Next Generation Leadership Winner
Erik Kennedy
Senior community relations coordinator, Advocate Aurora Health
For Erik Kennedy, senior community relations coordinator at Advocate Aurora Health, helping others goes beyond a few good deeds. For him, it is a way of life – and his passion.
Kennedy, previously association volunteer and leadership development coordinator for YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, donates much of his time volunteering with a number of Milwaukee organizations serving youth and the homeless.
Kennedy utilizes his leadership and communication skills as a committee and board member for local nonprofits: NEWaukee, Salvation Army’s Echelon MKE, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Miracle League of Milwaukee. Kennedy regularly helps out at St. Vincent de Paul’s Sunday meal program, and actively supports local cultural and ethnic institutions.
“I am motivated and inspired by his desire to volunteer,” said Heather Pechacek, program manager for the Greater Milwaukee Committee. “The candor in which he speaks about his faith and passion for community building is an admirable quality.”
“Within the last three years, I have dedicated myself to be sober and through that there’s been a lot of awesome opportunities to really help … people live well. I would not be receiving this award without the support of my team and colleagues and also advocates and friends in the community that supports me and embraces me for who I am.”
– Erik Kennedy, senior community relations coordinator, Impact Aurora Health
