Why Milwaukee, Wisconsin Is a City Worth Fighting For
I have stood on every continent this planet has to offer. I have photographed glaciers in Antarctica, markets in Southeast Asia, plains in Africa, and alleyways in South America. I have seen cities that dazzle and landscapes that silence you. And after all of it, I come home to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I come home to Milwaukee not because I have to, but because I want to. Because this city, complicated and imperfect and fiercely alive, is worth showing up for every single day.
That is not a sentiment I hold lightly. I have been involved in Milwaukee's nonprofit and business communities for over a decade through Rebel Reform and Rebel Converting, and I have seen firsthand both the challenges this city faces and the extraordinary people who refuse to let those challenges have the last word. Milwaukee is a city worth fighting for. DELETE? This is why.
Milwaukee Has a Community That Shows Up
I have organized a lot of events in my life. Bike drives, backpack distributions, mask campaigns, food fundraisers. And the thing that has never once failed to move me is how Milwaukee shows up when asked.
When we launched #MaskUpMKE in early 2020, we did not know what to expect. The pandemic was new, fear was high, and we were asking people to trust us with something urgent and logistically complex. Within weeks, we had 22 partner agencies, support from organizations like the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Milwaukee Public Transit, and the Milwaukee Bucks, and a network of volunteers that helped us distribute over 4 million masks to healthcare workers and underserved communities across the region.
Milwaukee did that. Not one organization, not one family, not one well-funded campaign. Milwaukee, its people, its institutions, its businesses, its neighbors did that together.
That same spirit shows up every year at our annual bike drive. Families dig bikes out of garages and storage units. Local businesses run internal donation campaigns. Mechanics volunteer entire evenings to repair and tune donated bicycles. And on the day of the event, at places like Kosciuszko Park, hundreds of children ride away on bikes that a community decided they deserved to have. We have given away more than 4,000 bicycles and helmets since we began not because Rebel Reform is extraordinary, but because Milwaukee is.
The Organizations Holding This City Together
Every city has its crisis responders: its hospitals, its fire departments, its police. Milwaukee has those, and it also has a dense, remarkable network of nonprofit organizations that address the quieter crises: hunger, homelessness, isolation, lack of opportunity.
I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the best of them.
Just One More Ministry feeds thousands of malnourished children in Milwaukee every week. When Rebel Reform partnered with them to raise over $50,000 for their summer campaign and then rolled up our sleeves to help renovate their 24,000-square-foot warehouse, I was reminded of what an organization operating with genuine urgency looks like. They do not wait for conditions to be perfect. They serve the person in front of them, today, with whatever they have.
The 16th Street Community Health Centers have been a cornerstone partner in our bike day programming, connecting us with the families and children who need what we have to give. Their deep roots in Milwaukee's south side and their trust within the community make everything we try to do there more effective.
Organizations like Mr. Bob's Under the Bridge serve Milwaukee's homeless population with the kind of personal, relentless dedication that no government program can fully replicate. When Rebel Reform provides backpacks; over 1,300 distributed in recent years, filled with blankets, toiletries, and yes, happy socks; it is organizations like this that ensure they reach the people who need them most.
Milwaukee's nonprofit ecosystem is not perfect. It is underfunded, often overstretched, and navigating systemic challenges that no single organization can solve alone. But it is also among the most committed collections of mission-driven people I have encountered anywhere in the world. That is worth naming and worth protecting.
Milwaukee's Complicated History Is Part of Its Strength
I would not be honest if I wrote a love letter to Milwaukee without acknowledging its contradictions.
Milwaukee is frequently cited in national studies as one of the most racially segregated cities in the United States. Its north side and south side carry histories of disinvestment and inequity that did not happen by accident and will not be corrected without sustained, intentional effort. Poverty is concentrated in ways that are visible and uncomfortable if you are paying attention and invisible if you are not.
I am paying attention. Part of what has kept me in this work, and in this city, for as long as I have been doing it, is the belief that the places with the most complicated histories are also the places where the most important work is happening. Milwaukee is not a city that needs to be fixed by people from somewhere else. It is a city that needs its own people, people who love it and know it and have chosen to stay to keep showing up.
That is what Rebel Reform tries to be: a locally rooted organization that takes seriously the responsibility of being embedded in a community. We are not passing through. We live here. Our children go to school here. We shop at local businesses, know our neighbors, and care about what happens on streets beyond our own. That rootedness is, I believe, the only real foundation for meaningful community work.
Lake Michigan and the Geography of Home
There is something about living on a Great Lake that shapes a person's sense of place in ways that are hard to articulate. Lake Michigan is enormous, genuinely oceanic in its scale and its moods, and yet it is freshwater, approachable, swimmable, shared. It belongs to everyone in a way that oceans, for all their grandeur, do not quite manage.
I photograph Lake Michigan often. The light on the water in the early morning is some of the best light I have found anywhere, and I have looked for good light on every continent. The lakefront is also where some of our most meaningful community events happen including the annual bike collection drive with Lake Express Ferry, whose partnership has been essential to the growth of our bike program. Standing at the lakefront in April, watching donor after donor arrive with bikes loaded into minivans and truck beds, with the lake behind them and the city skyline in the distance that image, repeated year after year, is Milwaukee to me.
What Loretta Kryshak Wants People to Know About This City
I have met people, in my travels and in my work, who have a fixed idea of Milwaukeeusually formed by a headline or a statistic or someone else's story. I understand how that happens. Cities are large and complex and easy to reduce.
What I want people to know is that the Milwaukee I have experienced for over a decade is a city of extraordinary generosity, deep community pride, and a stubborn refusal to give up on its most vulnerable residents. It is a city where a manufacturing company can decide to become a force for social good and find, almost immediately, a community ready to support and amplify that work. It is a city where a teenager can make 10,000 masks during a pandemic and be celebrated for it. It is a city where mechanics volunteer their Saturday nights to fix bikes for children they will never meet.
Visit Milwaukee will tell you about the restaurants and the festivals and the architecture, all of which are genuinely worth your time. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where I earned my degrees in Finance and Management Information Systems, anchors an academic community that produces thoughtful, civic-minded graduates year after year. Milwaukee Area Technical College provides accessible pathways to skilled trades and professional careers for thousands of students who might not otherwise have them.
These institutions matter. But what matters more, to me, is the culture they exist within: a culture that, at its best, takes seriously the idea that a city's strength is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members.
Milwaukee is not there yet. No city is. But Milwaukee is fighting, every day, to get closer. And as long as it is, I will be here fighting alongside it.
A City That Earns Its Loyalists
I did not grow up thinking I would spend my career in Milwaukee. I grew up thinking I would use my degrees and my skills to build something successful, travel the world, and figure the rest out as I went. What I did not anticipate was falling in love with a city — with its lake and its neighborhoods and its people and its particular, stubborn, generous spirit.
Rebel Reform exists because Milwaukee made it possible. Every bike we have given away, every mask we distributed, every backpack we filled, every dollar we raised for Just One More Ministry; none of it happened in a vacuum. It happened because this city's people, institutions, and organizations chose to show up alongside us.
That is what a city worth fighting for looks like. Not perfect. Not without struggle. But alive, and generous, and unwilling to abandon the people who need it most.
Milwaukee, I am not going anywhere.
Loretta Kryshak is the Executive Director of Rebel Reform, the social outreach arm of Rebel Converting. She is a humanitarian, award-winning photographer, and global traveler who has called southeastern Wisconsin home for over a decade. Follow her work at lorettakryshak.com.
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.
Capturing Life’s Stories: Loretta Kryshak’s Lens for Social Good
Introduction to Loretta Kryshak’s Vision
In a world filled with fleeting moments, Loretta Kryshak’s lens for social good captures stories that resonate deeply. As an award-winning photographer, philanthropist, and community leader in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kryshak transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary through her black-and-white photography. Her ability to find beauty in the mundane—evident in her Monochrome Awards honorable mention for a poignant pandemic-era theater seats photograph—reflects a philosophy that inspires others to see beyond the surface. Coupled with her global travels across all seven continents and her humanitarian work through Rebel Reform, Kryshak’s photography amplifies the narratives of underserved communities, blending art with purpose.
A Photographer’s Journey Across Seven Continents
Loretta Kryshak’s photography is shaped by her extraordinary experiences exploring every continent, from the icy expanses of Antarctica to the vibrant cultures of Africa and Asia. These travels, often shared with her family, have honed her ability to capture authentic human stories. Whether photographing a bustling market in South America or a quiet moment in an Australian outback, Kryshak’s lens for social good reveals the universal threads that connect us. Her global perspective informs her work, allowing her to highlight the beauty in everyday life and share it with audiences worldwide.
Her philosophy of finding inspiration in the mundane drives her creative process. As she once shared, “Look for the positives in every situation and inspire others to look beyond the obvious.” This mindset is evident in her black-and-white photography, where she transforms simple scenes—like empty theater seats during the COVID-19 pandemic—into powerful narratives of resilience and hope. Her Monochrome Awards honorable mention for this photograph underscores her skill in using minimalism to evoke profound emotions, a hallmark of her storytelling.
Loretta Kryshak’s Lens for Social Good: Amplifying Community Narratives
Kryshak’s photography is more than art—it’s a vehicle for social impact. As the Executive Director of Rebel Reform, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting underserved communities in southeastern Wisconsin, she uses her visual storytelling to shine a light on those often overlooked. Her work with initiatives like MaskUpMKE, which distributed over 4 million face masks during the pandemic, demonstrates her commitment to community welfare. Through her lens, Kryshak captures the faces and stories of healthcare workers, volunteers, and families, giving visibility to their struggles and triumphs.
Her photography serves as a bridge between her global experiences and local impact. For example, her collaboration with Just One More Ministry, which raised $50,000 to support malnourished children, is complemented by images that humanize the cause. By sharing these stories on platforms like social media, Kryshak’s lens for social good amplifies the reach of her nonprofit’s mission, inspiring action and fostering community connection. Her work encourages viewers to see the world through a lens of compassion, aligning her art with her humanitarian goals.
The Power of Black-and-White Photography
Kryshak’s award-winning black-and-white photography is a testament to her ability to distill complex emotions into simple, striking images. Her pandemic-era theater seats photograph, honored by the Monochrome Awards, captures the eerie stillness of a world paused by crisis. The absence of color in her work strips away distractions, focusing attention on texture, contrast, and emotion. This minimalist approach mirrors her philosophy of finding beauty in the everyday, whether it’s a weathered face in a remote village or an empty urban landscape.
Her technical skill, honed through an associate degree in graphic design and years of practice, allows her to create images that resonate universally. By emphasizing form and feeling over color, Kryshak’s lens for social good invites viewers to engage with the deeper stories behind her subjects. Her photographs are not just art—they are calls to action, urging audiences to consider the lives and challenges of those depicted.
Inspiring Others to Look Beyond the Obvious
Kryshak’s philosophy extends beyond her own work, encouraging aspiring photographers and community members to find inspiration in their surroundings. Through workshops, social media, and community events, she shares her approach to storytelling, urging others to “look beyond the obvious” and capture the essence of their subjects. Her global travels inform this message, as she draws parallels between the diverse communities she’s encountered and the local challenges in Milwaukee.
Her humanitarian efforts, such as providing 1,300 backpacks for the homeless or distributing 4,000 bicycles to underserved children, are often accompanied by photographic documentation that tells the recipients’ stories. These images, shared through Rebel Reform’s platforms, inspire others to contribute to social good. Kryshak’s lens for social good thus becomes a catalyst for collective action, proving that art can drive meaningful change.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Art and Impact
Loretta Kryshak’s photography is a powerful testament to the intersection of art and social good. Her award-winning black-and-white work, shaped by her travels across seven continents, captures the beauty in the mundane and amplifies the voices of underserved communities. Through her lens for social good, Kryshak not only creates stunning visuals but also fosters compassion and action. Her work with Rebel Reform and initiatives like MaskUpMKE demonstrates how photography can transcend art, becoming a tool for advocacy and connection.
For those inspired to follow in her footsteps, Kryshak’s message is clear: find the extraordinary in the ordinary, and use your talents to uplift others. Her legacy is a reminder that a single photograph, like a single act of kindness, can ripple across communities, creating lasting impact.
Rebel Reform and Rebel Converting to Play Major Role in 2025 Kosciusko Park Bike Day Donating Hundreds of Bikes and Leading Community Efforts
Milwaukee WI, May 29, 2025 – Loretta Kryshak, Executive Director of Rebel Reform, is proud to announce that Rebel Reform will once again be a cornerstone of the 2025 Kosciusko Park Bike Day continuing its longstanding commitment to providing children in need with bicycles, helmets, and locks. This annual event, dedicated to promoting healthy, active lifestyles, relies heavily on Rebel Reform’s substantial contributions and hands-on involvement.
Rebel Reform will donate hundreds of gently used bicycles to the 2025 Bike Day, ensuring that every child receives a safe and reliable bike. To facilitate this effort, the company provides a truck—and often funds a second truck—to collect and store the bikes for over two months leading up to the event. Rebel Reform employees play a critical role in loading and organizing the bicycles, ensuring smooth logistics throughout the process.
In preparation for the giveaway, Rebel Reform hosts its popular Mechanic Night at its factory, where local bike shop mechanics volunteer to repair and refurbish the donated bikes. Rebel Reform supports these efforts by providing food and refreshments, including beer, fostering a collaborative and community-driven atmosphere.
On the day of the Bike Giveaway, approximately 40 Rebel Reform employees volunteer to transport the repaired bikes, helmets, and locks to the event site at Kosciusko Park. They set up tables, distribute water, and personally fit each child for a bike, ensuring a proper and safe fit. Rebel Reform also purchases helmets and locks for every child, with staff taking the time to adjust each helmet and demonstrate how to use the locks. At the event’s conclusion, Rebel Reform employees pack up all materials, leaving the park clean and ready for future community use.
“We are thrilled to support the Kosciusko Park Bike Day and make a meaningful impact in our community,” said Loretta Kryshak. “Our team at Rebel Reform is dedicated to ensuring every child leaves with a bike, a helmet, and the confidence to ride safely. This event is a testament to the power of community collaboration, and we’re proud to play such a significant role.”
The Kosciusko Park Bike Day will take place on June 14th. For more information about the event or Rebel Reform’s contributions, please go to rebelreform.org.
Loretta Kryshak: A Journey of Impact and Inspiration
Loretta Kryshak serves as the Executive Director of Rebel Reform, the social outreach arm of Rebel Converting, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of hospital-grade disinfectant wipes. For over a decade, Loretta has spearheaded initiatives to support nonprofits and address pressing community needs in southeastern Wisconsin. Rebel Reform’s mission is to strengthen and sustain vulnerable populations through strategic partnerships and impactful charitable endeavors.
Key achievements include:
Leading Rebel Reform: Transforming Communities in Southeastern Wisconsin
Loretta Kryshak serves as the Executive Director of Rebel Reform, the social outreach arm of Rebel Converting, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of hospital-grade disinfectant wipes. For over a decade, Loretta has spearheaded initiatives to support nonprofits and address pressing community needs in southeastern Wisconsin. Rebel Reform’s mission is to strengthen and sustain vulnerable populations through strategic partnerships and impactful charitable endeavors.
Key achievements include:
#MaskUpMKE and #MaskUpRacine: Co-founded by Loretta, these campaigns distributed over 4 million face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborating with organizations like the Medical College of Wisconsin, United Way, and Milwaukee Public Transit. The initiatives promoted mask-wearing to curb the virus’s spread, earning the Kryshak family the Gwen T. Jackson Community Service Award from United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County. In 2021, Loretta Kryshak honored a Kenosha teenager, Srisupraja Kandrakota, for crafting 10,000 masks, showcasing her commitment to inspiring youth leadership.
Support for Homelessness and Food Insecurity: Loretta led efforts to distribute 1,300 backpacks to homeless individuals and families and partnered with Just One More Ministry to raise over $50,000 to feed malnourished children in Milwaukee. Rebel Reform also renovated a 24,000-square-foot warehouse for the ministry, enhancing their capacity to serve the community.
Community Empowerment: From providing 4,000 bicycles to underserved children through the 16th Street Community Center to supporting Shop With A Cop programs, Loretta’s work focuses on direct, tangible impact.
Rebel Reform continues to seek collaborative opportunities with nonprofits, ensuring resources like goods, services, and capital are allocated effectively to maximize community benefit.
Capturing the World Through Photography
An avid photographer, Loretta Kryshak’s black-and-white photography has garnered international recognition. Her work, often inspired by her global travels, captures the beauty in everyday moments and tells compelling stories. In 2021, her photograph “Untitled,” depicting empty theater seats during the pandemic, received an honorable mention at the Monochrome Awards, highlighting the cultural impact of COVID-19.
Loretta’s philosophy—“I see photos everywhere I go”—drives her to find inspiration in both the striking and the mundane. Her portfolio, showcased on platforms like LensCulture, reflects her travels across all seven continents, from Southeast Asia to Africa. She aims to encourage viewers to look beyond the obvious and find inspiration in their surroundings.
Philanthropy Rooted in Family and Community
Loretta’s philanthropic spirit is a family affair. Alongside her husband, Mike, and their children, Thaddeus and Violet, she infuses Rebel Converting with a commitment to civic responsibility. The family’s efforts during the COVID-19 crisis, including pivoting production to create mask kits from melt-blown polypropylene, demonstrate their innovative approach to community support. Their work with #MaskUpMKE not only provided essential resources but also sparked a citywide movement for public health.
Beyond Rebel Reform, Loretta is a member of the Junior Women’s Club of Mequon, dedicated to community service. Her travels and homeschooling experiences with her children in countries like China, Thailand, and New Zealand have shaped her global perspective on giving back.
A Multifaceted Leader with a Strong Foundation
Loretta’s diverse expertise underpins her success. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Finance and Management Information Systems, where she made the Dean’s Honor List. She also earned an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design from Milwaukee Area Technical College and certifications as a Certified Network Administrator (CNA) and Certified Network Engineer (CNE). Her corporate background as a consultant, project manager, and systems analyst equips her to manage complex initiatives at Rebel Reform with precision and creativity.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Impact
As Loretta continues to lead Rebel Reform, her focus remains on addressing evolving community needs, from public health to social justice. Her photography will continue to document the human experience, while her travels inspire new ways to connect and uplift. Whether through donating masks, renovating community spaces, or capturing poignant moments, Loretta Kryshak’s work embodies a relentless drive to make a difference.
To learn more about Loretta’s initiatives, visit Rebel Reform or explore her photography on LensCulture. Follow her journey on Twitter and Facebook.
Last updated: May 17, 2025