Kristen Mekemson

Vice president, development and philanthropic services

In her role, Kristen is responsible for structuring, implementing and monitoring the development, gift planning, stewardship and donor relations activities of the organization. She leads a team focused on growing the Foundation’s assets and grantmaking impact, honoring donor intentions. She has been a lead contributor to the Greater Together Campaign, deepening donor investment in community-identified priorities to build a Milwaukee for all. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2018, Kristen served at Lawrence University for four years, most recently as assistant vice president of development and campaign director. Her professional career has been dedicated to strategic philanthropy including roles at the Kern Family Foundation and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Kristen holds a bachelor’s degree in French and writing-intensive English and a master’s degree in British and American literature, both from Marquette University.