In building a Milwaukee for all, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation knows the key is to embrace the diverse voices and perspectives that make up the fabric of the community. Cultivating an inclusive culture is at the core of our work and is evident in our Board members, who represent the rich talent and diversity of Milwaukee. This summer, the Board welcomes Rebeca López, David Gay and DeVona Wright Cottrell, while bidding farewell to some deeply dedicated members.
Rebeca López practices law at Godrey & Kahn, where she is a shareholder and member of the firm’s Labor, Employment & Immigration Law Practice group. López advises employers, defends them before administrative agencies and conducts workplace investigations. She attended Marquette University and Marquette University Law School, graduating magna cum laude. She was a founding member of Latino Veterans Legacy of Valor Project and is an alumna of the Harvard Young Leaders Program. López serves on the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast Board of Directors, is an appointee to Governor Evers’ Judicial Selection Advisory Committee and is the recent past president of the Centro Legal Board of Directors. She has also been recognized as a Wisconsin Rising Star by Super Lawyers and is a recipient of the GiveHER award from Milwaukee’s PowHER Network and the Howard B. Eisenberg Service Award from Marquette University Law School.
David Gay is the managing partner of the Milwaukee Ernst & Young office. In his role, Gay leads the local practice in serving companies across Wisconsin. Gay also works as a lead audit partner and has over 20 years of experience in accounting and auditing. He is the board chair for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and a board member for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Advanced Studies in Business and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.
DeVona Wright Cottrell is chief legal officer and general counsel for GMR Marketing, a global experience marketing agency. Wright Cottrell previously worked at Baird as a director and associate general counsel. She graduated from Jackson State University and received a JD from University of Wisconsin Law School and an MBA from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Lubar College of Business. She is known for her volunteer and mentorship work and has received many accolades and awards, including the 2024 Wisconsin Titan 100 Award, 2021 Milwaukee Business Journal Women of Influence Award, 2020 TEMPO Mentor Award and a Milwaukee Business Journal 2019 C-Suite Award for Best Assistant General Counsel. Wright Cottrell is a board member and one of the 2024 United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County campaign co-chairs, serves on several other boards and committees, including the boards of Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy, TEMPO and First Federal Bank of Wisconsin.
The Foundation also thanks Cory Nettles, Paul Jones, Dave Drury and Marie O’Brien for their committed service over the years.
Cory Nettles served on the Board for 12 years, including two years as Board chair. During his tenure, Nettles participated in many committees including the Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Community Impact Committee and the Greater Together Campaign Committee. He served on the Investment Committee all 12 years and was committee chair for eight of them. Nettles often encouraged staff to think and act bigger and to be bold when it came to addressing the Board. His own bold vision contributed to the creation of Black Arts MKE and the development of the ThriveOn Collaboration.
Paul Jones recently ended his term as Board chair after serving for 10 years on the Board. He was a member of the Community Impact Committee, the Impact Investing Task Force, the Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee and the CEO Succession Committee. Jones was also chair of the Admin Audit Committee for six years. Throughout his time at the Foundation, Jones supported the development of the Foundation’s impact investing initiatives.
Dave Drury first joined the Board in 2015. During his time, Drury demonstrated steadfast leadership of the Development & Philanthropic Services Committee. He served for five years as chair and for two years as vice chair, while championing the transition of a new committee chair. Drury’s service included the Community Impact Committee, the Admin Audit Committee, the Investment Committee and more.
Marie O’Brien served on the Board for nine years. During her time, O’Brien participated in the Civic Awards Committee as chair from 2018-2020, the Community Impact Committee, the Governance Committee and more. Her input and guidance over the years were much appreciated as the Foundation navigated through this transitional and transformational period.
Meet our full Board of directors.