MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Secretary-designee Cheryll Olson-Collins today announced she appointed Michelle Knuese to lead the DFI’s Division of Corporate and Consumer Services as the division’s administrator. Knuese begins her appointment as administrator today, filling the vacancy left by DFI Deputy Secretary Patti Epstein, who held the position until being appointed deputy secretary in January 2022.
“Michelle is a great addition to the DFI leadership team with her extensive leadership experience in state government and her commitment to serving the people of Wisconsin,” said DFI Secretary-designee Olson-Collins. “Michelle is known for her ability to motivate staff and create inclusive environments. I’m confident she will do a great job leading the DFI’s Division of Corporate and Consumer Services.”
Knuese will lead a staff of 19 employees and oversee the state’s central business registration filing system, which processes documents that effect business formations, mergers, consolidations, and dissolutions. The division also files and maintains documents under the uniform commercial code, notary, apostille, trademark, and tradename programs, as well as the registrations, renewals, and financial reporting of charitable organizations, fundraising counsels, and professional fundraisers.
Prior to her appointment at the DFI, Knuese held several leadership positions in the areas of budget, finance, and program management in service to government entities in both Wisconsin and Arizona. Most recently, she managed multiple budgets for the Waukesha County Department of Administration in Waukesha, Wis. Knuese also led the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services’ Division of Professional Credential Processing as the division’s administrator, and she served in the areas of budget and policy for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Earlier in her career, Knuese served in various management and administrative capacities for Maricopa County in Phoenix, Ariz.
Knuese currently serves as board treasurer for a local not-for-profit charitable organization in Waukesha, Wis. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Western International University. Knuese currently resides with her husband, Tom, in Menomonee Falls, Wis.
