Meet our Staff
The Milwaukee Riverkeeper staff are dedicated to protecting, improving and advocating for local waters.
Jennifer Bolger Breceda
Executive Director
Jennifer has been active in environmental, charitable and service organizations since before her undergraduate days and has always strived to be an advocate for the environment, which is why she went to law school and pursued a focus on environmental law. After graduating from law school, Jennifer worked for 15 years as an environmental lawyer and litigator, most recently as a shareholder at von Briesen & Roper s.c. She has served on numerous legal and professional associations throughout her career and was named a Wisconsin Rising Star from 2006-2010 and is a Future Milwaukee graduate of the class of 2002.
Prior to becoming the new Executive Director, she served on the board of directors for Milwaukee Riverkeeper.
She has an avid interest in many different water activities including swimming, kayaking, canoeing, boating, and water skiing. Jennifer earned her B.A. from Marquette University and her J.D. from Marquette University Law School.
Contact Jennifer
jennifer@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414-287-0207 x3
Cheryl Nenn
Riverkeeper
Before joining Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Cheryl consulted on environmental projects for the U.S. Forest Service; provided forestry and wildlife management planning for private landowners for the Michigan DNR and Dept. of Agriculture; and helped manage forest restoration, reforestation, and erosion control projects for the City of New York, Department of Parks and Recreation. She also served as a forestry extension/environmental education Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador, and as a Crisis Corps volunteer in Honduras, helping with community rebuilding and reforestation projects after Hurricane Mitch.
As Riverkeeper, Cheryl identifies sources of pollution to Milwaukee’s rivers, actively patrols the rivers for issues of concern, and looks for collaborative solutions to these problems. Cheryl also manages our citizen-based water quality monitoring project, the Milwaukee Urban Water Trail, and various restoration and stormwater demonstration projects.
Cheryl serves on the Board of the Waterkeeper Alliance, as a Project Team leader for the Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust (Sweet Water), and as a member of several Technical Advisory Committees for SEWRPC and WDNR relating to water quality and the Milwaukee River Estuary Area of Concern. She has a BS in Biology from the University of Illinois and an MS in Natural Resource Ecology and Management from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment.
Contact Cheryl
cheryl_nenn@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414-287-0207 x2
Anne Michalski
Creative Director
Anne’s appreciation for the outdoors was instilled at an early age, camping across the country with her family exploring national parks and state natural areas. Her time spent attending and working at local summer camps helped foster a passion for both the environment and experiential education. Anne’s extensive background working with a wide array of local non-profit initiatives ranging from statewide economic development to leadership and youth development have led her to firmly believe that change is possible through the power of people. Anne holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Politics from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. When she’s not at work you can often find her exploring the outdoors and all things creative.
Contact Anne
anne@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414-287-0207 x6
Leah Holloway
Program Manager
Leah’s love for all things water began at her family’s lakeside resort in Northern Minnesota. She earned a BA in Environmental Science and English from Cornell College and had a 14-year career in environmental education before returning to school to complete her MS in Freshwater Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Leah is also a SCUBA certified Divemaster and an Environmental Leadership Program Senior Fellow. When she’s not at work Leah loves exploring Milwaukee and its waterways, visiting her niece, traveling, reading, and playing underwater hockey for the Milwaukee Manatees.
Contact Leah
leah@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414-287-0209
Katie Rademacher
Water Quality Manager
Katie’s previous experiences working with Wehr Nature Center and Milwaukee County’s Natural Areas program sparked her interest in the unique system that is conservation in a dynamic urban environment and has fortified her thoughts on how critical volunteer involvement is! Katie holds an undergraduate degree in Anthropology, but returned to school in 2014 to earn a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Environmental Science from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. When not in the office Katie enjoys spending time up north, at the farmer’s market or traveling to new places.
Contact Katie
katie@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414-287-0207 x1
Emily FitzGerald
Development Manager
Growing up in bustling New York City, Emily has alway sought refuge in nature, whether in small urban parks, Vermont’s Green Mountains or national parks out west. Prior to joining Milwaukee Riverkeeper, she taught English in Peru along the banks of the Amazon and developed her love of birding as Membership Director at NYC Audubon. Most recently, she spent 15 years supporting young people on their path to discovering their purpose and leading college and career development programs for Summer Search NYC. Her work has always been about relationship building and she is excited to continue that work in the Milwaukee area. Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Languages from Hamilton College. She gets her kicks from biking as a way of exploring, baking and doing puzzles of every kind with her two sons.
Contact Emily
emilyf@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414.285.7033
Stephanie Vienonen
Operations Manager
Coming Soon
Contact Stephanie
stephanie@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414-287-0207
Allie Mendez
Events Specialist
Allie’s passion for water and the environment sprung up in her high school Environmental Science class while taking a field trip to a river. Using waders, field equipment, and water quality kits to determine the water’s health, she knew this was a field she had to be a part of. This passion only grew as she attended Concordia University-Wisconsin for her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. While pursuing her education, she worked at Concordia’s Center for Environmental Stewardship and tutored for chemistry. She also interned at the Mequon Nature Preserve and Victory Garden Initiative and volunteered with the mussel monitoring program at Milwaukee Riverkeeper. In her free time, Allie enjoys reading, traveling, trying new crafty hobbies (currently embroidery), and drinking good coffee.
Contact Allie
allie@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414-287-0207 x7
Shirley Aspinall
Communications Specialist
As a Milwaukee native since kindergarten, Shirley grew up enjoying any opportunity to play or spend time with family and friends outdoors, especially if it were in or around water. Witnessing a growing concern for the quality of our waters throughout her life while at the same time developing a passion for all things science, she realized combining these two areas of interest would be her lifelong pursuit. Having been on a challenging health journey the past 15 years, she is a passionate advocate for health and wellness, and attests strongly to how the health of our environment is essential to not only our individual health, but the overall health of the communities that live in it. Shirley studied Environmental Health and Water Quality at the Milwaukee Area Technical College, and currently has returned to study Chemical Technology and Teacher Education, while assisting with teaching Intercultural Communication courses. When not working or studying, Shirley is traveling, camping, kayaking, hiking, reading, puzzling, or painting. She’s an avid thrill seeker, devoted to her meditation practice, and is working towards living self-sustainably in a tiny home with her partner, two cats, and 50+ houseplants.
Contact Shirley
shirley@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414-287-0207 x10
Gabrielle de Gail
Sustainability Coordinator (Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps)
Gabrielle grew up in Germantown, Wisconsin, and has always been familiar with the Milwaukee area. Living near Milwaukee provided Gabrielle with many hikes and opportunities for outdoor adventures. Her love for environmental science stems from her previous work with animals and Wisconsin’s urban parks. Through her work with local municipalities, she has gained knowledge of native plants, wildlife, and tree planting. She is earning her Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Environmental Science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. One of Gabrielle’s favorite courses was Field Methods in Conservation at the UWM Field Station learning how the ecology of the wetland, lake, and forest is all connected. She is looking to further her career in the environmental science field through community engagement and advocacy. In her free time, you will find Gabrielle horseback riding, playing piano, hiking, going to concerts, and traveling.
Contact Gabrielle
sustainability@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414-287-0207 x11
Chris Giddens
Water Quality Assistant (Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps)
Originally from the desert southwest, Chris found his way to Milwaukee in 2021 to pursue a career in
the water field. Prior to his arrival in MKE, Chris spent 12 years working in forestry/land management
primarily as a wildland firefighter for various federal agencies. Chris is passionate about preserving and
increasing equitable access to public lands and waterways for recreation. Some of his professional
interests include stream and river habitat restoration, storm water management, and drinking and
wastewater utility management. Chris is currently pursuing a master’s degree from the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences and he is excited to be serving in his role as the
Water Quality Assistant for MRK. In his spare time, you’ll find Chris paddling rivers, running, skiing and
playing bad golf at one of Milwaukee County’s great public golf courses.
Contact Chris
waterquality@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414-287-0207 x9
Kia Vang
Education Coordinator (Marquette Trinity Fellow)
As a Hmong American woman, Kia’s parents were born and raised in the hills of Laos. They were sustainable farmers who instilled their love and respect for the outdoors onto Kia. She has been a Milwaukeean all her life and grew up through the Milwaukee Public School System (MPS). After graduating from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a Bachelors in English, she returned to MPS as an educator, helping students get on track toward graduation. Now, Kia is a graduate student at Marquette University in the English Master’s program as a Trinity Fellow. She looks forward to using her creative arts and education background to help students gain an environmental awareness mindset. When she’s not reading for class, you can find her at local spots in Milwaukee eating great food!
Contact Kia
education@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
414-210-8920