Home > Secretary Roberta Gassman Biography 

Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman

Secretary Roberta Gassman serves in the Cabinet of Governor Jim Doyle, leading the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development in strengthening Wisconsin's workforce.  With 1,645 employees, the department provides training, employment and dislocated worker assistance; works with employers to fill jobs; enforces workers’ rights; and, administers Unemployment Insurance, Apprenticeship and Worker’s Compensation.

Secretary Gassman carries out Governor Doyle’s agenda for economic growth and cost effective government.  Appointed in January of 2003, she is currently leading the Governor’s efforts to ensure that the resources of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are being used effectively and efficiently to create employment and training opportunities for Wisconsin’s workers.

Secretary Gassman’s accomplishments include expansion of sector strategies and career pathways and the Youth Apprenticeship and Adult Apprenticeship programs. Acting on Governor Doyle’s Grow Wisconsin agenda for investing in people, she has led efforts to maintain a first-rate workforce, such as the Manufacturing Skill Standards Certification initiative to help incumbent workers gain new national credentials.

She also successfully directed Wisconsin’s work to increase the minimum wage benefiting over 200,000 workers, many who are women.  She is leading Governor Doyle’s strategies to transform employment and training services to better meet the needs of Wisconsin in the 21st century economy.  

Secretary Gassman serves on various state and national boards including the Wisconsin Technical College System, Wisconsin Council on Workforce Investment, and the Wisconsin PK-16 Council.  She also is a board member of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies and a member of Downtown Rotary and TEMPO.

Secretary Gassman previously served as President of her own communications firm, as a bank senior vice president and as a top advisor to a previous Wisconsin governor, county executive, and mayor.

She has been honored with numerous leadership and professional awards, including being named a "Woman of Distinction" by the YWCA.  She earned her BA and her MSSW from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  She has two grown daughters and lives with her husband in Madison.

Wisconsin.gov | Site Map | Search | Accessibility | Legal | Feedback | DWD Home