African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee Announces Appointment of Deneine Powell as President and CEO

Milwaukee, WI (August 12, 2020) – The African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee (AALAM) today announced the appointment of Deneine Powell as its President and CEO. Powell will be the first President of AALAM, which was founded in May 2017 and has been led by a volunteer board with development done by consultants since its inception.

Powell comes to AALAM with a wealth of experience in entrepreneurial and strategic leadership, fund and resource development, and nonprofit administration. She was in the first cohort of the African American Leadership Program (AALP), which served as the springboard for AALAM, and most recently served as the Executive Director of Groundwork Milwaukee, a nonprofit focused on promoting environmental, economic, and social well-being.

“We are thrilled to have Deneine join AALAM as its first President/CEO,” says Antonio Riley, AALAM Board Chairman and founder of Stewart Riley Consulting LLC. “She has expansive knowledge and experience in many of the key areas needed to take AALAM to the next level, and we’re excited to have her at the helm to develop and support a thriving pool of diverse and talented African American leaders in our city.”

During her nearly six years at Groundwork Milwaukee, Powell was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, including fundraising, marketing, partnerships, grant writing, youth programming, volunteer activities, and cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Under her leadership, Groundwork Milwaukee’s organizational revenue grew over 350% and event and volunteer participation grew by 200%.  Before her tenure at Groundwork Milwaukee, Powell held leadership positions at the Milwaukee Community Service Corps. and the Lilly & Hamilton Inc. Business Strategy Group. She has also served as Managing Director at the Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin Parkside-Kenosha, where she developed and executed dozens of strategic plans for small businesses and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, and a Master of Science from Marian University in Fond Du Lac.

“Over the course of my career, I’ve realized that the aspects of my work I find most rewarding are entrepreneurial in nature – I enjoy the challenge of growing a business,” says Powell. “I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and partnering with AALAM’s hardworking board to identify ways to improve the retention and advancement for black professionals in Milwaukee, while cultivating community partnerships through community engagement and collaboration. Milwaukee has a bright future. I’m excited to watch it grow.”

Powell will begin her leadership position at AALAM in September 2020.

About AALAM

AALAM, founded in May 2017, is a cross-sector network of African American leaders and allies dedicated to developing, supporting, and positioning Milwaukee’s pool of African American talent. The organization’s ultimate goal is to create sustained, system-wide change that transforms Milwaukee into a more inclusive, opportunity-rich city where everyone can thrive. For more information about the African American Leadership Alliance Milwaukee, please visit https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.