"Comunidades de Crocus
donde eres parte de una comunidad, no solo viviendo en ella".
Fundadores
Los fundadores de COC, Amy Hansel y Emily Peters, son padres de niños con autismo y síndrome de Down. Están decididos a crear un espacio en Wisconsin donde sus hijos y otras personas con discapacidades similares reciban apoyo y puedan alcanzar su máximo potencial en un entorno natural.
Board of Directors
Amy Hansel
Presidenta y tesorera
Amy ha pasado los últimos 25 años como funcionaria trabajando para el Gobierno Federal. Tiene una amplia experiencia en la construcción de relaciones y trabajando con personas de diversos orígenes, en todos los niveles y de todo el mundo. Amy es madre soltera de cuatro hijos, dos de los cuales están en el espectro autista. Ha pasado los últimos 29 años o más como defensora de sus dos hijos, uno de los cuales requiere apoyo las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana. Como cofundadora de Communities of Crocus (COC), Amy ha realizado una extensa investigación contactando y visitando comunidades y programas en todo EE. UU. y Canadá. Estos programas brindan opciones de vivienda, servicios y apoyo para adultos con autismo, IDD y otras discapacidades. Esta preparación ha llevado a la creación de COC, una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3). Amy está en el comité ejecutivo del Grupo de Trabajo de Vivienda Comunitaria para Personas con Discapacidades Intelectuales y del Desarrollo. También es miembro del Consejo de Liderazgo Ejecutivo de Journey 21, otra increíble comunidad de elección actualmente en construcción en Oconomowoc, WI. Amy tiene una Maestría en Ciencias en Liderazgo Ejecutivo y actualmente está trabajando para obtener más conocimiento, capacitación y experiencia en el campo de Bienes Raíces Comerciales. Su objetivo es ser co-desarrolladora de este increíble proyecto y de otros en el futuro.
Emily Peters
Vicepresidenta y secretaria
Emily es la esposa de un esposo maravilloso y solidario. Es madre de tres increíbles jóvenes (dos de los cuales tienen necesidades únicas y muy especiales). Emily es una ejecutiva de ventas de 25 años en Xerox Corporation que trabaja con compañías Fortune 1000 en el Medio Oeste, donde ha mantenido relaciones duraderas con sus clientes y ha generado confianza como asesora de soluciones comerciales. Lo que es más importante, es una defensora de sus dos hijos menores mientras navegan por sus vidas con autismo y síndrome de Down. Emily formó parte de la Junta Ejecutiva de GiGi's Playhouse - Milwaukee, ya que se estaba planificando, desarrollando y finalmente ejecutando en Fox Point. Emily, con algunas otras madres, inició un grupo de trabajo de vivienda en el sureste de Wisconsin para personas con discapacidades intelectuales. Allí conoció a Amy y se dio cuenta de que tenían mucho en común. Ambos no solo tienen dos hijos con discapacidades intelectuales/del desarrollo, sino que ambos descubrieron que tienen una pasión y un impulso para crear una comunidad para personas como sus hijos. Un lugar donde puedan vivir con propósito y dignidad. Emily tiene una mente y un espíritu creativos. Ella traerá ese espíritu a todas las necesidades de Communities of Crocus. Pensar fuera de la caja para crear soluciones y oportunidades para los residentes de la comunidad. Como cofundadora de COC, ha aportado recursos para ayudar a comercializar y brindar información a la gran comunidad de Milwaukee. Trabajó en estrecha colaboración con Amy para obtener el estatus de organización sin fines de lucro, para crear el plan de negocios y trabajar con la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Washington mientras desarrollaban las representaciones y la planificación física de los Hogares de Cuidado, los Apartamentos y el Centro de Aprendizaje para COC. Emily será una aprendiz incansable, defensora y partidaria de todas las personas en COC.
Nancy Lewis
Directora
Nancy es madre de dos hijas. Lyndsay tiene 29 años, vive en la ciudad de Nueva York y actualmente trabaja para obtener su maestría en trabajo social clínico. Amanda es una joven de 24 años con necesidades especiales cuyo diagnóstico principal es autismo. Además de abogar incansablemente por Amanda, Nancy es propietaria de un negocio. Durante los últimos 26 años, ha sido copropietaria de una firma de consultoría de desarrollo de liderazgo, Living As A Leader. La misión de la empresa es mejorar la experiencia de los empleados en el trabajo a través de un liderazgo más eficaz. Los servicios clave incluyen capacitación, entrenamiento, consultoría y apoyo a líderes en todos los niveles. Uno de los mayores talentos de Nancy es diseñar y ejecutar soluciones personalizadas para desafíos de liderazgo complejos. Nancy es muy solicitada como proveedor versátil para muchas empresas dentro de una variedad de industrias. A Nancy le apasiona retribuir a otros en la comunidad con necesidades especiales, con un enfoque específico en el apoyo residencial para adultos. Es desgarrador para Nancy ver la escasez alarmante de recursos y las opciones residenciales extremadamente limitadas para adultos con diversas necesidades y le gustaría apoyar a todas las personas en Crocus en todas y cada una de las formas que pueda. Nancy ha apoyado a varias juntas en su calidad de experta en desarrollo de liderazgo y recientemente se desempeñó como miembro de la junta de la Fundación Just A Little Faith (JALF), cuya misión es apoyar el Programa de Atención Compleja en el Hospital Infantil de Wisconsin. Como miembro de la Junta de Communities of Crocus, Nancy aporta pasión, perseverancia, creatividad y un deseo inagotable de resolver incluso los desafíos más complejos.
Rechelle Chaffee
Director
Rechelle serves as the Executive Director of Autism Society SE WI and has family members on the spectrum. She has championed for Autism awareness, education and supports by providing programs and services that benefit the Autism community. She brings a passion for advocacy efforts to work every day.
Chris Zirbes
Director
Chris has developed a successful professional career of working for small community, family owned banks and for the last 10 years been the Senior Vice President of commercial lending at Cornerstone Community Bank in Menomonee Falls. He is also a proud member of the Wauwatosa Mayfair Rotary – Past President and Board member, Vice President and President Elect of the Wauwatosa Junior Trojans Baseball Club, Wauwatosa Blazers Football club member, former President of Serenity Inns, and former President of the Wauwatosa Distinguished Citizens Award Council.
Nancy Lewis
Directora
Nancy es madre de dos hijas. Lyndsay tiene 29 años, vive en la ciudad de Nueva York y actualmente trabaja para obtener su maestría en trabajo social clínico. Amanda es una joven de 24 años con necesidades especiales cuyo diagnóstico principal es autismo. Además de abogar incansablemente por Amanda, Nancy es propietaria de un negocio. Durante los últimos 26 años, ha sido copropietaria de una firma de consultoría de desarrollo de liderazgo, Living As A Leader. La misión de la empresa es mejorar la experiencia de los empleados en el trabajo a través de un liderazgo más eficaz. Los servicios clave incluyen capacitación, entrenamiento, consultoría y apoyo a líderes en todos los niveles. Uno de los mayores talentos de Nancy es diseñar y ejecutar soluciones personalizadas para desafíos de liderazgo complejos. Nancy es muy solicitada como proveedor versátil para muchas empresas dentro de una variedad de industrias. A Nancy le apasiona retribuir a otros en la comunidad con necesidades especiales, con un enfoque específico en el apoyo residencial para adultos. Es desgarrador para Nancy ver la escasez alarmante de recursos y las opciones residenciales extremadamente limitadas para adultos con diversas necesidades y le gustaría apoyar a todas las personas en Crocus en todas y cada una de las formas que pueda. Nancy ha apoyado a varias juntas en su calidad de experta en desarrollo de liderazgo y recientemente se desempeñó como miembro de la junta de la Fundación Just A Little Faith (JALF), cuya misión es apoyar el Programa de Atención Compleja en el Hospital Infantil de Wisconsin. Como miembro de la Junta de Communities of Crocus, Nancy aporta pasión, perseverancia, creatividad y un deseo inagotable de resolver incluso los desafíos más complejos.
Junta Directiva
Patty Metropulos
Advisor
Patty Metropulos currently serves as President & CEO of Kathy’s House, a hospital guest house in Milwaukee. She was selected to lead the organization after the founder retired in 2012. Under her tenure agency operations have tripled, and Kathy’s House is now recognized as a vital link in the SE Wisconsin healthcare supply chain. Patty spearheaded an effort to build a larger facility, which opened in June of 2021 and serves as a national model in hospital guest housing. She is passionate about providing equitable access to the social determinants of health, including lodging, nutrition, the outdoors, and the support of family and a caring community. Patty has worked in nonprofit and public education management for over 25 years. Honors include: Milwaukee Business Journal Women of Influence, a Milwaukee BizTimes Healthcare Hero, a “Tenacious Betty” award from Milwaukee Magazine and appointment to the WI Governor’s Health Equity Council. She has a Bachelor’s in Public Affairs from Indiana University, a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Washington – Seattle, and is a certified yoga instructor. She and her husband Dan have a lovely 25-year-old daughter and two high maintenance cats.
Mary Claire Lanser
Advisor
Mary Claire is a former Mayor of the City of New Berlin, dedicated to economic development that benefits the community. She has been working in public affairs since 1999. For each project, Mary Claire drafts a customized action plan to secure approvals and respects the needs of clients, public officials, and neighbors. Supporting the public process with grass roots outreach usually results in a development that is a source of pride for stakeholders. Besides eight years as an elected official, Mary Claire served 11 years as an officer in the US Navy reserves (Nurse Corps, then Public Affairs) and decades in healthcare. Mary Claire holds a Bachelor’s Degree from UWM and a Master’s Degree from Marquette.
Mike Long
Advisor
Mike counsels wireless and wireline telecommunications companies on a wide variety of transactional, operational and regulatory matters. His diverse experience as both in-house and outside counsel to several large telecommunications companies positions him to provide sound practical advice on both day-to-day operational matters, as well as long term strategic plans. Mike assists clients in negotiating and drafting a wide variety of commercial contracts and license agreements related to wireless and wireline broadband networks, as well as the acquisition and sale of telecommunications assets. He has negotiated master lease agreements with multiple electric utilities and a national wireless service provider, IRU’s with several publicly traded fiber optic companies and space and use agreements with several regional and national data center owners. He has also represented telecommunications providers and tower companies in regulatory and licensing matters before the FCC, state regulatory agencies and more than 100 local government authorities in several states. Previously, Mike served as general counsel and chief operating officer of a Wisconsin-based telecommunications holding company where he was responsible for the legal needs and operations of the company’s wireless telephony, fiber-optic transport, tower, datacenter/switching and specialty construction subsidiaries and its portfolio of broadcast licenses. Mike’s international work experience includes serving as the Director of Business Development of a Canadian telecom infrastructure company based in Montreal, Quebec. - J. Michael Long, Senior Counsel, Husch Blackwell
Adam Arndt
Advisor
Adam has been an influential leader in the construction industry, with more than twenty years of experience, having spent the last ten with Catalyst Construction as the firm’s president. Throughout his tenure he has developed a thorough understanding of both the complexities of building construction and the methodology behind securing and managing reliable construction budgets from the earliest phases of a project’s lifecycle. Adam has earned a reputation for his ability to craft accurate project budgets and constructability solutions for even the most challenging design assumptions. Throughout the course of Adam’s 20+ years in the construction industry he has developed an expansive industry-specific knowledge base which, combined with his ingenuity and creative forward-thinking, allows him to produce timeline- and budget-friendly solutions for Catalyst Construction clients.
Matt Burow
Advisor
In 2022, Matt partnered with NBA Champion Pat Connaughton to co-found Three Leaf Partners, a startup Real Estate Development firm. Much like Matt’s other mission-based initiatives, Three Leaf Partners exists to make a lasting impact on the communities and people they serve through real estate. By pairing athletes, business executives, and community partners, Three Leaf brings creative and determined people together with a common goal. The result is a win-win for all those involved. Matt founded Catalyst Construction in 2004 and currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Quinncy McNeal
Advisor
Quinncy champions startups, entrepreneurs, burgeoning businesses and pro bono clients in overlooked communities from coast to coast. Quinncy counsels overlooked minority companies and individuals across the nation, widening and streamlining legal options as they seek a foothold in the marketplace. Whether it is an individual entrepreneur protecting intellectual property as she forms a for-profit company, a neighborhood aiming to shape a non-profit organization for at-risk youth, or an existing group of businesses seeking growth through the use of available incentives and programs, Quinncy enjoys making connections, closing knowledge gaps and helping pro bono clients thrive. Quinncy is passionate about making connections that lead to positive change. He regularly encourages colleagues regarding the professional and personal rewards of handling pro bono casework. Quinncy also collaborates with non-profit advocacy groups including NAACP Houston, Texas Defender Service, Tahirih Justice Center, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), the Innocence Project and others to identify how legal representation can help minorities. Prior to focusing his practice exclusively on pro bono matters, Quinncy regularly handled extensive complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts, dispute resolution, compliance counsel and transactional matters, including a secondment to one of Japan’s leading companies. Additionally, before pursuing a legal career, Quinncy was a television journalist throughout the state of Texas and in Wisconsin. Colleagues and communities value that he uses his talents, experience, network and skill toward opening doors – one by one – for pro bono clients. - Quinncy McNeal, Pro Bono Counsel, Husch Blackwell
Carolyn Esswein, FACIP
Advisor
Carolyn is an urban planner who focuses on community development and design, assisting public and private sector clients explore creative solutions. Carolyn's work has transformed communities across Wisconsin, promoting investment, social equity, and innovation. Collaborating across community and campus, Carolyn is an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture & Urban Planning, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and owner of Ce Planning Studio consulting.
Asesores y Consultores
Mark Jackson
Consultor
Mark es el socio gerente de Peak Partners, LLC. Entre sus negocios, la compañía es una consultora para familias que esperan crear soluciones integrales de vida de alta calidad para adultos con discapacidades del desarrollo. Es fundador y ex presidente de la junta de Sweetwater Spectrum, una organización sin fines de lucro que desarrolló una comunidad residencial intencional en Sonoma, CA para adultos con autismo. Actualmente, Mark es miembro de la Junta de Lifehouse, Inc., el mayor proveedor de servicios de vida asistida para personas con discapacidades del desarrollo en el norte de California. Mark sirvió en el Consejo Coordinador del Comité Selecto del Senado de California sobre Autismo, la Junta de Cedars of Marin, el Comité de Transición de Marin Autism Collaborative y es miembro fundador de la Fundación "I Have a Dream" en la Bahía de San Francisco. Área. Mark tiene una licenciatura de Middlebury College y una maestría en administración de empresas de UC Berkeley. Es un orador frecuente en conferencias centradas en los problemas que enfrentan los adultos con autismo y un defensor vocal en el campo. Su experiencia incluye 30 años como profesional de inversiones inmobiliarias. Él y su esposa, Patty, son padres de un hijo de 30 años con autismo que los inspira todos los días.
Tess Richard
Consultor
Tess Komas graduated from the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with her master’s in architecture. Presently she works at C&S Design & Engineering, a small design engineering firm in Northern Wisconsin, as a Project Manager and Designer. Tess was hired to help design COC’s website when, through UWM Community Design Solutions in college she worked on the initial community concept design. Her experience creating and managing websites make her a great asset to the team.
Miembro
Tutor
Cori Rice Kaminsky is Partner and Creative Director at White Rice Advertising & PR in Germantown, WI. White Rice is the brainchild of Rice and her longtime business partner Terri White, and is described as a small, friendly, approachable agency that helps businesses and organizations of all sizes grow. Ironically, Cori also fits that description. She is a passionate supporter of non-profits and sits on a number of professional boards, including currently serving as President of Festivals of Cedarburg, her hometown where she lives with her husband and two sons. She and White Rice proudly donate their time to Communities of Crocus.
Partners
Compañero
Community Design Solutions (CDS) es un centro de diseño financiado en la Escuela de Arquitectura y Planificación Urbana (SARUP) en UW-Milwaukee que ayuda a comunidades, agencias, grupos cívicos y campus en todo Wisconsin. CDS desarrolla conceptos que promueven un cambio positivo, estimulan las oportunidades de financiamiento y sirven como catalizador para una inversión continua. CDS colaboró con los fundadores de COC para crear una futura comunidad para los residentes y el personal. Los estudiantes graduados de arquitectura, Roe Draus y Tess Richard, trabajaron con la directora de CDS, Carolyn Esswein, para desarrollar los diseños y las representaciones del edificio conceptual.
Partner
Built around the industries in which our clients operate, everything we do is designed to make it easy for clients to do business with our firm. Our Practices In Action From our comprehensive client onboarding to superior matter management, our tools and technologies are expertly tailored to each client’s objectives and individual preferences to produce optimal partnerships. Our approach isn’t just unique, it’s the real deal; we are the only firm to be recognized by both the CLOC LIO Project and ACC Value Champion award series for our ability to deliver legal solutions that cut spending, improve predictability and achieve better outcomes.
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Partner
In January of 2006 White Rice Advertising & PR was born, occupying the second-floor loft of an 1860s woolen mill in the Historic District of downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin. It wasn’t until late 2015 that the dynamic duo moved to its current digs in Germantown where they customized the work space to fit the fun that it was built to contain. Since opening, White Rice has helped businesses from all over navigate and succeed in some pretty rocky economic times. Through all that, Terri and Cori have maintained their philosophy that no matter how big or small the business or idea, White Rice will take the call and do what we can to help. That simple idea has helped some pretty great clients do some pretty great work. Some businesses like to have a marketing partner that they can stop in and see. So if whether it’s Germantown, Menomonee Falls, Milwaukee, Mequon or Madison, we relish the chance to be your advertising partner that always feels next door.
Partner
At Catalyst Construction, we don’t just build structures – we build relationships. As your construction management partner, we help you refine your vision and assemble the teams necessary to make that vision a reality. Whether we’re helping expand your ministry through new church facilities or creating affordable housing solutions in thriving urban areas, we’ll make it happen – you make it matter.
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Miembro
Compañero
HGA is a national interdisciplinary design firm rooted in architecture and engineering. We believe that enduring, impactful design results from deep insight into the people and passions that animate each unique environment. We value empathy, are fueled by curiosity, and embrace the hard work that leads to innovation. HGA’s work has received numerous awards and top rankings from our own industries, as well as those of our clients. Equally as meaningful to us is the shared legacy we create with our clients.
Partner
Three Leaf Partners exists to make a lasting impact on the communities and people we serve through real estate. The outcomes we work to create far exceed the physical structures we build. Our goal is to be thoughtful & driven, working to bring your mission and vision to life in a way that creates generational impact to all involved. By pairing athletes, business executives and community partners, the Three Leaf Partners impact brings creative and determined people together with a common goal. The result is a win-win for all those involved.
Compañero
Community Design Solutions (CDS) es un centro de diseño financiado en la Escuela de Arquitectura y Planificación Urbana (SARUP) en UW-Milwaukee que ayuda a comunidades, agencias, grupos cívicos y campus en todo Wisconsin. CDS desarrolla conceptos que promueven un cambio positivo, estimulan las oportunidades de financiamiento y sirven como catalizador para una inversión continua. CDS colaboró con los fundadores de COC para crear una futura comunidad para los residentes y el personal. Los estudiantes graduados de arquitectura, Roe Draus y Tess Richard, trabajaron con la directora de CDS, Carolyn Esswein, para desarrollar los diseños y las representaciones del edificio conceptual.