Let’s Go Crazy (Productive): Making the Most of Your WICSEC Experience in St. Paul or Any Upcoming Conference
Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. MST
(10:00 am Pacific, 12:00 pm Central, 1:00 pm Eastern)
This was a FREE Webinar and the recording will be posted soon!
Description
Before you pack your bags and head to the land of 10,000 lakes and legendary funk, join us for a high-energy session designed to help you get the most out of your WICSEC experience. From pre-conference prep like choosing the right sessions and planning your networking strategy, to maximizing your time onsite and following up after the event—this microlearning will help you conference like a pro. Not attending WICSEC? That’s okay, there are plenty of tips that you can use for any upcoming conference! Attending virtually? We’ll have tips for you too, so don’t miss out.
Along the way, we’ll highlight the can’t-miss sights, bites, and Prince-inspired delights of the St. Paul area. Whether it’s your first WICSEC or your tenth, you’ll leave this session ready to party like it’s 1999—efficiently, strategically, and with style.
Recording and Materials
Jodi Abel
Planning Manager
Ramsey County Child Support Services
Jodi Abel is a Planning Manager for the Child Support Services Division of the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her focus areas include Policy and Procedure Development, Project Management, and Performance Support. She has 28 years of Child Support expertise as a worker, trainer, supervisor, project manager, analyst, and policy and procedure writer. She is highly motivated and dedicated to improving the child support client experience.
Natalie Dillon
Director
Colusa Sutter Yolo Regional Child Support Agency
Natalie Dillon is the Director for the Colusa, Sutter, Yolo Regional Child Support Agency. In January 2021, the three local child support agencies merged to create a single regional agency.
Natalie had been the Director of the Yolo County Department of Child Support Services and previously worked as Deputy Director for the California Child Support Directors Association (CSDA). At CSDA she was heavily involved in the coordination of California local child support agency input in matters of automation, policy, and outreach. She was responsible for the Association’s participation in and development of educational material, training and conferences.
Natalie is the Past President of the CSDA Board of Directors and is currently a Board member. She served on the National Child Support Engagement Association (NCSEA) Board of Directors as well as Leadership Symposium Planning Committee and is a lifetime Board member of WICSEC (the Western Interstate Child Support Engagement Council) as well as Past President. Natalie previously served as Vice President on the Board of Directors for the children’s home, Progress Ranch Treatment Services for Children.
Natalie has worked extensively in the Human Services arena. In addition to the Child Support Program, areas of expertise include public assistance and employment service programs and programs for at risk youth. She was a part time instructor for the University of California at Davis, Continuing and Professional Development.
Natalie received the CSAC (California State Association of Counties) credential for County Senior Executives and is the recipient of the 2008-09 American Society of Public Administrators (ASPA) Award for Intergovernmental Cooperation, the CSDA CCSAS Excellence Award and in 2022 received the CSDA Truly B. Knox award.
April Klatt
WICSEC President and Consultant
Change & Innovation Agency (C!A®)
April is currently a consultant with Change and Innovation Agency (C!A). At C!A, April leads radical process redesign initiatives with Child Support agencies nationwide transforming systems to empower staff and enhance capacity. April’s 20 years in the Arizona Department of Economic Security include roles from Unemployment adjudicator, UI supervisor, Child Support case manager, CS supervisor, CS program manager, CS process improvement specialist to Child Support administrator where she oversaw half of the field offices in the State of Arizona. April has successfully implemented many process improvement projects through her hands-on experience and the tools she has learned through Lean-Six Sigma certification in addition to several other methods of rapid process improvement she has learned. April is also involved with WICSEC and currently is the WICSEC President.
Maureen Leif
President
Grays Peak Strategies
Maureen Leif leads with heart, purpose, and a deep belief in the power of partnership to create meaningful change. She brings people together across systems—tribal, state, federal, and local—to design human-centered solutions that improve the lives of children and families. With a background in law, public policy, and systems reform, Maureen is known for her collaborative spirit, strategic thinking, and ability to spark innovation in even the most complex environments.
A graduate of Purdue University and Indiana University School of Law, Maureen has nearly 30 years of experience working in child support and family law. She has held leadership roles in the Colorado Judicial Branch, served as a deputy district attorney, and worked in private practice. Over the years, she’s been recognized by her peers and partners for her commitment to justice, equity, and cross-sector collaboration.
Today, through Grays Peak Strategies, Maureen advises governments, tribes, and organizations on initiatives that center cultural connectedness, equity, and dignity. Maureen is proud to continue supporting the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
Ellen Rutledge
Director Consulting Expert
CGI
Ellen Rutledge, Director Consulting Expert with CGI, specializes in identifying and addressing the unique needs of health and human services agencies. She leverages their expertise to propose effective solutions that enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. With a passion for collaboration, Ellen enjoys working closely with agencies to find the right solutions, ensuring that the choice will meet specific goals and challenges.
Ellen has over 20 years of experience as a child support professional. Her experience includes representing Wyoming Department of Family Services as a Senior Assistant Attorney General, facilitating full-service child support operations for five judicial districts in Wyoming, and providing training for child support attorneys. At CGI, she serves as the project manager for a federal grant and provides support to its health and human services practice area.
Dr. Trish Skophammer
Director of Child Support Services
Ramsey County Attorney’s Office
Dr. Trish Skophammer serves as the Director of the Child Support Services Division in the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office located in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has 25 years of experience in child support. She has been involved in NCSEA for many years, serving on Leadership Symposium and Policy Forum planning committees, the Web Talks committee co-chair, the Emerging Issues and Leading Practices subcommittee, and as former Director on the NCSEA Board. She is involved in associations and committees at the local level as well. Trish has presented on numerous topics at national, regional and local conferences, web talks and training workshops. In addition to her expertise in child support policy and practice, Trish’s expertise includes leadership topics such as performance management; strategic planning; and diversity, equity and inclusion. Trish has a master’s degree from Bethel University in Organizational Leadership and a doctorate degree in Public Administration from Hamline University.