Meet the Changemakers

Jeff Snell, PhD, is president and chief executive officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. Snell is a former president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, who worked with the board of trustees to increase membership, placing the Milwaukee chapter among the largest and most prominent of 2,500 chapters across the country.

Snell’s executive leadership spans the non-profit, youth development, philanthropic, and higher education sectors. He recently completed service as a senior teaching faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he designed and taught courses in social innovation for the Department of Civil Society and Community Studies. Snell’s prior higher education leadership includes serving as an advisor to the president at Marquette University.

Snell’s current Milwaukee volunteer activities include serving as a board member for All-In Milwaukee (AIM), which is transforming Milwaukee by providing scholarships and social capital to first-generation, high-potential college students from limited income households. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee is a major community partner of AIM. In addition, more than 100 AIM scholars will attend UW-Madison in Fall 2024, as well as other university partners in Wisconsin; most, if not all, will return to Milwaukee, bringing diverse talent and leadership across multiple sectors.

In addition to teaching, Jeff’s UW appointments include serving as senior advisor to the dean and vice provost at the Division of Continuing Studies, where he helped develop the university’s first fully online undergraduate degree programs, and mentoring university start-ups as one of five commercialization specialists at the campus Discovery to Product program. His start-ups have received Morgridge Force for Positive Change awards in Wisconsin, and individual entrepreneurship recognitions, including honors from the Manhattan Institute and receipt of a MacArthur “genius” Award.

Jeff founded Midwest Social Innovation, LLC (2014), co-founded Marell Development, LLC (2022), served as Entrepreneurial Mentor for the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program, co-created a partnership with the New York Times for social innovation education (selected by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as one of 10 winners in a field of 1,000 proposals from 15 countries), and co-founded a statewide coalition focused on improving life outcomes of youth aging out of the Wisconsin foster system, resulting in a state biennium 2021-2023 budget provision of $750K.

For his work in social innovation, Jeff was elected in 2011 to Alpha Sigma Nu, the international honor society for Jesuit colleges and universities; appointed in 2018 as a Fellow at the Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity at Southern Methodist University; and appointed in 2019 as Senior Fellow in Social Innovation at ASU’s Lodestar Center.

Prior to his work at UW, Jeff served as CEO at the International Folk Art Alliance in Santa Fe (2015-2018), the world’s largest accelerator for artisan social entrepreneurs; Special Advisor to the President at Marquette University (2007-2014); and COO at the Argosy Foundation (2004-2007).

Jeff’s education includes a Ph.D. (Education Policy, Marquette University) and a master’s degree (Social Ethics, Gordon-Conwell).

A Champion for students and education evangelist, Andre has committed his career and life to helping students create opportunities as they strive to develop their mission and purpose. Andre, a first-generation college student, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech. Andre received his Master of Science in College Personnel Administration from Concordia University-Wisconsin. He has held previous positions at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Blackhawk Technical College, and Marquette University.

During his career, he has coached and mentored thousands of students to and through college. Many students credit Andre for their success because of his support, passion, and servant leadership. In addition, Andre helps propel scholars to strive for excellence and chase their dreams through college access & success prep, public speaking training, and personal and professional development.

In 2022, Andre was named the inaugural recipient of the Milwaukee Finest Scholarship Foundation Student Empowerment Award winner and the High School Counseling Professional of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of College Admissions Counselors. Andre was named the 2021 Distinguished Leader Award winner by the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Greater Milwaukee Chapter. In addition, the Milwaukee Times Newspaper named Andre as an Outstanding Community Leader award winner in 2020. In 2019, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater named Andre an Outstanding Recent Alumni award winner. Andre and his team (Graduation Plus) were recently selected as the Mentoring Program of the Year by Mentor Greater Milwaukee powered by the Milwaukee Bucks.

As a 1996 graduate of Marquette University, Kat began her professional career in marketing and public relations for Milwaukee World Festival (Summerfest). After her first year at Summerfest, she was tapped to manage the Pin Program and lead 500+ Summerfest volunteers. Kat then felt called to use her talents to support the nonprofit realm and for the past 20+ years she has served in leadership roles in school development, communications, and events and stewardship at various religious and educational institutions in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee including St. Joan Antida High School, Lumen Christi Catholic Parish & School and Notre Dame Middle School. She also served as the development director for a nonprofit missioner organization for two years.

After taking a few years off to raise her two small boys, Kat returned to working in the nonprofit arena in special events for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM). Kat eventually accepted the Executive Liaison to the CEO role before being promoted to Chief of Staff for BGCGM President and CEO.

When not working, Kat devotes as much free time as she can to her husband, Patrick, her two sons, Henry and Sam, and their dog and two cats.

Mark Knapp began his professional career at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Door County as the Resource Development and Marketing Director. He helped the organization transition into its first stand-alone facility while increasing annual fundraising revenue during his tenure. In 2019, he took a position with the Boys Scouts of America Three Harbors Council, as the Director of Development, eventually being promoted to the Senior Director of Development for the Council.

Mark joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee in April 2023 as the Director of Corporate Giving and became the Assistant Vice President of Development in February 2025.  Mark is passionate about youth development and believes the Clubs play an important role as a “third place” outside of work and school, where youth and families can build community and feel more connected to one another.

Mark graduated from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin (2011) and received his Master’s in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2013. Outside of work, Mark enjoys coaching soccer and spending time with friends and family.

David Knutson, a native Wisconsinite and graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison (1992), has worked in the government and not-for-profit sector since the early 1990’s holding positions at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee – Center for Economic Development (UWM-CED), City of Milwaukee – Department of Neighborhood Services, and the Social Development Commission prior to coming to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee in the late 1990’s.

Dave has served as the Boys & Girls Club’s Vice President – Government Affairs / Special Initiatives since 2005. In this capacity, he leads a team of eight and is responsible for all local, state, and federal giving to the Boys & Girls Clubs. Dave also serves to support the funding strategy of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wisconsin Alliance – 28 Boys & Girls Club organizations located throughout the State of Wisconsin. His strong belief in collaboration and outcome-based programming has been a guiding philosophy throughout his career. A few programmatic accomplishments Dave is most proud of include the licensing of Clubs as state-reimbursed child care facilities and the growth of the Department of Education – Investing in Innovation (i3)-funded SPARK Early Literacy Program.

As a self-professed urban geek, Dave enjoys having the opportunity to integrate his passion for urban affairs and policy into his life’s work. He welcomes the opportunity to discuss new ways to partner with organizations throughout the City and region.

Marta began her professional career with Virnig and Associates as the Director of Auditing. Responsible for audits of 50 clients, including school districts, non-profits and government entities. An early mentor and influencer led Marta to connect her professional expertise with a desire to emulate her role model and make an impact on the lives of students. This led her to complete her Master degree in Education with emphasis on school management and make a move into education finance. Marta has over 25 years of business, accounting and auditing experience, including 16 years of executive leadership for three public school districts. During her time in public schools, she has had to opportunity to develop and implement cost savings initiatives that improved the financial stability of the districts. This allowed the staff to implement many programs to improve the learning experience for all students. Marta was also responsible for oversight of multiple construction projects in excess of $200 Million.

She was selected as the 2019 Wisconsin Business Manager of the Year, recognized for her leadership and contributions to public education. She also served as a Director for the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials board.

When Marta is not working, she enjoys spending time cheering on her son and daughter at swim meets with her husband Kevan.

Melinda Wyant Jansen joined Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee in March of 2015 in the new role of Chief Academic Officer, and in March 2017 added the new role of Vice President of Programs. In this capacity, Melinda works closely with community partners to bridge the gap between student’s academic success at school and during the afterschool programs as well as directing our Club programs that focus on social emotional learning, health and wellness, and college and career readiness.

Before joining the Clubs, Ms. Wyant Jansen served as a school counselor at Milwaukee Public Schools for 15 years as well as in a variety of leadership roles for the development and implementation of several programmatic district initiatives. Melinda launched her career by teaching in the Middle East and continued by relocating to Wisconsin to serve in various leadership roles at KinderCare Learning Centers, Teachers Pet Educational Stores, and Hal Leonard Corporation. At Hal Leonard, she proudly worked with Mister Rogers and his staff to develop early childhood products based on his music for classroom use.

Wyant Jansen is a DPI licensed educator and counselor and an alumnus of both Anderson University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she holds dual undergrad degrees in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Wyant Jansen lives in Milwaukee with her husband, Greg, and has three grown children. She is the grandmother of eight grandchildren, including two sets of twins! She is a transplanted Hoosier, originally from Vincennes, Indiana.

Greg Van Kirk joined Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee in 2025 as Chief Innovation & Impact Officer. In this role, Greg leads efforts to develop and implement innovative strategies that elevate the Club’s community impact. He works across departments and partnerships to design programs and experiences that empower young people and support measurable outcomes.

Prior to joining the Clubs, Greg spent more than 25 years founding, leading, and consulting with mission-driven organizations in more than 25 countries. He is the co-founder of Social Entrepreneur Corps and Community Enterprise Solutions and the founder of Collaborative Changemaking Labs. Greg is best known as the principal designer of the award-winning MicroConsignment Model, a globally recognized approach to community development. His consulting portfolio includes major organizations such as Levi Strauss Foundation, Visa Foundation, Warby Parker, Deloitte, USAID, and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Greg has also been deeply involved in higher education, designing and leading social innovation programs for students at institutions including Columbia University, Duke, Stanford, Northwestern, the University of Notre Dame, and Georgetown. He has served as a Social Entrepreneur in Residence and educator at several universities, teaching social entrepreneurship and innovation at Columbia, NYU, Fordham, Miami University, and the University of Wisconsin.

Greg began his social impact journey as a Peace Corps volunteer supporting rural small business development in Guatemala. Before that, he worked in investment banking for five years, during which time two of his deals at UBS received “Deal of the Year” honors from Structured Finance International magazine.

He continues to support the next generation of changemakers through mentorship and education.