“I am excited about this shift and the leadership Ed will add to the Urban Ecology Center,” says Leinbach. “We have an ambitious vision to serve all of Milwaukee and model a replicable impact for other cities. There is a lot of work to do and bringing in Ed’s leadership and expertise is an important first step toward making that vision a reality.”

Ed Krishok is a business lawyer retired from Harley-Davidson Motor Company. During his 17 years at Harley-Davidson, he filled a number of leadership roles. Krishok is currently the principal of Remaining Awake LLC, providing organizational advice to non-profit organizations. He was president of the Urban Ecology Center board from 2012 to 2017 during which time the UEC saw the opening of the Menomonee Valley Branch, the opening of the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum, the purchase of parcels of land adjacent to the Riverside Park branch, and the extension and expansion of UEC’s branch operations in Washington Park.

“I’m looking forward to working with the talented team at Urban Ecology Center to position the Center to fulfill its mission well into the future - connecting people in Milwaukee with nature,” said Krishok.

The managing director role is anticipated to last for 24 months with a focus on maintaining organizational effectiveness for long term stability, including succession planning for key roles.

Ken will concentrate efforts on the long-term financial sustainability of the organization. “Funding for the managing director role and other immediate needs is being covered by an anonymous local donor who believes in our mission and growth,” said Leinbach, “but there is a significant need to fund the future growth and ensure the long-term stability of the UEC. That will be my focus. When the time comes for my succession, I want the organization to be in the strongest possible state and on a growth trajectory.”

Among the future growth plans for UEC is a renovation of the Washington Park branch. In March 2019 the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors adopted (15-1) a long-term lease with the Urban Ecology Center for portions of Washington Park that open the door for the potential of significant investment and major upgrades to park facilities. Urban Ecology Center and Milwaukee County Parks hope to launch a campaign in the coming year to improve the Washington Park boathouse, expand programming in Washington Park, and improve public facilities.