Board and Staff Bios - JH

Board Member Bios

Mike Kleber - Chairman

Mike Kleber is the Leasing Director for Metro Milwaukee and Kenosha at Zilber Property Group. Kleber graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 2006 with a B.A and after playing football for the university. Today he is on the board of several organizations in addition to Journey House, including Young Milwaukee Charitable Organization, Westown Association, and Community Advocates.

Dan Shannon - President

Dan Shannon graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1981 with a BBA and MBA in marketing, finance, and international business. Shannon started his career at NCR Corporation where he held a number of positions including Vice President of Database Solutions Marketing. In 1996, Shannon began his career at FIS (formerly Metavante) as President and General Manager of the M&I EastPoint Technologies subsidiary. Since then, Shannon has held multiple positions and is currently senior vice president.

Mike Sturm - Vice-President

Mike Sturm is a consulting actuary with Milliman specializing in health care. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1988 with a degree in actuarial science. Mike and his spouse Joan have been friends of Journey House for many years since they feel passionately about its mission.

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Theresa Plautz Blazei - Treasurer

Theresa Blazei brings 20 years of innovative, leadership expertise as Director of Operations Accounting for Roundy's. She has held various leadership roles including North American Finance Leader at Actuant Corporation, VP of Finance/IT at DCI Cheese Company and Midwest Region Controller at Superior Services. Blazei received a BS in Accounting from Marquette University, an MBA from the University of Wisconsin, and is a licensed CPA in the state of Wisconsin. She has served as a board member for St. Joan Antida High School, board member & Treasurer for My Money Helpline Coalition in Milwaukee, and currently serves as a board member & Treasurer for Journey House. In her free time, she loves traveling with her family, being a lifetime learner, and creating joy for others.

Carmen Ventura - Secretary

Carmen Ventura graduated from Marquette University in 2002 with a degree in political science and broadcast and electronic communication. In 2014 he became the Regional Director of Cricket Wireless. Carmen Ventura is currently the Vice President of Young Milwaukee Charitable Organization and Vice President of Sales and Operations at Evolution Retail Concepts, Inc. Ventura has been with Journey House since 2013.

Eugene Manzanet, US Bank
Retired Board Chairman

Eugene Manzanet, after serving eight years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve has dedicated his time and energy to serving the Milwaukee area as resource of information for financial education, community and economic development. As a current resident and home owner of the near northwest side of Milwaukee he originally was born in New York City and raised in the heart of the “South Bronx”. He has been in the banking industry for twenty-five years and in a variety of roles and capacities. Currently he is the Vice President Community Lending, US Bank Home Mortgage Wisconsin. Prior to rejoining US Bank for fourteen years he served as the Vice President Community Development Banking for PNC Bank where he provided direct support to community social services organizations with financial resources to increase homeownership, enhances small businesses growth and supports economic development through catalytic projects in south eastern Wisconsin.

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Chris Calvelli - Retired Chairman

Chris Calvelli is the Managing Director of the ECAB Investment Group for Baird. Calvelli graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder and has been in the financial services industry since 1997, joining Baird in 1999. “On Wall Street” magazine has named Calvelli one of the “Top 10 Regional Advisors Under 40” every year since 2012.

Ray Arndt - Board Member

Since graduating from Colorado State University in 1975, Ray Arndt has held a number of impressive positions for various companies including Hewlett-Packard and Safeway Services. Arndt is currently with Premier Legacy Wealth Management. Arndt has been on the Journey House Board of Directors since 2007.

Fran Brzezinski - Board Member

Fran Brzezinski is the CEO and a partner at Interstate Partners, LLC. Brzezinski is the primary partner and CEO of all three offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. He got his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Sarah Jelencic - Board Member

Sarah Jelencic is a real estate partner and business lawyer with Foley and Lardner LLP. Jelencic studied law at the University of Michigan and was on it’s Law Review. She has been listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business from 2006-2015. She was previously on the board of directors for Wisconsin Commercial Real Estate Women and the Association of Women Lawyers and is now a Journey House board member as well as a member of the Urban Land Institute.

Barbara Klein - Board Member

With her four children in high school and college, Barbara wanted to revisit one of her first loves: the Spanish language. Her decision to brush up her skills led her to Journey House Center for Family Learning and Youth Athletics, where her leadership has expanded opportunities and helped increase the quality of life for more than 7,000 children and families. Barbara cites a Mother Teresa quote that has always resonated with her — “Peace begins with a smile.” — as inspiration for her volunteerism. “This can be the first step in making our world a better place and in helping others achieve their goals,” she says. “Smile, listen, encourage and support.”

2017 Marquette University Service to the Community Video

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Frank Mauer - Board Member

Coming Soon

John Miceli - Board Member

Coming Soon

UWM Report: Alum helps recent foster children find homes
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Staff Bios

Quentin Prince
Director of Youth Leadership and Student Success

Quentin Prince has served Journey House for over 15 years in many capacities, all with a focus on at-risk and strengthening families. He has worked primarily with our Longfellow Community Learning Center Program, but additionally served as facilitator of Life Skill/Character Education programming at (3) MPS schools. His early involvement with (F.A.S.T) Families and Schools Together, gave him the final piece of knowledge to better serve our youth, Families, Schools and the Community have to work as a singular force. Quentin’s passion for community-driven work quickly led him to assume the role of Director. Under Quentin’s leadership of 15 years, the Journey House Longfellow Community Learning Center has become one of the largest Community Learning Center (CLC) in MPS during school year and summer months, receiving numerous recognitions from MPS and DPI. On numerous occasions he has been approached to create training materials, and facilitate development-training sessions within the school district. A passion for the work of Journey House, youth interests, choices, leadership and education at the center of his every endeavor has led to advancement. Earlier this year, Quentin was promoted to a new position, Journey House Director of Youth Leadership and Student Success. His first major new project was assisting in program implementation of the Earn and Learn 2016 program, outreaching and planning Career Enrichment Days, such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Junior Achievement and job coaching our interns. A Milwaukee raised fellow, undoubtedly there will be many more years of Quentin giving back to the city he loves.

Martin Weddle
Youth Development Specialist & Athletic League

Joined the Journey House team in 2004 as a part-time Recreation Specialist, Martin Weddle, better known as Coach Martin, played a significant role in the development of our Journey House Packers Football Program and is our most winning coach. Coach Martin, who was the Wisconsin State Chess Champion in 1997 at MPS Madison High School, continues his passion and talent for chess and instructs youth in the Journey House Chess Club. In March 2016, Coach Martin was promoted to a full-time Journey House Athletics Leagues Director to assist in our growing Journey House capacity and managing two different stadium complexes.

Coach Martin also served as a Milwaukee County Supervisor for District 5 from November 2014 to April 2016. As a County Supervisor, Martin created the Milwaukee County Youth Chess in the Parks Program. Prior to serving as County Supervisor, Martin was a Milwaukee County Policy Analyst/Legislative Assistant for 10 years. Coach Martin received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Library and Information Science from UW-Milwaukee and a Masters degree in Information Systems Management with a Project Management Certification from Keller Graduate School of DeVry University.

Melissa Jerke
Grant Writer & Leadership Coach

Melissa Jerke has been working at Journey House since 2010 with a specific focus on managing the Journey House Financial Opportunity Center and Career Coaching. Her mission is to help individuals achieve their goals through increased productivity, time management and effective career and financial planning. Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry, with minors in Biology and Business from Augsburg College. Prior to Journey House, Melissa spent 12 years as a General Manager and Personal Training Director in the health club industry. Her work included sales, performance management, staff development, and one on one personal coaching. She is currently completing a Certified Professional Career Coach Program and continues to offer a wide range coaching services, training and workshops.

Sa’eed Diabat
Community Solutions Fellow

As a Training Manager for Al-Fanar, Sa’eed Diabat has experience guiding and coaching people from diverse communities and backgrounds to develop their employment opportunities and careers and widen their field of interests. During his fellowship, Sa’eed hopes to learn new methods of community empowerment and promoting the social inclusion of minority groups. He also hopes to explore strategies for building social projects through networking and shared interests. Upon returning to Israel, Sa’eed plans to initiate a project of leadership and social commitment for youth from diverse backgrounds and minorities in the Middle East.

Deogratias Kayumba
Community Solutions Fellow

As a Program Manager for Human Care and Community Development, Deogratias Kayumba has experience delivering vocational training and extension programs related to the environment and agriculture to smallholder famers. During his fellowship, Deogratias hopes to improve his leadership skills and broaden his knowledge of development practices for sustainable agricultural and environmental management. Upon returning to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Deogratias plans to use his newly acquired leadership skills to plan and implement effective community development projects, and for innovation through sustainable household agricultural livelihood improvement projects.

Kevin Turner
Special Assistant to the CEO

Kevin has been part of the Journey House team for 8+ years as a Special Project Support and YouthBuild Coordinator. He is a manager with a track record of achievements in programs such as multifamily housing development, project management, program analysis and development of programming in primary, secondary and post-secondary educational and non-profit settings. Driven values for agencies through a balanced budget, event and set curricula facilitation mixed with project lifecycles savvy. Excel at leading complex projects to fruition time and under budget. Consummate professionally with unmatched expertise cultivating and nurturing relationships with departments, staff and key decision-makers. Experience public speaker and presenter with proven leadership skills gained from various programs at Cardinal Stritch University such as strategic planning, financial planning and project management. Additional qualifications in: Team Leadership, Training & Mentoring– Program Planning & Facilitation- Human Resource & Communication–Process Improvement & Organizational Change.

Ann Bria
GED Instructor and THRIVE Program Manager

Education & Events Management Professional in non-profit with a Bachelor’s Degree; over 10+ years expertise and experience in the following: solid project management; plan and organize special events & fundraising to raise over $1M through friend-raising, galas and auctions, fashion shows, golf outings; provide training, motivating and encouraging students, supervising, leading, evaluating, and directing a team up to 300 youth, adult staff, and volunteers.

Through various professional roles, Ann has raised awareness about Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES!), which decreases violent behaviors, stress, and creates a culture of peace throughout the city of Milwaukee through community presentations, Educator’s Seminars, and implementing YES! curriculum at community based organizations and schools city-wide (2015-2016); city-wide collaboration with over 29 partner agencies to research ways to decrease crime and violence in our community (2014); implemented and organized special events and hotel accommodations for professional and collegiate sports teams, entertainers, and corporations including hosting city-wide MISL All Star Weekend and annual EAA fly-in (12 years).

As Director of Innovative Youth Programs for four years, the Office of Mayor Tom Barrett selected Ann as one of twelve representatives in the City of Milwaukee to participate in a conference call with President Barack Obama to discuss the Summer Earn & Learn program for youth paid internships on April 11, 2013. Through this role, Ann placed over 900 youth into city-wide paid internships, developed job readiness training curriculum, policy and procedures manual, case management, leadership development, financial literacy, team building, city-wide community projects, and city-wide best practices.

Glorianne Mather
Adult Education Director

Glorianne Mather has been employed by Journey House since 1996 and became the Adult Education Director in 1997. In this role she has been able to facilitate state and local educational goals, while successfully working with teachers, administrators, and staff to develop and implement positive programs that focus on student centered education. After 20 years Journey House has become her family and second home. Outside interests include fitness classes, lawn bowling and golf.

Ryan Schone
Director of Social Innovation

Ryan grew up in central Illinois on a farm abounding with cornfields and pigs. He received his B.A. from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL where he studied geography and urban planning. Ryan’s formal introduction to food systems work came during an urban planning internship in Davenport, IA where he served on the Steering Committee for launching the now thriving Quad Cities Food Hub. Upon graduating college Ryan was accepted into the Lutheran Volunteer Corps program which brought him to Milwaukee to work at an inner-city food pantry and community center for a year.

In May of 2013 Ryan worked for the University of Wisconsin-Extension in Milwaukee County as the Food Systems Coordinator. In 2016 he was asked to coordinate a Milwaukee County food insecurity initiative, known as the SEED Initiative, which sought to create 1,000,000 square feet of community garden space throughout the County. It was through the SEED Initiative that Ryan began partnering with the Journey House to activate a community garden across the street from JH and Longfellow School. The garden became a destination for cooking demonstrations, music performances and community potlucks with a first annual Harvest Festival drawing over 100 neighbors and students to gather in the garden.

In November of 2016, the Journey House Community Garden was selected as one of three finalists for a MANDI Award (Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation). Successes and excitement generated from the Journey House Community Garden led to the establishment of a Clarke Square community food systems initiative being launched with Ryan serving as the coordinator through Journey House.
Learn more about the Community Food Systems Initiative and Journey House Community Gardens
Learn more about Ryan Schone