The Greater Milwaukee Committee
Membership News
July 2026
Letter from Cristy
Dear members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee,
Hello, all!
I hope summer is treating you well. As we continue building this newsletter, I’m grateful for your engagement and the opportunity to keep you connected to the work happening across the Greater Milwaukee Committee. Each edition is designed to give you a closer look at the people, partnerships, and ideas driving progress throughout our region.
This newsletter highlights the power of cross-city collaboration and celebrates membership milestones. Thank you for being part of this community and for the role you play in helping move our region forward.
With gratitude,
Cristy Garcia-Thomas, Interim President
Member Spotlights
Happy One Year anniversary of membership to the following GMC members!
Kathryn Dunn
President/Chief Visionary Officer, WWBIC
Rob Henken
Executive Director, Herzfeld Foundation
Pam Rushing
Chief Operating Officer, Church Mutual
A Leadership Investment in Milwaukee’s Future: Reflections from the 2026 Young American Leaders Program Cohort
Dear Greater Milwaukee Committee Members,
We want to extend our sincere gratitude for your support and investment in the Milwaukee participants selected for the 2026 Young American Leaders Program. Your commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in our region made it possible for us to be part of this transformative experience, and we are grateful that the GMC continues to prioritize leadership development as a critical component of Milwaukee’s future success.
Through the program, we joined a national cohort of leaders from across the country and spent time learning from one another, engaging with faculty and thought leaders, and exploring new approaches to tackling complex challenges facing our communities. The experience reinforced the importance of collaboration, courageous leadership, and building strong networks of leaders who are committed to creating meaningful impact.
One of the most valuable outcomes of the program has been the opportunity to strengthen connections among Milwaukee leaders across sectors. We returned with a renewed commitment to applying what we learned to challenges facing our region and to working together to advance solutions that improve the lives of Milwaukee residents.
As a next step, our cohort is excited to continue working on a community project in partnership with the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership focused on addressing the upcoming Medicaid coverage disruption in Milwaukee. This effort will bring together leaders across health care, business, government, and community organizations to help identify opportunities to support residents, improve access to resources, and ensure our community is prepared for this significant transition.
Thank you again for recognizing that investing in leaders is an investment in Milwaukee’s future. We are honored to represent our city through this program and look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen our region.
With gratitude,
The 2026 Milwaukee Young American Leaders Program Participants
Rayna Andrews, Advocate Health Wisconsin
Fiesha Lynn Bell, Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Krissie Fung, Milwaukee Turners
Ruben Gaona, My Way Out
Alec Knutson, Ascension Wisconsin
Shakita LaGrant-McCain, Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services
Michael Nguyen, Teach for America
Heather Pechacek, Greater Milwaukee Committee
Danny Rivera, Fiserv
Mary Urbina-McCarthy, Milwaukee Public Schools
*If you would like to connect with the YALP cohort, email Heather Pechacek.
Strategic Update
Education
Building Stronger Leaders Through Partnership: GMC & MPS Executive Coaching Pilot Launches
The GMC is proud to officially launch the GMC-MPS Executive Coaching Pilot this month: a new leadership development initiative that brings together the experience of GMC members with executive leaders from Milwaukee Public Schools.
This year, 16 GMC member executives and civic leaders were paired with MPS executive leaders from across the district through the program. Over the next six months, pairs will meet regularly to create space for reflection, leadership support, and thought partnership. Conversations may focus on leadership, organizational strategy, change management, communication, team development, decision-making, and other areas of professional growth.
The pilot was designed to support MPS leaders as they navigate a complex and highly visible leadership environment. Coaches are not serving as consultants or supervisors, but rather as trusted thought partners who can listen, ask thoughtful questions, share perspective, and provide feedback.
The program reflects a shared commitment between GMC and MPS to invest in the people who shape Milwaukee’s future. By connecting experienced business and civic leaders with public education leaders, we are creating opportunities for meaningful cross-sector collaboration that strengthens leadership capacity and builds relationships across institutions.
We are grateful to our members who have volunteered their time, experience, and leadership to serve as coaches. Their willingness to invest in MPS leaders reflects the collaborative spirit that has long defined the GMC.
Strong schools require strong leaders, and strong communities are built through partnership. GMC is excited to work closely with MPS through this pilot and looks forward to seeing how these relationships support individual leaders, Milwaukee Public Schools, and the students and families they serve.
ICYMI
GMC Statement on 794
The GMC Board recently agreed to recommend the issuance of a public statement regarding the future of I-794.
As one of the most significant infrastructure projects affecting our region, the future of I-794 has important implications for mobility, economic development and Milwaukee’s long-term growth. Following careful consideration, the Board believes it is important for the GMC to publicly support a path forward that provides clarity, reflects the extensive public engagement and due diligence undertaken by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and allows the region to continue moving ahead with confidence.
The linked statement reflects the Board’s recommendation and its commitment to advancing thoughtful infrastructure investments that strengthen Greater Milwaukee’s competitiveness and quality of life.
Sincerely,
John Kissinger
Co-Chair
Infrastructure and Civic Development Committee
Steve Radke
Co-Chair
Infrastructure and Civic Development Committee
The GMC Board recently agreed to recommend the issuance of a public statement regarding the future of I-794.
As one of the most significant infrastructure projects affecting our region, the future of I-794 has important implications for mobility, economic development and Milwaukee’s long-term growth. Following careful consideration, the Board believes it is important for the GMC to publicly support a path forward that provides clarity, reflects the extensive public engagement and due diligence undertaken by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and allows the region to continue moving ahead with confidence.
The linked statement reflects the Board’s recommendation and its commitment to advancing thoughtful infrastructure investments that strengthen Greater Milwaukee’s competitiveness and quality of life.
Sincerely,
John Kissinger
Co-Chair
Infrastructure and Civic Development Committee
Steve Radke
Co-Chair
Infrastructure and Civic Development Committee
