Communications and Training Team
ANNA VEMBU JULIAN is a communications specialist. Before joining OHR, she worked at the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) where she helped to build the internal communications function, led change management communications, and collaborated on external communications.
She’s passionate about learning, helping staff get the information they need to be successful and connecting with others. She enjoys a good challenge, working with others, and being part of a strong team, which is why she is excited to join OHR. TTC, she said, will have a lasting impact on how the UW attracts, retains and engages employees. Anna is excited to be a part of that.
Outside of work, Anna has two pugs, Maggie and Luis, whom she adores. She enjoys Olympic weight lifting, trying new recipes, and watching soccer with her husband. Three words that describe Anna include strategic, warm, and outgoing.
ROB FONTELLA is a communications specialist. Most recently, he worked in public health doing communications for statewide initiatives through the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and at University Health Services before that. The work meant coordinating innovative work across state agencies as well as fostering community academic partnerships at the local level. It was really rewarding to be living the Wisconsin Idea, he said.
Rob shared that he loves being part of a team, storytelling, and the technical aspects of communication and communications evaluation. He especially loves all things about digital content and delivery. Rob sees TTC as a chance to be part of a project with a lasting legacy that will help UW excel in the future to attract and retain the absolute best workforce.
Outside of work, he lives in a small, cozy house by Madison’s Olbrich Gardens with his wife Amelia, their two kiddos Frankie and baby Luisa, and a cranky puggle named Starla. As a family, they cook Detroit style-pizza, make fresh pasta, garden, and love to travel. Three words that describe Rob include positive, problem-solver, and friendly.
TINA NGO is a learning specialist and instructional designer. Before coming to UW, she worked at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services where she provided professional and leadership development to employees. She actually earned her Master’s in Library Studies here at UW-Madison, so coming here is a bit like a homecoming for her, she said.
As a learning professional, Tina loves witnessing the “ah-ha” moments—the moment when learners connect with training content, and when they gain something that increases their effectiveness. Having started her career in public service, she’s proud to be part of a public institution, and proud to serve employees who directly or indirectly, serve the public.
From a personal perspective, Tina is excited to have a succinct job title that people will understand, and that she won’t need to add an explanation of her role every time she introduces herself.
Outside of work, in the “down time” between running after her 3- and 5-year olds, she enjoys playing board games and watching Asian dramas (Korean rom-com and Chinese martial arts dramas in particular). Three words that describe Tina include approachable, helpful, and detail-oriented.
Compensation & Title Team
ANGIE STOOR is a compensation analyst. Before coming to the UW, she previously worked at TDS Telecom in HR–Compensation. Her job duties ran the gamut: she cared for the development of new jobs, pulled market data, processed commercial sales incentives and developed comp plans. She also cared for executive compensation and served as the compensation point-of-contact for acquisitions and divestitures.
The thing she enjoys most about working in HR (and the reason she has worked in this field for over 14 years) is because it is constantly evolving. There’s always a curve ball or something ‘out of the norm’ that gets thrown our way that we need to be able to address and resolve. Continuous learning!
Academia is a brand new industry for Angie, and this project is a great opportunity to learn more about UW’s structure and positions.
Outside of work, Angie enjoys spending time with her family (husband Ric, and two kids, Hattie and Jack) and being outdoors. Three words that describe Angie include friendly, easy-going, and trustworthy.
JESSICA FEUCHT is a compensation analyst. For the past 17 years, she worked at TDS Telecom, eight of which were in compensation. She administered the company’s annual team performance bonus and long-term incentive programs, and helped to create new salary structures based on market informed job mapping.
Jessica loves that she is learning something new every day, and is looking forward to learning a new industry. Academia is much more interesting than telecommunications.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, watching sports and going on family bike rides. Three words that describe Jessica include trustworthy, reliable, and a team player.
Project Lead
BRIAN STEEN started his career in higher education at age 14 when he worked at a local college in Las Vegas in the financial aid department. He remained employed in this office through high school and into college. A campus mentor took Brian under his wing to help him advance, arranging a work tour through higher education—starting with financial aid, and progressing through admissions and records, and finally the Bursars Office. Along the way, Brian learned about managing people and became deeply interested in Human Resources.
Brian’s first human resources position involved fast-paced projects, including implementations of Datatel Colleague, PeopleAdmin, and TrakStar—until ironically, he was tasked with eliminating his own job with automation. Brian then shifted into classification, compensation, benefits services and training.
Outside of regional training specialist and manager positions with a private international gaming and hospitality company in Las Vegas, for which he was recognized by the Las Vegas Travel Convention and Visitors Authority as a Hospitality Hero, Brian has remained in higher education. He led a team of almost twenty in Compensation, Classification, and HR Administration, and oversaw multiple project implementations, including Workday.
Most recently, Brian served as Chief Academic HR Strategist to the University Executive Vice President and Provost at University of Nevada Las Vegas. In January 2019, Brian made his way to UW–Madison.
Brian likes controlled chaos and the feeling that there are 12 balls that need to be balanced simultaneously. He operates best in moments when it feels like there is a lot happening. Brian is looking forward to seeing our campus have the ability to measure market competitiveness more effectively, and to implementing improved pay components for campus employees.
Outside of work, Brian likes hanging out with his family, which includes going to track and gymnastic meets for his champion daughters, AJ and KJ. As a family, they also love getting to know their new city and state—and try to do something new every weekend.