Jennifer Bartolotta
After winning the Philanthropic 5 award back in 2008, how has your life changed both personally and professionally?
The award was a tremendous honor, especially in the inaugural year. I’ve found through giving, I’ve received far more than I’ve ever given – especially in the arena of rich rewarding experiences and the ability to connect to others on a deep and truly meaningful level. The award added fuel to my fire and inspired me to dig a bit deeper and give in some new ways.
Back then, you were involved with many local nonprofits throughout Greater Milwaukee community including: Wisconsin Humane Society, American Cancer Society, Meta House and American Heart Association. Are you still involved with them, if so, at what capacity?
I remain deeply committed to giving and especially to home-grown organizations. Currently, I am the board chair at the Wisconsin Humane Society, board secretary for Schools That Can Milwaukee, and board chair for Care-a-lottas, the charitable arm of the Bartolotta Restaurants. Additionally, I’m a raving ambassador for several local initiatives and donate time and talent to: Victory Garden Initiative, St. Marcus School, Walnut Way Conservation Corporation and The Mayor’s Homegrown Initiative.
Are there any new organizations you are working with that you’d like to talk about?
I remain concerned and very involved in several areas – urban educational reform and our food delivery systems. All of the non-profit work I commitment to involves those broad categories and all are home-grown Milwaukee organizations.
What do you find most rewarding about helping others in the Greater Milwaukee community?
I’ve had the good fortune to live in many places, both in the US and out of the country. Milwaukee, truly, has more to offer – I make particular reference to quality of life – than any other place I have ever lived.
Do you have any advice for future winners of the P5 award?
We don’t volunteer our time and talent to be recognized, so enjoy your moment. This is the time to check your humility, say thank you, knowing that in your special way, you contributed to the great good and made Milwaukee a better place for all of us.
Marc Andraca
After winning the Philanthropic 5 award back in 2008, how has your life changed both personally and professionally?
This is a big question. It's been 6 years -- an eternity in the context of professional life within a corporation like Johnson Controls. During that time I shifted into a different division and moved into a global role, providing me with opportunities to work across North America, China, India and Western Europe. I've been fortunate to work on big, complicated, and strategically-strenuous business problems and solutions. I received a promotion along the way -- always a nice change! Probably the biggest change begins over this summer. My family and I will be transferring to Singapore for a two-year assignment. I will be part of a start-up team building up Johnson Controls' battery business in Asia Pacific. We are very excited.
Back then, you were involved with many local nonprofits throughout Greater Milwaukee community including: Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, Urban Ecology Center, United Community Center, St. Francis Children’s Center and WUWM Public Radio. Are you still involved with them, if so, at what capacity?
I've had to redirect and focus my time a bit better. I've invested more in my role at the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, working to develop and teach a training program to help Hispanic students in college launch their careers. The program was developed working through the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, in collaboration with the United Community Center, and with funding from the Great Lakes Foundation. We are still thinking through how to take the program to the next level, but we see significant opportunity and need. It's part of a more intense focus on accelerating and expanding the talent base of Hispanic professionals.
Are there any new organizations you are working with that you’d like to talk about?
My wife Deb is completing a year as president of the Parent Teacher Organization for our elementary school. She's also a graduate student at Alverno. These organizations do great things for our community.
You came to Milwaukee in 2002 as a young professional. What has kept you here and/or what excites you most about the Greater Milwaukee community?
We are very happy calling Milwaukee home. We think we get a bit of everything -- the experiences of a large city, a small town, a beach town, a wilderness park. I can bike to work, or fly to Germany, all in the same week. And I personally love the seasons…even the winter. It feels like I live in four different places at once.
Do you have any advice for future winners of the P5 award?
Keep at it.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
My wife and I love running with our dog along the Milwaukee River trails. For a good hour it feels like we are literally in a remote forest by a fast-flowing river.
Where do you like to vacation?
One of our favorite places is a YMCA camp in northern Wisconson. The winter is beautiful. I know it's not a popular opinion…but this year's winter has been my favorite. (Spring, not so much.) I finally feel like I learned what a "real Wisconsin" winter feels like.