Joan Wade is the agency administrator for Cooperative Educational Service Agency 6 (CESA 6) and has served in that role for the past 10 years. Joan has been a professional educator for over 25 years serving as a library media specialist, technology director, and an administrator.
Prior to coming to CESA 6, Joan served as a legislator in the State Assembly, representing the 42nd Assembly District. During her time in the legislature she served on several committees including: Education, Ways and Means, Mandates, Agriculture, Family Law, Personal Privacy and chaired the Tourism and Recreation committee. Joan is a member of the Executive Council for the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA). She also is a member of the UW-Oshkosh Chancellor's advisory Council, Badgernet Converged Network Advisory Board, Wisconsin Association of CESA Administrators, State Superintendents Educational Data Advisory Committee, and CESA Foundation Board.
Born and raised in Endeavor, Wisconsin, Joan graduated from Portage High School, and went on to UW-Whitewater, where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1984. She continued her education at UW-Madison, receiving her Masters degree in 1988 and her doctorate in Educational Administration from Edgewood College in 2005. Joan serves as Chairperson of the Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon, Wisconsin. She is married to State Senator Luther Olsen and is the mother of two children.
