Project LEAD

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In Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, too many people are left out of our public conversations. United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County is changing this with Project LEAD—Leadership Effectiveness And Diversity.

This in-depth seven-week training program prepares community members for leadership roles on nonprofit boards and committees, with an emphasis on recruiting participants from underrepresented board populations (women, racially and ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+, and young professionals).

Learn the basic responsibilities of nonprofit boards
Understand what is expected of individual board members
Broaden your professional networks
Influence decisions impacting our community

Participants will have an opportunity to be connected to agencies with a mission that corresponds to the participant’s personal interests. The program’s goal is to introduce each participant to a nonprofit board within six months of program completion.

2024 spring Dates

Orientation: Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.- Board Basics & Diversity on a Board
Orientation will be held at Johnson Controls Corporate Headquarters, 5757 N. Green Bay Ave. Glendale 53209

Session 1: Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 4:30-6:30 p.m. - Governance

Session 2: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 4:30-6:30 p.m. - Resource Development

Session 3: Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 4:30-6:30 p.m. - Advocacy on a Board

Session 4: Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 4:30-6:30 p.m. - Finance

Session 5: Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 4:30-6:30 p.m. - Finding the Right Fit

Graduation: Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 4:30-6:00 p.m. - Celebration & Ceremony

Get on Board: Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

All sessions (minus Orientation on May 1) will be held in the Johnson Controls Volunteer Center of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, 200 W. Pleasant Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53212.

Project LEAD application is now closed.

Testimonials From Alumni

Photo of Patrick Chaves

“I am so thankful I attended the Project LEAD course. It taught me a wealth of information about non-profits and the boards that oversee them, especially in our Milwaukee community. Project LEAD was also an amazing opportunity to expand my network to other likeminded professionals who care about the community.”

- Patrick Chaves, Wisconsin Center District

Photo of Decorah Gordan

"As a currently active board member and leader in the Labor Movement, Project LEAD provided me with a greater perspective, ownership of my roles and tools that I did not know were needed in my passion to make a difference. This opportunity opened so many doors for me and all others that will benefit from my work within the Labor Movement and the community."

- Decorah Gordon, We Energies / IBEW LU 2150

Photo of Joanna Fraczek

"Project LEAD was an incredibly rewarding and empowering experience. With the education provided by the top community leaders, I gained a sense of preparedness for meaningful and competent service on nonprofit boards. Additionally, I’m grateful for the new professional connections and bonds I formed."

- Joanna Fraczek, Assistant City Attorney, City of Milwaukee

Photo of Roslyn Kinchen

"Project LEAD was an amazing experience! The presenters and panelists offered extremely relevant advice on selecting an organization whose mission syncs with your passions. They also emphasized the importance of understanding all aspects of the commitment you are making prior to joining a non-profit board. Project LEAD prepared me to be a more effective board member."

- Roslyn Kinchen, Rockwell Automation

2024 Spring Class

Andrez Aldape, Johnson Controls
Katie Avila Loughmiller, Self Employed LUNA, LLC; Milwaukee Chamber Theatre; UWM; MIAD
Erika Bronikowski, Milwaukee County
Lea Byrd, Self Employed
Sarah Carlson, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee
Carolyn-Eboni Carson
Nate Deans Jr, Milwaukee Public Schools
Melanie Duncan, Outreach Community Health Centers, Inc.
Joseph Elliott, National Insurance Services
Darlene Grant, Next Door
Ciara Hassinger, Alverno College
Stephanie Holt, Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Grant Holtackers, Molson Coors Beverage Company
Willnette Honey, Northwestern Mutual
Tieana Hughlett, Self Employed
Christine Jacobs, Guest House of Milwaukee Inc.
Ashley Jordan, Black Arts MKE
Melissa Kleine, Andrus Intellectual Property Law
Ruth Kumar, Molson Coors Beverage Company
Carla Lathan, Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, Inc.
Bryan Lowski, Community Volunteer
Dominique Madison, City of Milwaukee
Jaimie Markolf, Dataminr
Brion Nash, Landmark Credit Union

Lisa Obradovich, Community Volunteer
Jaqueline Pinto, Penfield Children's Center
Starkita Purdle, Social Development Commission
Darlene Reina, Calendly
Shanita Rowsey, Milwaukee Radio Group
Teneen Rucker, Safe and Sound
Marielena Sandoval, Escuela Verde
Danielle Schmitz, Johnson Controls
Kim Somenske, Fiserv, Inc.
Nyesha Stone, Carvd N Stone Foundation
Yollande Tchouapi, Johnson Controls
Collette Thieme, UnitedHealth Group
Zipporah Turnbull, Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Alexis Wolff, Johnson Financial Group

Thank You To Our 2024 Sponsors

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Past Participant Board Placement

Please keep us informed about the boards you've joined by completing this brief form.

Questions?

For more information, contact Diamond Herring-Rodgers via email.