Leo J. Ries
Executive Director
(414) 273-1815 Ext. 12
lries@lisc.org

As Executive Director, Leo oversees technical assistance and project support to CDC’s, obtains financial support for LISC activities, and builds and promotes community development in Milwaukee through partnerships and public policy. Prior to his position with LISC, Leo worked for the City of Milwaukee for over ten years as Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development in the Department of City Development and as Director of the Community Block Grant Administration. In these positions, he was responsible for developing and administering programs that preserve Milwaukee’s housing stock, expand economic and housing opportunities for Milwaukee residents, and revitalizing neighborhoods that have experienced decline and disinvestment. Leo Ries has also served in a voluntary capacity with numerous non-profit and civic organizations. 

Christopher Boston
Director of Sustainable Communities
(414) 273-1815 Ext. 14
cboston@lisc.org
Sustainable Communities

Christopher leads LISC Milwaukee's strategy for comprehensive community development, and serves as LISC's liaison in Washington Park and Harambee. Christopher brings more than 10 years of grassroots community leadership and non-profit management at both the executive and programmatic level. Before joining LISC, he served as President of the Milwaukee Chapter of the Black Alliance for Educational Options (MCBAEO) and  previously as Lead Organizer/Director of Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH). He was the youngest to serve in that role in the agencies history. Christopher studied International Management at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Dawn Hutchison-Weiss
Director of Communications
(414) 273-1815 Ext. 25
dweiss@lisc.org

Dawn manages LISC Milwaukee's communications strategies and tactics. Dawn has worked for several national nonprofits in fund development, marketing, communications, and organizational development. Most recently Dawn was the VP for Marketing and Development at Public Allies' national office. In 1995 she co-founded KaBOOM! with Darell Hammond, raising community-built playgrounds across the country. Dawn has a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Nicole Robben
Financial Manager
(414) 273-1815 Ext. 15
nrobben@lisc.org

Nicole has been with LISC Milwaukee since November 2008. Prior to her position with LISC, Nicole worked for the City of Milwaukee in the Department of City Development as the Main Street Milwaukee manager. During her three years at DCD, Nicole worked closely with LISC to create the Main Street Milwaukee program, secure funding through the Community Development Block Grant office and private funds from foundations and corporations, designate the first four districts to participate in the program, and assist in the creation of Main Street workplans for each participating district. Prior to her work at DCD, Nicole worked for Layton Boulevard West Neighbors as the Economic Development Director. Nicole earned her bachelor in Economics at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Jack West
Financial Services Director
(414) 273-1815 Ext. 13
jwest@lisc.org
Financial Resources

Jack oversees all loan activity and recoverable grants. Jack West has more than 30 years in senior level banking with broad experience in credit approval, underwriting, troubled assets guidance, and business development in large and middle market commercial banking environments. Most recently, Jack was the VP, Regional Manager for Commercial Real Estate and Business Banking at Anchor Bank where he built and managed a portfolio of more than $50 million while managing a team of commercial real estate and business banking lenders.

Marjorie Rucker
Program Officer
(414) 273-1815
mrucker@lisc.org
Commercial Corridors

Marjorie was the Acting Executive Director and Main Street Manager for The King Drive Main Street, located just north of downtown along King Drive from McKinley to Locust. In the capacity of Main Street Manager for the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District (BID), Marjorie, together with colleagues and dedicated volunteers, successfully implemented the Main Street approach in the area since 2005, bringing over $105 million of investment, and adding 25 new businesses and nearly 1300 employees.

Marjorie is a Milwaukee native and a proud graduate of Milwaukee Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Mount Mary College and a Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School.

Amelia Peña
Administrative Assistant
(414) 273-1815 Ext. 10
apena@lisc.org

Amelia Peña has been the Administrative Assistant of 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, acts as office manager, and provides administrative support to our staff. Prior to her position with 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 husband, Anthony and their son, Memphis.