Our Board

The Friends of Main Streets board provides oversight and direction in our philanthropic endeavors, and reflects on the diversity of the communities that we reach.

Angela

Angela Adams

Chief Communications & Diversity Officer | Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago

As chief communications & diversity officer for Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago, Angela is responsible for the vision and strategy for corporate communications and marketing, community relations, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Community involvement is an important aspect of Angela’s leadership journey. She is recognized for helping to shape the future through board engagement across healthcare, education, communications, performing arts, and community-based organizations. Additionally, as an Army wife and mom, Angela has spent 20+ years serving military families.

Angela holds a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership (MASCL) from Seton Hall University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Florida A&M University (FAMU).

Michael

Mike Brever

Director of Philanthropy | Eastcastle Place

Born and raised in the City of Milwaukee, Mike earned his undergraduate degree from UWM and his Masters Degree from Cardinal Stritch University. Mike began his career in nonprofits as a VISTA Volunteer and eventually rose to serve in senior management of nonprofit organizations for over three decades.

Over that time, Mike has served as the Executive Director of three separate agencies. The mission of the three organizations highlights the diversity of Mike’s interests. The first agency he headed focused on neighborhood programs such as summer day camps, block club organizing, etc. The second agency focused on the affordable housing needs of Milwaukee’s low-income and special needs population and the third agency focused on the emergency food needs of extremely low-income residents of Milwaukee. After his work with emergency food Mike served as the Development Manager of Milwaukee PBS acting as “on-air talent” for their quarterly pledge drives and the Great TV Auction.

Currently, Mike serves as the Director of Philanthropy at Eastcastle Place, a Continuum of Care Retirement Community on Milwaukee’s east side. Mike also served 4 terms as an alderman in the City of Oak Creek, 1 term as Common Council President, and for a short time he served as acting Mayor of Oak Creek due to the medical leave of the elected

 

Andi

Andi Kneeland

Communications and Community Relations Manager | Veolia Water Milwaukee

Andi has spent her career focusing on both internal and external communications, marketing programs, community outreach, and event production.  During her 23 years with Johnson Controls, she held various positions supporting clients in the public and private sectors, as well as brand management through advertising, PR, trade shows and events, program management, sales support, and content development.  She also had the privilege of managing several recognition and incentive programs to honor top sales performers and customers.  Merging a love for baseball with her professional life, she managed sponsorship activities with the Milwaukee Brewers on behalf of Johnson Controls for over a decade.

Currently the Communications and Community Relations Manager for Veolia Water Milwaukee, she oversees a robust tour program, manages all internal and external communications, and community outreach and events on behalf of the client, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

Andi earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interpersonal Communications from Cardinal Stritch University with an emphasis in Broadcast and Electronic Communications.

A dedicated distance runner, she has completed over 50 marathons (and counting) and resides in Downtown Milwaukee with her husband Jon and Dash the cat.

 

 

The illustration features a generic male figure designed as a placeholder for an employee headshot intentionally lacking distinct facial features to maintain a neutral and universal appearance The figure has a simple silhouette with a clean and profe

Richard Schmig

Retired CEO & Live Event Manager, Travel Enthusiast, Woodworker


Rich is an Eagle Scout, Milwaukee Brewer and Green Bay Packer fan and woodworker. He began his video career in a college TV studio and never looked back. Moving to several midwest TV stations, he landed in Milwaukee at WISN-TV the same year the Brewers went to their first World Series. In addition to his role directing news programs, he also launched a morning show, several talk shows and documentaries. All of that experience led him to GE Medical Systems where he produced live satellite training programs and training videos. 

In 1996, he and business partner Bruce Gibb founded Plum Productions which would later evolve into Plum Media. Under their leadership, the company grew to 25+ employees, The company focused on producing videos corporate employees would enjoy watching and actually learn something. Plum also became a leader in live corporate event production, traveling the world working with numerous corporate clients. In 2015, Rich became sole owner and CEO of Plum Media. Under his leadership, he was able to oversee the transition to their permanent home in Milwaukee on St. Paul Avenue as well as launching "John McGivern's Main Streets."

After retiring from Plum Media in 2023, Rich consults on numerous video, events, business management opportunities and serving on the Friends board. Mostly, he expanded his travel schedule, increased production of sawdust (aka "man glitter") in his wood shop, enjoying time on the lake in his boat, spending time with kids and grandkids and his lovely bride, Connie.

Laura

Laura Svatek

CPA, CMA, CFM, CBM

Laura Svatek, CPA, CMA, CFM, CBM is a busy accountant, wife, mother of four, and volunteer. The letters behind her name speak to how active Laura is in her life and her community. An accountant by day, Laura began her career at Jockey International, Inc. and is now with Deublin Company, LLC as an Accounting Manager. Laura attended the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. Her talents extend beyond her life as an accountant.

By night and weekend, Laura’s family has steered her direction as a volunteer. Her three sons (including two eagle scouts and one in progress) and husband are active in Scouts and thus it’s no surprise she’s the troop’s Treasurer. She’s also an active member on their charter school’s K-8 and high school Governance Boards. Laura’s avid community involvement doesn’t stop there: she’s organized meals for the Supermileage Vehicle Club races, chaired the annual craft fair at the K-8 school, and coordinated the K-8 school’s monthly movie nights. Laura finds getting involved creates many mutually beneficial relationships that create a better community.

With the time Laura has left for herself, you’ll find her knitting, gardening, and exploring with her husband and their two Shiba Inus. Laura is thrilled to be a member of the Board of Directors for the Friends of Plum Media and hopes her financial and educational background will be useful as she guides the Friends of Plum Media efforts.