Matthew Brantner is the Executive Director of WisCorps and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  He got his start in conservation corps programs as a Crew Leader and eventual Program Manager for the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps in 2005. In 2009, after four years with the corps in Vermont, he worked to bring a conservation corps back to Wisconsin by founding WisCorps.

In addition to loving his role at WisCorps, Matthew is an avid outdoors person who loves camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and cycling.  He enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters on their small farm where they garden and care for the land.

Paige grew up in Hampton, Iowa, a small town which allowed her family to introduce her to the great outdoors while hiking and camping on weekends and family vacations. After high school, she spent two years at Winona State University before transferring to complete her B.S. in Advertising at South Dakota State University.

Paige spent a decade in the Advertising Industry working as a commercial Producer in Nashville, TN. This experience equipped her with problem solving skills, budgeting experience and honed her creativity.

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Paige spent six years as a volunteer for Girl Scouts Troop 6000, which serves girls experiencing homelessness or transitional housing. She gained invaluable appreciation for the work done in the nonprofit sector and a heart of empathy for all people. After the pandemic, she felt called to pursue a more meaningful career closer to home and found WisCorps as a perfect fit in June of 2023. 

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Outside of work, Paige has a passion for regenerative agriculture and trade industries. You can most likely find her in a garden, a kitchen, helping her Husband with his business, Art & Science Tree Care or doing home projects. 

Emily grew up camping with her family all over Wisconsin, which sparked a lifelong love of the outdoors. She moved to La Crosse in 2009 to attend UW-La Crosse and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Environmental Studies. After college, Emily did an SCA AmeriCorps Internship with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge. Then, Emily spent two summers working as a ranger for the U.S. National Park Service in Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Her love for the Driftless region brought her back to La Crosse. She loves exploring with her husband and kiddos, Colton, Will, and Charlotte. She enjoys hiking, camping, playing guitar, crafting, baking, and musicals.

Emma loves nature and also has a passion for developing people. Emma has worked for some years in not-for-profit organizations and has experience in a wide range of HR areas. Emma also had a stint as an educational Tour Director, taking young people round Europe on educational tours.

Originally from London, UK, she loves living in the Driftless area and being so close and accessible to so much nature – it’s now her happy place! The Mississippi was calling…

Emma is also mum (mom) to four cats, all named after British monarchs. In her spare time, Emma loves to travel, enjoys camping, gardening and cycling.