EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Craig Toycen, a longtime Chippewa Valley business owner, community leader and athletics supporter, will be the featured speaker at the first Blugold Community Leaders Breakfast of the 2026-27 season on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 a.m.
The Blugold Community Leaders Breakfast series brings together leaders and supporters from across the Chippewa Valley for opportunities to connect, share experiences and learn from community leaders. Toycen will open the 2026-27 series as the featured speaker.
Born and raised in Chippewa Falls, Toycen is a graduate of Saint John's University in Minnesota. He is the owner and operator of Toycen Ford in Chippewa Falls, continuing a long-standing family tradition in the automotive industry.
Toycen also owns and operates the Eau Claire Express, a summer collegiate wood-bat baseball team in the Northwoods League. Through the Express, he helps bring high-level baseball and community entertainment to the Chippewa Valley.
Toycen has a long history of civic and nonprofit leadership. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Northern Wisconsin State Fair, currently serves as Chair of the Chippewa County Community Foundation and is a former two-time President of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. He has also spent many years coaching youth baseball, basketball and soccer throughout the area.
Toycen is married to his high school sweetheart, Holly, and together they have two sons who are currently in high school.
A lifelong and long-suffering fan of the Minnesota Vikings, Toycen brings the same resilience and optimism to his work, his community and every organization he serves.
The Blugold Community Leaders Breakfast will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Sonnentag Event Center. Community members, leaders and supporters are invited to attend and hear from Toycen as he shares his experiences and perspective on leadership and community involvement.
Sign up is open until Friday, September 25th!
Program Format — (7:30-8:30 a.m)
7:30-7:55 a.m. — Breakfast Served + Leadership Networking
A relaxed 25-minute window for leaders to arrive, enjoy breakfast, connect with fellow attendees and engage with UW-Eau Claire Athletics staff.
7:55-8 a.m. — Leadership Welcome & Framing
A brief UW-Eau Claire Athletics update and opening that sets the leadership tone for the morning.
8-8:10 a.m. — Leadership Spotlight
A short highlight of a leadership story, habit or example.
8:10-8:28 a.m. — Featured Leadership Conversation with Craig Toycen
A focused conversation with a community leader centered on growth, habits, behaviors and mindset.
8:28-8:30 a.m. — Leadership Close
A brief wrap-up reinforcing the morning's leadership theme and previewing the next session.
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