WBA and WBF Announce Promotions and New Hire

The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is pleased to announce the promotion of Scott Birrenkott to director – legal; promotion of Cassandra Krause to executive director of the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF); and hire of Nick Loppnow as director of Associate Membership and business development.

“I’m very happy to congratulate Scott, Cassie, and Nick on their achievements,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “Their skill sets combined with their passion for what they do will help them carry out the work of our Association and nonprofit Foundation.”

Birrenkott joined WBA in June of 2015 as assistant director – legal and over the past seven years has provided WBA members with current information on the banking industry’s constantly changing regulatory, legislative, and judicial requirements. As director – legal, Birrenkott will continue to collaborate with the WBA Government Relations team on advocacy efforts, speak at WBA education programs, and act as senior writer for the WBA Compliance Journal. Birrenkott earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and his Juris Doctor degree at Marquette University.

Krause has been selected by the WBF Board of Directors to serve as the Foundation’s executive director. WBF is the nonprofit arm of WBA whose mission is to promote financial literacy and capability through education, grants, scholarships, and research. She will continue her role as WBA communications manager, which she began in March of 2021. Krause came to WBA from the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. She has a background in international business and development. Krause holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree from the Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany.

Loppnow began his career at a financial institution, followed by over eight years with WBA, most recently in the position of director – Associate Member and education services. He then went on to work for a financial institution training development company before returning to WBA as director – Associate Membership and business development. In his new role, Loppnow will manage the Associate Membership program (vendor program), coordinate event exhibit halls and sponsorship offerings, and meet with WBA Bank Members. Loppnow earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.