Rocketship Wisconsin Board of Directors

Brian began his career in small business consulting which led to top jobs in accounting, finance, administration and operations for a variety of manufacturers involved in everything from medical technology and aeronautics to disposable wipes and custom decorative lighting. But he was seeking something more fulfilling.

Before he left his last manufacturing company, Brian prepared a detailed career plan that weighed his strengths and weaknesses, listed his priorities in life, and specified what he wanted out of work.

His pursuit, Brian wrote, was a career through which he could support his family, help those around him achieve their potential, and satisfy his own intellectual curiosity.

That led to his final job and a 25 year career in the financial services industry. “I recognized the intellectual challenge of understanding markets and the economy, appreciated the opportunity to interact with and impact client lives, and enjoyed the chance to build my leadership skills.”

Brian was drawn to eduction and Rocketship initially by his daughter’s experience working for Rocketship in Milwaukee and San Jose. His wife was a college English professor and youngest daughter a teacher, so education is a top priority in the family. Understanding that all kids need an equal opportunity to learn is a fundamental value in the Kilb house.

Brian grew up in the Cleveland area and received a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Notre Dame. Brian and his wife, Lynn, have two daughters. He enjoys coaching, fitness, reading, music and his faith. Among his community activities, Brian has also been involved in a wide variety of other not-for-profit organizations.

Loren Morris is Vice President, Advisor Practices Strategy and Design at Northwestern Mutual. In this role, he is responsible for providing key insights and strategic points of view for our future advisor practice investments.

Throughout his career, Loren has held senior financial services roles in the wealth management industry. His career has led him to gain broad-based experience in business development, operations, leading high-performing teams and transforming businesses. Loren thrives on implementing complex business objectives and brings a strategic, collaborative, engaging style to partner with key stakeholders in the field and home office. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual in October 2020, Loren served as the Chief Operating Officer, Traditional Channel at Cetera Financial Group, which provides financial solutions to nearly 3,000 advisors across the United States. Prior to Cetera Financial Group, Loren served as Director of Strategic Development of MarketCounsel, Head of Advisor Services of Cantor Fitzgerald Wealth Partners, and Director of RIA Services of Dynasty Financial Partners. He launched his career at The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies as a property and casualty underwriter.

Loren earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration in finance from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. Loren has two children: Zachary, a recent graduate of Yale University and Sydney, a junior at Brown University. Loren enjoys playing tennis, skiing, world travel and international cuisine.

Gisela Terner has been an educator since 1980 having taught at the elementary, middle and high school level. She was the learning disabilities specialist at Nicolet High School for seven years, responsible for educational programming and college planning for students with special needs. She also taught at a residential treatment center in Miami, Florida working with children who had severe emotional and behavioral issues. She was a part of a treatment team that was composed of psychiatrists, psychologists and family therapists. In addition, Gisela was the educational consultant for the Child Development Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin for five years.

For the past 23 years, up until her retirement in 2023, Gisela was in private practice working with students and their families helping them fine the best post-secondary programs whether it be a 4 year college/university, 2 year college or a non-traditional program. Gisela received a Masters in Education from the University of Florida, with a concentration in Special Education. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech from Northwestern University with a concentration in Learning Disabilities. She continues to be a member of the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and a member emeritus of the Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA).

Gisela is a native of Havana, Cuba is married and has two daughters, Alison 39 and Marley 32. She has lived in Fox Point, Wisconsin for the past 38 years.

Christie Carrino is an associate attorney at Godfrey & Kahn. She represents a variety of clients in state and federal court and arbitration on a wide range of civil matters. Her work includes white collar defense, antitrust defense, government and internal investigations, commercial contract disputes, life insurance and annuity sales practices defense, and non-competition and employment disputes.

In her White Collar practice, Christie has assisted with multiple internal and government investigations and litigation across the country, representing clients in the financial services, healthcare and environmental industries, as well as representing clients in large, multidistrict antitrust matters. As a commercial litigator, Christie has had success in winning dismissal of cases at the motion to dismiss or summary judgment stage and has successfully effectuated the removal of complex cases to federal court.

She received her Juris Doctor from Washington University Law School, her Master of Education & Secondary Social Studies Education Licensure from Vanderbilt University and her Bachelor of Arts, Washington University in St. Louis.

Michael Nguyen is the Executive Director of Teach For America – Milwaukee. Formerly, Michael was the Chief of Staff at Carmen Schools of Science and Technology, a network of five public elementary, middle, and high schools. Michael previously served as the Senior Managing Director for Teacher Leadership Development at Teach For America - Milwaukee, principal at St. Anthony Middle School and a teacher at St Anthony School and Dr. Benjamin Carson Academy in Milwaukee. He was a 2009 Teach For America - Milwaukee corps member and graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Michael holds an Masters in Education from Marquette University and Wisconsin state licensure in Education Administration and Curriculum and Instruction from Alverno College.

More information to come!

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Independent Consultant, Education and Nonprofits

Kristen’s career has been dedicated to building the capacity of organizations to serve students equitably and effectively. Currently, Kristen consults nationally with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and foundations in the education sector to provide expertise on operations, strategy, and organizational improvement.

Previously, Kristen served as a founding math teacher at a charter school in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She then led the finance and operations teams through the organization’s growth to a network of schools, earning recognition including an Excellence in Government -- Innovation Award for the use of innovate solutions to solve pressing problems. Subsequently, Kristen led the unified enrollment system at the Louisiana Recovery School District, improving operations while promoting access and transparency for families.

Originally from Hawaii, Kristen earned her bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, and an MBA from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University. Kristen currently resides in Mequon, Wisconsin and is the proud parent of two school-age daughters.

Ken has more than 33 years of experience with SC Johnson holding numerous senior supervisory roles in international general management, executive level positions in sales and marketing, as well as a strong background in mergers and acquisitions and corporate development.

In March of 2019 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer for the newly formed Lifestyle Business Unit, an organization of over 500 employees, with annual revenues exceeding $800MM. Overseeing a leading portfolio of mission-based lifestyle brands (Method, Mrs. Meyers, Babyganics and Ecover) with regional headquarters in San Francisco and London and two LEED certified, zero waste manufacturing facilities in Chicago and Malle, Belgium.

Prior to this role, Ken served as Sr. Vice President, leading the North America region for SC Johnson for over 4 years. He successfully led the integration into a new global operating model and subsequent move into the new region headquarters in Chicago. The largest region inside SCJ (over $3B), during his tenure, the business experienced strong sale, profit and market share growth.

Prior to 2015, Ken served as VP Pest Control for two years and was responsible for building the Raid and Off! Business. From 2010-2013, he oversaw Mergers and Acquisitions for North America (VP - Acquired Businesses) and held responsibility for leading and integrating newly acquired businesses which included Caldrea/Mrs. Meyers.

Ken also served three years as General Manager – UK/Ireland from 2007 - 2010. Under his leadership, the team experienced unprecedented growth while successfully restructuring to create a more sustainable EU business model. This culminating in the UK re-establishing its place on Great Places to Work after a three-year hiatus.

Prior to his international role, Ken served as National Sales Manager, responsible for driving growth in the Mass, Discount, Club, Drug and DIY Channels. He also served as National Account Director – leading the Walmart business from 2000-2004, a period highlighted by prolific sales, profit and share growth. During his tenure, the team tripled revenues (to $1B) and was twice recognized as Vendor of the Year.

Ken was appointed and served as a board member for SC Johnson Canada, Sun Bum, Fruits + Passion and Caldrea Company. He also served on the fiduciary committee responsible for overseeing the SC Johnson Pension Benefits Fund.

Ken has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and participated in Executive Excellence Programme, INSEAD University, France. Ken has been married for 25 years to Beth and they have three daughters, Emma, Elisa and Eva.

Founded in 1861, MMAC advocates for improving the business climate through better public policy, facilitates economic development through the expansion and attraction of capital investment and jobs, and provides the region’s best business network helping members grow their companies. MMAC’s dues paying membership in greater Milwaukee provides over 300,000 jobs, and supports a strong quality of life. Prior to being named President in 1993, he was responsible for governmental affairs, economic development and other MMAC operations.

He serves in leadership positions on two MMAC subsidiaries as a board member of the Milwaukee Development Corporation, and as president of the Regional Center, LLC. Sheehy chairs the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation, and TechStar Holding, Inc. He serves on the boards of Milwaukee College Preparatory, the Milwaukee Partnership Academy, PAVE, Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, Schools That Can Milwaukee, Milwaukee Charter School Advocates, Milwaukee Succeeds, School Choice Wisconsin, Teach for America, and as the treasurer of Summerfest. Prior to joining MMAC, Sheehy worked as a legislative assistant to F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. in Washington D.C. He is a recipient of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Congressional internship, a Ford Foundation Fellow on Regional Sustainable Development, a graduate of the Institute of Organization Management, and a Certified Chamber of Commerce Executive. Sheehy graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison with a B.S. in political science and was a member of the UW’s baseball team.

Ralph A. Weber is one of the five founding members of Gass Weber Mullins, a national trial litigation law firm recognized by the National Law Journal on its national “Hot List” of boutique firms. Mr. Weber has been active as an educator and community supporter. He teaches Trial Advocacy at Marquette University Law School and created a jury research and courtroom facility, the Trial Science Institute. Mr. Weber is also a member of the Northwestern Mutual Board of Trustees and he has founded and worked with several educational, charitable and nonprofit groups, including the Board of Pius XI High School, the Marquette University National Alumni Board, the Board of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, the Marquette University College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Board, and the FC Milwaukee Soccer Club. Mr. Weber clerked for a federal judge after graduating from Columbia Law School (where he served as an editor on the Columbia Law Review) and from Marquette University (B.A., Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa).

Weber is Board Chair of Rocketship Wisconsin.

Deborah has been committed to transforming the lives of underserved urban school students for more than four decades. In 1993, Deborah became the first public school superintendent to join EdisonLearning (formerly Edison Schools). Prior to joining EdisonLearning, Deborah served as the first female General Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools. She was a teacher and administrator in the New York City Public Schools for more than a decade. Deborah is former President of the Education Industry Association. She serves on the executive committee of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Policy Innovators in Education Network, and was a founder and national board member of the Black Alliance for Educational Options. She also serves on the advisory board of the Games and Learning Publishing Council, Hechinger Report, Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and is a member of the Review Board for the Broad Prize in Urban Education. Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Norfolk State University, a master’s degree in education with a specialization in reading pedagogy from Queens College of the City University of New York, and a doctorate in Administration, Policy and Urban Education from Fordham University.