John Schilder

How long have you lived in Milwaukee and why did you choose to move here?
In 2008 I completed my service as a Peace Crops Volunteer in Honduras and was looking for graduate programs, and in early 2009 I was given an opportunity I could not refuse, acceptance in to Marquette University’s Trinity Fellowship Program.  The program is intended to develop urban leaders with a commitment to social and economic justice who wish to acquire experience in the nonprofit sector while studying for two years toward a Master’s degree. As a fellow I worked at Carmen High School of Science and Technology as their founding College Transition Coordinator while earning my degree in Dispute Resolution. In 2011 I graduated from the program and was offered a job at a local non-profit, Global Youth Leadership Institute.

What about Milwaukee makes it a city you want to work, live and play in?
Growing up in Central Ohio (GO BUCKS!), I have grown accustomed to the Midwest lifestyle: friendly, outgoing, helpful, laid back, hard work ethic, etc. and the people of Milwaukee are all of the above!  Also, as year-round cyclist (I do not own a car for environmental reasons) I appreciate the bike friendliness of the city.

What is your favorite Milwaukee event?
Top three: The Fat Tire Tour of Milwaukee (an annual 25 mile bike tour of the city), watching early morning matches or World Cup qualifiers and games at The Highbury or Nomad, and The Preston Neilson and Friends Milly-Willy-High-5K (HIGH FIVE! VERY NICE!)

What is one thing you’d like to see change about Milwaukee?
The weather!  Chances are if you see me around town I am wearing shorts and sandals, I would appreciate not having to worry about the threat of frostbite ten months of the year.

What do you do?
Pleasure: Weather permitting, you will find me on the soccer pitch playing pickup games at Valley Fields or Estabrook Park.  On the weekends I enjoy biking, prancercizing with friends downtown, and enjoying all the area’s food and drink establishments have to offer.

Work: In 2011 I was offered a position at Global Youth Leadership Institute (a local non-profit with the mission to deliver transformative educational programs that foster global pluralism, collaborative leadership, and environmental care that help students and teachers become fully engaged citizens of the world). Since my hiring I have played many different roles, but two highlights include (1) coordinating a two week intercultural exchange program in Boston focusing on civic education for high school students from the United States and Iraq; and (2) directing a 30 day United States Department of State funded program in Costa Rica / Panama focusing on environmental sustainability, world food systems for 35 youth and 4 educators from the Milwaukee and Chicago regions.

Pleasure / work: Since 2011 I have been a Quizmaster for Quizmaster Trivia.  Come join me at Cafe Hollander in Tosa on Monday nights and McGillicuddy’s on Tuesday nights for two hours of fun, tunes, and trivia.  Til next time Milwaukee . . .