Gigi Pomerantz, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, President and founder of YOUTHAITI, is a Family Nurse Practitioner at Aurora UW Medical Group since 1979. She also practiced in Israel for three years, where she lived with her family. She is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She currently serves as the chair of the Quality Improvement Committee and as a board member of Managed Health Services, a Medicaid HMO. Gigi has been involved in non-profit and social justice work for many years and has served as Vice-President of Intergroup Relations of the Milwaukee chapter of the American Jewish Committee and as previous President of Congregation Shir Hadash and Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee, a Milwaukee-based social justice non-profit. She first traveled to Haiti in 2006 and fell in love with the people and the country. Her nursing background drew her to look at prevention as the first priority for health work. Gigi believes that nothing is more basic than the human need and right for sanitation with dignity!
Madeline Wake PhD, RN, FAAN, Secretary, member since 2009, is University Professor and Professor of Nursing at Marquette University where she holds the John P. Raynor, SJ Endowed Chair. She has served the University as Dean of Nursing and as Provost. She played a key institutional role in major training programs in Kenya and the Republic of Georgia. She has taught nursing management and health care systems leadership to undergraduate and graduate students. She has chaired major conferences including the 2nd International Conference on Intensive Care Nursing. She has conducted research in behavioral change and has lectured and consulted nationally and internationally on promoting innovations, nursing care delivery systems and nursing education. For eight years, she was a member if the core team developing the International Classification for Nursing Practice. She has served on Boards for the Blood Center of WI, Youthaiti, Aurora Visiting Nurse Association, Trinity Memorial Hospital, American Diabetes Association – WI Affiliate, St. Francis Seminary, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Current service includes teaching healthy living classes at a free clinic and working to improve hygiene and sanitation in rural Haiti.
Susan Maiers, Treasurer, member since 2011, is the Business and Finance Director of Medical Support Services. Previous work includes Founder and Executive Director of the Children’s Development Initiative, Videographer of the Hackett Foundation doing educational mission work, Coordinator and recruiter for the Democratic Congressional Campaign, and Volunteer of the Year for Safe Haven.
David Feiss, member since March 2007, has been employed as an Assistant District Attorney in Milwaukee County since 1986. Currently is the Director of the Public Integrity Unit for the office. He has previously served as the President of the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations and currently serves as the President of the Association of State Prosecutors, a labor organization that represents 360 Assistant District Attorneys throughout the State of Wisconsin. However, his most enjoyable job, and one that he dreams of going back to, was when he worked as a camp counselor for Jay Blankenship at COA. His wife is also an attorney at a local manufacturing company. They have twin daughters who are in high school in the Milwaukee area. In addition to cleaning up after two golden retrievers, Dave is a tennis player and a political junkie.
Marty Lexmond, PhD, member since March 2007, is Superintendent of Schools for Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Previously served as Director of the Department of School Innovation of the Milwaukee Public Schools; this department develops new school models and provides leadership for charter and alternative schools. In the past he has served as a high school teacher, curriculum specialist, college instructor, and an assistant principal. Martin has an extensive background in technical theater and has designed and built sets and lighting systems for local theater productions across the Milwaukee area.
Nancy Bohrman, BSN, RN, member since March 2007. Currently works as a staff nurse at Sturgeon Bay Hospital.
Orel Lisius member since March 2007, has served as our in-country liaison. Director of MABO orphanage in Petion-ville, Haiti. Former National Coordinator of SOL, Sosyete Oganize Lanati, an organization that builds composting toilets in urban areas in Haiti.
Barbara Prendergast, MA, member since April 2010, is a teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools and is certified in Waldorf Method. She has a strong commitment to global outreach and social justice.
Fr. Joseph Fritz Louis, MA, member since November 2010, member of Holy Cross Order, currently serves as Program Coordinator for Kanpe Foundation, a non-profit based in Montreal, Canada working in economic development and empowerment of women in Thomonde, Haiti. Previous pastor of St. Marie Madeleine parish in Duchity, Grand’Anse, Haiti, responsible for establishing twinning program with St Thomas the Apostle parish in Naperville, Illinois.
