About

Known for turning whiteboard brainstorms into actionable roadmaps, Shayna has organized winning referenda, launched new funds, and built coalitions that center prosperity and access. Shayna Hetzel (she/her) is Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), where she leads the state’s $100 million public-private venture capital initiative and a portfolio of programs advancing early-stage investment, venture debt, and statewide startup ecosystem growth. With nearly 20 years of experience across government, higher education, philanthropy, and corporate innovation, Shayna brings a rare blend of strategic vision and operational expertise to fueling Wisconsin’s future through innovation. Her work focuses on high-impact sectors and high-growth startups—always with an eye toward inclusive economic prosperity. Prior to joining WEDC, Shayna was a founding director at the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact, where she helped design a $105 million investment strategy through philanthropy and catalytic partnerships across the U.S. and launched a $100 million venture capital social impact fund. She began her career in state government as a policy and budget analyst overseeing more than $6B in policy initiatives across two biennial budgets, and previously shaped community engagement and operational strategy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, leading the design process and execution of $100 million campus capital project. A proud Wisconsinite and double Badger, Shayna holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Public Affairs with emphasis on public management and education policy, both from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She serves on several nonprofit and innovation-focused boards, including the Volunteers of America Future Fund Innovation Incubator, the Board of Trustees for the UW Wisconsin Union, and The Village Diaper Bank. Her leadership and impact have been recognized nationally and locally—she was named one of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Asian Leaders by Madison365 and is a 40 Under 40 honoree by InBusiness Madison. She lives in Madison with her husband and two children.