Originally from the Chicago area, Rick discovered Milwaukee while receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette University and has lived in the Milwaukee area for most of his adult life. He served as a volunteer youth volleyball coach at St. Sebastian Parish for more than 25 years.

In 2011, Rick and his wife Lisa led a volunteer effort to build the Cherry Street Community Garden on a vacant lot owned by the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee in Milwaukee’s Midtown neighborhood, and in 2018, Rick helped establish another community garden at HACM’s Riverview apartment building.

Rick spearheaded the founding of BloomMKE to ensure that these gardens continue to thrive and become a focal point for community enrichment though adult and youth education opportunities.

Will has 30 years’ experience in information technology and more recently has turned his focus to assisting nonprofit organizations.  In 2019 Will completed a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from UW-Milwaukee.  He serves as a Director and committee chair on the Friends of Art board which oversees the annual Lakefront Festival of Art on the Milwaukee Art Museum grounds.  Will has also worked with fundraising events for Habitat for Humanity and United Way.  He is excited to have the opportunity to be a part of BloomMKE and the social benefits offered by pairing structured enrichment program with community gardens.

Kelly received her Bachelor of Accounting degree from Marquette University and is also a Certified Public Account.  She is presently working as a campus recruiter for US Bank and has a proven track record of attracting top talent.  Kelly is passionate about the Milwaukee community and being able to use her financial acumen to further enhance BloomMKE’s mission.

Lisa’s passion for gardening started as a child in central Illinois in her family’s vegetable garden and grew into community gardening after moving to Milwaukee in 2009. Through her volunteer work, Lisa saw first-hand how the Cherry Street Community Garden Club is about much more than just growing healthy food; it’s about growing healthy families and communities.

Recently retired from Rockwell Automation, Lisa is enjoying life as a volunteer and recently earned her Master Gardener certification from the University of Wisconsin.  In addition to serving as secretary on the BloomMKE board of directors, she leads branding and marketing efforts for the organization.

Lisa holds a General Engineering degree from the University of Illinois, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and has more than 25 years of experience in the factory automation industry.

In 2018, Lisa and Rick were married in the Cherry Street Community Garden surrounded by family and their Garden Club friends.

Contact Lisa

William received a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Development from Springfield College in Springfield Massachusetts. William has worked for the Youth Diversion Program with at-risk gang members and with the Boys and Girls Club as an Employment Coordinator. William moved into the Education field teaching and counselling at-risk youth at Charter Schools in Milwaukee, substituting teaching with MPS and is presently working for Milwaukee Health Services.

Zach received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame and spent the last 5 years in the technology industry, initially in Chicago then moved to Milwaukee in 2018.  Originally from Indiana, he loves the Milwaukee community and is excited to embed himself here for the foreseeable future.  Zach has worked with several non-profits the past 10 years, primarily assisting individuals with intellectual disabilities.  Zach is honored for the opportunity to assist with BloomMKE’s efforts in continuing to strengthen the greater Milwaukee community.