From Finance and IT to Nonprofit Leadership: Loretta Kryshak on Building a Life of Purpose

If you'd asked Loretta Kryshak in her early twenties what she pictured for her career, she would have described spreadsheets, network architectures, and writing code, not warehouses full of donated bikes, or press appearances to announce million-mask milestones, or spending an afternoon photographing children at a park in Milwaukee receive their first bicycle.

Life has a way of taking your skills somewhere you never expected to need them and Loretta has spent a lot of years being grateful for that.

A Foundation Built on Finance, Technology, and Design

I graduated from UWM, where I earned two bachelor's degrees. One in Finance, one in Management Information Systems both landing me on the Dean's Honor List. I started out using my financial skills as a computer programmer, customizing financial programs focused on basic MRP to manage inventory control, production planning, and scheduling for manufacturing industries. Over time, I was a pioneer when barcoding became available to help make inventory control easier.

I also hold an Associate of Arts in Graphic Design and Photography from Milwaukee Area Technical College, where I earned Dean's Honor Roll recognition as well.

That combination; financial literacy, systems thinking, and visual design sounds eclectic, but it has turned out to be exactly the toolkit that nonprofit leadership demands.

Running Rebel Reform is not a lax job.  It requires understanding how money moves, where it should go, and how to make a case for specific allocations when resources are limited. It requires systems thinking: how do you coordinate 22 partner agencies to distribute 4 million masks during a public health crisis? How do you organize a warehouse, a volunteer team, a logistics chain, and a community outreach campaign simultaneously? Effective organizational communication requires a strategic blend of clear, compelling, and mission-true messaging, where both visual and verbal elements are aligned.

Finance. Systems. Design. I use all three, every single day.

The Corporate Path That Preceded the Nonprofit One

Before Rebel Reform, I worked in the corporate world as a consultant, project manager, and systems analyst. These weren't glamorous titles, but the work was intellectually rigorous and taught me skills that I don't think any amount of nonprofit-specific training could have replicated.

As a consultant, I learned to enter unfamiliar organizations, quickly understand how they actually function (as opposed to how they say they function), identify inefficiencies, and recommend solutions that could survive implementation. As a project manager, I learned to hold timelines and people accountable without destroying relationships. As a systems analyst, I learned to think in processes to see not just what's happening now, but what happens next, and next after that.

All of this became the architecture of how I lead Rebel Reform. When we partnered with Just One More Ministry to renovate their 24,000-square-foot warehouse, I wasn't just writing a check, I was managing a project. When we designed the #MaskUpMKE campaign, I wasn't just organizing volunteers, I was architecting a system that had to scale across county lines and health department relationships and manufacturing logistics simultaneously.

I am proud of what Rebel Reform has accomplished. I am equally proud of the professional foundation that made those accomplishments possible.

What Loretta Kryshak Believes About Women in Leadership

I am careful not to overclaim about my own experience, but I do think there's something worth saying about the path that led me here.

I came of age in fields of finance, information technology, systems engineering where women were present but not common. Where being taken seriously required a certain kind of persistent, unflappable competence. Where you learned quickly that you did not get the benefit of the doubt; you demonstrated it, every time, and then you moved forward.

The women I admire most in leadership share knowing that  confidence comes from knowing your worth and refusing to compromise it. I try to model that at Rebel Reform, and I try to model it for the young people in our community of both, boys and girls who are watching how adults show up when things are hard.

The Junior Women's Club and Community Roots

Before Rebel Reform, when I became a mother , I joined the Junior Women's Club of Mequon an organization that exemplifies exactly the kind of community-level relationship building that I believe underpins all meaningful civic work. Volunteering and organizing through organizations like the Junior Women's Club has kept me connected to the fabric of everyday life in southeastern Wisconsin in a way that a nonprofit executive role alone never could.

Local organizations matter. Neighborhood relationships matter. The woman you serve alongside at a community event is the person who calls when she hears about a family that needs bikes or backpacks or a warm meal. That network is irreplaceable and it doesn't build itself.

A Career That Keeps Evolving

I'm often asked whether I miss corporate life. The honest answer is: As a Graphic Artist I am still very much involved with our company and everyday chaos at Rebel Converting.

But, what I also have — leading an organization that directly changes the material conditions of people's lives, while also pursuing photography, and traveling with my family, and staying connected to the community where I've built my life — is richer than anything I pictured in those early years of spreadsheets and network diagrams.

The skills are the same. The purpose is larger. And the work, even on its hardest days, is worth it.

Loretta Kryshak is the Executive Director of Rebel Reform, the social outreach arm of Rebel Converting. She holds degrees in Finance, Management Information Systems, and Graphic Design & Photography and has spent over a decade leading community impact programs in southeastern Wisconsin. Follow her work at lorettakryshak.com.

A Family Affair: The Kryshak Legacy of Giving Back

The Kryshak Family

Introduction to the Kryshak Family’s Philanthropic Spirit

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Kryshak family - Loretta, her husband Michael, and their children - have woven a remarkable legacy of philanthropy that resonates across communities. United by a shared commitment to service, their collective efforts through Rebel Reform have touched thousands of lives, from distributing 4,000 bicycles to underserved children to providing 1,300 backpacks for the homeless. Their global travels to Africa, South America, and India, paired with hands-on volunteering, have shaped a family culture rooted in compassion and action. This article celebrates the Kryshak family’s journey, showcasing how their values drive meaningful change.

Building a Family Culture of Giving

For Loretta and Mike Kryshak, philanthropy is more than a duty - it’s a family tradition. As Executive Director of Rebel Reform, Loretta brings strategic vision, while Mike, a co-founder of Rebel Converting, provides operational support. Their children, raised in this environment of giving, actively participate in initiatives that reflect the family’s ethos. Together, they’ve cultivated a culture where service is a shared joy, reinforced by their belief in creating memories over accumulating possessions, as Loretta has expressed: “Prioritize memories with people, not things.”

This culture is evident in their collaborative approach. Whether organizing fundraisers or volunteering on the ground, the Kryshaks work as a unit. Their children’s involvement—from managing social media for campaigns to packing supplies—demonstrates how philanthropy has become a family affair, passed down through example and engagement.

Collective Efforts Through Rebel Reform

Rebel Reform, the social outreach arm of Rebel Converting, serves as the Kryshak family’s vehicle for impact. Their initiatives address critical needs in southeastern Wisconsin, with each family member contributing uniquely:

Distributing 4,000 Bicycles to Underserved Children

Over six years, the Kryshaks partnered with the 16th Street Community Center to deliver 4,000 bicycles and helmets to children in need. This effort, driven by the family’s desire to empower youth, provides more than transportation—it fosters confidence and independence. Loretta spearheaded logistics, Mike coordinated resources, and their children helped with distribution events, creating joyful moments for recipients. The bicycles, often a child’s first, symbolize the Kryshaks’ commitment to opening doors for future generations.

Providing 1,300 Backpacks for the Homeless

In collaboration with local organizations like Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge, the Kryshaks supplied 1,300 backpacks filled with essentials, including blankets, toiletries, and “happy socks,” to Milwaukee’s homeless population. This initiative reflects their hands-on approach, with the family personally packing and delivering supplies. By including items like socks, they honor small acts of dignity, aligning with their philosophy of meaningful, direct impact. The children’s participation in these efforts underscores the family’s collective dedication.

MaskUpMKE: A Family-Led Response to Crisis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kryshaks led the #MaskUpMKE campaign, distributing over 4 million face masks to healthcare workers and underserved communities. Loretta’s strategic oversight united 22 agencies, including the Milwaukee Bucks and United Way. Mike facilitated material donations from Rebel Converting, while their son, Thaddeus, innovated by repurposing wipe fabric for masks, and daughter, Violet, amplified the campaign online. This family-driven effort, which earned them the Gwen T. Jackson Community Service Award, exemplifies their ability to mobilize for collective good.

Supporting Food Security with Just One More Ministry

The Kryshaks’ partnership with Just One More Ministry (JOMM) raised over $50,000 to feed malnourished children in Milwaukee. Loretta’s $50,000 Match Grant Challenge incentivized volunteers, while Mike and the family helped renovate JOMM’s warehouse, expanding its capacity to serve thousands weekly. Their children joined in, packing food kits and learning the realities of food insecurity. This collaboration highlights how the Kryshaks blend financial support with hands-on service to address systemic challenges.

Global Travels Shaping Local Impact

The Kryshaks’ love for travel has profoundly influenced their philanthropy. Having explored all seven continents, including volunteer trips to Africa, South America, and India, the family has witnessed diverse cultures and challenges. These experiences - whether building schools in Africa or aiding communities in India - have deepened their understanding of human connection and inspired their local efforts.

In South America, they volunteered with local nonprofits, learning about grassroots solutions that Loretta later applied to Rebel Reform’s partnerships. In India, exposure to poverty and resilience shaped their focus on essentials like food and shelter in Milwaukee. Their children, who joined these trips, carry these lessons forward, evident in their active roles in Rebel Reform. Michael's global perspective, honed by studying in Poland during Soviet occupation, informs his ability to bridge international insights with local needs, making Rebel Reform’s work both empathetic and effective.

Rebel Reform as a Vehicle for Family Values

Rebel Reform embodies the Kryshak family’s core values: compassion, collaboration, and community. Loretta’s leadership ensures strategic alignment with high-impact organizations, while Michael's operational expertise maximizes resources. Their children’s involvement reflects a commitment to raising socially conscious individuals. Initiatives like “Rebels With a Cause” amplify partner stories, such as honoring teen Srisupraja Kandrakota for making 10,000 masks by donating money towards her college, inspires others to act.

The family’s hands-on approach - whether renovating facilities or delivering bicycles - creates personal connections with recipients, reinforcing their belief in direct impact. By prioritizing underserved communities, the Kryshaks address systemic issues like homelessness and food insecurity, using Rebel Reform to turn their values into action.

The Legacy of Giving Back

The Kryshak family’s legacy is one of ripple effects, where each act of service inspires further change. Their 4,000 bicycles have empowered children and encouraged kids to exercise and their 1,300 backpacks have restored dignity, and their 4 million masks have saved lives. Through JOMM and other partnerships, they’ve fed thousands, while their global experiences continue to shape their local impact. Their children, raised in this culture of giving, are poised to carry this legacy forward, ensuring its longevity.

For the Kryshaks, philanthropy is a family affair, rooted in shared experiences and a commitment to community. As Loretta has said, “Look for the positives in every situation and inspire others to look beyond the obvious.” Their work invites others to join in, proving that a family united by purpose can transform lives.

Conclusion: An Invitation to Continue the Legacy

The Kryshak family’s story is a powerful reminder that philanthropy thrives when it’s a collective endeavor. Through Rebel Reform, Loretta, Michael, and their children have built a legacy of giving back that spans continents and communities. Their efforts challenge us to embrace service, whether through a single act or a lifelong commitment. As Milwaukee benefits from their generosity, the Kryshaks’ legacy invites everyone to create their own ripple of impact, one family at a time.