Theodore "Theo" Lipscomb, Sr.
Executive Director
Email: TLipscomb@lisc.org
Theodore “Theo” Lipscomb, Sr. joined LISC Milwaukee after serving 12 years as a Milwaukee County Board Supervisor, including nearly five years as County Board Chairperson. A lifelong Milwaukeean, Theo has often utilized his time and leadership skills to directly impact the health of Milwaukee communities. As LISC Milwaukee Executive Director, Theo will draw on his extensive work helping to establish budgets, invest in housing and economic development, and fight for new resources that benefit residents and their communities.
He previously worked across the state of Wisconsin as a project manager for the Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development and as director of community development for the West End Development Corporation. His private sector experience includes past work at a prominent Milwaukee architecture firm and management of private real estate holdings.
Theo is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning and has completed additional coursework in finance, law, and real estate. Theo and wife, Nicole, are proud to raise three school-aged children.
Sakuri Fears
Senior Program Officer
Email: SFears2@lisc.org
Sakuri Fears re-joins the LISC Milwaukee team as Senior Program Officer for National Programs. Sakuri is a lifelong Milwaukee resident and proud alumni of Rufus King High School. As a first generation Milwaukeean, her parents migrated north from Mississippi looking for economic opportunity and owned and operated several small businesses in the Borchert Field and 5 Points neighborhoods. This upbringing guides her work in supporting equitable economic opportunity for underserved communities through workforce and economic development initiatives.
As LISC Milwaukee’s Senior Program Officer, Sakuri will support the Executive and Deputy Director’s capacity building efforts and strategy development. Sakuri served with LISC Milwaukee from 2015 to 2019, and during that time advanced from Assistant Program Officer to Senior Program Officer.
Sakuri holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She is an ACRE (2009) and African American Leadership Program alum (2016) and has several housing focused certifications through the National Center for Housing Management.
Sakuri loves spending time with her family (including her new granddaughter), supporting local LGBTQ youth of color initiatives, and podcasting.
Matt Melendes
Program Officer
Housing & Community Engagement
E-mail: MMelendes@lisc.org
Matt joined the Milwaukee LISC team in October 2019 as Housing and Community Engagement Program Officer. Matt has over 15 years of nonprofit and community economic development experience in affordable housing development, neighborhood planning and community organizing. Previously, Matt was Senior Associate Director of Real Estate Development at Heartland Housing, Inc., Sustainable Communities Director at United Methodist Children’s Services of Wisconsin, Inc., Community Development Consultant at Community Development Advocates and Community Organizer at Sherman Park Community Association.
Matt received his master degree in Urban Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, has served on the City of Milwaukee’s Supportive Housing Commission and is an AmeriCorps Alumni.
Charles Clark
Program Officer
Equitable Investments & ACRE
Email: Cclark@lisc.org
Charles, a recent graduate from ACRE, brings an abundance of expertise in real estate to the LISC Milwaukee team. His purpose in life is to uplift the quality of life for others, a value that deeply resonates with his background and personal experiences. Charles pursued his education at UW-Milwaukee's Lubar Business School, completing a bachelor's degree in finance with a specialization in International Business. Alongside his degree, he also earned two minors in Economics and International Economic & Development. Fueled by his passion for global affairs, Charles embarked on study abroad programs in Paris, France, where he obtained an International Business certificate, and in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he earned a certificate in Latin America and Caribbean Studies. These transformative experiences have solidified his unwavering commitment to creating positive change in the lives of individuals worldwide.
Gabe Charles
Assistant Program Officer
Economic Development
Email: GCharles@lisc.org
Gabe Charles joins the LISC Milwaukee team as the Economic Development Assistant Program Officer. Gabe was born and raised in Milwaukee and is a proud product of MPS, graduating from Rufus King High School. Growing up and seeing the challenges and injustices faced by many of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods fueled her lifelong drive to contribute to building a more equitable society.
Prior to joining LISC Milwaukee, Gabrielle served as the Civic Engagement Manager and Program Manager at Southside Organizing Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring neighbors have a voice, vote, and vehicle to make positive changes in their community. Other experiences include four years with Peace Corps Dominican Republic, where she collaborated with community leaders to implement initiatives that would empower and build the entrepreneurial capacity of community members.
Gabrielle holds a B.A. in Economics and Sociology from Knox College and enjoys spending time with loved ones, listening to music, and dancing.
Amelia Peña
Operations & Fiscal Manager
Email: APena@lisc.org
Amelia Peña has been with LISC Milwaukee since January 2011. Amelia manages all administrative functions in the office. She prepares financial contracts, tracks income and revenue, prepares donor acknowledgements, coordinates meeting logistics, and provides administrative support to our staff. Prior to joining LISC, Amelia was the Administrative Assistant for Public Allies National Office. She is most proud to have served in the Air Force where she was a Computer Technician. Amelia spent most of her tour in the Air Force at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. She currently lives in Milwaukee with her children, Memphis and Mila.