2021-22 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
UPGM Board President
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.
KAREN RONDINELLI
UPGM Board Vice-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. 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
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 crucial in helping to 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- an apt role for someone who has been involved in the UPGM Board since 1990!
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. Maureen now serves as the Chair of the Board's Nomination Committee.
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 a past host family dad. He's heavily involved in communications and web data, and coordinates our email efforts.
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 a former host parent and has also hosted THREE counselors!
Ginney has been a Board member since 2010.
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 the most recent past Board President, serving from 2017 to 2021, 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.
LAURA RADKE
Dr. Laura is a former host parent and now a veteran Board member, joining our group in 2017. She helps oversee any issues related to health during the weeks of the actual Project.
COLLEEN MCGUIRE SCHMITZ
Colleen 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!
Colleen has been on the UPGM Board since 2012.
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. Mike has been on the Board since 2009.
AMIE WILLIAMS
Amie 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
Matt joined the Board in 2020 and served as a UPGM host in 2018 and 2019. In addition, he is the Chair of Worship Committee 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.
BONNI FREDRICK
NEW MEMBER!
Bonni joined the Board in 2021 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!
TAWNYA GANFIELD
NEW MEMBER!
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!
KARYN LEMANCZYK
NEW MEMBER!
Karyn joined the Board in 2021 and has been a part of the UPGM for several years. A long time volunteer, Karyn will now take on the Chair duties on the Project's Activities Committee, ensuring that UP goals, service and fun are equally valued each and every Project year.