Steven Robinson
Senior Director Administrator of Clinic Operations,
Advocate Aurora Health
“I have found that breaking bread and sharing a meal is a fundamental part of starting, maintaining, and building meaningful relationships.”
<details><summary>About</summary><p>Steven is an experienced healthcare executive with operational responsibilities in the Greater Milwaukee area. He oversees diverse clinical and leadership experiences in ambulatory operations covering Neurology, Primary Care, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Geriatrics, and academic/teaching in an integrated delivery systems.</p></details>
Marci Pelzer
Communications Director,
Worley
“I love to host dinner parties with my husband. We love soup, our round table, and finding new reasons to pull out my great-great grandmother’s ice cream spoons.”
<details><summary>About</summary><p>Marci is a seasoned global communication leader who has led innovative corporate communications and sustainability programs. She is also an active civic participant who is interested in building community, solving problems, and telling stories. Marci joined the Kinship Board in 2022 and serves on our Executive, Communications, and Development Committees. </p></details>
Eugene Nelson
Case Manager/FSET Coordinator,
Project RETURN
“My experience with this community began with ‘hands-on’ involvement assisting those individuals who may be in need and I’m honored to continue within that same capacity.”
<details>
<summary>About</summary>
<p>Eugene provides faith-based collaboration and community outreach services to greater Milwaukee. He assists in the development of positive re-entry services - educational, vocational, and employment opportunities - for individuals who have been under-served & disenfranchised.</p>
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Berent Kowarick
Vice President, Banker,
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
“In my experience, food is synonymous with community. I find that sharing a meal is the most effective way to truly get to know someone or a group of people.”
<details>
<summary>About</summary>
<p>Berent received his Bachelor’s Degree from the Marquette University College of Business Administration. During his time in undergraduate studies, he was a member of the Applied Investment Management program. Prior to his current role, Berent also worked for Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management in New York City. He enjoys golfing, playing basketball, and spending time with his wife Kelsey and adopted Cairn Terrier, Louie. </p>
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Chad Griesel
Pastoral Associate,
Family of Five Parishes - Milwaukee
“From my own family meals growing up, to meals I helped prepare as part of the Catholic Worker Community in college, to the celebration of the Eucharist in the parishes I now serve, shared meals have always been at the heart of community for me.”
<details>
<summary>About</summary>
<p>Chad’s work centers on engaging people in a deeper understanding of their faith so that they can live out what they profess more fully, faithfully, joyfully, and humbly. In addition to his work in adult and family formation, Chad also serves as chief of staff for the Family of Five Parishes in Milwaukee’s Downtown, East Side, and Riverwest neighborhoods.</p>
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Lori Craig
Chair, Governance Committee
Senior Vice President Market Leader,
PNC Private Bank
“I love family food traditions like Friday night hamburgers at midnight when I was young – so special to stay up late and have burgers with my parents and older brothers.”
<details>
<summary>About</summary>
<p>Lori graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and with a Masters in management from Carroll University. Lori Craig joined PNC in July 2010 as the Market Executive for Wisconsin. Lori is an active member in the community and serves on a number of boards, including the Kinship Community Food Center, the UWM Foundation, Sharon Lynn Wilson Center, American Heart Association, Milwaukee Women Inc., Marcus Center for the Performing Arts and the Milwaukee Jewish Museum. She is also on the advisory board for the MATC Paralegal Program.
</p>
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Jacquelin Coby-Beaver
Healthcare Executive
“I believe sharing a meal is one of the most universal expressions of love. Food brings people together and provides the opportunity to create deep, life-long connections.”
<details>
<summary>About</summary>
<p>Jacquelin works to identify and address health disparities and develop proactive approaches to address the social determinants of health and close health equity gaps. She is a Milwaukee native and is passionate about improving the well-being of communities within the city. She is an active board member and serves on the Governance Committee.</p>
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Hon. Ellen R. Brostrom (ret.)
Chair, Workforce Development Program Task Force
Mediator, Arbitrator, Special Master. Resolute Systems, LLC
“My mom, sister and I love to bring everyone together to share a meal. We cook pies from scratch, meats on the grill, homemade bread, pancakes dripping with butter and syrup, soups from the bone.”
<details>
<summary>About</summary>
<p>Ellen is an attorney practicing alternative dispute resolution, assisting parties in resolving their civil disputes. Prior to joining Resolute in May, 2024, Ellen served as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge for fifteen years. She presided over all types of disputes, civil and criminal. Ellen has two adult daughters, a dog named Zucchini and a cat named Blue.
Ellen has been consulting with the Kinship Board for several years. She currently serves as a board member and as the chair of the Workforce Development Program Task Force of the Board.
</p>
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James M. Caragher
Principal/General Counsel,
Glenn Rieder LLC
“I relish the rituals of preparing and enjoying food, and see it as one of the principal ways for people to share ideas and feelings, and for many people to express their love.”
<details>
<summary>About</summary>
<p>After a 20-year law career at Foley and Lardner, with practice areas in the construction, environmental, and financial fields, Jim purchased Glenn Rieder and co-managed the company from 40 employees and $6 million in revenue to 450 employees and more than $100 million in revenue. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review, and his Bachelor of Science in Accounting cum laude from Marquette University. Jim and his wife Kathleen are active supporters of Kinship, and he also serves on boards for Children’s Wisconsin Foundation, Marquette University President’s Advisory Council, Tundra Targeted Therapeutics, and as President of the University Club of Milwaukee. Jim joined the Kinship Board in 2023 and serves on the Facilities Committee.</p>
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David Bourne
Chair, Facilities Committee
Retired Partner,
Quarles & Brady
“I know what it’s like to be hungry. I’m fortunate now to be in a position in life where I can eat good, healthy, nutritious foods — and I’m committed to finding a way for others to do so, as well.”
<details>
<summary>About</summary>
<p>David Bourne has practiced law for over 30 years at Quarles & Brady LLP, where he represents lenders and borrowers in sophisticated commercial finance transactions. He earned his BA degree in Political Science magna cum laude from Wheaton College (IL), his MA in Government from Georgetown University, and his JD cum laude from Marquette University Law School. Dave and his wife Kim live in downtown Milwaukee, and enjoy running, biking and spending time with their four children and three grandchildren.</p>
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Melinda Krueger
Secretary of the Board
Chair, Communications Committee
Retired Senior Client Partner,
Salesforce
“I am proud to be a member of our community of generosity. We work toward a better, more equitable Milwaukee and come together to battle hunger, poverty and loneliness.”
<details>
<summary>About</summary>
<p>Prior to retirement, Melinda was a digital marketer with experience in direct response, email marketing, mobile messaging and digital advertising. Today she leads our Communications Committee, a team of volunteers and staff who create plans and content for email, mobile, social, web, branding, PR and events.</p>
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Paul Burgoyne
Vice President of the Board
Chair, Development Committee
Retired Vice President, Sales & Marketing,
The Boelter Companies
“Food has been an important part of my life beginning with sharing meals together as a large family. My professional life was centered around food through the foodservice and hospitality business!”
<details>
<summary>About</summary>
<p>Prior to retirement, Paul was a Senior Level Food Service distribution professional with extensive experience in sales, sales management, purchasing, and marketing.
Paul joined the Kinship Board in 2020 and serves as a member of our Executive Committee and as Chair of the Development Committee.</p>
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Ellen Bartel
President of the Board
Sponsorship Consultant,
Sisters of the Divine Savior
“This is a place where each one of us learns to offer what we can to others and receive what we need from the relationships we build and the work that we share.”
<details>
<summary>About</summary>
<p>Ellen is an experienced non-profit leader and CEO with a history of working in secondary and higher education. She is a business and development professional, skilled in the leadership of mission based non-profit organizations, strategic planning, and fundraising. Ellen joined the board in 2020 and serves as President of the Board and on the Executive and Governance & Nominating Committees. She and her husband Mike are also active at the Center and as Stride volunteers.</p>
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