Coming Together As a Team
Chief Executive Officer
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With 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Melanie Roach has dedicated her career to improving the lives of others, creating sustainable change, and driving impactful community initiatives. For 16 years, she served at the ALS Association, where she played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission to support individuals and families affected by ALS, raise awareness, and fund cutting-edge research. During this time, Melanie honed expertise in program development, fundraising, and advocacy, contributing to the significant growth and success of the organization’s regional and national efforts.
Today, Melanie is focused on critical home repairs, leading Revitalize Milwaukee to ensure that low-income, elderly, and people living with disabilities can live in safe, healthy homes. Through a deep commitment to social issues and community empowerment, Melanie works tirelessly to address urgent critical housing repair needs, advocate for affordable housing solutions, and improve the quality of life for those in need.
Melanie's unique blend of leadership, experience, and passion for service continues to guide her work, striving to create communities where everyone has access to safe housing and the opportunity to thrive.
Bryan Wenzel
Operations and Reports Manager
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Bryan brings 30 years of experience in the event industry to Revitalize Milwaukee, along with strong organizational, sales, and logistics skills. Throughout his career, he has built deep relationships with clients and partners throughout Southeastern Wisconsin, relationships he looks forward to leveraging to help advance the mission of Revitalize Milwaukee and expand its impact in the community.
Outside of work, Bryan enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking and hiking with his dog, Tali, and cooking and baking for those he loves. He is also an avid Cribbage and Scrabble player and enjoys spending many weekends traveling throughout Wisconsin, exploring new places with his nephew.
Francine Demler
Director of Development & Marketing
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Francine joined the Revitalize Milwaukee team in 2022 as the organization’s first Director of Development and Marketing, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the media industry and a strong background in relationship building, business development, marketing, sales, branding, and design. Throughout her career, Francine has built and cultivated relationships with business leaders, community partners, organizations, and clients, creating connections that drive collaboration, strengthen partnerships, and support community impact.
A graduate of Cardinal Stritch University, Francine combines her extensive professional experience with a passion for connecting people and organizations to meaningful opportunities. At Revitalize Milwaukee, she leads development efforts focused on expanding the diversification of funding, donor relations, the organization’s reach, strengthening community partnerships, increasing awareness, and building support for its mission of providing free critical home repairs and safety modifications to homeowners in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties.
lucio SEgovia van berkel
Lead Specialist
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Lucio joined Revitalize Milwaukee as a Lead Specialist in September 2025.
Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, he studied and trained in the tourism industry before moving to Argentina, where he continued his education and built a career primarily in travel agency operations.
Since 2021, Lucio has been living in Milwaukee, where he began actively engaging with nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining Revitalize Milwaukee, he served as the Economic Development Manager at Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative.
In his free time, Lucio enjoys spending quality time with his one-year-old daughter, his wife, and their extended family. He’s passionate about reading, watching movies and series, traveling, and participating in outdoor sports such as climbing, soccer, cycling, and hiking.
Jack Hieptas
Outreach Coordinator
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Jack joined the Revitalize Milwaukee team in September of 2026. A Milwaukee native, Jack graduated from Columbia University with a degree in history and urban studies. He spent two years teaching English in Galicia, Spain. Jack is motivated by a passion for affordable housing and community development. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling, wood-carving, and learning about local history and architecture.
Jackie Weber
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Jackie joined the Revitalize Milwaukee team in March of 2023. She comes to RM with a background in commercial and residential construction, teaching construction techniques, and graphic arts.
She graduated from UWM with a degree in graphic design and worked as a Graphic Artist for 12 years. She completed a 4-year apprenticeship program through the Southeast Wisconsin Carpentry Training Center, and was a carpenter in the union for 11 years. She also has taught carpentry to at-risk youth with Renewal Unlimited, and was self-employed as a carpenter for 7 years. She is excited to provide construction training and enhance Revitalize Milwaukee’s Workforce Development program.
Jackie lives with her three cats in Cudahy. In her free time, she enjoys time with family and friends, Making shaman style drums and pottery, kayaking, hiking, and biking.
Christian Ricco
Construction Specialist
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Christian joined the Revitalize Milwaukee team in February 2025 as a member of the construction team. With several years of experience as a self-employed handyman in the Milwaukee area, Christian brings a diverse range of hands-on skills and a strong commitment to helping meet the needs of the homeowners we serve. In addition to his work with Revitalize Milwaukee, Christian serves as a contractor in the field, providing critical repairs and improvements that help homeowners live safely and independently in their homes.
Christian also brings a unique creative and educational background to his work. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Bowling Green State University and spent more than a decade teaching studio art at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His combination of construction expertise, creativity, and teaching experience adds a distinctive perspective to the Revitalize Milwaukee team.
Joaquin Rojas
Outreach Coordinator
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Joaquin is a Community Outreach Specialist and art educator dedicated to building meaningful connections with residents, community organizations, and neighborhood partners. With more than 15 years of experience working across Colombia, France, and the United States, Joaquin brings a strong background in community engagement, relationship-building, and creative programming. His work focuses on connecting people with resources, strengthening community relationships, and creating opportunities that foster inclusion, collaboration, and neighborhood pride.
As an art educator, Joaquin uses creativity and culture as tools for bringing people together and encouraging community participation. He is passionate about listening to residents, understanding community needs, and developing outreach efforts that create meaningful connections and lasting impact. Outside of work, Joaquin enjoys world cinema and learning new languages as ways to celebrate and connect with diverse cultures.
Shonda Perkins
Ambassador & Intake Specialist
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Shonda joined the RM team as the Ambassador/Intake Specialist. She comes with a background in law, education & equipment leasing financing. She has an education in law and has been an Office Manager for the past 15 years. She is looking forward to utilizing her background as part of the Revitalize team. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering, working with the youth, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Angel Burns
Ambassador & Intake Specialist
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Angel joined Revitalize in June of 2025 as the ambassador/intake specialist. She has 15 plus years in mortgage and finances and several years of working with the elderly and volunteering. In her spare time she enjoys line dancing, roller skating, long walks with her dog, gardening and spending time her grandchildren.
BRenda Sutton
Construction Specialist
Robert wayne
Construction Specialist
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Robert began his construction career at just 16 years old, starting in painting and developing a strong foundation in quality workmanship and attention to detail. At 18, he earned his lead license and began specializing in lead-based paint removal, later obtaining his lead supervisor’s license.
Throughout his career, Robert has worked alongside numerous contractors, gaining hands-on experience in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, masonry, and roofing, including approximately 10 years in the roofing industry. His broad knowledge of home repairs has given him a keen eye for identifying potential safety concerns and maintenance issues both inside and outside the home.
Robert takes pride in his work and believes in seeing every project through to completion. He approaches each job with honesty, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to safety.
For Robert, a home is more than a structure. It is a place where families live, grow, and find peace of mind. He believes in the importance of helping older adults, individuals living with disabilities, and veterans remain safe, secure, and healthy in their own homes. Through his experience, dependable service, and compassionate approach, Robert is dedicated to protecting homeowners’ independence, dignity, and quality of life.
Want to get involved?
There are many ways to get involved with Revitalize Milwaukee! Whether you volunteer, sponsor, or support our mission in other ways, you can help create safer, healthier homes. Learn how you can make a difference today.