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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 and employment assistance to job seekers; works with employers to fill jobs; enforces workers’ rights; and, administers Unemployment Insurance, Apprenticeship and Workers Compensation.

Secretary Gassman carries out Governor Doyle’s agenda for economic growth and cost effective government. Appointed in January of 2003, she is Wisconsin’s longest serving Secretary of the department, and under her leadership, the Department has worked successfully with its partners to create new career pathways and opportunities for countless individuals. Her accomplishments include expansion of both the Youth Apprenticeship and Adult Apprenticeship programs, significantly improving opportunities for minorities in the adult apprenticeship program. Acting on the Governor’s Grow Wisconsin strategy of 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 MSSC credentials. Her efforts to ensure future generations of skilled workers include strong support for the Governor’s Wisconsin Covenant and Project Lead the Way.

Secretary Gassman also successfully directed efforts to increase the minimum wage for the first time since 1997, benefiting approximately 200,000 workers, many who are women. As part of the Governor’s Grow Wisconsin, she also helped advance strategic targeting of Grow Grants in support of collaborative, regional efforts to grow the economy, create good job opportunities and connect workers to employers. She is leading efforts to transform employment and training services to better meet the needs of Wisconsin in the 21st century economy.

Secretary Gassman previously served as President of Gassman Communications & Public Affairs, as a bank senior vice president and as a top aide to a previous Wisconsin governor, county executive, and mayor.

Gassman serves on the boards of the Wisconsin Technical College System, Wisconsin Council on Workforce Investment, Forward Wisconsin, the Governor’s Business Council, the Wisconsin PK-16 Council, and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies. She has served as president of the Madison Equal Opportunities Commission and on the boards of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, the Downtown Rotary Club of Madison, Downtown Madison, Inc. and various arts groups. She is currently a member of Downtown Rotary and TEMPO.

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