Mission Intern, Intern Recruitment Coordinator

"Every year on Easter my family makes a lamb cake and prays that the neck doesn’t break. So far, we have tried toothpick scaffolding and adding pudding powder to the batter, but I am open to other suggestions!"

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<p>Jack joins us from Cincinnati, Ohio after graduating from Otterbein University with a BA in Theatre. He is excited to jump right into this community through sharing conversations over food at the Center and at Feast Meals. When he’s not at work Jack enjoys making music, tap dancing, and reading British children’s literature.</p>

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Senior Communications Associate

“I always find myself in the kitchen, certainly not because I can cook, but because that’s where everyone is – it’s the heart of every home.”

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<p>Amanda started volunteering at the food center several years ago and was hired on right after her graduation from Mount Mary University. She is inspired daily by the community that gives so willingly for the good of the other.</p>

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Workforce Development Manager

“Food has brought people together during my life during birthdays, holidays and more. My family has an annual cook-off with a traveling trophy.”

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<p>Demonte has over 15 years of experience in social services, mental health, program development, and management experience and is excited to be part of the Kinship team. Demonte is also the creator and host of a podcast advocating for equity for the global majority.</p>

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Café Associate

“Food is a way for my son and I to bond. He has been in the kitchen helping me since he was old enough to hold a whisk. I love watching his culinary creativity blossom.”

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<p>Nikki first came to Kinship as a volunteer in August 2023 and then joined our Workforce team in January of 2024. She is excited to be on the Kinship team in a new way as she helps roll out our new café space. Prior to Kinship, Nikki has primarily worked in administrative roles in manufacturing, but has always loved cooking, particularly, baking. In her free time she enjoys reading and crocheting.</p>

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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.”

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<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.

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Senior Urban Farm Associate

“My favorite time of year is in the fall when butternut squash is ready to harvest. I always look forward to making my family’s butternut squash lasagna recipe!”

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<p>Cole has been part of Milwaukee's young entrepreneurship community, starting a small plant business when he was younger. He is passionate about growing his own food and educating others about the joys of gardening. </p>

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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.”

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<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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Mission Intern, Urban Farm Coordinator

"Both of my grandmothers were excellent cooks; and almost all my earliest memories of our visits involve the meals they would prepare. Even back then, I feel that I recognized their work as a labor of love."

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<p>James was excited when he first heard about Kinship because he was looking for ways to grow more personally and spiritually. He spent the summer working at our Urban Farm and decided to stay a full year to see how else he could grow alongside others. When he is not at work he enjoys woodworking, reading, gardening, and planning D& D campaigns.</p>

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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.”

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<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.

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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.”

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<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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Mission Intern, Workforce Development Coordinator

"I am inspired by the bonding and memories that happens when people share even a simple meal together. Once, for my 8^th birthday, my mom made me an ear shaped cake (upon my request) because I got my ears pierced. I will never forget it!"

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<p>Mary has wanted to do missionary work for most of her life. Finding Kinship through a service trip (and the recommendation of her older brother) she knew this is where she wanted to be. Mary recently graduated from UW Eau Claire with a bachelor’s in business. When Mary is not working, she loves to do pottery, go to farmers markets, and thrift!</p>

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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.”

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<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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Systems & Strategy Manager

“I’ve had a lot of great meals, but with a few exceptions, it is not the food that I remember, but the people I shared them with. Great food is a celebration of company and friendship. Unless it’s the last freezie pop, then that’s all about me.”

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<p>Mark never imagined when he first volunteered at the food center in 2015 that he would still be here years later! Mark’s passion for creating a space for relationship, encounter, and a deeper experience of God’s love for us has been at the root of his work. Additionally, Mark loves to spend as much time as possible with the Mission Interns in and out of work and finds his time with them to be the greatest gift from this work. When not spending his time at the office or at the mission house, Mark loves to read, bike, and come up with a new project to get obsessed about.</p>

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Mission Intern, Human Services Coordinator

“I love the knowledge, traditions, and attachments that food has attached to it. My most memorable food memory was the time I hosted Thanksgiving while I studied abroad in Spain.”

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<p>After talking with a friend who served at Kinship, Mary was really drawn to our work and our mission. She studied finance and Spanish at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is looking forward to developing her relationship with God and others. Mary enjoys running, seeing live music, and is very excited to try all of the winter activities we have in Wisconsin!</p>

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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.”

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<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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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!”

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<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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Food Center Operations Associate

“My abuelita (grandma), our family matriarch spent her Sunday’s making an elaborate meal to bring us all together. It has helped keep our family story and traditions alive.”

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<p>Dom comes to us with a background in entrepreneurship in the food business industry. She is excited to work here as it’s a place that has a good mission and a holistic approach. When she’s not at work, she enjoys being outdoors and helping with youth soccer.</p>

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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.”

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<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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Advancement Director

“Gathering around the dinner table with family has been a centerpiece of my life. Certain meals bring me right back to a special moment that I had with my grandparents, my parents, and my family.”

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<p>After relocating from her beloved hometown of Cranford, New Jersey, Jen was hired by Kinship Community Food Center at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. She feels blessed to share her nearly 30 years of experience bringing people together through philanthropy with our Community of Generosity and as an active member of her community. Jen and her husband, David, live in his hometown of Shorewood with their three teenage children, her father, and their menagerie of pets.</p>

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Food Center Director

“The clichés about food and community are so abundant because they are true – when we are able to share even the humblest meal, strangers become friends and community becomes family.”

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<p>Caitlin Cullen is an educator, chef, entrepreneur, and activist who uses food to help dismantle wealth and health disparities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Previously the owner of Tandem, a social enterprise restaurant, she has always strived to improve the lives of others in the Milwaukee metropolitan area.</p>

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