Dear Girls Rock MKE Family,
We are so thrilled to share some exciting news with y’all! It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Mary Joy Hickey as Interim Executive Director, Girls Rock MKE’s very first full-time staff position. As a co-founder of our annual Ladies Rock camp, a former co-organizer of Riverwest FemFest festival, and a talented multi-instrumentalist active in the Milwaukee music community, Mary Joy brings a wealth of experience, a deep dedication to our mission and values, and a big heart and vision for channeling the transformational power of music as a vehicle for leadership development and social justice.
Mary Joy's leadership comes at a crucial time for Girls Rock MKE as we embark on a path of revitalization and growth. As we intentionally and strategically build the organization to ensure financial stability, Mary Joy’s strategic acumen, passion for social impact, and dedication to serving our community make her an ideal fit to lead us forward. With her at the helm, we are confident that we will emerge stronger, more resilient, and more impactful than ever before. We are so excited to welcome Mary Joy back into the Girls Rock MKE family.
We also want to express our enduring gratitude to the committed volunteers and part-time staff who have helped pave the way for this position over the last eleven years. Their incredible determination and dedication has had a truly life-changing impact on our campers. We particularly want to acknowledge the contributions of Program Director Amy Upthagrove, who is transitioning out of their role with Girls Rock MKE for personal reasons. Please join us in thanking Amy for their hard work to get the organization to where we are today; we wish them great success on their next adventure.
As always, we are deeply grateful for your unwavering support and dedication to our cause. With Mary Joy's leadership and your continued partnership, we are confident that Girls Rock MKE will continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the girls, women, and gender-expansive youth and adults we serve.
With warm regards,
Girls Rock MKE’s Board of Directors
PS - We invite you to come meet Mary Joy for yourself! Join us for an Executive Director Meet and Greet fundraising event on May 21, 2024, from 4-7pm at Sprecher Brewery! This is a fantastic opportunity to meet Mary Joy, learn about her vision for Girls Rock MKE, and connect with the larger Girls Rock community. Enjoy light appetizers, music, and a drawing featuring exciting prizes. Plus, it’s Mary Joy’s birthday! We hope to see you there!