Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI) Announces 2026 Winners for Improving Milwaukee Neighborhoods
MILWAUKEE (August 16, 2026) – The 27th Annual Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (known as the MANDIs) took place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, celebrating the people and organizations driving the revitalization and growth of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods. The event was held at Potawatomi Casino Hotel, drawing a crowd of over five hundred guests.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which administers the MANDIs, continues to seize every opportunity to recognize the innovative and impactful work taking place in Milwaukee neighborhoods. Across the city, people are working hard to create safe, healthy, and vibrant communities, and the MANDIs shine a spotlight on those whose efforts make our neighborhoods stronger.
“The MANDIs celebrate many of the heroes and leading initiatives in Milwaukee. Some finalists are well known, while others come to light due to nominations from the public, but all of them are contributing to a stronger Milwaukee and we honor the work they do to build up our community,” said Theodore Lipscomb, Sr., Executive Director of LISC Milwaukee, the nonprofit host of the MANDIs.
From public nominations, a volunteer Selection Committee named fourteen finalists in May, and winners were announced on Thursday, August 13, 2026, during the event with an audience of over five hundred attendees, including civic, corporate, and community leaders.
Kristin Pierce, Public Relations Executive and Former anchor for WISN-Channel 12, emceed the event. Welcoming remarks were made by City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, LISC Milwaukee Executive Director Theodore Lipscomb, Sr., and presenting sponsor Vincent Mack, Assistant Vice President & Community Affairs Manager, US Bank.
Awards Presented
- Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment Community Health Award – Presented by Deputy Director Dr. Ugwuji Maduekwe. Awarded to Milwaukee Consortium for Hmong Health for working to eliminate health disparities through systems change.
- Associated Bank Trailblazer Award – Presented by Amanda Hernandez, Vice President, Community Accountability Officer of Associated Bank. Awarded to Riverworks Financial Clinic Life & Legacy Planning Workshop Series for an innovative approach to a community problem.
- BMO Cornerstone Award – Presented by Jessica Noth, Vice President, Regional Manager, Community & Homeownership Advancement. Awarded to Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee for commitment and effectiveness over time.
- Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award – Presented by Cecelia Gore, Executive Director. Awarded to Cactus Plus Accessibility Initiative for a public space that builds community.
- Husch Blackwell Building Blocks Award – Presented by Rebecca Mitich, Managing Partner at Husch Blackwell, LLC. Awarded to Early Childhood Educators Homeownership Initiative – Developer Group for a real estate project that improves the community.
- JPMorgan Chase Economic Development Award – Presented by Andrew Keller, Managing Director, Market Manager for JPMorgan Chase Bank. Awarded to Standard of Excellence Education and Training Center, LLC.
- Navigator Award – Presented by LISC National Program Vice President, Tiffany Royster. Awarded to LaNelle Ramey for leadership.
Three organizations were named for the Wells Fargo People’s Choice Award, an online social media campaign where the public votes for their favorite finalists across all award categories. These awards were presented by Otis Hosley, Regional Banking District Senior Manager, for Wells Fargo Bank. With 3,885 votes cast, the winners included: Homes MKE Initiative, Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, and Early Childhood Educators Homeownership Initiative – Developer Group. Wells Fargo awards $1,000 to the winners.
All MANDI winners received a commemorative trophy and $1,000 contribution. Finalists and winners are selected by a volunteer selection committee comprised of thirty-five private, public, and community volunteers.
ABOUT LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORPORATION (LISC)
LISC invests in nearly every corner of community life, building on a foundation of affordable housing to fuel healthy families and businesses, as well as growing local economies. Since 1995, LISC and its affiliates have invested over $933 million in Wisconsin, through grants, loans, and technical assistance, with a focus on Milwaukee’s neighborhoods. This investment resulted in the development, preservation or improvement of 10,000 homes.
More information about LISC is available at www.lisc.org or www.lisc.org/milwaukee.
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.
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