MIAD welcomes new chair and four new trustees to board

Hans Eckholm, Kellie Hamilton, Todd Stone, Melissa Perez.
At its June Board of Trustees meeting, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) welcomed four new trustees and recognized two new office appointments, including board chair.
Deanna Tillisch, retired president & CEO of the United Performing Arts Fund, was appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees for 2023-2024, with immediate past board chair and Astor Street Foundation president Sarah Zimmerman rejoining the board as a member. Geoffrey Mackey, director of marketing & communication at Robert W. Baird & Co., serves as Secretary of the Board during the 2023-2024 year, and Jason W. Allen, partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, continues as Treasurer.
The new members of the Board of Trustees are Hans Eckholm, Kellie Hamilton, Melissa Perez and Todd Stone. Hans Eckholm, the global design director for Trek Bicycle, has an “optimistic view of the future and seeks to inspire younger students and designers to take a role in improving our planet and its inhabitants’ lives.” Kellie Hamilton, who serves as manager corporate affairs at WEC Energy Group, brings passionate and engaged leadership to her role on the board. Melissa Perez, co-owner and director of customer experience at Stone Creek Coffee, also works locally as user experience designer for Gomoll Research + Design. Todd Stone, executive creative director at Cramer-Krasselt, specializes in “the fine line between creativity and commerce” in his role at one of the country’s largest independent advertising agencies.
Learn more about MIAD’s new board chair, Board of Trustees and find out how to get involved.
News
La Mère Brazier: Phoebe Nelson Senior Exhibition 2025
Phoebe Nelson ’25 (Illustration) came to the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to study children’s book illustration. Now at the end of her senior year, she is writing and illustrating a children’s book about Eugénie Brazier, the first person to get six Michelin stars, for her Senior Exhibition project.
MIAD Independent Inquiry Program launches with three student grants
Galilea Cerdea ’26, Tina Voith ’26 and Madi Weglarz ’25 are the first three Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students selected to receive Independent Inquiry Program stipends to investigate new technologies and their applicability to art and design education. As first-time applicants, each receives a stipend of $1,200 for a six-week Mini Inquiry this summer.
Grilled Cheese grants propel MIAD seniors
Funds from the annual Grilled Cheese Grant helped Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) awardees Siren Harris, Yo Yo collective and Madi Weglarz complete their 2025 Senior Exhibition projects and future work. All the MIAD awardees are Fine Art + New Studio Practice seniors.
Sebastian Penn: Senior Exhibition 2025
Sebastian Penn ’25 (Animation Track in Illustration), “From Home to Legacy: Black and Queer Bars in Milwaukee.” Sebastian is a President’s (Honor) List student from Holman, Wis.
McKenna Martin: Senior Exhibition 2025
McKenna Martin ’25 (Product Design), “Hyacinth.” McKenna received first place for her design for the 2023 Delta design project/competition at MIAD, is on the Dean’s List and is from Fond du Lac, Wis.