Summit Credit Union celebrates

Vincent

VP - Business Lending Market Manager

We’re proud to work with you, Vincent!

Thank you for devoting your career to helping businesses thrive. You’ve made it happen through funding, skills training, program development, acquisition preparation – and, of course, your great compassion.

among credit unions*

12 years in a row!

We’ll help your business thrive, too.

Cover all your business needs from competitive loans to easy cash flow services — with Summit, Wisconsin’s #1 Small Business Association (SBA) Lender among credit unions!*

Let’s talk through your questions and goals for confident next steps. Here for you at SummitCreditUnion.com.

LAQUITHA “ELLE” BONDS

Vice President Of Human Resources Services

Milwaukee Area Technical College

As the vice president of human resource services at Milwaukee Area Technical College since December 2020, Laquitha “Elle” Bonds leads talent management, training and development, recognition programs, compensation, benefits, legal compliance and employee data analysis for more than 1,600 employees.

“Being a life-long Milwaukeean, Elle knows the mission and history of our city and college and chose to work for MATC to provide exemplary services to our faculty and staff, and to make MATC an employer of choice in the region,” said Vicki Martin, president of MATC. “Recruiting and retaining high-quality talent is a top priority for her and critical to providing transformative education to our students and a diverse skilled talent pipeline to our community. Elle has been and continues to be a proven leader in working to improve these processes.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges to all workplaces, Bonds worked to help MATC navigate health and safety issues and maintain its working environment.

“Elle is constantly striving to improve and enhance our organizational excellence,” Martin said.

Eva Martinez Powless

VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICER MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Eva Matinez Powless became the first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Milwaukee Area Technical College in March of 2021. In December 2022, she was promoted to vice president and chief DEI officer.

At MATC, Martinez Powless co-led the president’s DEI Task Force, developed the college’s five-year DEI plan, and planned and opened the college’s first centralized, dedicated office space for DEI at MATC’s downtown Milwaukee campus.

“DEI initiatives are of paramount importance to the college,” said Vicki Martin, president of MATC. “We are one of the most diverse twoyear colleges in the Midwest and our efforts to meet the needs of all students and employees and ensuring everyone is welcome are imperative to our college and community.”

“(Powless’) leadership practice is inclusive, collaborative, and she strives to lead authentically,” Martin added. “She is focused on the success of our students as well as our goal to become a Hispanic Serving Institution.”

Derek Goodman Executive Director The Richardson School

Derek Goodman recently became the executive director of The Richardson School, a MyPath Company that operates five therapeutic day schools in Wisconsin serving children with disabilities and behavioral challenges. Goodman has been impacting lives in the human services field for more than 20 years, according to Terry Leahy, president and chief executive officer of MyPath.

Before TRS, Goodman was director of operations for Paragon Community Services, a MyPath company that serves more than 300 adults, young adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While at PCS, Goodman oversaw six adult and respite programs, launched the Camp program to provide community outings for youth ages 7-21, launched transition services for individuals with cognitive disabilities, opened an adult day care program in the Green Bay area and increased daily attendance by 28% in 2022.

Before joining MyPath, Goodman held leadership positions at Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin and served on the Wisconsin Adult Day Services Association Board of Directors.

Goodman also has mentored young Black men at MyPath and within the community.

Lukischa Ramos Director Of Human Resources United Community Center

As the director of human resources at United Community Center in Milwaukee, Lukischa Ramos is responsible for leading a team of HR professionals who oversee more than 500 employees.

Ramos leads people through change, adapts to changing rules and regulations quickly, and advocates for employees, said Anna Tietgen, media relations and marketing manager at UCC.

“She was instrumental in helping develop the agency’s COVID policies. United Community Center’s schools were among the first schools to return to in-person learning due to the preparation of Ramos and her team in ensuring a safe workplace,” Tietgan said.

Ramos also oversees employee benefits, including ensuring the agency can provide insurance with no premiums and keep costs under a 5% increase year over year.

“Lukischa has helped UCC overcome many challenges while also maintaining a forward-looking mindset to ensure we can continue to grow and meet the needs of our community. Lukischa’s efforts to cultivate and care for our employees is essential to our success,” said Laura Gutierrez, executive director of UCC.

Fe Cooper Director Of Member Sales And Service

Uw Credit Union

As organizations strive to employ a more diverse workforce, Fe Cooper, director of member sales and service at UW Credit Union has worked to recruit people of color to the organization — particularly in leadership positions.

Since January 2022, Cooper has grown the credit union’s Milwaukeearea management team from one person of color to eight.

“Fe has made significant inroads with Milwaukee-area organizations to further support UW Credit Union’s recruitment pipeline,” said Amy Kriebs, UW Credit Union’s vice president of member sales and solutions.

She forged a partnership with BankWork$, an occupational skill development program through Employ Milwaukee that provides retail banking career training to underserved communities. Through this partnership, Fe has recruited four entry-level employees.

“In addition to her recruitment and support work, mentorship is a key part of Fe’s role,” said Kriebs. “She currently mentors five assistant branch managers, meeting with each monthly to discuss professional goals in their journeys to level-up as branch managers.”

Charlotte Hayslett Vice President Of Human Resources Visit Milwaukee

The COVID-19 pandemic created a new landscape of health and safety protocols, staffing issues and new policies for human resources professionals. In the travel and tourism industry, the changes have required an even greater nimbleness, and VISIT Milwaukee’s vice president of human relations, Charlotte Hayslett, helped keep the organization on track, according to Peggy Williams-Smith, president and chief executive officer of VISIT Milwaukee.

“In six years, Charlotte has proven herself an integral leader within the organization. Facing the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, she implemented health protocols, ensuring the well-being of the company’s employees amid changing recommendations,” said Williams-Smith. “These changes in policy, remote work and COVID protocols fostered an environment of flexibility, keeping staffers informed and safe. In a time of nationwide staffing shortages, Charlotte worked tirelessly to assemble a diverse team of professionals.”

A leader of VISIT Milwaukee’s Unique Unites Committee, Hayslett works to increase VISIT Milwaukee’s community involvement and reaffirm its commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion efforts through participation in events such as Juneteenth Day, Pride Parade and Accessibility Day.

Kamaljit Jackson Vice President Of Programs And Operations

WISCONSIN WOMEN’S BUSINESS INITIATIVE CORP.

Kamaljit Jackson, vice president of programs and operations at the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp. is known as the “glue” of the organization.

“There is always the pause in the conversation where we say, ‘Let’s ask K.C.,’” said Christina Knudsen, vice president of development and communications at WWBIC.

“Her expertise, planning skills, forward thinking, visionary direction and overall caring for clients is what makes our organization tick. Our needle moves because Kamaljit believes in what we do, who we serve and how we will get there. Her senior leadership creates and designs our work,” she said.

Jackson was the recipient of the GoLeanSixSigma “Wonder Woman of Quality” award. She also serves as a board member with the Kenosha Area Family & Aging Services Inc. and as a volunteer for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

“Her heart guides her work,” Knudsen said.

TONI WHITE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER WRTP | BIG STEP

Toni White, chief operating officer at Milwaukee-based nonprofit WRTP | BIG STEP, has been an innovator in workforce development for more than 25 years, according to colleagues.

As the leader of a staff of more than 25, White oversees all administration and operations, including federal and state contract compliance, assessment and evaluation to ensure all people have access to equitable training and employment outcomes.

“She focuses on offering direct professional development opportunities as well as strengthening cross-collaborative teams. Her fiscal guidance has resulted in almost double-digit asset growth as well as capturing hundreds of thousands of grant dollars through implementation of strong internal control processes paired with innovative solutions to programmatic challenges in workforce development,” said Lindsay Blumer, president and CEO of WRTP | BIG STEP.

“She frequently facilitates professional development trainings that focus on human-centered approaches to serving others and presents hands-on workshops on everything from diversity, equity and inclusion to performance accountability to transformational leadership,” said Blumer.