Meta House executive director to retire
Dr. Francine Feinberg, executive director of Meta House in Milwaukee, has announced her plans to retire this August. Feinberg has served as executive director of the organization for the past 29 years.
“Her leadership has been an inspiration, helping lead thousands of women down the road of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. She has built a talented professional staff and an organization characterized by compassionate treatment and successful outcomes,” said Amy Lindner, president of the board.
Feinberg will serve in her present capacity and will also assist in both the recruitment and transition process.
“The Meta House Board of Directors has already retained a consulting firm and launched a national search to find the individual who can continue the organization’s innovative and holistic treatment model while ensuring we continue to look for new ways to fulfill our mission of helping women break the cycle of addiction,” Lindner said.
Following her retirement, she will continue to serve in a consulting capacity.
Feinberg joined Meta House in 1983. In 1988, under her leadership, the organization’s treatment facility became one of the first in the nation to include children in the residential treatment setting and process. Her service to children was recognized in 2005 by President George W. Bush and in 2004 by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Meta House was also featured in the 2005 annual report of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Milwaukee Ballet student wins national ballet competition
Jennifer Hackbarth has won first place in the Junior Division at the Youth America Grand Prix. The competition is the largest student ballet scholarship competition. Since its inception, 25,000 young dancers have participated in YAGP worldwide competitions and workshops, over $2 million dollars in scholarships have been awarded to the world’s leading dance schools, and over 250 YAGP Alumni are now dancing with some 50 companies around the world.
Hackbarth is a 13-year-old student at the Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy. She is also a resident of Whitefish Bay.
Nadia Thompson, Ballet Mistress for Milwaukee Ballet, privately coached Hackbarth’s first place performance of the Blue Bird variation from The Sleeping Beauty. Thompson also choreographed the contemporary solo Ethos which placed Hackbarth in the top 12 of the contemporary division. Hackbarth is one of a select few whose scores were high enough to be invited to compete in the finals at the Lincoln Center in New York City in April.
Cozzens named to position at Make-A-Wish Foundation
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin has named Wendy Cozzens as the new director of development. Cozzens has a strong background in communication and development. She has served as the director of development at Milwaukee-based Meta House for the past six years.
