About Us

At Fusion Learning Partners, we believe learning is the origin of change and transformation, and we believe learning never stops – it’s a lifelong endeavor that continues beyond the classrooms of our youth.

Fusion is a nonprofit organization committed to creating environments that promote learning for the individuals, organizations, and the communities they serve. From conferences and convenings to supporting collaborative initiatives and organizations, Fusion exists to strengthen and transform the communities where we work, live, and thrive.

Since 1976, Fusion Learning Partners (fka GTS Educational Events) has served a diverse set of public and private partners ensuring they have the knowledge, skills, and relationships needed to make positive change for themselves, and the organizations and communities they serve.

Our Mission, Vision, Purpose, and Values

Our Mission:

To serve the public and civic sector with events, programs and services that inspire innovation for the greater good.

Our Vision:

To be a catalyst that strengthens and transforms the communities in which we work, live and thrive.

Our Purpose:

We convene, connect and engage people and organizations so that they can discover innovative solutions to complex social problems.

WE DO THIS THROUGH:
Professional Learning Programs and Events
Meeting Coordination and Support
Organizational Support Services for Associations, Organizations and Initiatives

Our Values:

Cultivate Connections

Throughout human history, we have craved connection. It’s in our DNA as humans, and it’s in our DNA as Fusion Learning Partners. That’s why everything we do, from our events and conferences to convening and supporting collaboration, is built on a foundation of connection where we can all strengthen and transform the communities we serve – together.

Collaborate

Learning and innovation don’t happen in a bubble, and no individual alone possesses the power and knowledge we gain when we work together. Collaboration is the catalyst for breaking new ground, and with that in mind, we’ve made creating spaces for collaboration to happen a focus of all we do.

Future-Ready

When we connect and collaborate, we can begin seeing around corners and imagining what’s to come, allowing us to create the future we want together rather than letting it simply happen to us, our organizations, and our communities.

We are committed to:

Passion

We approach every project and partnership in the belief of our purpose, mission and vision.

Purpose

We believe that everything we do should be rooted in promoting innovative practices to strengthen and transform our communities.

Partnership

We build relationships that are mutually-beneficial, mission-aligned and transformational.

Fusion Staff 

Fusion Learning Partners prides itself on the experience, expertise and passion of its staff. Whether our knowledge and expertise of program planning and event management, marketing and sales, operations management or providing key capacity building services, our team is passionate about the work we do and the impact our efforts have on the careers and lives of those who are served through the partnership and services we provide.

Dale Bowen

Dale Bowen

Deputy Director, Public Technology Institute

Dale works with the Public Technology Institute’s leadership, member officials, private sector and other non-profit partner organizations to develop content to help local government managers and leaders better understand the tech, service delivery and management issues impacting local government. With thirty-five years of experience in the local government association community, Dale develops collaborative approaches and programs that provide insight and value to member and customer audiences.
Noelle Hulshizer

Noelle Hulshizer

Program & Communications Coordinator

Noelle excels in her field of public relations and brings talented experience in marketing, communications, digital media, and event management. Her role at Fusion also includes technical coordination, marketing, administration, and event and customer service support. She enjoys the variety of programs that Fusion manages, learning something new every day!
Ian Jordan

Ian Jordan

Event Manager

Ian brings experience in event planning from both a venue host and planner perspective. He has enjoyed pivoting his events to fit the everchanging landscape of the world. His role includes client coordination, event planning & logistics, budgeting, and volunteer & speaker management. He loves putting together fun, unforgettable experiences.
Christopher Kohn

Christopher Kohn

Sponsorship & Tradeshow Manager

Chris has 20 years of exhibit and sponsorship sales and comprehensive trade show management experience. Throughout his career he has been involved with over 100 conferences and trade shows. He is no stranger to events both large and small, ranging in size from 75–10,000 attendees and 10–500 sponsors & exhibitors. His event experience and on-site responsibilities include client contracts, facility rules & regulations, logistics / shipping / material handling procedures, union rules & regulations, booth selection, membership / sponsorship point systems, sponsorship programs & vendor contracts. Chris excels at fostering and maintaining positive, working relationships with new and existing sponsors & exhibitors to ensure budget goals and client satisfaction are met.
Grant Schmalzer

Grant Schmalzer

Director of Business Operations

Grant brings over 30 years to Fusion Learning Partners in financial management, business development, and operations design and implementation. He is skilled at developing and nurturing strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, suppliers, and internal teams, and fostering collaborative environments. He has successfully led cross-functional teams in designing and implementing streamlined operational processes resulting in improved efficiency and cost savings, and played pivotal roles in financial decision-making, budgeting, forecasting, and implementing financial controls that enhanced profitability.
Dr. Alan Shark

Dr. Alan Shark

Executive Director, Public Technology Institute

Alan has headed the Public Technology Institute (PTI) for some 19 years and brings 30+ years of experience in technology and public management. He is a recognized author, speaker, blogger, and podcast host, and has spent most of his career in nonprofit management. He also teaches Technology & Public Management for over 14 years and is currently associate professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University. In addition to PTI and teaching, Alan is co-chair and fellow of the Standing Panel on Technology Leadership for the National Academy of Public Administration.
Dana Sobania

Dana Sobania

Event & Operations Manager

Dana is an accomplished event professional with over 10 years of experience in event management and high-touch hospitality. She developed her professional pursuits at the confluence of the Twin Cities’ cultural and culinary communities. Hospitality work is her passion, and she has a great understanding of the important relationship between guest-facing and back-of-house operations, while also embracing the precision of data management and reporting. Dana’s combination of logistical knowledge, meticulous attention to detail, and hands-on, personalized approach to customer service ensure that every attendee has a positive experience.
Margaret Winchell

Margaret Winchell

Senior Account Executive & Event Manager

Margaret has more than 30 years’ experience in educational event management for groups of 150 – 2500, as well as 20 years’ experience in association management, providing executive level leadership to both national and international clients. She has extensive experience working with hotels and convention centers around the globe and experience with coordinating transportation services, onsite/offsite event planning during the conference, securing entertainment, managing food and beverage, decorations for staging, receptions and banquets during a conference.
Mary Wynne

Mary Wynne

Chief Executive Officer
Mary has twenty years of experience as an accomplished nonprofit leader with a proven track record of designing and leading innovative, impactful programs and client services, including educational programming. She is adept at building relationships and incorporating the unique needs of diverse stakeholders to deliver outcomes that exceed expectations. Mary has been recognized for her strategic leadership skills and has been successful in overseeing complex change and growth initiatives.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors represents different roles and organizations, which helps provide breadth and depth as they guide and advise Fusion Learning Partners on issues of the day and future direction. This team of nonprofit and business professionals knows the underpinnings of Fusion and what guides our work. The Fusion Board of Directors shares our mission and values and hold us to the highest standards so that the communities and partners we serve receive exceptional service and results.

 

Cathy Hart

Cathy Hart

Board Chair
President and CEO, Slainte Group
Sue Wallace

Sue Wallace

Vice Chair
Founder/CEO, Quantico Consulting

Dave Blanchard

Dave Blanchard

Board Secretary
School of Education, Teacher Development: Information Media, Saint Cloud State University

Jay Kiedrowski

Jay Kiedrowski

Board Treasurer
Senior Fellow, Humphrey School of Public Affairs

Janice Aanenson

Janice Aanenson

Executive Director, Minnesota State IT Center for Excellence

Osman Ahmed

Osman Ahmed

Director of Community Partnerships, Great MN Schools

Greg Anderson

Greg Anderson

Principal, Regional Practice Center Lead, Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc.

Nick Bata

Nick Bata

Director of Sales, Horizontal Talent

Amy Cheney

Amy Cheney

Chief Information Officer, City of Bloomington, MN

Kaela Dickens

Kaela Dickens

Client Lead & Analytics Consultant, Data Drive LLC

Adam Frumkin

Adam Frumkin

Chief Information Officer, Franklin County, OH

Adam Larson

Adam Larson

CIO/Director of IT, Washington County, MN

Elizabeth Lo

Elizabeth Lo

IT Director, Bedford County, Virginia

Joe Sheeran

Joe Sheeran

Communications Manager, City of Maplewood

Tom Steichen

Tom Steichen

General Counsel & COO, Colliers Mortgage Holdings

Mary Wynne

Mary Wynne

Chief Executive Officer, Fusion Learning Partners

Fusion Jobs

Are you civic-minded and want to support positive change in our communities?

Do you thrive in an environment that is collaborative, entrepreneurial and values your contributions?

Then we want you to join our team!

Who We Are

At Fusion Learning Partners, we believe learning is the origin of change and transformation, and we believe learning never stops – it’s a lifelong endeavor that continues beyond the classrooms of our youth. Fusion is committed to creating environments that promote learning for the individuals, organizations, and the communities they serve. From offering professional development programs, research and consultation services to public sector technology leaders and their teams, to providing organizational support and event management services to nonprofit and government agencies, Fusion exists to strengthen and transform the communities where we work, live, and thrive.

Available Position: Program and Communications Coordinator

Fusion is seeking its next Program and Communications Coordinator. This full-time, entry-level professional position has a variety of essential accountabilities that include program and event coordination, external communications, digital marketing, participant/stakeholder engagement and administrative management for our Public Technology Institute.

Compensation/Benefits/Work Environment

The salary range for this exempt position is $45,000 – $55,000. Benefits include 401K with employer match, generous paid holiday/vacation/sick time, Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to offset health expenses and insurance, life insurance, employee assistance and gainsharing. This position is hybrid, with some in-person office time required as well as three to four onsite events per year. Travel to event locations is required, including local (Twin Cities Metro Area), greater Minnesota and national venues. Up-to-date proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to support@fusionlp.org

Available Position: Registration and Operations Manager

Fusion Learning Partners is looking for a Registration & Operations Manager who is simultaneously skilled at problem-solving, creating efficiencies, working with technology, data and financial information while at the same time enjoys engaging with and supporting clients and attendees, ensuring they have a good experience.

The Registration & Operations Manager will have a two-pronged business focus: 

  • leading the organization’s event registration strategies and executing those strategies for assigned events
  • supporting key financial and operational functions for the organization.

Compensation/Benefits/Work Environment

The salary range for this FT exempt position is $56,000 – $65,000. Benefits include 401K with employer match, generous paid holiday/vacation/sick time, Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to offset health expenses and insurance, life insurance, employee assistance and gainsharing. This position is hybrid, with some in-person office time required as well as five to seven onsite events per year. Travel to event locations is required, including local (Twin Cities Metro Area), greater Minnesota and possible national venues.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to support@fusionlp.org

Press Releases

Exciting News from Fusion Learning Partners!

Fusion Learning Partners Welcomes the Public Technology Institute to Further Enhance Government Tech Solutions

MNIT Receives Golden GOVIT Awards at the 39th Annual Government IT Symposium

These awards recognize Individual Leadership and COVID-19 Rapid Response Efforts made by MNIT Services.

Accessibility Highlights from the 2020 Government IT Symposium

Minnesota’s digital accessibility coordinators share accessibility news, techniques, and resources with their state of Minnesota colleagues. They attend conferences to learn the latest and maintain their certifications. The Office of Accessibility asked Rita Larson to share takeaways from the 2020 Symposium.

NDIT Executives Participating in Virtual Government IT Symposium

Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley, Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Ford and Chief Data Officer Dorman Bazzell will participate in the 39th Annual Government IT Symposium Dec. 8 – 10.

Bush Foundation Grant for the Transforming Learning Summit Speaker Series

Our History

48 Years of Connecting, Convening, Inspiring, and Informing

How do local policymakers, staff, and appointed officials in diverse settings and from diverse backgrounds gain the knowledge to make informed decisions and the skills to work effectively with other stakeholder groups? This is the question from which Government Training Services (GTS) was born.

In 1976, as a result of work started by the Center for Urban and Regional Studies at the University of Minnesota, GTS was established as a public joint powers association. The intent was to bring together the providers and consumers of education and training, to develop quality programs available to all local governments so that each local entity did not have to “reinvent the wheel,” and to consider economies of scale. What emerged was a vehicle ideally suited for addressing intergovernmental and multi-sector educational needs.

In 2003, due to cuts in state appropriated funds, GTS transitioned to an independent, nonprofit corporation, with a new board of directors, an expanded mission to serve both the public and civic sector, and a new name – GTS Educational Events.

Over the years, GTS formed meaningful relationships with dozens of public, civic and private sector partners. Partners included those who worked with GTS for decades, as well as new partners who reaped the benefits of working with an organization that shared similar goals and values around the power of convening and connecting people.

In 2022, in response to an extensive market/brand survey and new strategic plan, GTS Educational Events officially became Fusion Learning Partners.

In 2023, Fusion Learning Partners acquired the Public Technology Institute and its programs and services, which allow us to broaden and deepen our work and commitment to serving public sector technology and innovation across the country. Now a national organization, Fusion is poised for growth in size, scope and impact.

Building on the strength of our 48 year history, we are moving into the future as an organization that is focused on playing an important role in our society – perhaps now more than ever – to be a catalyst for organization and community transformation. We do this in a spirit of partnership and co-creation, working with our partners, clients, stakeholders and participants to bring people together to learn, solve problems and create positive social change.