Amanda Evans

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Ashley Hines

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Ashley Hines is a corporate executive, entrepreneur, and devoted community advocate with nearly two decades of cross-sector experience. She is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Market Lead – Wisconsin for Advocate Health (Aurora Health Care – Wisconsin), the 5th largest U.S. not-for-profit health system. Ashley is pivotal in implementing market-based DEI strategies and collaborates with market leadership to integrate DEI best practices across all disciplines. Additionally, she leads the enterprise DEI Strategic Partnerships Center of Excellence. Before joining Advocate Health, Ashley contributed to establishing and growing the Offices of Diversity and Inclusion and Global Health at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Ashley launched her business, Thee Tailored Life, in December 2020. Through this endeavor, she guides clients towards living with peace, order, and intention, fostering optimal well-being through holistic home organizing. She is a member of Black Girls Who Organize (BGWO), the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD), and the National Association of Black Professional Organizers (NABPO). Her work has earned recognition from leading publications such as Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple, New York Times Wirecutter, and Buyside by the Wall Street Journal. Ashley was chosen for The Container Store Brand Ambassador Program (2023-24), the Lowes Creator Beta Program (2023-25), and the American Family Insurance Free to Dream community initiative (2022 and 2023).

Combining her passion for people with her career experience, she has invested thousands of hours focusing on youth leadership development and advancing health equity. Ashley is an active member of the Milwaukee (WI) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, an international, not-for-profit corporation and one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other people of African ancestry.

A Milwaukee native, Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies – Child Development from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ashley was recognized in the 2022 and 2023 Becker’s Health 40 Health System Diversity and Inclusion Executives to Know, participated in the 2020-21 Harvard Business School Young American Leaders Program, received the 2020 United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Philanthropic 5 Award, and honored with a 2017 Milwaukee Business Journal 40 under 40 Award. She has been married to her wonderful husband, Brandon, for twelve years and has two incredible children, Brandon II (9) and Cora (4).

Contessa Lobley

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Contessa (Cole) Lobley is the Principal/CEO of CC Consulting Group, LLC and Hey Puddin, LLC. She is also Executive Director/Founder of TBEY Arts Center, Inc. TBEY is a tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization that provides after-school & summer arts education, tutoring, and mentoring programs for Milwaukee youth ages 6-19. TBEY was founded over 22 years ago, by Lobley at the age of 16. After seeing the arts being cut from many schools, she recognized the need for arts programs to keep Milwaukee youth involved in something positive.

She has held a position in community relations at a leading company in Milwaukee, WI, and has held a position within the arts field as an arts administrator. Active in the arts, youth, education, and entrepreneurship programs and initiatives, Lobley has served as a member of the “Catch a Rising Star Foundation”, a foundation developed to assist the “arts” schools in Greater Milwaukee, and “Peace Learning Center”, a conflict resolution program for youth. She sat on the Committee of Usher’s New Look Foundation for the Milwaukee Chapter, a summer camp that helps to empower youth through community service projects. She was a board member of the Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship, and she is an advisory committee member for the Arts Midwest’s GIG Fund and Black Cat Alley. In addition, Lobley has sat on several arts and youth grant panels and review committees.

Lobley received her master’s degree in Cultural Foundations of Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Education with a sub-major in a community-based organization and administrative leadership and a Business Minor from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. Ms. Lobley plans to further her education and receive her doctorate in nonprofit management in 2024. She is also a member of the elite leadership development program; Forward 48 cohort Spring 2022.

Lobley has received several acknowledgments, such as her recent honor as a 2022 Women of Influence (Category: Nonprofit Leadership) by the Milwaukee Business Journal. She is also featured in The KNOW Milwaukee chapter November 2021 KNOW publication as a “Woman of Impact” and received “The CEO of Me Business Award” from the Center of Teaching Entrepreneurship, Inc as a young entrepreneur, which was recognized by the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee and its members in November 2010. Lobley was also featured in the inaugural edition of the May 2011 Publication of Who’s who in Black Milwaukee.

Lobley has instructed nonprofit and entrepreneurship classes for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education and Milwaukee Public School Recreation Programs. As an active mentor, volunteer, and advocate for the arts, youth development, and entrepreneurship initiatives, Lobley holds a strong commitment to making the Greater Milwaukee area a better place to live and work.

Harry Evans

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Harry Evans, owner of HETRAINS LLC. integrates his knowledge as an athletic strength and conditioning specialist by designing individualized, progressive programs of cardiovascular, mobility, core, and strength training exercises for his clients based on their fitness goals. He helps clients master basic functional movements to improve their strength and to build a foundation for further gains.

In addition to his day job, he and his wife (Amanda Evans) own a creative space called Everyday Studio MKE that allows creatives who don’t have a studio space to be able to rent and have a quality creative experience.

Furthermore, Harry is the founder of Heal Black Man, a grassroots organization that creates safe and therapeutic spaces for Black men to come and seek healing and better understanding of themselves through vulnerability. The goal is sharpening all Black men all over the world by establishing a hub of resources for them to take advantage of to get ahead in life as well as make it cool to practice healthy coping mechanisms. To drive that mission he hosts yoga classes and men’s groups both in person and virtual for Black men to have consistent access to. This movement has opened a door into the world of clinical research where he consults and acts as the bridge between the institution and the Black community, making sure Black men understand the importance of participating in clinical research by facilitating educational focus groups and providing wellness coaching. His efforts has landed community partnerships with UC-Davis, UW- Madison, The University of Kansas, UW-Madison, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

As a husband of 10 years to his high school sweetheart and father of 3 children under 8. Things can get challenging to manage, but serving others and being an asset to the community is the one thing that truly fills his cup.

Isioma Nwabuzor

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A dynamic powerhouse, Attorney Isioma Nwabuzor (pronounced “E-see-o-muh Wah-boo-zur”) is a corporate attorney by trade, negotiating deals and providing corporate governance as Associate General Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary for Fortune 1000, international manufacturing company, Modine. At Modine, Ms. Nwabuzor collaborates with a global team of Board Members, senior leaders, and legal, compliance & business professionals, in support of Modine’s global business strategy and corporate objectives.

Before joining Modine, Ms. Nwabuzor served as Senior Vice President & Associate General Counsel at Baird, an international, employee-owned financial services firm headquarted in Milwaukee, WI. During her tenure there, she worked on and negotiated complex transactions; facilitated the meetings of the Baird Funds’ Board; handled data privacy functions; and supported its asset management business on day-to-day securities matters.

Earlier in her career, she served as Associate Attorney at Advicent Solutions, a North American leader in the financial technology (“fintech”) space. Prior to that, Ms. Nwabuzor served as a law clerk for Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago, managing its real estate portfolio of nearly sixty properties.

Ms. Nwabuzor holds a Bachelors in Political Science and Psychology from Marquette University and a Juris Doctorate (JD) from Marquette University Law School.

Attorney Nwabuzor presently serves as a Board Member for both the Sports & Entertainment Law and IP & Technology Law Sections of the State Bar of Wisconsin; the YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin; and the Association of Corporate Counsel – Wisconsin Chapter. She is also a TEDx speaker (view her Talk here: https://youtu.be/fgP24ID52xc) and the founder of her own non-profit organization, The DREAMer Next Door, Inc. Ms. Nwabuzor is a proud, active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Attorney Nwabuzor has an array of recognitions, including, being recognized as a 2020 “40 Under 40” award recipient by the Milwaukee Business Journal; a 2020 “Up and Coming Lawyer” by the Wisconsin Law Journal; a 6th District Difference Maker by the 6th Aldermanic District of the City of Milwaukee; and as a 2023 National Alumni Award recipient by Marquette University Law School.

Kalan Haywood II

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Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Kalan R. Haywood II represents Wisconsin’s Sensational 16th Assembly District. He is the youngest African American to ever be elected into the state office in Wisconsin’s history and Democratic history. While in office, Rep. Haywood plans to push the needle forward on key issues like education, economic development, and public safety. In the legislature, Rep. Haywood serves on seven Assembly committees: Housing and Real Estate (Ranking Member), Committee on Assembly Organization, Committee on Energy and Utilities, Committee on Transportation, Committee on Rules, Joint Committee on Legislative Organization, and the Joint Legislative Council. He also was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and Wisconsin Center District.

Prior to his first election, Haywood served as President of the City of Milwaukee Youth Council for two terms. He represented the 6th Aldermanic District on the City of Milwaukee Youth Council for three terms. In this role, he was responsible for assessing and communicating the needs of the community, as well as the resources relative to the protection and advocacy of Milwaukee’s youth. Additionally, he was tasked with evaluating and recommending changes in laws, policies, practices, and procedures in order to improve the conditions of the community and promote wholesome youth development. As a member of the Youth Council, he recommended funding allocations for ten percent of the city’s CDBG reprogramming dollars.

A Milwaukee native and a political science student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Rep. Haywood serves as Chair of the City of Milwaukee Restorative Justice Advisory Board. He is a dedicated member of his district with experience in community organization and empowerment, reaching out to the neighborhoods to understand their firsthand concerns and lend a friendly face.

At the refreshing age of 24, Rep. Haywood has shared his vision for Greater Milwaukee on both local and national media outlets. He works tirelessly to change the narrative of the possible achievements of young people with the hopes to inspire them, and his peers, and letting them know that the time is now; you don’t have to wait to be great.

Kyle Ashley

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Kyle, a Milwaukee native currently residing in the Sherman Park Neighborhood, is a dedicated community advocate. With a decade-long tenure at the Wisconsin Regional Partnership, he collaborated with community organizations across south eastern Wisconsin, providing career exploration, training, and hiring opportunities. Transitioning to the private sector in 2021, Kyle excelled as a community engagement manager for a national technology company, helping establish partnerships with over 175 organizations in southeast Wisconsin in under two years. In 2023, Governor Tony Evers appointed him as the Regional Director for his Milwaukee Office. Beyond his professional roles, Kyle serves as an adult advisor to the Milwaukee County Youth Commission, a committee member for Mayor Johnson’s Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative, and a board member of the Milwaukee Food Council.

Lauren Feaster

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In August 2020 Lauren was appointed CEO of Professional Dimensions, a leading women’s professional association in the Milwaukee area whose mission is to unite women leaders in the relentless pursuit of better. Prior to joining Professional Dimensions, Lauren served in various executive capacities within the NPO education realm with both City Year Milwaukee and Teach For America Milwaukee. During her tenure, she has led community partnerships, fundraising, staff management/coaching, training, program evaluation, strategic planning and business operations. As an advocate for leadership, education and collective impact, Lauren remains engaged in community through her service on City Year’s Regional Board, the Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy Board (Development Chair), Radio Milwaukee Board, HYFIN Advisory Committee and as former co-chair of the K12 Civic Response Team via Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Additionally, she works to advance equity and inspire leadership as a member of Milwaukee Urban League YP, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and as a Character Coach with Alverno’s LACCS Program.

Lauren’s commitment to Professional Dimensions is rooted in her desire to ensure women, especially women of color, are embraced, elevated and compensated for every “professional dimension” they lead with and every area they add value. We will win when every woman in the PD network can realize and actualize their full power.  We will know we’ve been successful when every member in our network can consciously contribute to the PD microcosm that both proves what is possible when women unite (from a sense of innovation, inclusion, joy, revenue, etc.) and reclaims community in ways that we’ve never fathomed.

Oby Nwabuzor

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First-generation American millennial leader Oby Nwabuzor has achieved success in a variety of multidisciplinary areas. From business to advocacy and community involvement, all the while continuing to actively volunteer in significant areas. Currently, she is the Director, Social Drivers of Health Strategy for Advocate Health working to close the gap in life expectancy and wellness for underserved communities and is part of the leadership team for Social Impact with the Advocate National Center for Health Equity (ANCHE).

Oby has played a critical role in advancing equitable health policies throughout Wisconsin and became a national spokesperson on DEI efforts for the American Heart Association. Her notable accomplishments include $1.1M in enhanced SNAP access, $600K in healthy retail funding, and more walkable & bikeable neighborhoods. As founder of Envision Growth, Oby continues to define intersectionality by managing operations and partnerships to build healthy people and communities through real estate development.

In 2022, Oby was appointed to Wisconsin’s Public Health Council, where she advises on the implementation of the state’s public health strategy. She also sits on the boards of Malaika Early Learning Center and the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation for the City of Milwaukee. Oby has been named a 2023 MBJ Executive to Watch, a 2022 MBJ 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2020 WI Law Journal Diversity in Business Awards honoree. She is pursuing a Doctor of Public Health degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Advanced Public Health Practice and Leadership.

Stacy Clark

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“You can reach every goal. Climb the highest mountain. Conquer your dreams. All while still being authentically YOU.” These are the words Stacy Clark repeats every morning before going out into the world. Stacy, a Milwaukee native, spent his teenaged years battling self-identity, family & peer acceptance, and a sense of belonging. Stacy has spent the last 7 years fighting for health equity and Inclusion for the LGBTQ community in Southeast Wisconsin. From working in the field at community-based organizations to now working for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Stacy knows the importance of empowerment, security, equity, and opportunities. Stacy has had the pleasure of being appointed to work alongside the inaugural Governors Health Equity Council by Governor Tony Evers in 2019 as well as being elected as the Vice-Chair for the Black Caucus of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Taking unheard voices and experiences to places where they are not often heard is a lifelong mission for Stacy. In early 2021, Stacy became a TED Talk speaker through UW-Milwaukee TEDX where he walked through the social determinants of health and outcomes for Black same gender loving men of color. He truly believes in the butterfly effect, which is the theory that a small change in a local setting can create a large impact on a global level. Through empowerment, uplifting each other, self-love, and the audacity to live authentically, Stacy belives we are the Resilient Distractions of the world.

Tim Cole

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Tim Cole is a seasoned software executive and the Vice President of Sales at Rivet, bringing to the table over two decades of expertise in fintech, nonprofit, and international business. A native of Milwaukee, Tim is a proud graduate of MPS and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Recognizing the need for a more inclusive voice in local wine culture, Tim, along with two business partners, founded the Milwaukee Wine Academy. This endeavor aims to make the world of wine more accessible and approachable for everyone through unique wine experiences that seamlessly blend education and entertainment. Tim’s love and knowledge of the world of wine make him a charismatic host, ensuring a consistently first-class experience for events.

Beyond his professional and entrepreneurial pursuits, Tim is a dedicated community leader. Currently serving as the President of the National Society of Black Engineers – Milwaukee Area Professionals chapter, board member of Global Youth Camp: AEP, and an active member at Ebony Ice, MKE’s premier black ski club, Tim is deeply committed to making a positive impact.

Yet, greater than his professional and community commitments, Tim finds the utmost pride and joy in being a devoted father to a brilliant 5-year-old daughter. For Tim, family is the most essential element to joy, and fatherhood brings completion to his multifaceted life. It is within the warmth of family that Tim finds the true essence of fulfillment and purpose.