Post from Community: Jerrilynn Freelon joins Walnut Way Conservation Corp. as associate director of operations | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Erica Heisdorf Bisquerra
March 22, 2021
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Walnut Way Conservation Corp., a nonprofit neighborhood organization known for its innovative and groundbreaking work in wellness, economic and environmental justice, today announces its hire of Jerrilynn Freelon as Associate Director of Operations.
Freelon brings to Walnut Way over 40 years of experience in the Milwaukee community as a teacher, leader, coach, advocate, mentor, and philanthropist. Prior to joining Walnut Way, Freelon worked at Northwestern Mutual where she held a variety of diverse and progressive roles over a tenure that spanned nearly four decades. Most recently, she had served as the Assistant Director of Human Resources and the HR Assistant to the President, where she supported the organization in setting strategic direction.
Parallel to her professional work, Freelon has given back to the community in a variety of ways, especially when it comes to enhancing the quality of life for women and youth. She is an award-winning YMCA Adult Achiever, and her class of Adult Achievers started the Black College Tour in 1990 to encourage high school students to explore Historically Black Colleges and Universities as an educational option. She is a proud member of the Gamma Pi Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, where she has been a member for over 40 years. Her experience in a leadership role with Walnut Way began in 2017, when she was asked to serve on the organization’s Board of Directors.
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“Jerrilynn is such a natural fit for our mission,” says Antonio Butts, Walnut Way’s Executive Director. “Her leadership, mentorship, and passion will be instrumental as we complete  The Innovation & Wellness Commons and embark on our permanent home for our social enterprise, Blue Skies Landscaping. We have big plans – and I’m excited Jerrilynn will be part of this journey and help guide us.”
“What I appreciate most about Walnut Way is that they’re equally focused on the ‘what’ of individual and community transformation as well as the ‘how.” Freelon says. “The future is bright for this organization, and I’m looking forward to helping to grow and develop the long-term vision of what Lindsay Heights can be.”
Freelon holds an MBA with an emphasis in Human Resources and Finance from Marquette University. She also received her Bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in Business Management from Alcorn State University, an historically Black college in Alcorn, Mississippi. She is a proud member of the Gamma Pi Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho.
More on Freelon’s experience and story can be found at: https://www.walnutway.org/about/meet-our-associate-director-of-operations/.