Journey21 is proud to benefit from the leadership of parents and respected professionals who are experienced in and devoted to supporting adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). These leaders have been selected for their experience, knowledge, and passionate interest in creating innovative solutions for adults with IDD in Wisconsin.
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sheila Frisinger
Co-Founder
Sheila Frisinger, Co-Founder
Sheila Frisinger is co-founder of Journey21, Inc and mother to Matt, a young adult with an intellectual or developmental disability and a bright future. Prior to her work with Journey21, she devoted her time as full -time mother, community volunteer and advocate – making the mindful decision to be actively engaged in her sons’ K-12 school experience, and to support and provide the best early intervention for Matt.
Sheila was a member of the Junior League of Milwaukee actively participating in community outreach, new member orientation and governance; Junior Achievement volunteer instructor; and classroom and team mom throughout her boys’ entire K-12 years.
In addition to Journey21, she serves on the Board of Directors for Life Navigators, the Executive Leadership Council at Community Smiles Dental, the Advisory Council at the Waukesha County Community Foundation, the Marquette University Women’s Council, and is an active member of Titan CEO. Sheila and her husband, Kevin, are past co-chairs for the President’s Advisory Council at Marquette University and avid enthusiasts of Marquette University athletics.
In 2023, Sheila was a co-recipient of the St. Francis Children’s Center Leading Lights Award for Community Service as a leader in the special education and needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. Sheila was recognized as one of the 2022 Women’s and Girl’s Fund of Waukesha Women of Distinction, and Sheila and Kevin are the recipients of the 2022 Friends of Marquette Athletics Award.
Sheila holds Bachelors Degree in Journalism/Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and had a brief professional career in financial advertising and marketing.
Sheila remains committed to advocate for successful outcomes, opportunities and experiences within the community for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. She is interested sharing her knowledge and experience with families seeking similar opportunities, developing a replicable model based upon the success of Journey21, and finding solutions to meet this underserved population in underserved communities.
Susan Marriott
Co-Founder
Susan Marriott, Co-Founder
Susan is a mother of two adult sons, Marvin and Max. In 2002, her sons were diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome and from that point on Susan’s passion and focus turned to advocating for the support and educational needs of her sons and other adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Susan attended the University of Wisconsin – Eau Clare where she received her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree majoring in Management Information Systems (MIS) and began her professional career at Krueger Printing Company and IBM respectively.
- Krueger Printing Company (1986-1989) focusing on project management, design and implementation of hardware and software information technology solutions for the printing and bindery divisions.
- IBM (1989-2002) successfully built client relationships and worked with the midrange team to design, market, and implement hardware, software and services solutions for businesses throughout Wisconsin.
Susan is a committed volunteer and has served at several non-profit organizations including: Junior Achievement, Best Buddies of Wisconsin, Special Olympics, and The Bay Harbor Foundation. In 1999, Susan joined The Bay Harbor Foundation, a non-profit community organization in Northern Michigan and served on the Board of Directors as Secretary from 1999-2005; as well as, the Board of Directors for the Bay Harbor Yacht Club in Petoskey, Michigan from 2001-2005. Susan is currently serving a third term on the Bay Harbor Yacht Club Board.
There is a chronic shortage of quality living and learning solutions across the state and region for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and Susan was determined to change this projection and soon was on the path to co-founding Journey21, a non-profit organization located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Journey21 is a fast growing organization developing living and learning solutions and providing accessible and meaningful opportunities for education, employment, life skills development, social activities, and advocacy for adults and families living with an intellectual or developmental disability.
Susan and Co-Founder, Sheila Frisinger, were recognized as recipients of the 2022 Women & Girls Fund of Waukesha County Women of Distinction Award for their leadership and positive impact that Journey21 has made on adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Waukesha County and surrounding communities. Susan’s core belief is that life is a journey and everyone deserves the opportunity to live their best life.
Pat Boelter
Director
Pat Boelter, Director
Pat is the President of Signature Services Group, LLC, a consortium of accomplished professionals working together to meet client needs in strategic planning, marketing, communications, fundraising, organizational development, and community outreach.
The cornerstone of Pat’s success has been establishing and cultivating strong and trusting relationships, whether that be with board members, donors, business owners, government officials, media, or community partners. She believes that all successful marketing and fundraising starts with building relationships and then progresses by connecting customers and donor to organizational impact and a vision for the future.
Pat is an accomplished marketing and fundraising executive recognized for her ability to raise brands and significant dollars for non-profit organizations. Prior to starting Signature Services Group, Pat served as an executive for two large and highly-respected non-profit organizations-Goodwill Industries, and All Saints Healthcare System (now Ascension).
She served as Chief Marketing Officer at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, the largest Goodwill in the world. While in that role, she developed and executed multi-channel marketing strategies that generated significant revenue and awareness, forged new donor relationships and business opportunities, and advanced the brand contributing to the organization’s exponential growth.
She established the Power Partners Program to engage area business in volunteering, philanthropy, social responsibility and new business development opportunities. She established the Second Century Club for legacy giving, started and led Goodwill’s Retro Rendezvous annual fundraising event, recognized as one of Milwaukee’s premier events.
She started Project Prism, a workforce development initiative with the Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare System (now Ascension) to train individuals for great careers in healthcare. She established Mission Connect and Leader Connect, external and internal online platforms to make mission stories more accessible for sharing and make storytelling easier. She developed and cultivated affinity partnerships and co-branding initiatives with colleges and universities, media partners, and sports athletes and teams, including bringing Green Bay Packer Donald Driver to Goodwill.
Before Goodwill, she served as President of the All Saints Healthcare Foundation and Vice President of Public Relations and Development for the All Saints Healthcare System, now Ascension. She established a new All Saints Healthcare Foundation, after the merger of two hospitals and two medical clinics, recruited the board of directors, led a strategic planning process, and established the infrastructure for efficient operations, including policies and procedures, donor recognition, committee structure and financial reporting. She established a major gifts and planned giving program. She grew the volunteer program from a few hundred individuals to over 1,200 active and engaged volunteers.
Pat created and ran the Christmas House for Cancer, an annual fundraising event that drew an average of 30,000 visitors each year raising millions of dollars. As a result of these efforts and a capital campaign, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Cancer Center was built with 100% philanthropic dollars. Throughout her career Pat has successfully led over a dozen capital campaigns, with every single campaign exceeding its dollar goal.
Pat was named a Woman of Influence and Chief Marketing Officer of the Year by the Milwaukee Business Journal and has received numerous other national fundraising and marketing awards. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Waukesha County Community Foundation, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, the Donald Driver Driven to Achieve Foundation, Milwaukee Women, Inc. and Journey 21.
Michael Budisch
Director
Michael Budisch, Director
Mike began his educational career by obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree at UW-LaCrosse in Elementary Education/History (‘74) and found his first classroom of fourth graders in Richland Center, WI. During his 9 years of continued learning and teaching, he initiated his MS(‘80) in Administrative Leadership at UW-Milwaukee. While in grades 4, 5, 6, or a combination thereof, he also managed/led the school of 300 children as a teaching principal.
Mike continued his passion for learning and obtained his Specialist Degree at UW-M in 1988. Thereby providing the opportunity to become Superintendent/Principal of Stone Bank School (87-96). He served the district in multiple capacities, including the special education services with the Arrowhead Area Cooperative. During this time, the school districts diversified their offerings and began to provide educational/therapeutic programs within their home schools. The K-8 schools worked closely with Arrowhead High School when the students transitioned to the 9-12 setting to be certain the program met the needs of the incoming freshmen.
In 1996, he became the interim superintendent at Merton Community School District (Pre-K-8), while also serving the district as principal of the newly constructed Merton Primary School 5K-3. The district grew and developed a full day 5K program and then strengthened its program as an early intervention school by providing an Early Childhood/4K program. Mike led the district’s grade level teams and parent involvement in reimagining the school’s direction for inclusionary practices. His 23 years at Merton were filled with challenges and accomplishments, including 3 consecutive years of a DPI School of Recognition for High Achievement. Mike received a Kohl Leadership Award as a Principal of the Year in 2016. He retired after 44 years in education in 2019.
Mike is affiliated with the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and its Principals’ Center, a professional development extension for practicing school leaders. He continues to coach new principals around the state through the Association Of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA).
He is a proud father of 2 daughters and grandfather of two beautiful granddaughters.
Filippo (Fil) Carini
Director
Filippo (Fil) Carini, Director
Fil started his career in public accounting but most recently retired from the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, as their Chief Financial/Operating Officer. In addition to oversight of financial matters, Fil also was responsible for Information Technology, Human Resources and general operations and served as an Officer of the Board of Directors. He also served on various United Way Worldwide Committees.
Fil continues to work part-time as a Fractional CFO for small businesses and serves as Board Treasurer for Messmer High School. He has served on two Boards of local theaters and has been seen on stage over the years. He is a long-time member of Elmbrook Church and as served various ministries.
Fil resides in Brookfield with his wife Annette, has two adult children and three grandchildren close by that he loves to spoil.
Jon Herreman
Treasurer
Jon Herreman, Director
Jon is the President of the Milwaukee law firm Mallery s.c. He also is a practicing attorney with the firm. He represents clients in a wide range of commercial real estate, finance and business matters. Jon earned his undergraduate degree from Marquette University and law degree from Drake University.
Jon is very active in his church and several local charities. Jon is married and has two adult children. In his personal time, Jon enjoys traveling, biking, hiking, fishing and cooking.
PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTIONS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5.0 Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
- Included as Best Lawyers in America since 2016
- President, Mallery s.c.
- Past president, board of directors, Hope House of Milwaukee, Inc.
- St. Thomas More Lawyers Society—Guest House Ministry
- Past board member/treasurer, Blue and Gold Fund Ventures, Inc. (Marquette University Student Run Business Program)
- Adult leader for youth work camp mission trips through church
- Guest lecturer, Marquette University College of Business Administration (Real Estate Program)
- Adjunct professor, legal writing and research course, Marquette University Law School
EDUCATION
- B.A., Marquette University, 1988
- J.D. Drake University, with Honors, 1991
Adam Puzach
Chairman
Adam Puzach, Director and Treasurer
Adam is the President and CEO of Pack Logix, a Milwaukee based contract packager specializing in the filling of petroleum products. Before making the transition to CEO, Adam held the position of CFO, leading the company’s financial team.
Prior to his time at Pack Logix, Adam was the CFO of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, where he managed the financial operations of the club, and oversaw the redevelopment of the Milwaukee Athletic Club’s historical structure. Adam maintains a position on the Board of Directors for the Milwaukee Athletic Club, serving as their Treasurer.
Adam resides in the Lake Country area with his wife Jessie Puzach, their daughter Charlotte Puzach, and their two dogs. In his free time, Adam enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid outdoorsman.
John Schlifske
Director
John Schlifske, Director
John was born and raised in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. He graduated from Carleton College in 1981 and from the Kellogg Graduate School of Business at Northwestern University in 1983. He worked in the life insurance industry first as an investment professional and then running different business lines culminating in becoming Northwestern Mutual’s CEO and Chairman in July 2010. Northwestern Mutual is a Fortune 100 life insurance company. During his leadership, Northwestern Mutual has grown to record levels of profitability, revenue, and asset levels, while maintaining its financial strength as one of only five US companies that receive the highest possible credit rating from the four major credit rating agencies.
John currently serves on the boards (and the Executive Committees) of Northwestern Mutual and Kohls Corporation. His past board service includes Robert W. Baird & Co., Milwaukee Metropolitan Associate of Commerce, the American Council of Life Insurers, Greater Milwaukee Committee, The Frank Russell Company, Froedtert Health System, Children’s Hospital System of Wisconsin, JL French, Co., and American Bumper Manufacturing Company.
Lucine Spheeris
Vice Chair/Secretary
Lucine Spheeris, Director
Prior to meeting my husband I worked over a decade in corporate Human Resources. It was very rewarding to be part of an organization where people could grow as they achieve their goals. My career was very time consuming and I use to joke around that I didn’t have time for a personal life.
My real work began when we had two sons and the focus was to raise them to be independent men who could achieve their life goals. Like other parents, my husband Jon and I wanted to provide our kids with the opportunity to live their best life. I’m fortunate to work in our real estate business with along side my husband and sons.
Fast forward to a few years ago when I met Sheila Frisinger who walked into my office to ask about land in Pabst Farms on which to build Journey21. Through our conversation I found we both have two sons and want our kids to live their best life. I admired her dedication to provide an opportunity to give both her sons opportunities for success. My commitment to Journey21 stems from a strong focus on family and the desire for all our kids to grow and live their best life.
Lynda Welsh
Director
Lynda Welsh, Director
Lynda has won numerous awards, including Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 and Women of Influence; Drive to Achieve and UWL’s Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumni Award.