2026-2027 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!
KAREN RONDINELLI
UPGM Board Vice-President/Interim President
Karen is a long time Board member and was a host parent in 2010. She's a past co-President with her husband Fred, and is currently serving as Vice-President as well as interim President through the Fall of 2026. She is 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.
kmrondinelli@gmail.com
TAWNYA GANFIELD
UPGM Board President-Elect
Tawnya joined the Board in 2021 and has also served as a UPGM host several times. Her professional experience in global communications and cultural competency makes her a perfect fit for the Project! Tawnya will be assuming the role as UPGM Board President in December of 2026.
VERY REVEREND KEVIN CARROLL
UPGM Board Treasurer
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 served as the dean of All Saints’ (Episcopal) Cathedral in Milwaukee until 2026. He joined the board in 2019 with an interest in helping recruit more Protestant families for the project, is our immediate Past-President, and has assumed the role of board treasurer in Fall of 2026.
TERI KWIATKOWSKI
UPGM Board Secretary
Teri has been a board member since 2013 and is past host family mom. Besides serving as Board Secretary, she is integral in volunteer efforts and Discovery curriculum development.
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 over 50 years ago and has served on the board for nearly as long; President, International Steering Committee... you name it!
PATTI BOHNE
Patti is one of our newer members of the Board, joining in 2024. The Bohne's served as a UPGM host family in the Summer of 2024. Her work includes supporting recruiting as well as outreach and overall promotions.
CARRIE KELROY
Carrie joined the Board in 2022 and has served as a UPGM host family two times- once in 2018 and again in 2024.
She has also volunteered for several years throughout the years for the Project.
BONNI FREDRICK
Bonni joined the Board in 2020 and served as a UPGM host several times. Prior to joining our team as a Board member, Bonni and her husband Jonathan ensured that Discover Your Irish never, ever ran out of libations!
She now serves as the Chair of DYI.
LYDIA FREDRICK
Lydia is Ulster Project Milwaukee's newest member and our first UPGM Alumni Board appointee! She participated as a teen in the 2016 Project and has been active since, volunteering for many events, especially our yearly Discover Your Irish! fundraiser. Lydia is the person behind the UPGM Facebook and Instagram efforts and works feverishly to get the word out about our Project!
DEANA GILLESPIE
Deana Gillespie joined the Board in 2022 and served as a UPGM host family in 2015 and 2018. She leads the Project's Activities Committee, ensuring that UP goals, service and fun are equally valued each and every Project year.
She has also volunteered for several years at Discover Your Irish Night in various roles.
deanag2@yahoo.com
SUSIE GRABOW
Susie serves on the Host Family Committee and helps coordinate family activities, including teen selection and oversight during the summer weeks where Belfast teens are hosted in Milwaukee. She is also on the Activities Committee helping to ensure a productive and valuable experience for all of the Teens. Susie joined the board in 2018 and 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- an apt role for someone who has been involved in the UPGM Board since 1990!
SCOTT KWIATKOWSKI
Scott has also been a board member since 2013 and is a past host family dad. He's heavily involved in communications and promotion, and coordinates our yearly "Meat Raffle" fundraiser in the Fall.
COLLEEN MCGUIRE SCHMITZ
Interim UPGM Host Family Coordinator
Colleen wears many hats! She serves as interim Coordinator for the Host Family Committee and represents UPGM on the Ulster Project International Steering Committee. She's a former host parent, Host Family Coordinator and interfaces with UPGM families not only during the month of the Project, but keeps in touch with them well beyond their participatory summer!
Colleen has been on the UPGM Board since 2012.
GINNEY HAAS PAULY
Ginney has been an important presence in many aspects of the Project, ranging from music to Discovery to curriculum and well beyond. She's the Chair of UPGM's Worship Committee, a former host parent and has also hosted THREE counselors!
Ginney served as VP of the Board from 2017-2021, and was chair of the Worship committee for 13 years. She's been a Board member since 2008.
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 is a recent past Board President, serving from 2017 to 2021, currently handles web and media duties, and was very proud to be a part of making the 2019 International Conference in Milwaukee not only successful, but memorable. Kevin has been on the Board since 2014.
LUCY SIEPLER WITKOWSKI
UPGM Host Family Recruitment Lead
Lucy is our newest board member and an Alumni Board Appointee! After participating in the project as a teen in 2014, Lucy served as a counselor THREE times!.. in 2019, 2021, and once again in 2026. She is a high school government teacher, and is our Host Family Recruitment Committee Leader and will be assisting the Board in several other areas, including Curriculum and Discovery.