Notable BIPOC Executives: Erik Kennedy

Class of 2023

As senior community relations coordinator for Advocate Aurora Health, Erik Kennedy develops relationships with community and business organizations, oversees the system’s blood donation program and sponsorship strategy, and coordinates the development and implementation of the community health strategy. 

“Erik promotes healthy and impactful interactions by challenging us all to remove our lens when meeting others from different backgrounds. He is well known for this latter effort through his series of ‘Breaking Bread’ meals, where he assembles diverse groups to gather and grow together,” said Jim Villa, chief executive officer of NAIOP Wisconsin. 

Kennedy also works with local nonprofits on behalf of Advocate Aurora Health. He is co-founder of ElevAsian and sits on the boards or committees of the AAPI Coalition of Wisconsin, Coalition for Children, Youth & Families, Salvation Army of Milwaukee County, Sharp Literacy and VISIT Milwaukee. 

He was named the 2022 Young Professional of the Year by the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce and has received other recognitions, including a Community Leadership Award from the National Association of Asian American Professionals Milwaukee and a Next Generation Leadership Award from the BizTimes Media Nonprofit Excellence Awards program. 

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