Lemons 2 Lemonade Leadership Series Guests 2022-23

9/09/2022 | Dameon K. Clay, Founder & Operator of Silver Lining Counseling Services

Dameon K. Clay, the founder and operator of Silver Lining Counseling Services is a Chicago, Illinois born and Tampa, Florida based therapist, life coach, school counselor, and educational consultant. As a counselor and recent transplant to the Tampa Bay area, he encompasses over 22 years of experience in a variety of therapeutic settings; inclusive of 13 years as a school counselor.

Dameon studied Psychology at Argosy University, later obtained a Master of Arts Degree from the College of St. Elizabeth in Counseling Psychology, and an Educational Specialist Degree from Augusta University in Counseling Education.

In addition to having a broad range of clinical experience working with individuals and groups across life spans, Dameon believes that utilizing Positive Psychology and Solution Focused therapeutic techniques to focus on enhancing the strongest qualities of individuals, assisting them in finding the environments that allow them to play out their strengths and live productive fulfilled lives which lead to the path of Self-Actualization.

Dameon is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He has co-hosted “Wade’s World Youth Summit” founded by former NBA superstar and future hall of fame inductee Dwayne Wade in their hometown of Chicago. He takes pride in giving back to the community, which helped to raise him into the man he is today.

Dameon is also the National Father Auxiliary Chair of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. and his family is currently active in the Greater Tampa Chapter. Dameon is a devoted husband and the father of three.

10/14/2021 | Dr. Joan Prince, Vice Chancellor Emerita- The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee & US Ambassador Emerita, General Assembly of the United Nations

On September 12, 2012, Dr. Joan M. Prince was nominated by President Barack Obama to the General Assembly of the United Nations as a public delegate, with the honorary rank of Ambassador. This diplomatic position also maintained an appointment as a Senior Advisor to the Department of State.

In these roles, Prince occupied the United States chair in the General Assembly of the United Nation where she delivered policy statements on behalf of the United States regarding global economic and human rights issues such as global health delivery systems, the education of Women and girls, and other humanitarian issues. She worked closely with UN committees and related organizations such as The World Bank, USAID, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and UN Women.

She is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was the first African American to hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in Clinical Laboratory Medicine with a specialty in flow cytometry and hematology, and a doctorate degree in Medical Science Education from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.

In her professional career, Dr. Prince served as an administrator for fifteen years at Medical Science Laboratories – an affiliate then of the Wheaton Franciscan Health System, four years at the University of Wisconsin Medical School as the Director of The Health Professions Partnership Initiative (a state-wide initiative funded by the Association of American Medical Colleges {AAMC} that focused on increasing the number of underrepresented students in medicine and the health professions, and almost two decades at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee as a Vice Chancellor and Clinical

Associate Professor in Biomedical Sciences. She has executive level expertise in health policy, education and its associated pipelines and supply chains, and is known as a global civil rights advocate with a commitment to educational and health equity. Her direct leadership in medical school admissions programs, university recruitment and retention efforts, and community initiatives has resulted in success for many who felt that their dreams of educational and professional attainment would not occur.

Dr. Prince is a seasoned board chair and board director of public, private and nonprofit organizations, both nationally and regionally. She served on the board of directors and as chair of the Governance committee for The Council on Foundations, a national nonprofit leadership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations, www.cof.org Other national nonprofit board service included her tenure as board chair of the Urban Libraries Council, a membership organization of 150 of North America's leading public library systems www.ulc.org Regional nonprofit service included tenure as a board director of The Greater Milwaukee Foundation where she served on the Finance, Nominating and Grant committee, as well as board President of the Milwaukee Public Library Board where she also served as chair of the Finance, Innovation, and Building committees. Dr. Prince is a founding member of MWi, an organization committed to achieving a balanced representation of women on corporate boards https://milwaukeewomeninc.org/. She has also served in community volunteer leadership positions with several local organizations such as The Milwaukee Urban League, the YWCA of Greater Milwaukee, the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, TEMPO Milwaukee and Visit Milwaukee, to name a few.

Dr. Prince currently serves as a corporate board member of the Ascendium Education Group as well as The Aspen Group (NASDAQ: ASPU), an education technology company. Prince is a corporate board member of Managed Health Services-Wisconsin, a subsidiary of the Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) and director emeritus of C. G. Schmidt Construction Company. She continues to serve on the Froedtert Health Systems board in Wisconsin where she chairs the Governance committee, and the Siebert Lutheran Foundation board where she sits as Vice-Chair of the Board.

She is also a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), and a founding member of the Private Directors Association - Wisconsin chapter.

In recognition of her commitment to community service, Prince has been recognized by national, regional and local organizations. She has been honored over the years by the Milwaukee Business Journal as a Power Broker and the national business magazine –The Network Journal, as a national Woman of Influence. She has been featured as one of the 10 Most Powerful Women in Milwaukee in Milwaukee Magazine, and has received

the inaugural Betty award from Milwaukee Magazine, named in honor of its founder, Betty Quadracci. She has also received the Whitney M. Young, Jr., Legacy award from The Urban League and the Phoenix award from Congresswoman Gwen Moore at the Congressional Black Caucus.

11/18/2022 | Sheri Williams Pannell, Assistant Professor

Sheri Williams Pannell is a native Milwaukeean who has performed, directed or written for a number of Milwaukee’s theater and arts organizations including Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, First Stage, Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Chamber Theater, Milwaukee Fringe Festival, Milwaukee Rep, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Arts Museum, and Skylight Music Theater. Beyond Milwaukee, Pannell has worked at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Utah’s Old Lyric Theater, Children’s Theater of Madison, University Opera and University Theater at UW Madison. Pannell was honored to direct a production as part of the United Nations Conference on Genocide, hosted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2017, Pannell was honored as an Artist of the Year by the City of Milwaukee. A founding member and artistic director at Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, Pannell is also a director/teaching artist at Black Arts MKE and co-director of the drama ministry at Calvary Baptist Church.  Summer of 2020, Pannell served as one of the founders of the Milwaukee Black Theater Festival.  A graduate of Spelman College, Pannell also holds an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

12/2/2022 | Ranell Washington, Partnership Development Advisor of American Family Insurance

Ranell Washington serves as an Advisor for American Family Insurance’s Office of Community and Social Impact (OCSI) Division in Milwaukee. He was recognized as a 2021 Milwaukee Business Journal Power Broker, a 2020 and 2019 Milwaukee Business Journal Young Professional Broker, a 2019 Business Journals Top 100 Influential Finance Executive, and a 2019 Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 under 40 awardee. He also received recognition as a 2018 United Way of Greater Milwaukee Waukesha County P5 awardee and was recognized by Madison365 as a 2016 Black Power – 44 Most Influential African Americans in Wisconsin. 

Ranell received his Bachelor’s in Finance and a Certificate of Real Estate from the UW-Milwaukee. He also possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and co-founded Social X, a DEI organization providing a connective platform for diverse professionals, businesses and corporations in Greater Milwaukee and the surrounding areas. Ranell also provides his expertise to several community-based organizations, most recently being named the board chair for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). Economic development and community initiatives are true passions for Ranell, which is why he is a committee member for several task forces and committees. He is a man of faith and is very active in his Milwaukee-based church, Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church.

Professional Activities:

2021 – Pres. – Board Chair, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)

2020 – 2021 – Board Member, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)

2020 – 2021 – Access to Capital Committee – Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

2019 – Pres. – Commissioner, City of Milwaukee – City Plan Commission

2018 – Pres. – D&I Committee Member, Visit Milwaukee

2017 – 2021 – Board of Directors, African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin

2017 – Pres. – BID Director, BID #16 (Uptown Crossing)

2016 – 2019 – Mitchell Park Conservatory, Domes Task Force

2015 – 2017 – Black Lens Engagement Committee (BLEC), Milwaukee Film

2015 – 2021 – Founding Board Member, Milwaukee Excellence Charter School

Recognitions & Special Milestones:

2021 Milwaukee Business Journal – Power Broker

2020 Milwaukee Business Journal – Young Professional Power Broker

2019 Milwaukee Business Journal – Young Professional Power Broker

2019 Business Journals (National) – Top 100 Influential Finance Executive

2019 Milwaukee Business Journal – 40 under 40 awardee

2018 United Way of GMWC – Philanthropic 5

2016 Madison 365 Black Power – 44 Most Influential African Americans in Wisconsin

12/16/2022 | Sirr Grice PharmD, MBA, Walgreens Pharmacist

Sirr Grice is a Christian, a husband, a father of two children (Samiyah is 4 and Stephen is almost 1), a son, a brother, and a lover of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his birthplace. He has a strong commitment to helping those in his community who are disadvantaged, and he presently makes his home in the Sherman Park neighborhood. With more than 14 years of experience working in the healthcare industry, he is committed to serving as a leader and leaving a legacy for African Americans in order to enhance patient outcomes and expand their presence in the healthcare field.

Sirr attended Concordia University of Wisconsin for his undergraduate degree, master's degree in business administration, and doctor of pharmacy degree; he is now employed as a pharmacist at Walgreens. Additionally, he is a member of the board of directors for both the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin and Milwaukee Health Service Inc. at the present time.

01/06/2023| Cedric Gardner, Professional Dancer and Choreographer

Cedric Gardner is a dancer and choreographer who started his professional career as a freestyle dancer battling throughout the Midwest at street jams and competition in the late 90s and early 2000s. Cedric has appeared on numerous tv shows and movies through the span of his 20-year dance career. TV shows such as The Voice, American Idol, Empire, Yo Gabba Gabba, Fresh Beat Band, Jimmy Kimmel, and Cedric was also a top 14 finalist on So You Think You Can Dance. Cedric was a contributing choreographer for season 1 of the hit show Empire and has choreographed the Wisconsin Sports Awards for 6 years. Cedric has also collaborated  with Old Navy, Pharrell Williams, IAmother to create Old Navy's National commercial and jingle Onward. Cedric has had the pleasure of performing and dancing/working with his mentor Debbie Allen, Herbie Hanconck, Stevie Wonder, Black Eyed Peas, Neyo, Bow Wow, Patti LaBelle, Jussie Smollett, Miranda Cosgrove, Chris Brown, Jon M Chu, Miley Cyrus, The Jackson Estate, Wayne's Brothers and many more. Cedric, was also featured in the movies DanceFlick and Step Up 3d.

02/03/2023| Jimmie Jones, Exterior Superintendent

Jimmie Jones was born and raised in Chicago, Il. The son of a bleeding heart social worker, Jimmie has dedicated his life to family, building, and service. Jimmie received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Tennessee State University and Lane College, respectfully.

Jimmie started his career in construction as a Project Engineer Intern on the HCA Project. Upon graduation, Jimmie moved to Atlanta, Ga. where he worked as a Project Engineer to build Emory Hospital Expansion. With an urge to move back to Nashville, he took a position with Turner Construction as an Exterior Engineer. Jimmie is the very first African American to build a high-rise commercial building in Tennessee for Turner Construction. Following that project, Jimmie worked as an engineer for iHeart Media’s Headquarter Project. With a love for building, and a passion to be more hands-on, Jimmie transitioned into the Superintendent role, which allows him to direct subcontractors and coordinate work. He has completed a renovation project at the renowned “Batman Building”, and at a high-security data center. Jimmie is currently building a 30-story high rise where he works as the Exterior Superintendent.

Jimmie is a recruiter for Turner Construction and an advocate for TSU College of Engineering. He works tirelessly to create a conduit for more HBCU grads to get into construction. Jimmie is also an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and is an advocate for volunteering within social services.

02/03/2023| Ashley Dye, Sponsorship Sales Manager

Ashley is a born and raised Milwaukeean, daughter of two Milwaukee Public Schools teachers, and proud graduate of MPS, including matriculation at two arts-focused institutions – Lincoln Center and Milwaukee High School of the Arts – which shaped her passion for the arts and arts education from an early age. Ashley attended the University of Wisconsin Madison, participating in the Chancellor’s Scholar Program, and graduating on the Dean’s List with a Bachelor of Arts, with a double major in Communications, Theater, and a Certificate in Digital Studies.

Ashley’s passion for the performing arts, education, and live events has extended into her professional career, from her work as special education support staff (MPS) to her current role as Sponsorship Sales Manager for Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. / Summerfest. Ashley celebrates 11 years with MWF in 2023 and is grateful for opportunities to have collaborated with sponsors such as Aurora Health Care, BMO, and American Family Insurance, including her work to develop and grow two grant programs: The BMO EMpower program at Summerfest, which provides minority owned businesses with grants to grow their businesses and support their participation in the festival, and the Let the Music Play program, which awards funds to nonprofits that support youth music education. She believes strongly in the power of the arts to inspire, unify, and uplift individuals and communities.

Ashley has enjoyed volunteering for Milwaukee Film, MPS, Christmas on KK benefitting Bay View Community Center, and is an avid karaoke-er, “roommate” to two energetic senior felines, painter, fashion lover, and amateur cook.

03/03/2023| Maggie Beckley, Mortenson Healthcare Real Estate Development Executive

Maggie is increasing healthcare real estate development in Chicago and Milwaukee and driving system strategy and approach for long-term growth and client connection development to generate healthier communities.

After 15 years as Director of Real Estate at Advocate Aurora Health, the 10th biggest US not-for-profit, integrated health system, Maggie joined Mortenson. She created real estate strategies, strategic capital projects, transaction services, and qualitative research for a portfolio of approximately 500 sites, 1,000 leases, and 30 million square feet.

Maggie earned her Goldie Initiative Scholar MBA in real estate and commercial development from Roosevelt University after graduating from Xavier University of Louisiana. Maggie is a Wisconsin-licensed broker, finished Marquette's Associates in Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) Program, and Harvard Business School's Young American Leadership Program (YALP).

Maggie was named one of Crains' Notable Executives of Color in Construction and Commercial Real Estate, the Milwaukee Community Journal's Millennial Honoree, and a 2018 Bizwomen Healthcare headliner. She is on the Goldie Initiative, Versiti IL Community Advisory Board, and Marquette University Haggerty Museum of Art boards. Dr. Tylithia L. Burks Foundation Vice President and CUPED Corporation board treasurer. Maggie is a proud Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Links member.