew up not far from Spring Green, outside of Cross Plains, and shifted from a nearly decade-long medical career in Madison to work closer to her roots. Over her tenure, the Taliesin property has seen a substantial tourism increase and, in 2019, joined seven other Frank Lloyd Wright locations on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The group of Wright properties is among just 26 such designees in the United States.

Visitors at Taliesin can tour Wright’s 37,000-square-foot home, school and studio — with structures from nearly every decade of the architect’s career from 1890-1950. There is also a gift shop and restaurant, and weekend workshops on photography, painting and design. Taliesin also hosts lectures and events at its theater.

While Rodamaker is proud of the public awareness growing around Taliesin and the steps being taken to restore the property, she said there is plenty more on her to-do list to ensure the estate is well cared for, grows its number of visitors and its history is preserved.

Full story:

On-the-job experience catapulted Carrie Rodamaker to the top spot at Taliesin Preservation Rodamaker's work is just beginning

On Madison’s far north side, at the tail end of Hoepker Road and tucked behind a stand of tall trees is a delightful surprise for flower lovers: A field of dahlias in nearly every shade of the rainbow.

It’s the home of Cher's Garden, a family operation run by Cher Yang, which offers 180 varieties of the popular blooms that inspire rabid fandom from some — including Yang herself.

When she started growing dahlias, “I bought three to four varieties and then I just keep buying more and more every year,” Yang said. “When you get into it, you feel like you get addicted to your flowers.”

More on our site:

Agritourism in full bloom at Cher’s Garden Cher’s Garden offers 180 varieties of dahlias in nearly every shade of the rainbow

26-year-old Cassidy Winkler started Revel Method Pilates to bring boutique modern Pilates studios to her home state. She said she sought to offer the optimal level of challenge and opportunities for empowerment to both her clients and staff.

Since its official establishment in 2024, Revel has grown to include three locations across southern Wisconsin, in Madison, Monona and Lake Geneva. By next year, Winkler said that number will double.

“(Pilates) should be hard, but it shouldn’t (make) you feel like you’re just punishing yourself for an hour and you don’t want to go back,” she said. “(At Revel) we offer levels for every exercise. Our instructors are taught to get everyone moving, and then give them a modification or amplification.”

Photos: Valerie Rose Visuals.

“The family’s excited, especially because granddad meant a lot to everybody, and he was really the patriarch,” Grandad's Farm Stop founder Patrick Randolph said. “It's scary, it's a lot, it's stressful, but you know, we're gonna get it done. People will be surprised how many vegetables you can actually buy fresh, local, in the non-growing seasons.”

A sneak peek at an upcoming story we have in our October issue. We've been following Grandad's Farm Stop (3802 Mineral Point Road, Madison) for some months, even attending its soft opening, and we can't wait to share the story and photos of Madison's first-ever farm stop!

In Business Madison celebrated its annual Exec Connect on Wednesday night at Blackhawk Country Club. The networking event brought together business and community leaders from Wisconsin’s Capital Region and also honored the 2026 Power 100. Thanks to everyone who attended — it was a wonderful evening! And it wouldn’t have been possible without support from our generous partners: UMB Bank Executive Agenda and McClone Insurance. Photos by Valerie Rose Visuals — Valerie Hill