Experience

WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 100 - 200 Employee
• President & General Manager

  • Mar 2023 - Present


Ascension Wisconsin Foundation

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Philanthropy Officer

  • Sep 2022 - Mar 2023

  Led the philanthropic efforts for metro Milwaukee’s safety net hospital system, which spans six hospitals and multiple community clinics and outreach programs. Led the philanthropic efforts for metro Milwaukee’s safety net hospital system, which spans six hospitals and multiple community clinics and outreach programs.



Imagine MKE

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Jun 2019 - Sep 2022

  As the inaugural CEO, I provided visionary leadership for our board and stakeholders and tactical direction to launch, grow, and institutionalize Milwaukee’s first arts and culture advocacy agency. HIGHLIGHTS Grew organization budget 180% from 2019 - 2021 1,243% ROI for Milwaukee arts and culture stakeholders in 2020 Led advocacy campaigns to bring $9 M of COVID relief into Milwaukee arts organizations and artists As the inaugural CEO, I provided visionary leadership for our board and stakeholders and tactical direction to launch, grow, and institutionalize Milwaukee’s first arts and culture advocacy agency. HIGHLIGHTS Grew organization budget 180% from 2019 - 2021 1,243% ROI for Milwaukee arts and culture stakeholders in 2020 Led advocacy campaigns to bring $9 M of COVID relief into Milwaukee arts organizations and artists



Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Board of Directors

  • Nov 2012 - Apr 2022

  Outpost Natural Foods is the nation's third largest natural food cooperative with four stores owned by over 22,000 owner/members and annual sales of $50 million. As Board President from 2015 – 2018, set monthly board agenda and chaired meetings, set and led board goals and objectives; led board strategic planning and envisioning process; served as key liaison between management and board; ensured accountability across board committees. Led Scenario Planning process to help our board and management think strategically about the future and how to manage risks and capitalize on opportunities based on current mega and micro trends. As Board Vice-President from 2013 – 2015, led annual board effectiveness evaluation and development planning with goal to achieve top-two box in all strategic competencies. Show less



Feeding Wisconsin

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Aug 2014 - Jun 2019

  As the founding executive director, I was the key driving force to convene, build, and grow Wisconsin's association of food banks. In four years, I led the organization's 10X growth from $100K in 2014 to over $1.3M in 2018, resulting in over 3x in ROI for our food bank members. Led mission and visioning process and strategic plan development with board of directors and other key stakeholders to develop an inspiring vision, understandable mission, and measurable strategic plan to launch the largest anti-hunger network in the state. Led development and execution of state and federal policy agenda and advocacy strategy; Serve as our organization’s principal lobbyist in Madison and DC; Maintain bipartisan, solutions-focused brand with positive relationships with state and federal legislators on both sides of the aisle. Led and managed internal staff of 4 and led through influence and partnership with food bank CEOs and their staff to ensure execution of state priorities. Developed, stewarded, and grew partnerships with organizations interested in statewide hunger relief, including UnitedHealthcare, Zendesk, Wisconsin Realtors Association, The Milwaukee Bucks, and others. Represented the statewide hunger relief brand in all state media, regional industry panels, and corporate communications initiatives. Show less



Feeding America

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Program Development Specialist

  • Jun 2012 - Aug 2014

  Facilitated internal and external collaborations and partnerships to increase resources to support food and benefit distribution programs at member food banks. Led national focus group and public opinion project to better understand attitudes and perceptions of hunger and federal anti-hunger programs. As a result, the strategic communication and messaging framework work product changed national messaging structure.Played a key role in developing national SNAP Outreach Program strategy that grew meals delivered through Federal SNAP benefits by 31% from 130.7M meals in 2011 to 188.9M meals in 2013 and program funding from $0 to $5M. Show less

• Director of Government Relations and Advocacy

  • Oct 2010 - Jun 2012

  Managed and implemented the state government relations and grassroots advocacy portfolio for the nation’s largest anti-hunger organization. Developed strategic state legislative policy platform and grassroots advocacy strategy to improve hunger-relief policies in all 50 states and DC; Led implementation in target states.Managed and oversaw multiple budget lines in excess of $1 million. Developed and implemented strategies to positively position Feeding America and its member food banks in state policy discussions. Served as liaison between external trade associations and state policy and government associations.Co-Chair National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, 2011 and 2012. Show less



Hunger Task Force

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Program Developer

  • Apr 2010 - Oct 2010

  Developed and implemented programs to increase network capacity for emergency food distribution in Milwaukee. Monitored food programs and emergency food pantries to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Created, executed, and tracked corrective action plans to bring partner organizations into compliance. Developed and implemented programs to increase network capacity for emergency food distribution in Milwaukee. Monitored food programs and emergency food pantries to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Created, executed, and tracked corrective action plans to bring partner organizations into compliance.



The Jewish Federation

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Special Projects

  • Feb 2008 - Apr 2010

  Key role in creating and launching “Fed Up with Hunger,” a community-wide initiative to end hunger in Los Angeles through advocacy, volunteerism, service learning, fundraising, and grant making. The initiative gained media attention in the Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, The LA Daily News, and others. Managed the initiative’s daily operations, supervised staff, interns, and volunteers. Developed advocacy and public policy strategies for local, state and federal food legislation. Identified and developed relationships with key stakeholders, including elected officials, community health professionals, chefs, food, anti-hunger and sustainable agriculture advocates for strategic partnerships. Show less

• Government Relations Coordinator

  • Feb 2002 - Feb 2008



JHK Productions

• Entertainment Industry Professional

  • Oct 1997 - Jan 2008

  Produced credits: "The Marriage of Charlie Johnson" (Feature film, 2004) "Torn" (Stage, Los Angeles, 2002; "Backstage West" declared it an "ingenious new form of theatre.") "Misery Day Parade: A Grand Love Story" (Feature film, 2001) "Storybook Endings" (Short film, 1999; premiered at the New York Independent Film Festival) "Torn" (Stage, New York, 1998) "Torn" (Stage, Vassar College Workshop Production, 1997) Produced credits: "The Marriage of Charlie Johnson" (Feature film, 2004) "Torn" (Stage, Los Angeles, 2002; "Backstage West" declared it an "ingenious new form of theatre.") "Misery Day Parade: A Grand Love Story" (Feature film, 2001) "Storybook Endings" (Short film, 1999; premiered at the New York Independent Film Festival) "Torn" (Stage, New York, 1998) "Torn" (Stage, Vassar College Workshop Production, 1997)



Split.Id Theater Company

• Writer/Director

  • Jul 2003 - Apr 2005

  Credits include: "Overflow" (by Justina Walford) "Re-Adaptation" (by Dominic Savio and Blake Goddard; IN Magazine called the show "incredibly intelligent") "Haunt" (by Justina Walford) "Evolution of Sunday" (by Justina Walford) Credits include: "Overflow" (by Justina Walford) "Re-Adaptation" (by Dominic Savio and Blake Goddard; IN Magazine called the show "incredibly intelligent") "Haunt" (by Justina Walford) "Evolution of Sunday" (by Justina Walford)



Consumer Dynamics

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Account Coordinator

  • 2000 - 2000

  Product development, strategic positioning, and brand consulting for a boutique marketing consulting firm for Fortune 500 CPG companies. Coordinated, conducted and analyzed new product exploration, positioning, and focus groups projects for Gillette, Seagrams, and Duracell. Product development, strategic positioning, and brand consulting for a boutique marketing consulting firm for Fortune 500 CPG companies. Coordinated, conducted and analyzed new product exploration, positioning, and focus groups projects for Gillette, Seagrams, and Duracell.



Proxy Monitor Inc

• United States
• Financial Services

• Y2K Compliance Consultant

  • 1999 - 2000

  Led and managed the only Y2K Disclosure Service for the US institutional investment community with holdings over a billion dollars. Responsible for researching, analyzing, and writing Y2K preparedness abstracts for over 10,000 US companies and 1,200 foreign companies. Clients included Allstate, Morgan Stanley, T.Rowe Price, Chase Manhattan, and Citibank. Led and managed the only Y2K Disclosure Service for the US institutional investment community with holdings over a billion dollars. Responsible for researching, analyzing, and writing Y2K preparedness abstracts for over 10,000 US companies and 1,200 foreign companies. Clients included Allstate, Morgan Stanley, T.Rowe Price, Chase Manhattan, and Citibank.



Grafton Street

• United Kingdom
• Real Estate

• Senior Chef

  • 1997 - 1998

  Managed the kitchen brigade of a busy gastropub in the heart of Harvard Square. Created daily menus and supervised nightly dinner preparation. Cooked dinner service six nights a week at various line positions, including sauté, saucier, and expeditor. Managed the kitchen brigade of a busy gastropub in the heart of Harvard Square. Created daily menus and supervised nightly dinner preparation. Cooked dinner service six nights a week at various line positions, including sauté, saucier, and expeditor.