Instructor Test

Gyulsina Baisova

Organization: UWM School of Continuing Education  

Title: Program Manager, Project Management and Agile. UWM Women Leaders Conference Manager.

Areas of interest/expertise: Strategic program management, project management and agile education, AI in education and professional learning, workforce development, innovation in teaching and learning, instructional design, curriculum development and the application of AR/VR and simulation-based learning to advance transformative, future-ready education.

Corry Joe Biddle

Corry Joe Biddle is the Vice President of Talent & Community at the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) and the Executive Director of FUEL Milwaukee. With over 15 years of experience in talent development and community engagement, Corry Joe specializes in driving diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that attract and retain diverse talent.

Throughout her career, she has built strategic partnerships that foster professional growth and workforce innovation in the Milwaukee region. In her dual leadership roles, Corry Joe works with business leaders to align talent strategies with regional growth objectives, empowering both organizations and individuals to thrive.

Shirley Burks, MA

Shirley J. Burks is a Speaker – Trainer – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in organizational management. Her educational background also includes many professional development certificates related to leadership, capacity building, management and overall organizational growth.

Shirley has worked for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for over 20 years, serving in various roles. Shirley has presented trainings locally, nationally and internationally, including for organizations such as Solutions Inc. (Cairo, Egypt), The Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, Girl Scouts of Milwaukee Area, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Wisconsin Municipal Court Clerks Association, WIFACETS, YMCA Community Learning Centers and the Milwaukee Public School System, just to name a few. She has presented trainings on topics such as Organizational Development, Change Management, Stress & Time Management, Critical Thinking Skills Development, Effective Meeting Skills and various forms of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Shirley chooses to use her voice as a change agent to champion the rights of those who are underserved and marginalized. She enjoys creating pathways to strengthen understanding and break down barriers to improve the quality of life for humanity.

Perry “PJ” Carter

Organization: UWM School of Continuing Education

Title: Program Manager of Business & Technology 

Areas of interest/expertise: Program Management, Adult and Continuing Education, Process Improvement, AI in the Workplace, Data and Business Analysis, Python, SQL, Data Ethics, Microsoft, Power BI, Predictive Analysis, SHRM  

Sumaiyah Clark, MS

Sumaiyah Clark is a dynamic leader and passionate advocate for community health improvement and development. Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, she has dedicated the past 20 years to driving positive change and creating thriving communities. With a diverse background spanning public health, youth development, education and government administration, Sumaiyah brings a wealth of experience to her role. Sumaiyah currently serves as the director of Integrated Systems for the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services.

Sam Coomar, PMP, DASSM, CSM, Six Sigma Black Belt

Sam Coomar is a business leader with varied experiences in business development, management, information technology and project management.

• Program management
• Business development
• Cloud integrations delivery
• Application development delivery
• Agile delivery

Sam is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP), a Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM), a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and a Six Sigma Black Belt. He is also certified by Project Management Institute (PMI) to teach the DASM and DASSM test prep courses.

Sam holds an MBA from Lake Forest School of Management and a BS with honors  in computer science from the University of Ottawa. He recently completed a post-graduate program in artificial intelligence for leaders from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business.

Dr. Jeanette Epps

Dr. Jeanette J. Epps is a former trailblazing NASA astronaut, aerospace engineer and former CIA intelligence officer whose remarkable career embodies leadership and a steadfast commitment to inspiring the next generation. With over 233 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as a mission specialist for SpaceX Crew-8, she has contributed to critical research, maintained complex space systems and collaborated with international partners to advance human space exploration.

Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009, Dr. Epps has undergone extensive mission training with both SpaceX and the Russian space agency Roscosmos. Her expertise includes robotics, spacewalk operations and emergency preparedness, as well as international systems integration and mission control communications. Notably, she served as a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) for EVA operations, exemplifying her leadership in high-stakes environments.

Before joining NASA, Dr. Epps served as an intelligence officer at the CIA, where she rose to branch chief and was entrusted with high-level national security operations, including a deployment to Iraq with the Iraq Survey Group. Prior to her government service, she was a technical specialist at Ford Motor Company, where she co-authored a patent and led innovations in smart material applications. From the boardroom to the battlefield to low Earth orbit, Dr. Epps has demonstrated exceptional resilience and adaptability.

Dr. Epps attributes her perseverance and passion for learning to the strength and determination of her mother, who inspired her to dream big and lead by example. As one of
only a few African American women to fly aboard the ISS, she understands firsthand the power of representation and uses her platform to mentor young people — particularly girls and underrepresented students in STEM and STEAM fields. Her outreach is grounded in the belief that anyone — regardless of background — can achieve extraordinary goals with curiosity and courage.

Dr. Epps is renowned for her engaging and authentic speaking style, seamlessly blending technical expertise with personal narratives that resonate with all audiences. Her talks often inspire by highlighting the significance of representation in STEM fields and encouraging young individuals to pursue their passions relentlessly. Her ability to connect with audiences stems from the relatable challenges she has overcome throughout her career.

Dr. Epps holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Physics from LeMoyne College. She has authored numerous technical publications, received multiple awards for performance and service and holds an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters. She is also an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and a proud example of excellence through perseverance.

Sally Falci

Sally has over 27 years of experience in the financial services industry. Before joining Baird as a Financial Advisor, she was a Vice President and Trust Officer with a focus on personal trusts and estates.

Sally’s focus is on developing strong relationships with clients and working within their network of trusted advisors to meet various needs at all stages in life; taking into consideration complex financial and emotional issues. The personal interest taken in her clients’ goals and visions for the future earned her to be named to the Herbert J Mueller Society by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Additionally, she was a recipient of the Five Star Wealth Manager award 2022 through 2025.

She is a member of the Baird Trust Advisory Council, Milwaukee Estate Planning Forum, Inc., Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, serves on the Community Advisory Committee for the Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic, the Advisory Committee for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Women Leaders Conference, the Courage to Commit Leadership Council for St. Marcus Lutheran School, and is a Mentor for Baird Women Advisors.

Sally and her husband, Mark, live on Milwaukee’s Upper Eastside and have a blended family with four children. With a deep appreciation for the value of a child’s education, Sally and her husband are supporters of Beyond Uganda, St. Roberts Catholic School, and St. Marcus Lutheran School. Her passions include her family, friends, music and the outdoors.

Jack Forbes

Jack Forbes is an ethnomusicologist and percussionist with research pursuits in music and politics, music and identity, performance theory, popular music, and musics of the Americas. Since 2001, the Guatemalan marimba has been his primary interest, specifically the social and musical history of the marimba orquesta from its emergence in the 1920s to the present day. Mr. Forbes’ research in Guatemala has been supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the Florida Department of State, and the respective Centers for Latin American Studies at the University of Illinois and University of Florida. He has presented his research at meetings of the Society for Ethnomusicology, the International Association for the Study of Popular Music, the Latin American Studies Association, the North Central Council of Latin Americanists, and the Society for Applied Anthropology. Recent publications include the entries for “Reggaetón” and “Marimba (American, Guatemalan, Marimba de Arco)” in Music Around the World: A Global Encyclopedia, Volume I, published by ABC-CLIO in 2020.

Mr. Forbes holds an M.M. in musicology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a B.M. in music theory with a minor in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society and the Lambda Alpha National Collegiate Honors Society for Anthropology. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in ethnomusicology at the University of Florida, where he was a recipient of a Graduate Alumni Fellowship and a Fulbright-Hays Dissertation Research Award.

Since 2016, Mr. Forbes has served as a lecturer in musicology and ethnomusicology at UWM, teaching courses on popular and folk musics in the U.S., musics of the world, and musicological bibliography. His classes feature music and musicians in the city of Milwaukee, providing local examples of wider histories/concepts and seeking to foster deeper connections between students and our communities. Guest artists and other outreach projects have received funding from the William F. Vilas Trust and the Peck School of the Arts Community Engaged Arts Initiative.

His pedagogical approach centers on the importance of socio-historical contexts, critical thinking/listening, and an active civic engagement central to the Wisconsin Idea and a liberal arts education. Previous teaching positions include the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s Liberal Studies Program, Cardinal Stritch University’s Department of Performing Arts, the University of Florida’s School of Music and Center for Latin American Studies, and the Anthropology Department at the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala.

Mr. Forbes has performed in several different musical projects in Milwaukee, most recently with singer-songwriter Claudia Johnson. As a lover of all things “414,” he enjoys seeking out new artists and sounds across Milwaukee’s varied music scenes. A product of public education, Mr. Forbes is a proud partner of a public educator and co-parent of a Milwaukee Public Schools’ student.

Thomas Gamboa

Dr. Thomas Gamboa serves as the Director of University Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts. At UW-Milwaukee, Dr. Gamboa oversees all aspects of the band program, guides the graduate wind conducting area, and serves as music director of the New Music Ensemble and the Wind Ensemble, the University’s premier wind band.

Previously, Dr. Gamboa was the Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of Wind Studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He served as the music director of the CCM Wind Ensemble, taught undergraduate- and graduate-level conducting courses, supervised music education interns, taught graduate-level wind literature courses, and directed the Doctoral Cognate Program in Wind Conducting.

Dr. Gamboa is originally from San Diego, California and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Music Performance in bassoon from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He also earned a Master of Music degree in Conducting from Northwestern University studying with Mallory Thompson, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Michigan studying with Michael Haithcock.

An accomplished conductor, Gamboa previously held the rank of Captain and served active duty as Conductor and Commander of the United States Air Force Band at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He later served as Associate Conductor and Flight Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He earned his commission from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama in February 2011. He traveled with the USAF Band on numerous national and international tours including Spain, Germany, Turkey, Qatar, and Kuwait. In 2011, Gamboa was involved with the planning, execution, and editing of the final television broadcast of the band for their “Holiday Notes from Home 2011” performance, which featured guest artists Little Big Town and Lee Ann Womack. The Band of the Air Force Reserve celebrated a historic second nomination for an Emmy Award in Entertainment Programming for this broadcast. The performance was viewed by 1.1 million in 174 countries.

Dr. Gamboa’s scholarly and creative activities include peer-reviewed publications in the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) Journal, contributed to The Horizon Leans Forward: Stories of Courage, Strength, and Triumph of Underrepresented Communities in the Wind Band Field, presentations throughout the United States and internationally, producing recording albums through Klavier Records, and various guest conducting engagements with honor bands and professional ensembles worldwide including the West Point Band at the U.S. Military Academy.

A seasoned educator, Gamboa taught and served as the Instrumental Music Director and Music Department Chair at West Adams Preparatory High School in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Central Los Angeles. During his tenure, he founded and conducted the high school’s marching band, wind ensemble, chamber orchestra, and symphonic orchestra. He was also an instructor of conducting and chamber music for the National High School Music Institute where he served as Assistant Conductor for the Wind Ensemble. Dr. Gamboa also served as co-conductor of the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble Symphonic Winds and music director of the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble Chamber Winds. Additionally, Gamboa teaches drum major camps as a Head Instructor with the United Spirit Association during the summer. He currently serves as the Chair of the Conducting Curriculum Team where he designs the conducting program and trains drum major camp instructors. Dr. Gamboa continues to be in demand as a speaker, presenter, and conductor throughout the United States and abroad.

Sarah Grammer

Sarah Grammer is the director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UWM.

Kelly Grosskreutz

Organization: HBS

Title: Director of Microsoft Modern Work / Data & AI  

Areas of interest/expertise: Organizational Change Management, Leadership, Mentoring and Development

Deborah Hoffman

Deborah Hoffman is a global engineering, sales and channel development leader with a diverse career spanning aerospace, industrial automation and electrical solutions. At Rockwell Automation, she led global channel strategies and developed partner networks across Southeast Asia, China and Europe, managing major channel programs, distributor enablement and market access initiatives globally.

Her international experience includes three years in Thailand as a volunteer educator, where she established and taught a math curriculum at a rural vocational school and more recently, working as Channel Sales Manager for Thailand, driving business development across Southeast Asia.

She currently serves as a direct OEM Sales Account Manager at ABB, supporting strategic customer relationships and growth in the HVAC and Oil & Gas sectors.

A founding member of Alpha Omega Epsilon (AOE) — a professional and social sorority promoting women in engineering and technical sciences — Deborah is deeply committed to global leadership, mentorship and advancing women in STEM. She brings a unique combination of technical depth, cultural fluency and business acumen to every role.

Deborah holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University and is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP).

Monty Hull

Title: Technology & FinTech Executive

Bio: Monty Hull is a technology and fintech leader with over 20 years of experience helping organizations build, implement and scale complex platforms. He has led global consulting, development and professional services teams across payments, SaaS and enterprise technology.

Throughout his career, he has worked on large, complex platforms, giving him a practical understanding of how systems are designed, implemented and sustained over time. He brings practical perspective on how organizations can better align talent, technology and delivery to keep pace with changing industry demands.

Bill Jackson, MBA, SHRM-CP

Bill Jackson has worked in the field of human resources for almost 20 years, with experience spanning talent acquisition, employee relations, total rewards and learning and development. He specializes in organizational design/development, talent management, strategy planning/alignment, DEI and continuous improvement.

Bill is a strategic HR advisor to executive leadership teams to influence strategic business decisions relating to the people function. He has managed small to large organizational design projects and has created HR initiatives such as safety programs, early career development programs, a reverse mentorship program and more.

Bill is passionate about creating human connections with people to help them become their best selves professionally and personally. He incorporates storytelling, authentic business problem examples and breathing/meditation techniques into the classroom to optimize the learning experience.

Angela Kelber, MS

Angela Kelber is the Continuing Education Assoc. Director, where she oversees programs in Business & Labor Relations, Engineering, Health Sciences and Human Services, Languages, Nonprofit, College for Kids & Teens, PK-12, and Customized Training. Prior to this role, Angela worked in the Community and Professional Development department and Human Services areas, bringing extensive experience in business, leadership, adult learning, and project management from her work at large universities in the U.S. and Brazil.

Angela has served on numerous boards, primarily for organizations dedicated to adult education, marketing, and career transitions. Since May 2022, she has been an active board member of Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership (WWHEL-UWM Chapter), the Women Leaders Conference (WLC), the Trauma Conference, and most recently, the leader of the Technology, Engineering, and Business (TEB) Advisory.

A certified Master Trainer through UWM’s School of Continuing Education, Angela holds a master’s degree in Marketing from São Paulo, Brazil, and a second master’s degree in Adult and Continuing Education Leadership from UWM. She also earned a graduate certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education through UWM’s Administrative Leadership Department.

Jun Kim

The prize winner of 2013 Orquesta de Cordoba Conducting Competition in Spain, 2012 Black Sea Conducting Competition in Romania, and the winner of 2015 American Prize in Opera Conducting,  Jun Kim has conducted extensively in North America and Europe.

Jun Kim has appeared with orchestras such as the State Symphony Orchestra of Russia, the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, the Moscow Symphony Orchestra in Russia, Moravian Philharmonic in Czech Republic, Timisoara Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of the National Opera and Ballet in Constanta, Brasov Philharmonic, Pitesti Philharmonic, and Bacau Philharmonic in Romania, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Radom Chamber Orchestra in Poland, Orquesta de Cordoba, and Symphony Orchestra of Elche in Spain, Berlin Sinfonietta in Germany, Mahler Philharmonic in Austria, Coro Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in Canada, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Duluth Symphony Orchestra and Richmond Symphony Orchestra in U.S.A.

In 2018, as a Beethoven conducting prize recipient from European Music Academy, Jun Kim guest conducted three concerts with North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in two different cities in Czech Republic.  Jun Kim also won the first prize at Malta International Conducting Competition in Malta, and will be returning to guest conduct the orchestra. He was also the winner at L’academie Lyrique in Vendome, France, and will be guest conducting the North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra at Smetana Hall in the heart of city in Prague. He was selected as a Discovery Series Conductor at the Oregon Bach Festival under Maestro Helmuth Rilling and was personally selected by Maestro Kurt Masur for the Kurt Masur conducting seminar in New York. He was a scholarship recipient at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors as well.  Recently, Jun Kim has been selected to participate at St. Magnus Festival in U.K to work with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He was also chosen to work with Cincinnati Symphony and the May festival Chorus, and also with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra with Marin Alsop.

Jun Kim has worked under the Maestros such as Dumitru Goia, Jorma Panula, Martyn Brabbins, Kenneth Kiesler, Xian Zhang, Colin Metters, Gustav Meier and Markand Thakar.  The some of the notable artists he has collaborated include pianist Mikhail Petukhov (Winner of Queen Elizabeth competition), Seong-Jin Cho (Gold Medalist, Chopin Competition), Yeol-eum Son (Silver Madalist, Van Cliburn and Tchaikovsky Competitions), Hyesun Paik (Laureate of Tchaikovsky Competition), Violinist Rachel Barton Pine, Sungsic Yang, Mitica Feraru, Clara-Jumi Kang (Gold medalist, Indianapolis Competition), Cellist Amit Peled, Clarinetist, Alexander Fiterstein (Gold Medalist, Nielsen Competition), Soprano Donna Brown, Baritone Markus Eiche (Vienna State Opera), among many others.

Active as a violinist and an avid chamber musician, Jun Kim has played recitals and concerts and he has been invited to give violin masterclasses and performances at the universities in US and Korea and served as juries for many competitions. He has won prizes and awards including the Starling Competition, the CCM Concerto Competition, CIBC Canada National Music Competition, Vancouver Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, Tuesday Musical Competition of Akron and he was a recipient of the Aspen Music Festival Fellowship, British Columbia Cultural Scholarship, Bowdoin Festival fellowship, among others. He has studied violin with Won-Bin Yim, Miriam Fried, and Victor Danchenko, and played in violin masterclasses of Cho-liang Lin, Pamela Frank, Federico Agostini, Sergiu Schwartz.  He has studied chamber music with the members of the Juilliard Quartet, Cleveland Quartet, La Salle Quartet, Tokyo String Quartet, and the Peabody Trio.

In addition to his position at UW-Milwaukee, Jun Kim is the co-founder and artistic director/conductor of the Washington Chamber Orchestra in D.C.

Mike Kotecki

Organization: MK Tactical Leadership, LLC

Title: Owner-operator

Areas of interest/expertise: Leadership, business, engineering

Julia Landauer

Julia Landauer is a two-time champion racecar driver from New York City, having most recently raced in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. She’s raced all over the world, including in the NASCAR Euro Series, where she finished 5th overall, the highest ever for an American.

Away from the track, Julia graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor of science, was on CBS’s SURVIVOR and was a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Julia is also a motivational keynote speaker and corporate advisor, advocate for STEM education and women’s empowerment and host of the podcast “If I’m Honest with Julia Landauer.”

Julia now works at NASCAR on their Strategy & Innovation team.

Ana Lopez

With more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Ana Lopez has established herself as a respected leader and advocate for diversity and inclusion in skilled trades. She is the Founder and President of ALLCON, a Hispanic and women-owned general contracting firm based in Butler, Wisconsin. Under her leadership, ALLCON has grown into a dynamic company employing more than 30 professionals, including carpenters, electricians, project managers and engineers, with expertise in general construction, electrical contracting and carpentry services.

Ana founded ALLCON to create opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her commitment to mentorship, collaboration and community impact continues to shape the company’s culture and partnerships across public and private sectors.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ana is deeply engaged in community service. She served nine years on the Board of Directors for the Milwaukee Christian Center, where she remains active in fundraising and neighborhood improvement initiatives. She also serves on the Neighborhood Improvement Project Advisory Committee, is a Board member of EmpowerMe, an active Member of the NCMSDC – North Central Minority Supplier Development Council and a Member of the Latino Chamber of Commerce.

Ana resides in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her husband, Chuck and their son, Carlos. Her bicultural background and dedication to empowering others continue to inspire her leadership and her mission to strengthen communities through collaboration and opportunity.

Nieves Lopez

Nieves Lopez is the Ryan White Project Manager at the Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers and comes with over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She has an associate’s degree in Human Services from MATC and participates in various boards and committees with an emphasis on community justice and racial equity. She was born and raised in Milwaukee, and is married and a proud mother of three. 

Paula Lumelsky

Paula Lumelsky has been involved with STRYV365 since 2019 when she helped with programming and data collection from programs and partners, and engaging with its other founding partners.

Her involvement has grown to her current position in overseeing education programming, training, professional development, curriculum and publication within STRYV365. She has had a chance to work closely with Milwaukee Academy of Science and the Medical College of Wisconsin, serving as one of our primary coordinators for our longitudinal research study.

Paula previously worked in different non-profit areas including archival and genealogical research, literacy services and citizenship and second-language programs. These experiences have given her a deep appreciation for how individuals and communities can create change and improve our region. She is currently completing her doctoral degree in Education and Leadership with a focus on women, resiliency and emotional intelligence.

Jessie Mayer

Jessie Mayer, APSW, is an administrative coordinator at WCS, supporting the programs in the behavioral health division. Previously, she was a compassionate social worker at Froedtert Bluemound Rehabilitation Hospital, dedicated to supporting trauma patients on their journeys to recovery. With a diverse background, she also served as a wraparound supervisor at La Causa Social Services, focusing on youth empowerment and holistic care. Jessie’s commitment to advocacy is further evident through her time at Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, where she worked to support survivors through challenging circumstances. Her multi-faceted experience and empathetic approach make her an invaluable asset to the field of social work.

Stephanie Melnick

Stephanie Melnick has been practicing law in the Milwaukee area for 30 years. She owns Melnick & Melnick, S.C. – a Milwaukee law firm that serves small businesses and their owners. Stephanie values her backstage pass into clients’ businesses and learning what makes them tick. She enjoys writing clients’ contracts and protecting their unique brands, logos, and slogans. When disputes arise, Stephanie facilitates resolution through negotiation, mediation, and if necessary, litigation. The Wisconsin Law Journal named Stephanie a Legal All-Star Honoree in 2024. Committed to advancing women in business, Stephanie founded She Stands Tall® in 2017 to build a community of women entrepreneurs. Since its inception, She Stands Tall has hosted hundreds of events, started a mastermind for women entrepreneurs, took over Woman’s Entrepreneurship Week, and created a Women Owned business directory.

Joshua Mersky, Ph.D.

Dr. Joshua Mersky is a professor of social work and founding co-director of the Institute for Child and Family Well-Being, a community-university partnership between the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare and Children’s Wisconsin. The mission of the Institute is to improve the lives of children and families with complex challenges by implementing effective programs, conducting cutting-edge research, engaging communities and promoting systems change. 

Dr. Mersky’s research interests include the study of adverse and traumatic experiences that undermine health and well-being over the life course. He applies his expertise to developing, testing and disseminating effective strategies in community settings to promote resilience.