CONGRATULATIONS!!

The Centers for Independence salutes

Alvin (Al) Hill, Jr., CFI’s Senior Director of Diversity and Cultural Competence, as a Notable BIPOC Executive. Al is highly regarded for his leadership, not only within the organization, but also in the community. Thank you, Al, for your passion and dedication!

OUR MISSION

PARTNERING WITH PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES TO ADVANCE THEIR TOTAL HEALTH.

HEALTHY AND HOPEFUL COMMUNITIES. OUR VISION

MARVIN BYNUM SHAREHOLDER GODFREY & KAHN S.C.

Marvin Bynum, attorney and shareholder at Milwaukee law firm Godfrey and Kahn S.C., is a member of the real estate practice group, co-chairs the firm’s recruiting committee and serves on the fellowship and compensation committees.

“Marvin is so dedicated to bringing good people into Godfrey & Kahn,” said Kelly Conrardy, legal talent director and recruiter. In addition to his work at the firm, Bynum serves as board president of Harbor District Inc., which leads efforts to revitalize Milwaukee’s Harbor District area.

“One of the things I value most about Marvin is his leadership style; he thinks about how to get us to success and the steps necessary to do so,” said Tia Torhorst, CEO of Harbor District Inc. “His contributions have put us on a path for making significant changes to the equality of access to the rivers and lake. Harbor District has an equity lens as a result of many board members, but Marvin in particular.”

Bynum is also active with Milwaukee College Prep, specifically the school’s Amazing Shake competition hosted by Godfrey & Kahn. The program teaches etiquette and professionalism in preparation for the workforce.

CONGRATULATIONS

Our award-winning lawyers are just one of the many reasons our clients continue to choose Godfrey & Kahn.

Xavier Cole Vice President For Student Affairs Marquette University

Xavier Cole, vice president for student affairs at Marquette University, leads the Division of Student Affairs, which fosters the holistic growth of students by providing them with opportunities to learn and practice skills, grow in competency and develop as leaders in service to others.

“He is passionate about access and engagement initiatives for firstgeneration students and students of color in higher education,” said provost Kimo Ah Yun. “Dr. Cole is a highly valued leader on campus, leading various initiatives. In March 2020, he began serving as chair of Marquette’s COVID-19 response team — a role for which he deserves much recognition.”

The response team was organized into five committees, encompassing approximately 100 subject matter experts from faculty and staff.

Throughout the pandemic, COVID transmission remained low on campus among students, faculty and staff, and professional contact tracing showed little to no classroom-based transmission and was able to help limit residence hall quarantine and isolation activity. Since fall 2020, Marquette has not needed to cancel inperson classes or suspend residency.

Rashi Khosla Founder And Ceo Mars Solutions Group

Rashi Khosla, founder and chief executive officer of Town of Brookfield-based tech staffing provider MARS Solutions Group, is a DEI advocate within her company and beyond.

More than 68% of MARS employees and consultants identify as BIPOC. MARS also works to contribute to the DEI initiatives of clients. Eighty-three percent of full-time employment conversions fall within BIPOC categories.

“Rashi has left an impact on her community through her membership in organizations, contributions to the public forum and discussion space, reskilling and upskilling, hiring practices, and DEI initiatives and strategic partnerships,” said Roy Spieckerman III, marketing coordinator for MARS.

Through the MARS Returnship program, which helps people re-enter the workforce after a career gap, Khosla has helped more than 85 people return to work. Eighty-five percent of program participants are female and 88% of participants identify as BIPOC.

Khosla serves on the board of MKE Tech Hub Coalition and supports its mission to inclusively double tech talent in the area. She also chairs the HR committee for the Ronald McDonald House of Charities Eastern Wisconsin board of directors.

Sumathi Thiyagarajan Vice President Of Business Strategy And Analytics Milwaukee Bucks

Since joining the Milwaukee Bucks as its first vice president of business strategy and analytics, Sumathi Thiyagarajan has been able to make an immediate and profound impact on the business, according to colleagues.

“She leads a forward-thinking team that she built from the ground up, to harness the power of data, technology and applied and advanced analytics to drive results,” said Kate Reed, communications coordinator for the Bucks.

Thiyagarajan and her team focus on ticket pricing analytics, predictive modeling, executive-level reporting, market research, CRM management and enterprise program management.

“By partnering with every line of business, she and her team optimize revenue management for a large-scale portfolio,” Reed said.

Thiyagarajan serves in a leadership role within the Bucks’ Diversity Leadership Council focused on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion awareness. She also serves on the board of REDgen, which focuses on youth mental health, and is a member of TEMPO Milwaukee, HOAN Group and South Asians in Sports.

SHAKITA LAGRANT-MCCLAIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MILWAUKEE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Shakita LaGrant-McClain, executive director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, oversees a $400 million budget and more than 700 employees. DHHS serves more than 80,000 residents annually through aging, disabilities, children’s, housing, behavioral health and veterans’ services.

Under her leadership, DHHS integrated into adult and children’s systems of care and implemented a “no wrong door” model of customer service. “Regardless of what ‘door’ someone enters –by phone, email, contact with staff or other – this model ensures people are connected to holistic services,” said Jill Lintonen, communications manager for DHHS.

Results of the new model include a 42% increase in individuals reached through the Aging & Disability Resource Center; eviction prevented for 12,000 households; 40% increase in enrollment in children’s disability programs; and more than 3,500 veterans, dependents and survivors served, according to Lintonen.

In 2022, LaGrant-McClain oversaw a significant change in the behavioral health system, with the closing of the Mental Health Complex in Wauwatosa and transitioning of services to communitybased locations.

Felice Green Director Of Programming Milwaukee Water Commons

Felice Green is the director of programming at Milwaukee Water Commons, a cross-city network that fosters connection, collaboration and community leadership on behalf of the area’s common waters. Green manages and oversees the organization’s Water City Agenda programs.

She also serves on the Sherman Park Neighborhood Tree Board, a volunteer committee of residents who participate in making decisions involving trees and green spaces in their neighborhood.

Green is also an MKE Culture Ambassador with the Wisconsin Bike Fed’s MilWALKee Walks (MKE Walks), a pedestrian and bicycle safety advocacy program that works with neighbors, business leaders and area nonprofits to lobby for safer and healthier streets.

In 2022, Green organized and led bi-weekly “yield to pedestrians” crosswalk actions on some of the most dangerous intersections on Milwaukee’s north side to bring attention to the need for safer streets throughout the spring and summer.

Camelia Clarke President Paradise Memorial Funeral Home And Cremation Services

Camelia Clarke, president of Milwaukee-based Paradise Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services, is driven in her leadership by a sense of purpose and impact, said Faithe Colas, a consultant with Athena Communications LLC.

In July 2022, Paradise Memorial acquired Leon L. Williamson Funeral Home in Milwaukee upon the retirement of Leon L. Williamson, who had owned the business for more than 63 years.

“(Clarke) has a keen sense of business, as noted by the Leon L. Williamson family selecting her to assume ownership of their family business,” said Colas.

She also founded Wisconsin Casket and Funeral Care Supply Co., which provides a casket product line and sells funeral care supplies. It’s the first Black-owned company of its kind in Wisconsin.

In 2022, Clarke was named Funeral Director of the Year by American Funeral Director magazine. She was also elected to the board of directors of Federated Insurance Companies.

“Committed to inclusive excellence, Dr. Clarke is focused on building the capacity of others in service to all,” said Colas. “Her passion is contagious, and her business and community service excellence is a life and business model for others.”

TERRI HOWARD DIRECTOR OF EQUITY HGA INC.

Terri Howard, director of equity for Minneapolis-based HGA Inc., has been transformational in the organization’s growth since assuming the newly created role in January 2022, according to colleagues. Howard is based out of the firm’s Milwaukee office.

“She has established equity, not as a catch phrase, but as a business imperative, and not as a noun, but a verb,” said Martha Kelley Koenig, marketing manager for HGA’s Great Lakes office. “Perhaps more importantly, she has done so with compassion, curiosity and an open heart.

Howard has made the learning process accessible and inviting, meeting colleagues where they are at, and as a result the firm has learned “a great deal about the difference between values and action, and the hard work and expertise it takes to evolve ideals into measurable growth,” said Kelley Koenig.

Howard has extensive experience implementing DEI plans for nonprofit organizations, government entities and Fortune 500 companies, including for Hyatt Corp., the University of Wisconsin System, Dane County, the City of New York and Harris Health Systems in Harris County, Texas.

Francesca Mayca Wegner Executive Director Hispanic Professionals Of Greater Milwaukee

Francesca Mayca Wegner serves as executive director of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, an organization focused on growing the Latino talent pool in Wisconsin. Recently, Mayca Wegner secured a philanthropic investment of $350,000, the largest gift HPGM has received to date. She has established two new professional development summits for HPGM members and in 2022 founded the Poderosa Collective, the first Wisconsin Latina support collaborative.

Through community events and initiatives, the Poderosa Collective brings together a network of Latina entrepreneurs, Latina-serving organizations and professionals.

“With experience building and fostering strategic partnerships that enrich our community and drive positive change, (Wegner) champions the creation of spaces where others can bring their whole selves and feel valued,” said Gabriela Barbosa, senior leader of strategic partnerships and communications for HPGM. “She is an advocate for increasing representation and economic opportunities for Latinos in Wisconsin.”

Mayca Wegner serves on several boards, including for My Way Out, the Hispanic Collaborative, and the Higher Education Regional Alliance Steering Committee, and she’s a mentor in the Nativity Jesuit Academy Alumni Program.

JACOBO LOVO MANAGING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR LATINO ARTS INC.

As the managing artistic director of Milwaukee-based Latino Arts Inc., Jacobo Lovo is responsible for curating visual art exhibits, planning authentic cultural arts educational programming and collaborating with Hispanic artists from around the world.

Latino Arts’ gallery, exhibits and concerts attract audience members from around Wisconsin and Illinois, including more than 10,000 visitors in 2022.

Lovo collaborates with artists at various stages of their career. Two years ago, prior to his local fame with murals such as the Giannis Antetokounmpo mural in downtown Milwaukee, Lovo recognized the talent of Mauricio Ramirez and invited him to curate a solo exhibit at the Latino Arts gallery.

“Jacobo is a treasure to the community, utilizing his artistic talents and relationships to help bring the mission of Latino Arts alive and authentically share the beauty of Hispanic culture in accessible and unique ways,” said Laura Gutierrez, treasurer of the Latino Arts board of directors.

ALEXX ZAWADA DIRECTOR OF MARKETING POTAWATOMI CASINO | HOTEL

With more than 6 million visitors annually, Potawatomi Casino | Hotel is one of Wisconsin’s most popular attractions, and like other tourist destinations, it has faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the outset of the pandemic, Alexx Zawada, Potawatomi’s director of marketing, and her team worked to ensure the safety of staff and patrons in an industry that relies on personable experience, according to Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee.

“As workforce shortages emerged, Alexx and her team hosted regular on-site hiring events, using nearby digital billboards to get the word out,” Williams-Smith said. “Alexx did more than help the organization recover from the pandemic; her vision has brought the company to the precipice of expansion and growth that many would have considered inconceivable two years prior.”

In 2022, Potawatomi announced a $100 million renovation to its second level, including the addition of Rock & Brews restaurant, expected to be completed in phases during the summer and fall of this year.

Zawada is also a member of VISIT Milwaukee’s board of directors and marketing committee and a board member of Sojourner Family Peace Center.

BRIDGET ROBINSONWHITAKER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAFE & SOUND INC.

Bridget Robinson-Whitaker, executive director of Milwaukeebased Safe & Sound Inc. is the first Black woman to hold that post since the organization was founded in 1998.

Starting as the program’s director in 2019, Robinson-Whitaker stepped into various executive leadership roles until she was promoted to executive director in 2022.

“Despite the various changes and turnover following the COVID-19 pandemic, Bridget remained focused and centered, which allowed Safe & Sound to thrive during uncertain times. It didn’t matter about the space, Bridget showed up ready and tackled every obstacle,” said Toria Monroe, director of development at Safe & Sound.

“If there was a problem with a funding source, she worked until the problem was solved,” said Monroe. “Bridget believes we all play a part in building the community we want to see.”

“Since Bridget’s start at Safe and Sound, she’s done an amazing job using her connections to provide exceptional service to the city of Milwaukee,” said Tushunda Wright, global HR advisor at ManpowerGroup.

KENNETH GINLACK CEO SERENITY INNS INC.

Kenneth Ginlack is the chief executive officer at Milwaukeebased Serenity Inns Inc., a recovery program for alcoholism and addiction. Since coming to Serenity a year ago, he has made a significant impact on programming, ensuring a focus on traumainformed care with an evidence-based curriculum, according to colleagues.

“Ken was able to spearhead a community event to address the increase in the overdose rate among African American men in Milwaukee County,” said Alicia Bryant, executive assistant at Serenity.

Attendees were given free groceries, hot dogs, hamburgers and behavioral health resources as well as a dose of Narcan and training on how to administer it.

“Ken has been instrumental in community engagement by getting community members to volunteer for dinner fellowship with the men at Serenity Inns,” said Bryant.

Ginlack started his career after he completed treatment for substance use disorder. He went back to school to become a counselor, obtained his master’s degree and later became a fully licensed psychotherapist.

Tamarra Coleman Executive Director Shalom Center

Tamarra Coleman, executive director at the Shalom Center in Kenosha, works to advance the needs of the most vulnerable parts of the community.

The Shalom Center annually distributes 1.1 million pounds of food, provides 18,758 shelter nights, serves 63,632 meals and coordinates 400 volunteers. She is currently overseeing the construction project of a community resource center.

Coleman left the business world in 2015 to become a member of the management team at the Shalom Center as the director of programs and operations. In February 2019, she became the executive director. She is also the board chair of the Kenosha Community Health Center/Pillar Health, an executive board member for Building Our Future, and a board member of the Kenosha Chamber of Commerce, Kenosha Area Business Alliance and Advocate Aurora Community Board.

Recently, Coleman was honored at Gateway Technical College’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. She received one of this year’s Dr. King Humanitarian awards, recognizing her for contributions and dedication to the community.

Brandon Currie Chief Executive Officer Stryv365

In early 2020, Brandon Currie founded STRYV365, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit organization that creates customized non-clinical, trauma-informed programming designed to foster positive childhood relationships, strengthen interpersonal skills and increase the ability to be resilient during challenging times.

STRYV365 uses activities such as sports and classroom exercises that help youth learn to use responsible decision-making, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship skills.

STRYV works with youth ranging in ages from elementary school to college and counts among its local key partners the Milwaukee Public Schools Twilight Program, the YMCA, Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy, the Milwaukee Academy of Science, and the school districts of Brown Deer and St. Francis. STRYV also works in Chicago and Indianapolis.

The organization’s presence has resulted in some amazing transformations, including during COVID-19, said Judith Parker, principal at Dr. Howard Fuller Academy.

“Every single one of our students has experienced some kind of trauma. We want to give them access to resources to deal with it,” Parker said.

VINCENT RICE VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS LENDING MARKET MANAGER SUMMIT CREDIT UNION

As vice president, business lending market manager at Madison-based Summit Credit Union, Vincent Rice works to generate economic growth and create opportunities in economically disadvantaged communities by working with local community development financial institutions and connecting funds with eligible small business owners.

He also meets with community organizations and leaders to promote the availability of Summit Credit Union’s business loan programs, giving small businesses a chance to thrive, according to Mike Jones, managing vice president of business services at Summit Credit Union.

While working for Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. in 2021, Rice created a $5 million funding program through Northwestern Mutual, supporting Legacy Redevelopment Corp. and Northwest Side Community Development Corp. to make additional investments into Milwaukee’s Black business community.

“He has devoted his career to helping small businesses, manufacturers, and workers grow, improve and succeed through funding, skills training, program development and acquisition prep,” said Jones.

Rice is a member of the board for Milwaukee-based Northwest Side Community Development Corp. and on the loan committee for the Latino Chamber of Southeast Wisconsin.