Thank you

For Your Leadership And Compassion

We’re honored to work beside Janice and Reggie every day. Their recognition is so deserved and exemplifies the commitment they bring to caring for all in our community, with special attention to those who are most vulnerable.

ascension.org

Be The Difference begins with great people.

Marquette University congratulates our 2023 Notable BIPOC Executive, Dr. Xavier Cole. As our vice president for student affairs, Dr. Cole is rooted in purpose and reaching for progress. His leadership serves as inspiration to all our students as they pursue a transformative education and meaningful change in our world.

Erik Kennedy Senior Community Relations Coordinator Advocate Aurora Health

As senior community relations coordinator for Advocate Aurora Health, Erik Kennedy develops relationships with community and business organizations, oversees the system’s blood donation program and sponsorship strategy, and coordinates the development and implementation of the community health strategy.

“Erik promotes healthy and impactful interactions by challenging us all to remove our lens when meeting others from different backgrounds. He is well known for this latter effort through his series of ‘Breaking Bread’ meals, where he assembles diverse groups to gather and grow together,” said Jim Villa, chief executive officer of NAIOP Wisconsin.

Kennedy also works with local nonprofits on behalf of Advocate Aurora Health. He is co-founder of ElevAsian and sits on the boards or committees of the AAPI Coalition of Wisconsin, Coalition for Children, Youth & Families, Salvation Army of Milwaukee County, Sharp Literacy and VISIT Milwaukee.

He was named the 2022 Young Professional of the Year by the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce and has received other recognitions, including a Community Leadership Award from the National Association of Asian American Professionals Milwaukee and a Next Generation Leadership Award from the BizTimes Media Nonprofit Excellence Awards program.

ERICKAJOY DANIELS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICER ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH

In addition to her role as senior vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Advocate Aurora Health, Erickajoy Daniels is a lifelong learner, mentor and community advocate, according to colleagues.

“What makes her truly exceptional is her relentless commitment to connecting BIPOC community members with opportunities to improve their lives and personal agency. Her goal is not to be a leader, but to create leaders who can then connect to maximize opportunities for others,” said colleague and friend Bridget Butch, who works as a user experience and website architecture consultant.

Daniels, who is also an author, educator and speaker, leads AAH’s DEI team in identifying and serving neighborhoods with the greatest gaps in health care access and life expectancy. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic the team created dozens of initiatives to provide COVID-19 education and vaccines in Black and Latino communities. After George Floyd’s murder, it conducted “REAL Talk” listening sessions to have uncomfortable conversations about race in a safe environment. The team also created now-mandatory unconscious-bias training for all AAH staff members.

Theresa Dear Chief Human Resources And People Officer Vivent Health

Theresa Dear, chief human resources and people officer at Vivent Health, says she holds the title of chief because of the mentors in her life.

Growing up in foster care, Dear said she experienced neglect and instability, but she also experienced compassion, empathy and generosity.

“As a teen, I saw people giving their advice, time and resources and sometimes doing it anonymously. In HR, I’m able to extend that to employees,” she said.

That’s why, she said, DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging) is important. At Milwaukee-based Vivent Health, Dear works with her team to enact a five-year DEIB plan.

Results, so far, include:

• Employee resource groups for working parents, African American employees, LatinX employees, and LGBTQIA+ employees. There are plans for a women’s group.

• Vivent’s insurance benefits for the LGBTQIA+ community include coverage for gender-affirming surgery for transgender employees.

• Diversity training for everyone in the organization.

• An annual week of understanding where LGBTQIA+ employees share their stories.

• 46% diverse employee representation

Tammy Beltondavis Founder And President Athena Communications Llc

Tammy Belton-Davis is the founder and principal of Milwaukeebased Athena Communications LLC and an award-winning public relations and equity strategist.

Belton-Davis also served as the first-ever chief diversity officer for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. In this role, she helped the Rep advance racial equity in its staff, supporters and programming.

She also mentors more than 15 men and women from a variety of backgrounds and stages in their careers, working in various industries from philanthropy to finance.

Most recently, Belton-Davis joined Marquette University as an adjunct faculty member. She is currently a board member of the Milwaukee Rep, Professional Dimensions and Alverno College. She is also a member of the advisory council of the Institute for Women’s Leadership at Marquette University and the Professional Dimensions Charitable Fund.

Belton-Davis has served on several task forces, committees, and work groups focused on education, the environment, economic and workforce development, theater and creative arts and racial justice.

SHALINA S. ALI CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TRUE SKOOL INC.

As co-executive director of Milwaukee-based TRUE Skool, Shalina S. Ali is an example of how to earn a living while working toward positive change in the community, said board director Lilith Fowler.

Located on the lower level of The Avenue in downtown Milwaukee, TRUE Skool markets itself as Milwaukee’s center for transformational creative arts and hip-hop culture. It provides programming to more than 300 young people annually and support to a network of alumni and creative professionals.

Ali and co-executive director Fidel Verdin engage youth in environmentalism, entrepreneurship, mental health and community development through the arts and hip-hop culture.

Public events such as the Annual Summer Park Jam at the Marcus Performing Arts Center and All Day MKE at the Milwaukee Art Museum and participation in Gallery Nights and Newaukee’s Night Market have made TRUE Skool a downtown staple for public arts engagement.

“Shalina has a remarkable track record of leadership and accomplishments resulting from her ability to diagnose problems and develop solutions. Her commitment to helping others drives her career,” said Fowler.

FIDEL VERDIN CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TRUE SKOOL INC.

As co-executive director of TRUE Skool, Fidel Verdin has built a creative haven for Milwaukee youth.

Located on the lower level of The Avenue development on West Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Milwaukee, TRUE Skool markets itself as the city’s center for transformational creative arts and hip-hop culture. It provides programming to more than 300 young people annually and support to a network of alumni and creative professionals.

Verdin and co-executive director Shalina Ali engage youth and families in environmental justice, personal wellness and community development through the creative arts and hip-hop culture.

“Fidel uses his resources and networks to connect charitable donors to culturally relevant community experiences and new models for collective impact,” said Lilith Fowler, TRUE Skool board director.

Verdin is an adjunct professor at Alverno College, and he serves on the music advisory board for Milwaukee Area Technical College, the educational outreach committee for the Milwaukee Art Museum and the garden leader council for Groundwork Milwaukee. He is also a 2023 recipient of the African American Environmental Pioneer Award from the Sierra Club’s Wisconsin Chapter.

Reggie Newson Chief Community Impact And Advocacy Officer Ascension Wisconsin President Ascension Wisconsin Foundation

Reggie Newson wears multiple hats at Ascension Wisconsin. He is chief community impact and advocacy officer as well as president of the Ascension Wisconsin Foundation.

“Newson works to close health equity gaps and build a healthier community. He is a special and rare leader who is deeply committed to improving community health, increasing access to care and creating a more equitable and just society,” said Bernie Sherry, ministry market executive at Ascension Wisconsin.

He manages external relationships and helps leverage public policy that support Ascension’s mission at the state and national level. He formed the Community Investment Council that focuses on upstream strategies to improve fundamental social and economic structures, while supporting downstream interventions that provide immediate relief for barriers to care as well as chronic disease and food insecurities.

“Thousands of lives have been impacted through initiatives he leads, including a collaboration with 90 churches that improves health literacy and provides health screenings and a maternal health program that increases the number of women delivering healthy babies in 39 Milwaukee locations,” Sherry said.

DR. JANICE LITZA REGIONAL CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER ASCENSION WISCONSIN

Dr. Janice Litza, regional chief medical officer at Ascension Wisconsin, oversees and manages medical staff at Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine, Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee and the Ascension Franklin campus.

“She is an accomplished and compassionate health care leader with a wide range of experience and strengths in clinical care management,” said Kristin McManmon, Ascension Wisconsin’s regional hospital president. “She has a proven ability to execute efficient and seamless operations to promote clinical excellence and integration, optimal access and service performance for all patients.”

“Dr. Litza focuses on evidence-based and innovative approaches to improving care delivery and is leading ICU staffing transformation across the state,” McManmon added.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Litza began her career caring for a mostly Latino population on Milwaukee’s south side. She continues to highlight her Puerto Rican heritage, especially when speaking to students in schools with diverse populations about careers in health care. She has also mentored many medical students and residents in integrative, holistic medicine.

Sheldon Cuffie Vice President And Chief Information Officer

American Family Insurance

Sheldon Cuffie, vice president and chief information officer for American Family Insurance, has worked his way up from IT analyst to corporate executive and is now a leader in enterprise architecture, cybersecurity and digital transformation.

Cuffie, who is based out of his hometown of Milwaukee, has been a featured speaker at numerous technology conferences including RSAC Executive Security Action Forum, Wisconsin IT Symposium, Evanta Global CISO Conference, and keynote for the 2023 STEM Forward celebration of STEM.

He and his wife, Celeste, created the Jonathan Cuffie and Thomas Stevens Endowment at Concordia University to address disparity gaps in STEM education and provide financial support to students of color in STEM, nursing or construction trades programs.

Cuffie serves as a board member for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, UW Hospital System and Greater Mt. Sinai Church, where he’s a minister.

He is also a former board member of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation and the Milwaukee Urban League and is leading an American Family partnership with Amazon Web Services that includes an initiative to help build a robust tech ecosystem in southeastern Wisconsin.

Samantha Maldonado Principal Chaska Consulting

Samantha Maldonado, principal at Chaska Consulting, is an example to those around her when it comes to leadership, community engagement and advocating for others, according to colleagues.

“She is known in the business community for creating and sustaining high-performance cultures, for transformational change and innovation and for leveraging these as part of her commercial strategy,” said Micah Crawford, director of Latin America marketing for Milwaukee Tool.

“Samantha is a focused and passionate leader driven to serve the development and well-being of our community. This can only be done through trust, open communication and accountability. Change depends on people, and people depend on relationships. Collaboration brings it all together,” said Crawford.

Maldonado serves as a mentor for Rotary Milwaukee and as an adjunct professor for Alverno College.

Her other board activity includes: vice chair for MobiliSE, board director and development chair for the Milwaukee County Parks Foundation, co-chair of the Diversity Leadership Council for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, social responsibility committee for the YMCA, The Opportunity Center, VISIT Milwaukee and Alverno College.

DAVID BOWLES PRESIDENT CREATIVE MARKETING RESOURCES (D.B.A. CMRIGNITE)

After leading CMRignite’s company-wide strategy, planning and business development, David Bowles became president in 2021. Since then, his leadership and skills have helped position the Milwaukee-based company as an industry leader, colleagues say.

Founded in 1995, CMRignite is Wisconsin’s oldest and largest minority-owned communications agency. It specializes in developing “cause and behavior change” marketing campaigns for Fortune 500 companies.

“Since guiding the agency through its exponential growth during COVID-19 and leading its acquisition of a D.C.-based marketing firm, David has remained laser-focused on client and talent acquisition,” said Nepherterra Best, vice president of integrated communications at CMRignite.

“The agency has grown from a staff of 10 to nearly 70 full-time employees, yet David has never lost site of the company’s mission to embrace diversity and drive positive behavior change,” said Best. Seventy percent of CMRignite’s staff are Black, Indigenous and people of color, LGBTQ+ and/or people with disabilities. With a threeyear growth rate of 709%, the firm recently earned a spot on the Inc. 5,000 list of fastest growing private U.S. companies.

CHYTANIA BROWN PRESIDENT AND CEO EMPLOY MILWAUKEE INC.

Chytania Brown is the first Black woman to be appointed president and CEO of Employ Milwaukee. The organization uses federal, state and local funding to connect Milwaukee County’s unemployed, underrepresented young adult population to employment opportunities in growing industries.

“She believes through proactivity, Employ Milwaukee is in a far greater position to solve problems,” said Quintin Coby, planning and communications specialist at Employ Milwaukee. “Her work to advance the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at EMI are inherently driven by her commitment to fostering the long-term effects that DE&I initiatives have not only on the organization’s culture, but our community as a whole.”

In 2022, Brown was invited to the White House by Vice President Kamala Harris to sit on a panel of workforce development leaders from across the country to discuss strategies for workforce development and the American Rescue Plan.

“Chytania approaches community service with the mentality of wearing a jersey, not a cape,” said Coby.

Mfoniso Ekong Managing Director Of Gbeta Gener8tor

As managing director of gener8tor’s gBETA accelerator, Mfoniso Ekong has provided coaching and mentoring to more than 100 business founders, 80% of whom identify as BIPOC.

Internally, Ekong has come up with several ways of helping gener8tor staff members gain a deeper understanding of underrepresented markets, and he has developed a working framework of best practices for engaging with historically marginalized communities. He has also advocated for more diverse hiring practices and initiated a corporate social responsibility program in which staff can support various causes.

“Mfoniso has established a safe, effective and collaborative learning environment for all staff members to engage in meaningful and difficult dialogue surrounding race,” said Dorothy Johnson, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at gener8tor.

Ekong is a board member of B Local Wisconsin, a voluntary collaboration of certified benefit corporations, nonprofits, sustainable businesses and individuals.

Edward Deshazer Executive Director Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy

Edward DeShazer, executive director of Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy in Milwaukee, has led the effort to raise the school’s state report card scores from 52 in 2015 to 73.4 in 2021.

Once a 2.2-star level school, the academy is now considered a 4.2star level, said Ronnie Jones, director of operations.

“In a three-month period, Edward helped purchase and then moved GHTCA into an old vacant MPS school building,” said Jones. “The building was vacant for the last 11 years, and he helped lead a multimillion-dollar remodel over the summer when everyone was telling him it couldn’t be done. It was an open concept building but now has 20 classrooms.”

DeShazer also had a workout gym installed for staff and has launched an effort, known as “Be Well Teacher,” to distribute selfcare gift boxes to teachers. He has donated these boxes to schools across the Milwaukee area. He also sits on the executive committee of the “Closing the Achievement Gap” effort, which helps area schools close the equity gap in their classrooms.

Pepi Randolph Vice President Of Business Development Greenfire Management Services

As the former chief executive of Milwaukee-based Potawatomi Business Development Corp., Pepi Randolph saw an opportunity for the Potawatomi tribe to diversify and grow. From that vision, Greenfire Management Services was created.

The construction management firm is 100% owned by the Forest County Potawatomi. Randolph serves as vice president of business development.

Colleagues say Randolph’s ability to connect with people and form genuine relationships directly results in noteworthy projects and clients.

“Pepi is an asset to the firm through his connections and relationships. His desire to learn about tribal history and share it with our community sets him apart from his peers,” says Jeb Meier, president of Greenfire. “We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber on the team.”

“Pepi has been a mentor and leader to me as I learn and grow in business development. We each bring something different to the team,” said Michael Moe, business development coordinator. “He has an innate ability to walk into a room and come out with a new connection through his willingness to help others.”

ALVIN HILL JR.

Senior Director Of Diversity And Cultural Competency Centers For Independence

Alvin Hill, senior director of diversity and cultural competency, has been the driving force behind creating the Centers for Independence’s diverse workforce since he started in 2004, according to colleagues.

“Al ensures diversity is fundamental to every aspect of CFI, from the mission, vision and values to the governance and business planning of the organization,” said Kasey Chard, associate director of development and donor engagement at CFI, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit organization.

“He has created topical and engaging diversity programs, coached leadership, spearheaded enhanced recruitment strategies to increase the hiring of a diverse workforce, and created employee resource groups that advance the careers of those underrepresented in the workforce,” he said.

One example: Hill launched diversity and cultural competence leadership training in 2021 to help leaders develop the skills needed to guide a multi-cultural and multi-generational workforce.

CFI is among other Milwaukee nonprofit organizations that have taken MMAC’s Region of Choice pledge to work toward dismantling structural racism in the community, including diversifying its board and staff above benchmarks.

Tyrone Johnson President And Ceo Brothers Infrastructure Group Construction

Tyrone Johnson is the founder of Milwaukee-based Brothers Infrastructure Group Construction, known as B.I.G. The company has created a model for an 11-week construction education and financial literacy program for underserved and unrepresented individuals.

The participants were provided on-site skill construction training by certified instructors. Along with the construction training, participants were provided financial literacy training on how money works, the importance of saving and opening a savings account.

B.I.G. was the recipient of the 2022 Governor’s Financial Literacy Award.

Johnson has more than 25 years of experience as a project manager, construction manager, program manager and engineer on public and private construction projects, including at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Milwaukee Christian Center.

“His commitment to the community shows in the way he gives back to help lift others up,” said Sherri Jordan, founder and principal consultant of Envision the Ladder.