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Meet Our Team
Michael Williams
President & CEO
Mike joined Guest House of Milwaukee in August 2021 as the organization’s first President & CEO, taking the place of Cindy Krahenbuhl, who recently retired as the executive director after 14 years of service. Mike has a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling, is a licensed Social Worker, and holds a Clinical Substance Abuse Counselors License. He has an extensive background in program development and implementation, as well as process improvements. Mike’s bias toward effective and efficient operations make him an ideal fit for the position. Over the course of his career, Mike has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the National “Daily Point of Light” award from President Bush in 2004. Personally, Mike is an Army veteran who has been married to his wife, Jacquelyn, for over 40 years. Mike enjoys reading, volunteering in the community, and spending time with his family. When asked about his interest in serving Guest House, he replied, “I simply love helping people.
Contact: 414-316-2008
michael@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org
He/Him/His
Philip Connelly
Director of Housing
Philip is from La Crosse, WI and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Philip joined Guest House in April of 2015 as the Director of Housing. In this role he is responsible for supporting the teams that implement our Emergency Shelter, Veteran’s Shelter, and Permanent Supportive Housing programs.
philip@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org
He/Him/His
Sharise Hollingsworth
Senior Manager of Interim Housing
Sharise is from Milwaukee, WI and earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Mount Mary University and a Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. Sharise joined Guest House in April of 2017 as an Internal Case Manager before transitioning to SAMHSA Case Manager that December. She was promoted to Lead Recovery Support Specialist in January of 2019 and that July to Senior Manager of Interim Housing. In this role, she is responsible for supporting our Interim Housing program to include the VA TIP, Homeless Prevention, Rapid Re-Housing, and Marsha’s House programs, as well as the Prairie and Capuchin Apartments.
sharise@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org
She/Her/Hers
Samella Jolly
Director of Clinical Services
Samella is from Chicago, IL and earned a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Illinois State University and a Master of Social Work from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Samella joined Guest House in April of 2019 as Associate Director of Clinical Services and was promoted to Director of Clinical Services in July of 2020. In this role, she is responsible for supporting the Guest House Counseling Clinic and Comprehensive Community Services programs.
samellajolly@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org
She/Her/Hers
Maria Melendes
Director of Government Grants and Quality Assurance
Maria is from Lakewood, CO and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Marquette University and a Master of Arts in Social Service Administration from University of Chicago. Maria joined Guest House in June of 2007 as Grants & Contracts Manager and was promoted to Director of Government Grants & Quality Assurance in August of 2017. In this role, Maria is responsible for managing our government grants and supporting our government-funded program staff in tracking required outcomes. She also oversees quality assurance efforts throughout the organization.
maria@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org
She/Her/Hers
Shay Nabors
Director of Human Resources
Shay is from Milwaukee, WI and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is a Society of Human Resource Management - Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). Shay joined Guest House in February of 2021 as Director of Human Resources. In this role, Shay is responsible for leading the planning, implementing, and evaluation of HR policies, & programs; including employee relations, training & development, total rewards, recruiting, & performance management.
shay@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org
She/Her/Hers
Kelly Fox
Director of Fund Development
Kelly is from Milwaukee and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She joined Guest House in November 2021 as Director of Fund Development. In this role, Kelly is responsible for all aspects of the annual fund development plan, which includes management of donations, communications, special events, and volunteer & community engagement.
kelly@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org
She/Her/Hers
Catillia Searcy
Associate Director of Clinical Services
Catillia is from Milwaukee, WI and earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master of Science in Community Psychology from Springfield College. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). Catillia joined Guest House in September of 2009 as a Clinician and was promoted to Director of Clinical Services in August of 2020. In this role, she is responsible for supporting Care Coordination and all Ancillary Services within our Comprehensive Community Services program.
catillia@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org
She/Her/Hers