2020 UPGM
Board of Directors
The UPGM Board of Directors is a dedicated group of individuals- former host families, teens and supporters- who so believe in the aims of the Project that we remain committed to ensure its success and viability for years to come.
Some are new- some have volunteered for many years- and some have been a part of the Ulster Project
since the very beginning!
Feel free to contact any one of us with questions, suggestions or just to chat about our role in the Project!
VERY REVEREND KEVIN CARROLL
Kevin and his family have been active with the project since 2012 and have hosted two students. In 2018 their daughter served as one of the counselors for the project and their family hosted her Northern Irish counterpart. Kevin currently serves as the dean of All Saints’ (Episcopal) Cathedral in Milwaukee. He joined the board in 2019 with an interest in helping recruit more Protestant families for the project.
MARY FRIESEKE
Mary has been on the Board since 2014 and has been a host family 3 times since 2010.
She's currently the Director of Fundraising for UPGM.
JIM GILLESPIE
Director Emeritus
Jim is one of the original members of the group that made the Ulster Project in Milwaukee and across the US possible! He's been involved since the very beginning, and has served on the board for just as long; President, International Steering Committee... you name it!
SUSIE GRABOW
Susie is our newest Board member and helps coordinate Host Family activities, including teen selection and oversight during the summer weeks where Belfast teens are hosted in Milwaukee. She was a host family parent in 2016.
KAREN HUGHES
Karen is another long time Board member and UPGM supporter! She's been a host family parent, member of the Discovery Team, curriculum coordinator, past co-president and unofficial Board historian.
MAUREEN KENFIELD
Maureen, besides her many Board duties, is most recent past co-chair of UPGM's biggest fundraising event: Discover YOUR Irish! She's a two time host family parent and has been on the Board for many years.
TERI KWIATKOWSKI
Teri has been a board member since 2014 and is past host family mom. Besides serving as Board Secretary, she is integral in volunteer efforts and Discovery curriculum development.
SCOTT KWIATKOWSKI
Scott has also been a board member since 2014 and is past host family dad. He's heavily involved in communications and web data, and coordinates our email efforts.
LISA MCKENNA
Lisa is a former host parent and a board member since 2016. She currently heads up all aspects of UPGM Activities as related to summer teen events and will be taking over as Co-Chairperson for the 2021 Discover YOUR Irish event.
GINNEY HAAS PAULY
Ginney serves as the current Board Vice-President as well as Worship Coordinator for UPGM. She's a former host parent and has also hosted THREE counselors! Ginney is integral in many aspects of the Project, ranging from music to Discovery to curriculum and well beyond!
KEVIN F. PULZ
Kevin is a 3 time host parent; 2010, 2013 and 2016- a year that saw his 2010 son serve as counselor. He currently serves as Board President and has done so since 2017. Kevin has been on the Board since 2014.
LAURA RADKE
Laura is a former host parent and one of our newer Board members, joining our group in 2017. She helps oversee any issues related to health during the weeks of the actual Project.
KAREN RONDINELLI
Karen is a long time Board member as well as a 2 time host parent. She's served as co-President and now a past co-Chair of Discover YOUR Irish and coordinated all efforts pertaining to the 2019 Ulster Project International Conference, hosted by UPGM in August of 2019.
COLLEN MCGUIRE SCHMITZ
Collen wears many hats! She serves as Host Family Coordinator and represents UPGM on the UP International Steering Committee. She's a former host parent and interfaces with UPGM families not only during the month of the Project, but keeps in touch with them well beyond their participatory summer!
MIKE TOEPFER
Mike is another long-time Board member, serving an extended stint as Board Treasurer. He's a two-time former host parent and also helps coordinate many of our legal and logistical obligations, including by-laws.
COLLEEN TREICHEL
Colleen is a former host parent of 3 girls... plus a counselor! She served as Board co-president and secretary, and is integral in coordinating merchandise, Feis participation and much more! She's been on the board since 2011 and along with her husband Dave, headed up UPGM Fundraising as co-chairs from 2011 to 2017.
DAVE TREICHEL
Dave is also the former host parent of 3 girls plus counselor! He served as Board co-president, Feis coordinator, Event coordinator and has done everything with Colleen from building stages to coordinating parade participation to car washes! He's been on the board since 2011 and along with his wife Colleen, headed up UPGM Fundraising as co-chairs from 2011 to 2017..
RUBY BROCK
NEW MEMBER!
Ruby joins the Board in 2020 and served as a UPGM host 2019.
She's been a member of the Discover YOUR Irish planning team and brings a great deal of administration experience to us from her years at DSHA as Dean of Student Affairs...
AMIE WILLIAMS
NEW MEMBER!
Amie recently joined the Board in 2020. Her family participated in the Ulster Project in 2018 and 2019 hosting Belfast teens.
Amie was instrumental in the 2019 Ulster Project International Conference as a valuable team member in its planning and overall success...
MATT WILLIAMS
NEW MEMBER!
Matt joined the Board in 2020 and served as a UPGM host in 2018 and 2019. In addition, he is assisting in the coordination of Worship for the Project. Matt has spent his professional career in and around government. His passion for the ideals of the Ulster Project was seeded while interning with Tony Blair in the British Parliament...