Interested in joining our team and building a stronger Milwaukee? Current job opportunities can be found here.
Karen Higgins
Executive Director …………………………
Favorite quote: “Don’t postpone joy!”
When do you feel most connected to the community?: “When I see diverse groups of people come together around a common issue, work through the issue, and come away from it transformed and changed in ways they could not imagine. The ripple effect of such an effort is beautiful to witness.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.902.5380
Andrea Grittner
Director of Development & Communications
Favorite quote: “Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” – William Faulkner
What do you enjoy about your work?: “I love getting to hear and share the stories of individuals whose lives have been changed through our programs.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.645.1989
Jessica Reese
Director of Programs …………………….
Favorite quote: “Broken crayons still color.” – Unknown
Favorite book: “Leaders eat Last by Simon Sinek or anything by Jodi Picoult.”
What’s something you believe makes communities stronger?: “Partnership, relationship building and collaboration! We need to work together as a community to heal from, and prevent further trauma.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.510.4483
Andre Robinson
Director of Violence Prevention Programming
Favorite quote: “Do what you must to enjoy what you do!” – George Willie Robinson (Grandfather)
What do you enjoy about your work?: “I enjoy watching the flame of realization in a young person’s eyes, confirming that they “get it!”.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.382.7434
Song Xiong-Buck
Director of Older Adults Center
What do you enjoy about your work?: “I enjoy making our older adults’ “golden years” shine. It gives me the opportunity to meet a wide variety of older people and make a tremendous difference in their quality of life”
What’s something you believe makes communities stronger?: “A strong community should consist of a multitude of opportunities for growth and experience with people working together toward a common goal.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.902.5384
Jake Weiler
Director of Housing
Favorite quote: “Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice.” – Henry Ford (maybe)
What’s something you believe makes communities stronger?: “Strong communities are built on a foundation of empathy, inclusivity, and open communication, where members support and uplift one another.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.902.5397
LaRia Brent
Community School Coordinator
Favorite quote: “Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who did not hear the music.” – Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
- Email: [email protected]
Maya Marion
YouthBuild Program Manager …………
Favorite quote: “For there is always light if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it.” – Amanda Gordon
What’s something you believe makes communities stronger?: “To me a strong community embodies genuine care for the wellbeing of your neighbor (relationships and transformational services). This in conjunction with the resources necessary to meet the needs of communities for them to grow and thrive to create a better future for generations to come.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.902.5394
Lue Yang
Youth Opportunities Manager …………
What’s something you believe makes communities stronger?: “Communities are stronger when we build intentional and genuine relationships with people in neighborhoods most impacted by the systemic choices that affect their ability to thrive and succeed in their own communities, and activating their abilities to shape and mold the political landscape of their communities.”
When do you feel most connected to community?: “I feel most connected to the community when intergenerational families are all working together across different communities to ensure that our young people can not just succeed, but also thrive and live freely to their fullest potential.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.645.8441
Elizabeth Ramirez
Muskego Way Forward Co-Coordinator
Favorite book: “One of my favorite books is Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, but I also love to read and write poetry.”
When do you feel most connected to the community?: “I feel most connected to our community when we come together to lend each other a helping hand. I appreciate everyone who takes the time to genuinely care for their neighborhoods and others to create a positive change.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.645.5350
Alison Henderson
Muskego Way Forward Co-Coordinator
Favorite quote: “Maybe there is no such thing as rain; there are only raindrops, each with its own story.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer
What do you enjoy about your work?: “A smiling resident, an idea in motion, a tough problem solved, a new relationship that evolves and flourishes, the feeling of connectedness and understanding, and most of all, being witness to the strength, beauty and power of community.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.382.7430
Sarah Bartram
Older Adult Meal Sites Manager
Favorite quote: “If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.” – Leo Tolstoy
What’s something you believe makes communities stronger?: “To me a strong community embodies genuine care for the wellbeing of your neighbor (relationships and transformational services). This in conjunction with the resources necessary to meet the needs of communities for them to grow and thrive to create a better future for generations to come.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.645.4421
Karly Strand
Food Pantry Manager
Favorite quote: “Grow through what you go through.”
What do you enjoy about your work?: “I never stop learning about people and community. I hear stories that shift my perspective every day.”
- Email: [email protected]
- TEL: 414.902.5391