Milwaukee Magazine | Women of Distinction 2023

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M I L WAU K E E M AG A Z I N E is proud to present

WOMEN of

DISTINCTION This annual special section features some of our city’s most accomplished leaders. These women represent excellence in a wide range of fields, from finance and marketing to hospitality, fashion and more. Join us in celebrating them in this fifth annual Women of Distinction section!

Representing These Businesses: ARTERY INK C O M M O N G R O U N D H E A L T H C A R E C O O P E R AT I V E G L Y P H G L O B A L C R E AT I V E I A G W E A L T H PA R T N E R S , L L C K R AV I T , H O V E L & K R AW C Z Y K , S . C .

POWERS REALTY GROUP STELLA & CHEWY’S TECHQUERIA THE LOWLANDS GROUP

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOUTIQUE PHOTOGRAPHER LINDA SMALLPAGE

WOMEN of

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I THRIVE HELPING OTHER PEOPLE REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. – ILEANA RIVERA

”

T H E LOW L A N DS G R O UP Over the past 15 years at The Lowlands Group, Ileana Rivera has held many roles since starting as a bartender. In her current role as Chief Operating Officer, she oversees all restaurant operations including culinary and beverage development and puts a strong emphasis on creating opportunities and career growth for Lowlands’ 700-plus employees across eight restaurants in the Milwaukee area and Madison.

“My mom and dad are from Puerto Rico, and they came here with nothing,” Rivera says. “My whole life was made possible by my mom working incredibly hard to provide me with opportunities. That’s why I’ve worked so hard – because every day, I had a strong woman in front of me who had worked her way from the bottom.”

Rivera has helped guide the company through COVID while continuing to build on the community and culture. She has expanded the Lowland Brewing Collaborative, which pairs the restaurant group with world-class brewers to create unique beers, and most recently she received the honor of being this year’s only Americanborn restaurant inductee into Belgium’s Knighthood of the Brewers Paddle for her work promoting Belgian bier in the United States.

“A few years ago, my mom asked me what my legacy would be,” Rivera says. “I hope that I can provide a strong example as a female Latina in Wisconsin. I hope I can be a role model for people who are striving every day, to know that they can come from anywhere and succeed.”

ILEANA RIVERA

CH IEF OPERAT IN G OFFICE R

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WOMEN of

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I’M COMPLETELY INVESTED IN MY CLIENTS. THEIR HAPPINESS IS MY HAPPINESS. – SUZANNE POWERS

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POWERS REAL TY GROUP Suzanne Powers has a long and impressive list of achievements. She’s the only female brokerage owner in the top 20 real estate companies in Milwaukee. The owner of Powers Realty Group Inc., she has been the top-selling agent in Milwaukee’s North Shore for nearly two decades. And as Wisconsin’s No. 1 boutique brokerage, Powers Realty Group ranks first in the state in large team sales volume and first in the highest average sale price of the top 25 companies. “I’ve had many grateful clients come back to thank us, and I think that’s what makes us No. 1 – it’s that repeat customer,” Powers says.

But Powers didn’t start her career in real estate – for a decade, she worked in medical device sales before switching industries and building her brokerage from the ground up.

Powers Realty Group now has a team of 20 sales executives, and this year they surpassed $1.7 billion in sales to date. “What I’m most proud of in my career, I think, is the team that I’ve built,” Powers says. “They are second to none. They work just as hard and tirelessly as I do, and we produce amazing results.”

SUZANNE POWERS

CH IEF EXECUT IVE OFFICER

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JENNIFER MATTER

HUM A N RESOURC E S DIREC TOR

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THE RIGHT NUTRITION CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN A PET’S LIFE. – JENNIFER MATTER

”

ANAKIN

GOOD BOY

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STELLA & CHEWY'S

KERRY FURLONG

V IC E PR ESI D E NT OF FOO D SAFET Y AND QUA LI TY ASSUR ANC E

Stella & Chewy’s takes its name from the two dogs its owner, Marie Moody, adopted in 1997. Chewy was very sick, and at the advice of a veterinarian, Moody fed him a raw diet. He made a rapid recovery, and Stella’s health improved under the diet as well, inspiring Moody to found her own business, selling raw, organic pet food. Over 25 years later, the company continues to sell that high-quality and responsibly sourced food, free from artificial preservatives, coloring, hormones and antibiotics.

That stor y, and Moody’s commitment to better-quality pet food, attracted Jennifer Matter, Kathleen Gilbert and Kerry Furlong to the company. “As a pet owner, I really admired what Marie did for her dogs,” Matter says.

Matter, the human resources director at Stella & Chewy’s, recently helped launch a new program called the Stay Plan, an innovative retention program that includes a company-wide holistic approach to reducing turnover and promoting the unique culture at Oak Creek-based Stella & Chewy’s. Gilbert and Furlong lead the food safety wing, ensuring that everything the company produces is safe for both pets and people.

“Working for Stella & Chewy’s, there’s a real opportunity to make a difference,” Gilbert says. “The food we make changes the lives of pets and of pet parents – there’s no better reward. Plus, it’s a dog-friendly workplace!”

KATHLEEN GILBERT

DIRECTOR OF FOOD SA F ETY AN D Q UALIT Y AS S URANCE

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I'M A PROBLEMSOLVER BY NATURE. – LEIL A SAHAR

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K RAV IT , H OVE L & K R AWC Z Y K, S.C. Leila Sahar attributes her interest in the law to two lifelong passions: advocacy for others and problem-solving. “I have always had a calling to stand up for others,” she says. Sahar, a New Berlin native, attended Georgetown Law School. She started her career at one of the biggest law firms in Wisconsin, before deciding that it wasn’t quite what she wanted. “I wanted a boutique litigation firm, where I could have stronger relationships with my clients,” she says.

“That drew me to Kravit, Hovel and Krawczyk.”

As an attorney in commercial litigation with KHK, Sahar represents businesses of all sizes and has been named a “Rising Star”

by Wisconsin Super Lawyers five years in row. She is also the president-elect of the Milwaukee Bar Association, an organization t h a t p r o v i d e s r e s o u r ce s f o r l a w y e r s , judges and others in the legal profession.

Outside of her normal caseload, Sahar represents survivors of domestic abuse pro bono. “The people I work with are taking action to walk away from terrible situations,” she says. “It’s very hard work at times, but it can also be incredibly uplifting.”

LEIL A SAHAR

L I T I G AT I O N AT TO R N E Y

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THE ONLY WAY TO SUCCEED IS TO BE COMPLETELY AUTHENTIC TO YOURSELF. – MARA NATKIN

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M ARA NATKIN OW N E R

AR T E RY IN K About 14 years ago, Mara Natkin and Gloria Ramirez met while waitressing. The two hit it off, bonding over a mutual love of art. Pretty soon, they became a couple. During that time, Natkin’s aunt and Ramirez’s aunt both passed away. “It made us stop and think, are we really doing what we want with our lives?” Natkin says. “And we knew the answer was no.”

Spurred by that realization and some health challenges, they both began a wellness journey. They were inspired to combine their mutual love of art and newfound interest in healthy living. So they started making greeting cards, coloring books, T-shirts, prints and more, showing off vibrant designs of human anatomy. They sold their work around town, forming Artery Ink. A year later, they quit their jobs and devoted themselves full time to the new business. The decision paid off – Artery Ink grew quickly, and is now a team of seven!

Today, they sell a wide lineup of clothing,

GLORIA RAMIREZ OWNER

custom apparel and a tri-monthly subscription box. In 2020, they launched their Community Collection, selling new apparel designs each month with proceeds benefiting nonprofits.

“We believe that when you have a platform, you have to use it for good,” Ramirez says.

“That’s a core of our company – building community locally and throughout the world.”

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LEIA FERRARI TRANER FOUN DER AND PRIN CIPAL CON S UL TANT, CARM EN D IANA

FRANCESCA MAYCA WEG NER

PR ESI D E NT & C HIE F POSSIBI LI TI E S OFFICE R, HP GM

JASMIN TRESKE

G RA NTS D I R E C TO R - CO M M U N I T Y MATTE RS , B A D E R P H I L A N T H R O P I E S

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BL ANCA GONZALES

EXECUT IVE DIRECTOR, I. C. S TAR S

SPONSORED CONTENT

WOMEN of

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WE'RE EMPOWERING LATINX PROFESSIONALS TO BECOME LEADERS IN THE TECH INDUSTRY. – BL ANCA GONZALES

”

JUL EA FERRARA

SENI OR S OLUTI O N S D E SI G N E R , MO L SO N COO R S BE V E R AG E CO M PA N Y

TEC HQUERI A

ANDREA MENDEZ BARRUTIA FOUND E R, MIVOZ

Blanca Gonzales, the executive director of the tech training nonprofit i.c. stars, was deeply affected by the challenges brought on

by COVID-19. Recognizing the digital disparities that affected families’ abilities to educate their children and the struggles faced by small businesses, Gonzales was inspired to prevent similar problems in the future.

She joined forces with fellow Latinx community leaders whom she had long admired – including Francesca Mayca Wegner, Jasmin Treske, Julea Ferrera, Leia Ferrari Traner, Andrea Mendez Barrutia and Victor Amaya – and contacted Techqueria about forming a Milwaukee chapter. The national nonprofit provides Latinx professionals with resources and support to further their careers in tech.

The Milwaukee chapter launched in May, with the seven serving as its first directors. “We’re all passionate about giving back,” Gonzales says.

The Techqueria Milwaukee Chapter focuses on creating early tech career exposure opportunities and awareness. Its aim is to attract, develop and retain a diverse Latinx talent pool, equipped with technical, business and community-centered skills. Partnerships with businesses like the law firm von Briesen & Roper enable the chapter to provide valuable resources, mentorship and support, ultimately contributing to the growth and sustainability of the tech industry in our city. “The seven of us plan to build a strong foundation, but we don’t want to be the directors for long – our goal is to prepare the next generation to step up,” Gonzales says.

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I AG WEAL TH PARTNERS, L L C Founded by Lori Watt in 1985, IAG Wealth Partners has grown from a financial services startup to one of the most esteemed firms in southeastern Wisconsin. With consistent growth over the years, Watt now leads a team of 12 financial advisors and 20 professional support staff.

“IAG has a uniquely collaborative culture in the financial industry,” Watt says. “Each advisor serves their individual clients but are also willing to share their expertise with other advisors.” Debra Melvin, for example, specializes in working with women going through major life changes. When another advisors’ client could use that expertise, they’ll turn to her for guidance. Jayme Heineck leads the firm’s Financial Planning Team using IAG’s proprietary Portfolio GPS™ to create an individualized plan that manages both short and long-term goals for IAG’s clients. Each advisor makes their specialized knowledge available to the entire team. That includes working with business owners, planning for retirement, charitable planning and more.

“As a fiduciary, we always put the best interest of our clients first, and we all work together to provide unmatched service,” Watt says.

IAG has established a solid succession plan with its current ownership structure. The firm has seven partners, including Jennifer Von Ruden and Anne Sapienza. “As we look forward to the years ahead, our intention is to expand that ownership to include more of the IAG team” Watt says. “We’re focusing on mentoring our young advisors so that we’ll continue to serve our clients and future generations with the same level of service and care.”

JENNIFER VON RUDEN LORI A. WATT

C FP ® , MANAG I NG PA R T N E R , P R E S I D E N T

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CH IEF COM PLIAN CE OFFICER, PART N ER

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WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE UNMATCHED SERVICE. – LORI WATT

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DEBRA MELVIN

CDFA ® , FIN AN CIAL ADVISOR

ANNE SAPIENZA C RPC ® , PARTN E R, FINAN C I A L ADV IS O R

JAYME HEINECK

FIN AN CIAL ADVIS OR

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I LOVE TURNING THE BLANK PAGE INTO SOMETHING MAGICAL. – EBONY SSALI

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GL YP H G L O B A L CR EATIVE Twelve years ago, Ebony Ssali took an entrepreneurial risk. With a blossoming career in advertising, graphic design and academia, she launched her own branding firm. Ssali Media was the summation of her interest in advertising, creative design and marketing. Recently rebranded as Glyph Global Creative, Ssali continues to expand creative brands regionally and nationally. “In Milwaukee, when you look at marketing and advertising for people of color, I knew that there was a gap where I could have a voice,” Ssali says. “I knew I could enact change and deliver consistent quality work, and I’ve seen that come to fruition with every project I’ve done.”

Glyph Global Creative has worked with many Milwaukee organizations. Ssali has spearheaded branding for projects including neighborhood business improvement districts, like Villard Avenue, where she grew up, Historic Martin Luther King Drive and the city’s annual Bronzeville Week celebration.

She also works with private companies on creative direction. “Milwaukee is now on the national and even international map,” she says. “People are really starting to understand that we have great talent here. Our voices are being heard. As our city is getting that spotlight, I want to keep expanding it and hear from other people with different backgrounds. That’s how we continue to grow the magic of Milwaukee – more voices, more inclusion, more perspectives.”

EBONY SSALI

C R E AT I V E D I R ECTOR

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DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE A CHANGE – YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE IT WILL LEAD.

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– JENNIFER WALKOWIAK

COM MON GROUND HEAL THCARE COOPERATI VE After dedicating over two decades to business development in health care, Jennifer Walkowiak reached a pivotal moment in her career. She was ready for a change. “I wanted a role where I could see and feel the impact of the work I was doing,” she reflects. Her quest led her to Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative, a nonprofit health insurance company with a distinct mission: “Putting Members First. Pursuing Better Healthcare.” She enthusiastically embraced the role of vice president of business development.

"We have the privilege of engaging directly with our members and agents. It allows me to help facilitate greater access to affordable health insurance and health care for more individuals and small-business owners in my home state."

Outside of her career, Walkowiak also passionately contributes her time and energy to Best Buddies of Wisconsin. Best Buddies pairs individuals with intellectual disabilities with friends and fosters a supportive social community. "This program is a genuine catalyst for inclusion. Witnessing the heartwarming embrace of our work by so many people is immensely rewarding."

JE NNIFER WALKOWIAK V I C E P RE SI D E N T O F B US I N E S S D E V E L O P M E N T

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