Milwaukee Succeeds, the cradle-to-career educational partnership that aims to improve educational outcomes for all students in Milwaukee, has hired Mike Soika as its first director.
“Mike brings a wealth of experience across the government and nonprofit sectors in our community,” said Jackie Herd-Barber, a chair of Milwaukee Succeeds and a foundation board member. “He also has served as a key volunteer with Milwaukee Succeeds as chair of the operations team. His expertise, community connections and commitment to improving education for all children will be important in moving Milwaukee Succeeds forward.”
Soika will lead and direct the work of the partnership by continuing to recruit and engage partner organizations, oversee the work of the various committees and continue to move the partnership forward. He has spent the last seven years as vice president of social responsibility and mission impact at the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. Prior to working at the Y, Soika served as chief of staff to former Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist. Over the course of his 30-year career in government and nonprofit management, Soika has worked to address issues including homelessness, affordable housing, economic development and welfare reform.
