Michael Ward

Mike Ward joined WEDC in September 2022 as vice president for business and community development. To his work at WEDC, he brings more than 25 years of experience in banking with U.S. Bank and its predecessors. Mike has held leadership positions in sales management, commercial lending, marketing, sales support and underwriting—all focused on small business. Helping and learning about small businesses and the communities they support has been Mike’s passion for his entire career.

Mike has done volunteer work with a number of groups including various United Ways, the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, the Waukesha Redevelopment Authority and the Waukesha County Economic Development Corporation. He is a current board member of BizStarts and the Urban Economic Development Association as well as an active volunteer with Kiva. He also serves as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Wisconsin Economic Roundtable.

A Madison native, Mike received his bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota. He lives with his wife in Waukesha and has three adult children.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljward/