October 2025
- Imagine MKE
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Aligning Leaders and Community Vision
We’re thrilled to share that one of Milwaukee’s most devoted civic champions, Jeff Sherman, has joined the Imagine MKE Board of Directors.
A kind thought leader without pretense, Jeff is a big picture thinker and successful entrepreneur. The lifelong greater Milwaukee resident promotes and positions his hometown with unfettered optimism through his digital and community platforms, leadership, service, and business acumen. We are so grateful he’s making the time to join Imagine MKE’s Board.
“Whenever I have the chance to plug in with smart, values-driven leaders who care about why Greater Milwaukee works, my civic heart says yes. For me,” Jeff explains, “Imagine MKE is about channeling creativity, curiosity, and connections into real momentum—so our entrepreneurs thrive, neighborhoods vibrate, and Milwaukee attracts the talent and investment we deserve.”
Jeff is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.com and currently hosts WTMJ’s The Upswing while running a professional services consulting business. He was the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (now Fuel Milwaukee) and one of the original junior members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee.
He has served on a number of boards, including political appointments to the Wisconsin Center District and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Jeff remains active on several Boards, including as current president of Westown Association.
Collaborative Workplan
We recently concluded our final strategic session bringing together funders, business and civic leaders, and nonprofit board members to address the long-term sustainability of Milwaukee’s arts and culture sector—an essential driver of the city’s economy, identity, and future.
Since June, we’ve hosted 60 participants for a series of half-day workshops led by expert facilitators. Together, we’ve compiled and analyzed data, identified priorities, and narrowed our focus to key strategic options. In September, we shared this work and sought input during meetings with executive directors of local arts and culture organizations.
We closed out the month with another strategic session to refine an initial workplan, define implementation needs, and chart next steps. This has been a truly collaborative and collective effort, and we’ll update you soon on how we believe as a community we can position our arts and culture sector for long-term growth and success.
Creative Futures
As advocates for the region’s arts, culture and creative industries, Imagine MKE champions artists as well as organizations and venues. To that end, we are proud to be a community partner of Culture X Design’s upcoming Creative Futures series.
Starting this Thursday and running through November 12, the series is designed to inspire, educate, and connect Milwaukee’s creative community. Developed by Culture X Design, Creative Futures is an open forum and ideas lab that blends expert insights, peer learning, and strategic networking to help creatives build sustainable careers. Click here for the schedule.
Milwaukee Theater Week
Also starting this week is Milwaukee Theater Week. From October 10-19, this spectacular event showcases our world-class performing arts and theater scene with an array of performances across renowned venues, featuring everything from riveting dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies. Learn more and don’t miss out on exclusive deals, giveaways and other exciting experiences scheduled.
Front And Center
Our partnership with TMJ4 News continues to keep arts and culture front and center with TV audiences. ArtsWorks for Milwaukee, Cloud 9, and the North Point Lighthouse Museum’s Occasional Artists Show were all featured on Milwaukee Tonight this past month. You too can spotlight your organization, venue, creatives, or mission by submitting your story ideas through our Imagine MKE/TMJ4 News contact form under the Media tab at ImagineMKE.org.
Other media coverage of note included a recent Milwaukee Business Journal Executive Profile that looked at my role as Imagine MKE’s Executive Director and features the incredible talent of photographer – artist – Kenny Yoo, who incorporated the beautiful and colorful sculpture Stay by Sarah Braman, located on Northwestern Mutual’s grounds. I’m always grateful for the opportunity to elevate Milwaukee’s arts and culture scene and keep it at the forefront of civic conversations and community dialogue.
Christine Hojnacki
Executive Director, Imagine MKE
