The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s board of directors has elected a new chair, Thomas Spero, retired managing partner of Deloitte & Touche, LLP’s Milwaukee office.
The community foundation, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, helps distribute charitable funds established by donors, who determine how they want their philanthropic dollars allocated. Grants generated from the funds fulfill needs in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington Counties, among other areas.
Spero has served the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s board for nearly 10 years and currently sits on the board’s governance & nominations committee and impact investing task force.
“Tom is entering his 10th year of service on our board, and his voice has been invaluable in our efforts to serve the community in increasingly meaningful ways,” said Greater Milwaukee Foundation President and CEO Ellen Gilligan. “Like Tom, our incoming board members have deep roots in the community, and their collective wisdom and talent will help ensure we have the greatest impact possible on our mission.”
Spero, who succeeds immediate past chair Peter Bruce, of counsel at Davis & Kuelthau, has 40 years of experience in public accounting. During his career, he was on the management committee for Deloitte’s Midwest Practice, spanning Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
His community service has included board leadership for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Greater Milwaukee Committee, Medical College of Wisconsin, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.
Spero’s predecessor, Bruce, will remain an active director of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s board.
The foundation’s board also recently added three new members: Cecelia Gore, executive director of the Brewers Community Foundation, Inc.; Paul Jones, vice president, general counsel and secretary of Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson, Inc.; and Gregory Marcus, president and CEO of Milwaukee-based The Marcus Corporation.
Board members John Daniels, Jr., Quarles & Brady LLP chairman emeritus, and community volunteer Mary Read completed their terms at the end of June.
