MILWAUKEE WATER COMMONS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our work at Milwaukee Water Commons is governed by a dynamic Board of Directors.
They bring a diverse set of perspectives and skills to the table and help us move towards our mission of catalyzing Milwaukee as a true water city.
JAMIN MAHAN
Chairperson
Born and Raised in Milwaukee, Jamin received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University and is currently working as an Instrument & Controls Technician in the power industry. Jamin has previously served on boards focusing on support, empowerment and equality of diverse populations in the Metro Milwaukee area. Jamin is a hobby quilter and sewist and enjoys getting out in the non-winter months for camping in Wisconsin’s fantastic state parks and around the Midwest.
SUZANNE
MILLS-WEMM
Secretary
Suzanne Mills-Wemm is a tribal member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe near Hayward, Wisconsin. Her spirit name is Waase Anangookwe (Bright Star Woman) and she is a member of the Crane (Ajijaak) clan. She is advancing to 2nd degree Midewiwin, of the Three Fires
Midewiwin Lodge, and is an Eagle Staff and pipe carrier.
Suzanne spent time serving our country and is a proud Navy Veteran. Following a career in Operations Management, Suzanne moved from the Washington DC to Hayward, WI (Lac Courte Oreilles) where she joined the Women and Water committee, and the women's hand drum group "Strawberry Moon Women Singers". In 2016, she and several other veteran tribal members went to Standing Rock, MN to support the people in their fight against the Dakota Access pipeline. She also carried her Eagle Staff to Line 3, the Mississippi head waters, and Line 5 events, standing up to protect the Great Lakes watersheds.
Suzanne loves music, singing, painting, drawing, practicing breathwork, beading and nurturing her own spiritual journey. During a sacred walk, she developed a rich relationship with water and a firm belief that we are all connected. Water is life.
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DENIENE POWELL
Treasurer
As USDN's Chief Executive Officer, Deneine leads our mission to support members pursuing transformative change to make communities more equitable, resilient, and sustainable. Powell is a nonprofit executive and a climate solutions expert with over 20 years of nonprofit leadership and management experience in environmental conservation, policy advocacy, and community engagement. Prior to joining USDN, Deneine Christa held roles as an Environmental and Climate Program Director at African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, FUSE Corps Executive Fellow on Climate and Equity with the City of Milwaukee, National Program Director with ecoAmerica, President and CEO of African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee, and Executive Director of Groundwork Milwaukee.
Beyond her professional commitments, Deneine is deeply dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment and conservation efforts. She proudly serves as Vice President of the Board for Groundwork USA and as Board Treasurer for Milwaukee Water Commons. In addition to her work in environmental preservation, Deneine travels extensively across the country, attending and speaking at water conferences, clean economy convenings, environmental justice summits, and climate meetings. Her goal is not only to gain knowledge and motivation but also to inspire others to take action.
Outside of her professional endeavors, she finds immense joy in spending quality time with her husband, their son and daughter, and their beloved dog and two cats. They can often be found in the garden of their home in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
