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Prominent Milwaukee business leaders to advise Zilber initiative
Published June 18, 2008 - BizTimes Daily
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The Zilber Family Foundation today announced that Dennis J. Kuester, the chairman of Milwaukee-based Marshall & Ilsley Corp., will lead the advisory board for the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative.
The board, which includes other prominent civic leaders, will provide oversight and monitor the progress of Joseph Zilber’s $50 million philanthropic effort to improve Milwaukee communities.
"Our mission, stated simply, will be to insure that the contribution is being prudently spent and accomplishing the positive outcomes that we all envision," said Kuester.
The other members of the advisory board are:
Daniel Bader, president of the Helen Bader Foundation, Inc.
Michael Bolger, president and CEO of the Medical College of Wisconsin.
John Daniels, Jr., chairman of Quarles & Brady LLP.
Ricardo Diaz, executive director of United Community Center.
James Janz, executive vice president of administration for Zilber Ltd.
Gale Klappa, chairman, president and CEO of Wisconsin Energy Corp.
Sheldon Lubar, founder and chairman of Lubar & Co.
Deloris Sims, president and CEO of Legacy Bancorp Inc.
Edward Zore, CEO Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.
Among other responsibilities, the members of the Advisory Board will approve the strategic plan for the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative, make sure that its resources are leveraged, and assess the impact of its activities and investments.
"The Initiative is fortunate to have someone of Dennis's stature and vision at the helm," Zilber said. "Dennis will be joined by some of Milwaukee's most thoughtful and committed leaders, people who recognize that the city has an opportunity to engineer a new future and rekindle hope for all its residents."
The Zilber Family Foundation recently retained Susan Lloyd, Ph.D., to work with the Advisory Board and with Milwaukee’s philanthropic and nonprofit communities over the summer months to develop a strategic plan for the Initiative. The plan, to be available by October, is expected to target specific neighborhoods and describe activities to strengthen local organizations, support community plans, and address issues that affect residents and Milwaukee's future prospects. The foundation's board of directors will consider the first set of grants for the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative this fall.
Joseph Zilber and the Zilber Family Foundation have committed over $100 million to nonprofit organizations and institutions for the betterment of Milwaukee in the last two years. In addition to the $50 million Zilber Neighborhood Initiative, the Zilber Family Foundation awarded $30 million to Marquette University to fund scholarship and other programs and $10 million to the University at Wisconsin – Milwaukee to establish a School of Public Health, which was approved recently by the UW Regents.
