This multimedia series about leaders of nonprofit organizations serving the central city was produced by Professor Herbert Lowe’s fall 2016 digital journalism class at Marquette University’s Diederich College of Communication, in partnership with Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.

 

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Running Rebels leader still inspired by his late mother

By Dean Bibens

Running Rebels Executive Director Victor Barnett shares how his youth organization has influenced others for more than 35 years.

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Leader works hard to keep Hunger Task Force a ‘yes’ organization

By Cheyenne Fischer

Executive Director Sherrie Tussler discusses how her 20-plus years of experience in nonprofits has helped grow the Hunger Task Force into the anti-hunger leader it is today.

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Community Advocates CEO honors legacy of dignity, respect for clients

By Maggie Glynn

CEO Andi Elliott has spent her entire career serving low-income residents at Community Advocates. She focuses on fostering a supportive environment for employees, which enables them to provide the best service to clients.

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Clarke Square leader works to move residents from ‘passion into action’

By Rachael Tank

Tyna Rule, board president of the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative, has a vision for improving the quality of life for area residents.

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Former dancer brings free arts programming to city children

By Emily Dever

As founding president of Above the Clouds, Linda Wade inspires children from throughout the city to express themselves and follow their dreams through free dance, music and creative arts classes.

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Leader with lifelong commitment to youth heads city effort to end violence

By Alexandria Bursiek

Reggie Moore, director of the Office of Violence Prevention, hopes to combat violence in Milwaukee and use his leadership skills to create change.

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Difficult personal experience helps fatherhood group director be better leader

By Tim Haggerty

When Dennis Walton went to the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative for assistance more than a decade ago, he never expected to find a home as co-director.

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Community First leader strives to help homeowners remain in their houses

By Brendan Ploen

Rafael Garcia is executive director of a nonprofit that provides critical home repairs for homeowners who could not otherwise afford them.

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TRUE Skool founder nurtures creativity through graffiti art, hip-hop

By John Neumann

Sarah Dollhausen was inspired by hip-hop and now she uses urban arts as a teaching technique to help Milwaukee youth at TRUE Skool.

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Public Allies leader supports young adults working with nonprofits for justice, equity

By Lydia Slattery

Ava Hernandez, executive director of Public Allies Milwaukee, is responsible for matching AmeriCorps members with local nonprofit organizations to “lead, grow and do meaningful work.”

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Lead2Change co-founder connects young adults to potential careers

By Tara Schumal

As executive director of Lead2Change, Dionne Grayson and her team foster leadership skills and career readiness for teens and young adults ages 16-24.

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Nonprofit leader committed to organizing against social injustice

By Nicholas Molina

Christine Neumann–Ortiz, founder and executive director of Voces De La Frontera, strives to aid immigrants through policy reform, civil aid and legal referrals.

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Nonprofit director serves as role model for Milwaukee girls

By Aisling Hegarty

From the time she joined PEARLS for Teen Girls 13 years ago as a peer facilitator, Executive Director Gerry Howze has stayed focused on supporting young women to “disrupt and rewrite generational cycles of poverty.”

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Nonprofit leader uses art internships to prepare youth for careers

By George Herrmann

Terry Murphy, executive director of ArtWorks for Milwaukee, offers program that gives teens art-based internships within the city.

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Humane Society leader helps move mission toward supporting pet owners

By Camille Paul

Jill Kline, vice president of community impact programs at the Wisconsin Humane Society, helped establish Pets For Life, which makes information and resources available to pet owners in North Side neighborhoods including Amani, Harambee and Metcalfe Park.

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CEO of Centro Hispano heads nonprofit in community where she grew up

By Timothy Khoury

Centro Hispano CEO Toni Rivera-Joachin takes pride in leading the oldest Latino-serving organization in Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin.

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Near West Side leader passionate about improving neighborhoods

By Daniel Noonan


Keith Stanley, executive director of Near West Side Partners since 2013, is spearheading redevelopment of seven communities with help from anchor institutions.

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