UWM is well represented on the Milwaukee Business Journal’s list of top 100 power brokers in Milwaukee for 2024.
Three UWM officials and numerous alumni made the list, which the newspaper compiles annually. The list is intended to recognize people who are movers and shakers in the region.
“They are the people who others turn to when they need to get something done, whether it’s a business deal, community project or raising money for a great cause,” the Business Journal says.
UWM administrators making the list are Chancellor Mark Mone; Makda Fessahaye, associate vice chancellor, human resources; and Phyllis King, UWM associate vice chancellor, academic affairs. King is also a two-time UWM alum, earning a bachelor’s in occupational therapy in 1983 and a doctorate in administrative leadership in education in 1995.
UWM alumni recognized as power brokers are:
- Michael Emem (’20 BBA Finance with Real Estate Certificate), founder of Emem Group
- Wendy Baumann (’84 BA Clinical Psychology, ’94 MS Exceptional Education), Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp.
- Héctor Colón (’97 BS Occupational Therapy, ’01 MS Occupational Therapy), Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin & Upper Michigan
- Patricia Contreras (’00 BBA Finance), Rockwell Automation
- Eve Hall (’92 MS Administrative Leadership in Education), Greater Milwaukee Urban League
- JoAnne Anton (’99 MS Criminal Justice), Herb Kohl Philanthropies
- Emily Phillips (’07 BA History and Sociology), Robert W. Baird & Co.
- Marcelia Nicholson (’14 BA Communication), Milwaukee County Board
- John Kissinger (’79 BS Civil Engineering), Graef
- Clifton Phelps (’07 MPA Public Administration), JCP Construction
- Matt Rinka (’97 BS Architectural Studies), Rinka
- Dave Spano (’88 BBA Marketing), Annex Wealth Management
- Harris Turer (’88 BBA Marketing), Milwaukee Admirals
- Ranell Washington (’05 BBA Finance with Real Estate Certificate), American Family Insurance
- DeVona Wright Cottrell (’06 MBA), GMR Marketing
- Mary Ellen Stanek (’84 MBA), Baird Funds
- Mary Kellner (’78 MS Educational Psychology), philanthropist
- Gale Klappa (’72 BA Communication), Wisconsin Energy Group
