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MILWAUKEE WATER COMMONS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our work at Milwaukee Water Commons is governed by a dynamic Board of Directors.
They bring a diverse set of perspectives and skills to the table and help us move towards our mission of catalyzing Milwaukee as a true water city.
JAMIN MAHAN
Chairperson
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Jamin Mahan received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University and is currently working as an Instrument & Controls Technician in the power industry.
Jamin has previously served on boards focusing on support, empowerment and equality of diverse populations in the Metro Milwaukee area. Jamin is a hobby quilter and sewist and enjoys getting out in the non-winter months for camping in Wisconsin’s fantastic state parks and around the Midwest.
SUZANNE
MILLS-WEMM
Secretary
Suzanne Mills-Wemm is a tribal member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe near Hayward, Wisconsin. Her spirit name is Waase Anangookwe (Bright Star Woman) and she is a member of the Crane (Ajijaak) clan. She is advancing to 2nd degree Midewiwin, of the Three Fires
Midewiwin Lodge, and is an Eagle Staff and pipe carrier.
Suzanne spent time serving our country and is a proud Navy Veteran. Following a career in Operations Management, Suzanne moved from Washington DC to Hayward, Wis. (Lac Courte Oreilles) where she joined the Women and Water committee, and the women's hand drum group "Strawberry Moon Women Singers. In 2016, she and several other veteran tribal members went to Standing Rock, Minn. to support the people in their fight against the Dakota Access pipeline. She also carried her Eagle Staff to Line 3, the Mississippi head waters, and Line 5 events, standing up to protect the Great Lakes watersheds.
Suzanne loves music, singing, painting, drawing, practicing breathwork, beading and nurturing her own spiritual journey. During a sacred walk, she developed a rich relationship with water and a firm belief that we are all connected. Water is life.
MICHAEL ADAMS
Board Member
Michael Adams has a demonstrated history of working in the professional training industry. He serves as president of JobsWork MKE, a leading workforce development organization in Milwaukee. The agency works with central city residents to assist them in finding sustainable long-term employment.
He also is a long-term member of the Milwaukee Water Equity Task Force hosted by Milwaukee Water Commons along with US Water Alliance, which is working to build a more equitable workforce in the city’s water sector.
An avid fisherman, Michael helps support Water School each year at the annual trip to Mauthe Lake.
REV. MICHELLE TOWNSEND DE LOPEZ
Board Member
Pastor Michelle serves as the lead pastor of Cross Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. She is committed to the execution of the purpose and vision of the congregation grounded in the Holy Spirit and social justice for our community. Prior to joining the ministry in a professional capacity, Pastor Michelle worked in the legal field as a paralegal and as a Human Resources Director for a financial software and media company.
Pastor Michelle received her Masters of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago with an emphasis in Hispanic/Latino ministries. She earned her Youth and Family Certification via the Bishop’s Initiative in coordination with Wartburg Seminary as well, and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish/International Relations.
She enjoys spending time with her husband, five young sons and other family as well as friends, cooking, entertaining, reading, traveling, and listening to world music.
DENEINE POWELL
Treasurer
As USDN's Chief Executive Officer, Deneine Powell leads our mission to support members pursuing transformative change to make communities more equitable, resilient, and sustainable. She is a nonprofit executive and a climate solutions expert with over 20 years of nonprofit leadership and management experience in environmental conservation, policy advocacy, and community engagement. Prior to joining USDN, Deneine held roles as an Environmental and Climate Program Director at African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, FUSE Corps Executive Fellow on Climate and Equity with the City of Milwaukee, National Program Director with ecoAmerica, President and CEO of African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee, and Executive Director of Groundwork Milwaukee.
Beyond her professional commitments, Deneine is deeply dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment and conservation efforts. She proudly serves as Vice President of the Board for Groundwork USA and as Board Treasurer for Milwaukee Water Commons. In addition to her work in environmental preservation, Deneine travels extensively across the country, attending and speaking at water conferences, clean economy convenings, environmental justice summits, and climate meetings. Her goal is not only to gain knowledge and motivation but also to inspire others to take action.
Outside of her professional endeavors, she finds immense joy in spending quality time with her husband, their son and daughter, and their beloved dog and two cats. They can often be found in the garden of their home in Menomonee Falls, Wis., enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
SABLEY SABIN
Board Member
Sabley Sabin grew up on a farm in Central Illinois that was in her family for 150 years, situated adjacent to timber and a creek with a pair of great blue herons. She’s always happiest with dirt under her fingernails when she's outside, walking through woods or planting a garden. She’s lived as close to water as she was able all her life, now near the Milwaukee River in the Cambridge Woods neighborhood.
During her 30-year career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a School Social Worker, she worked as a therapist with adolescent psychiatric patients on an outpatient and inpatient basis. Her favorite gig as a school social worker, which was also the most difficult, was working with students expelled from school for fighting or guns or drugs. She and the teacher treated them as humans, meeting with parents and guardians to explain that they were starting over with a clean slate. She made a career of accompanying others as they seek solutions that anchor them to who they fundamentally are deep in
their bones.
ERICA LOOFBORO
Board Member
Erin Loofboro is a dynamic engineering leader with more than 16 years of experience in industrialization and manufacturing. With a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University, Erin thrives on solving complex challenges and optimizing processes.
Currently on sabbatical, she is exploring new passions and rediscovering what drives her, all while embracing the rich opportunities that life in Wisconsin has to offer. An outdoor enthusiast, Erin finds joy in gardening, camping in state parks, and spending quality time with her husband, two children, and their beloved dog and cat at their home in Harambee.
