Lead2Change is a leading career-readiness organization that engages young people in leadership opportunities and equips them with essential tools to be successful in college, their career and the community. Young people who experience our programs enter the post-secondary world confident and clear about their career interests and their position in the ever-evolving workforce.
As part of a national movement, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation founded the Youth in Service Fund in 1996. The program was created to engage young people in youth leadership and philanthropy. After many years of success and granting nearly $550,000 to youth-led projects, in 2009, the Youth in Service Fund transitioned to Lead2Change, a career-readiness non-profit organization. This initiative was spearheaded by Dionne Grayson and a group of young trailblazers. While philanthropy is one tool used to help young people develop career-readiness skills, we also offer 16 nationally recognized career clusters to help young people find their passion and follow their path.
Executive Director Dionne Grayson is a visionary leader who has dedicated her career to empowering youth and strengthening the organizational capacity of institutions in the Milwaukee area. Serving as Lead2Change’s President and CEO, Dionne’s work is driven by her passion to see youth manifest their destiny. Dionne has served youth for more than 20 years and has consulted with several organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Marquette University, and 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. Prior to founding Lead2Change in 2011 along with 12 youth co-founders, Dionne served as a Senior Program Officer at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
Through Lead2Change and her patented program, Dream.Explore.Build., Dionne empowers youth to live their life by design and not by default. Dionne’s tenacity for youth leadership programming has earned her many accolades, including being named a 2017 Women of Influence (Mentor category) by The Milwaukee Business Journal.
Dionne received her undergraduate degree in Clinical Psychology from Alverno College and her graduate degree in Social Work Administration from UW-Milwaukee. She currently resides in Milwaukee with her husband.
Administrative Staff
Dionne Grayson: Executive Director
Ashleigh Heard: Program Service Manager
Amanda Aliperta: Fund Development Consultant
Jerel Ballard: Communications Consultant
Bonnie Murphy: Accountant
Tanika Reesnes: Human Resources Consultant
Program Staff
Katherine Polace: Lead Brick by Brick Instructor (Dream.Explore.Build)
Ifadha Rihma Jayah: Interact Advisor (Wednesdays), Success Partner Coordinator
Dawn Adams: Instructor
Claude Grant: Instructor
Franchesca Robinson: Instructor
Olivia Reel: Career Advancement Coach
Va’Na Barki: Career Advancement Coach
Eleanor Liebherr: Career Advancement Coach
Board of Directors
Board Executive Committee
President
Marcus Taylor: Rockwell Automation
Vice-President
Linda Hogan: Bader Rutter
Secretary
Christian Braverman: Colliers International
Board Director
Suzanne Zwaska: US Bank
People + Performance Committee Chair
Sam Smith: Capri Senior Communities
Board Members
Barry Weatherall – Design Garage MKE
Suzanne Zwaska – U.S. Bank
Board Standing Committees
Events Committee
Megan Roche – City of Milwaukee
Anon Charitable Trust
Bader Rutter
Cardinal Stritch University
The Commons, WI
Ebony Esthetics
Goodwill Industries of Southeastern WI
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Innovative Fiber
Kohl Foundation
Marquette University Diederich College of Communications
Marquette University Education Opportunity Program – Talent Search
Milwaukee Public Schools Contract Compliance Services, Office of Accountability & Efficiency
Milwaukee Public schools Partnership for the Arts and Humanities
National Association of African American HR Professionals
Neo Soul Productions
Potawatomi Foundation
PumpFive Fuel Delivery
Rockwell Automation
Secure Futures
T.A.L.K. Publishing
Townsend Foundation
Union Pacific
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Helen Bader School of Social Welfare
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts
Department of Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres
Vibez Creative Arts Space
World Outreach Church