Our Story
Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting stewardship and awareness of the historic, cultural, and economic value of Milwaukee’s built heritage.
MPA aims to strengthen Milwaukee’s neighborhoods by advocating for and promoting their unique cultural spaces and architectural assets in order to foster a strong and vibrant community as well as demonstrating the link between historic preservation and viable economic development.
Historic preservation is essential to a strong local economy.
A large and growing body of research is documenting the positive impact that historic preservation has on the economy in six broad areas:
local job growth
property values
increased heritage tourism
smaller environmental impact
greater quality of life
downtown revitalization
One of MPA’s primary goals is to continue to promote historic preservation as a valuable economic tool to key decision-makers like elected officials, property owners, developers, and investors. Milwaukee’s character and charm lies within its neighborhoods, and many have been revitalized by the conservation and restoration of their historic fabric.
Meet the Team
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Emma Rudd
FOUNDER
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Emmett Marsh
DESIGN DIRECTOR
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Eleanor Parks
SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR
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Karl Holland
SALES MANAGER
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Jaya Dixon
MARKETING DIRECTOR
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Jamie Kokot
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER
Meet the Team
Staff
Emma Rudd
Executive Director
Stephanie livingston
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I have always been interested in history, probably because of my grandmother and her amazing story telling. I enjoyed listening to her talk about the early 1930s, and when she met my grandfather right after the war in 1945. That interest in history grew into preservation in college when I started taking classes in historic preservation and community development.
Now, I'm excited to work with an organization that aligns with my values. I deeply believe that getting the community involved is key to saving historic structures and keeping the fabric of Milwaukee's culture alive. I may not have grown up in Milwaukee, but it is now our home and I feel deeply invested in the future of its built environment.
Operations Associate
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The MPA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that preservationist and architectural design professional Emelia Rudd has joined the organization as its next Executive Director. Rudd’s background in architecture, preservation, and non-profit work will advance MPA’s ongoing mission and build upon its 20-year foundation.
MPA Board President Peter Zanghi is enthusiastic about Rudd joining the organization and the future of MPA: “As a primarily volunteer-based organization, it makes us proud to be able to employ staff who dedicate themselves to furthering MPA's mission as we work to ‘make preservation mainstream’ in Milwaukee. Ms. Rudd brings with her a contagious optimism and dedication to the community and fabric of Milwaukee, and her passion for the stories and built history of this city is evident upon first meeting her. We are thrilled to welcome her as our next full-time Executive Director."
Rudd plans to use her skills to sustain partnerships, champion inclusive outreach and educational opportunities, and foster social engagement throughout Milwaukee and the surrounding communities. “Historic Preservation is about more than just saving old buildings - it’s about the stories told, the lives that were lived and events that unfolded behind the physical walls we see today.”
She plans to encourage designation and adaptive reuse through educational programming and community outreach: “The correlation between sustainability and preservation is undeniable. Milwaukee is a catalytic example for embracing its existing fabric and adapting it in new, innovative ways. Watching breweries, shops, coffee houses and more move into buildings that were once used for industry and commerce is something that Milwaukeeans do so well - and it’s a huge part of our story that deserves to be celebrated.”
A native Wisconsinite, Rudd hopes to reach all corners of Milwaukee County and beyond: “MPA isn’t here just to advocate for the best of the best of preservation - we love to see the reuse and rehabilitation of a grand Cream City jewel just as much as we do the small corner shop that was the heart of a neighborhood. It is my hope to amplify the benefits and beauty of preservation throughout the area, and to help tell stories that would otherwise be overlooked or disregarded.”
Rudd earned her BA in History with an emphasis in business studies from University of St. Thomas, MN, and her Masters of Architecture with Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Over the years she has worked for the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (now Rethos), Historic Ard Godfrey House, the WI State Historic Preservation Office, the City of Milwaukee Historic Preservation Office, and various architectural firms throughout Milwaukee. She credits her love of history and preservation to her parents, who from a young age exposed her to the wonder of historic buildings, stories and sites, and is thrilled to bring that lifelong passion to the MPA.
Board of Directors
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Please give a short summary on how you became interested in preservation and what brought you to MPA:
I’ve always loved old buildings. In addition to admiring their unique details and particular materials, I’ve always been intrigued by the stories they tell about the different ways people have lived in other times and places. This fascination with the use of space led me to a career in architecture with an emphasis in historic preservation. It was through a project helping to develop a long-term vision for the Mitchell Park Domes that I first made a personal connection with the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance. I have happily served on the Board of Directors since 2020.
Please share one “fun fact” or favorite Milwaukee building (i.e. a hobby, story, favorite Milwaukee location, etc.)
It's hard to choose one, but my favorite Milwaukee building is our beautiful City Hall!
Joselia Mendiolea
President
Claude Krawczyk
Treasurer
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Claude counsels business owners primarily in real estate and business transactions at . For over 30 years, Claude has represented landlords and tenants in commercial lease transactions; buyers, sellers and developers of real property; lenders and borrowers in loan transactions; property owners in zoning matters and objections to property tax assessments; entrepreneurs in business start-ups and corporate organizational matters and existing businesses, by providing trademark and copyright protection and by drafting and negotiating manufacturing agreements, distribution agreements and other contracts.
Claude was raised on Milwaukee’s South Side as part of a family with an appreciative of history. Much of his adult life outside of his law practice has been devoted to maintaining or restoring our existing built environment. To that end, Claude was a leader in the successful efforts to restore the historic monuments to Taddeus Kosciuszko on 9th & Lincoln and George Washington on 10th & Wisconsin. For many years. Claude has also been very active with efforts to restore and maintain historic St. Josaphat Basilica—his “family home” and favorite building in Milwaukee.
Zachary Pererson
Vice President
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Special Education Teacher-Carmen Schools of Science and Technology
My interest in family genealogy grew into a passion for historic preservation at young age when I would see my family’s history come to life through the generations old farmsteads that were still standing. Joining the MPA Board after moving to the Milwaukee Metro has allowed me to put my passion to use in my community.
Favorite Milwaukee Historic Structure- North Pointe Water Tower.
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I'm an Architectural Engineer at ZS Architects & Engineers, where I specialize in building enclosure assessment and repair. ZS primarily provides consulting services for both historic restoration and new construction with our specialized team of architects and engineers. I specialize in the examination, assessment, and restoration through developing repair plans and specifications for historic facades and existing buildings throughout the midwest. https://zsllc-us.com/
I majored in History at UW-Madison, then received a Master's of Architecture at UW-Milwaukee with specialties in historic preservation and ecological design. I've always been fascinated by the built environment, dating back to when I had the opportunity to travel the great cities and monuments of western europe growing up. I was recruited to MPA by past board member Lori Gensch, and have served in multiple roles with MPA since joining in 2016.
I'm a cofounder of the Milwaukee Underwater Hockey Club (the Milwaukee Manatees), where we play underwater hockey twice each week and travel to and host tournaments playing against teams from across the country. The other nights of the week you can find me racing sailboats out of the historic South Shore Yacht Club in BayView.
John Rothe
Secretary
Carl Bahneman
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My wife and I are happily retired and enjoy all the great things our city has to offer. I worked 30 years in the financial services software business and in 2019 went back to school to get a masters from UWM in Nonprofit Administration. We travel, hit local estate sales (mostly to see the cool houses) and tend to our half acre native prairie. I serve on a number of other Boards as well
Please give a short summary on how you became interested in preservation and what brought you to MPA. I have lived most of my life in Milwaukee and always marveled at the cool historic buildings in the city. My wife and I would always express how sad we were when one of them was torn down to build an ugly set of apartments or a strip mall. I learned about MPA from social media and decided that even though I wasn't an architect or an engineer, I had a passion for these structures and I thought my nonprofit background could help a growing organization like MPA. Best decision I ever made
Please share one “fun fact” or favorite Milwaukee building (i.e. a hobby, story, favorite Milwaukee location, etc.) Fun fact-When I was in college I ran for the State Assembly against Tom Barrett. Lost horribly, but wore it as a badge of honor every time he got a new job. Favorite Building-I worked as the driver for a tool and die company in Milwaukee that is now the home of Radio Milwaukee. What a great way to reuse and repurpose a cool building.
John Padberg
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For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had an interest in old buildings and learning about how they were built and the stories they told, especially early American structures. I grew up in Northwest Indiana and studied Construction Management at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. After my time at Purdue, I began my career in Chicago. There I managed new construction, renovations, as well as restorations to existing buildings. Throughout my career in construction, I found the projects I enjoyed the most were the ones where new life was realized in an existing structure. These projects were the most challenging and most rewarding.
In 2015, my wife and I decided to relocate from Chicago to the Milwaukee area and I quickly fell in love with the unique architecture, the historic structures, and the close-knit community. I currently work for Berglund Construction where I manage the restoration of historic public and private structures in Milwaukee and across the state. My involvement in the MPA is a natural progression of my work to save and restore historic structures that impact our communities. I believe we are stewards to protect these structures for future generations.
Chelsey Pfiffner
Chris Rute
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I am an architect and principal of CR Design which offers consultation to architects, building & business owners, contractors, and developers regarding building & zoning codes and navigating the whitewater of the entitlement process. My focus is on the building regulations for adaptive reuse of historic buildings.
My entry into the realm of historic preservation began in the dim and distant past. In 1979, during my undergraduate work at the UWM School of Architecture, I had the opportunity to spend an entire semester studying abroad in London, England. My studio project was the adaptive reuse of the funerary chapel at Highgate Cemetery. This was during my “Goth” period apparently. I also did a study of Victorian funerary symbolism found on grave edifices of the era. I also did a study of the history of decorative arts in Britain from 1066 to the present day (1979).
The Historic Third Ward is my favorite place in Milwaukee. A vibrant urban neighborhood with a mix of uses and a mix of heritage structures with compatible, new interventions. Having spent 20 years working with the Historic Third Ward Architectural Review Board, I watched the district rise from the brink of obscurity to the wonderful place it is today.
Tim Smith
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I’m a lifelong resident of the Milwaukee area. Growing up in a newer suburb of Milwaukee, I was always fond of driving into Milwaukee and seeing the city’s historic structures, whether it be the factories in the Menomonee Valley or the historic homes of the East Side. I also gained a better appreciation of Milwaukee’s architecture at a young age through a summer art class that focused on drawing Milwaukee’s historic buildings. While I never ended up pursuing my childhood dream of becoming in an architect, my love of local history and architecture continues through today, and I am excited to join the board of the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance to help with its mission of preserving Milwaukee’s historic structures.
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Growing up in a military family, the foundation for my love of history and architecture was laid at an early age. After moving around the US and Europe, we eventually settled down in the suburbs of Atlanta where I spent my formative years. I went on to study History and Anthropology at the University of Georgia in Athens, where I discovered a field that combined all the aspects I loved most about my studies - historic preservation!
After staying at UGA to complete a master’s degree in Historic Preservation, I moved to the Upper Midwest where I worked for the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison. In 2018, I moved to Milwaukee to work as an Architectural Historian for a local cultural resource management firm. In that role, I was able to explore and research historic
resources all across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. As I settled into my new city, I became aware of the great work MPA was doing and became a member. In my current position, I work as a consultant preparing National Register Nominations and tax credit applications for adaptive reuse projects throughout the region.
Having never had a traditional hometown, I feel like Milwaukee has given me that comfort more than any other place I’ve known. I joined the MPA board of directors in 2021 and I am both humbled and excited to be part of this group of such knowledgeable and dedicated people.
shannon Winterhalter
Peter Zanghi
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Peter is Community Engagement Director at CIS, a company that develops green infrastructure in Milwaukee through the Fresh Coast Protection Partnership. His interests in architecture and Milwaukee history led him to join MPA's Board of Directors in 2012 after learning about efforts to save the Soldiers Home. He served as President of the Board from 2016-2024 and leads tours of the Soldiers Home throughout the year. When he's not eating custard at Leon’s, his favorite activity is seeing a concert at one of Milwaukee's many historic venues.
