Meet Our Team

Cindy Krahenbuhl

Executive Director

Cindy Krahenbuhl MBA, MS began as Executive Director in 2007 and has held that position at Guest Houes of Milwaukee for nearly 12 years. In 2008, Cindy helped spearhead the first Supported Housing Project in Milwaukee in response to the community outcry of lack of services for those with severe and persistent mental health issues, which has grown to over 450 units today. In 2012, Cindy led Guest House in celebrating 30 years of ending homelessness in our clients’ lives in collaboration with the Brewers Community Foundation. In 2015 the Milwaukee Business Journal recognized Cindy as one of Milwaukee’s Women of Influence, “the cream of the crop of Milwaukee’s professional community”. Also that year, Guest House of Milwaukee’s Cream City Gardens and Rain Harvesting Project won the Wells Fargo People’s Choice Award as part of the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI) from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Cindy successfully led a $3 million capital campaign for Guest House which culminated in 2016 with an 8,000 square foot expansion and renovation of our facilities. Cindy continues to lead the organization in the spirit of innovation and dignity for our clients.

Contact: 414-316-2008

cindy@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org

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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.

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philip@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org

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Jacob Dean

Senior Manager of Facility Operations & Safety

Jacob is from Potosi, WI and earned an Associate of Applied Business degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College in Facility Operations Management and an Associate of Applied Science degree with a focus on LEED Green from Milwaukee Area Technical College. He is also a member of the National Accreditation of Operations Management Professionals. Jacob joined Guest House in March of 2008 as the Resident Manager Assistant Coordinator. He was promoted to Senior Manager of Permanent Housing in August of 2009 and added IT & Facilities to his responsibilities in September of 2012 before becoming the Senior Manager of Operations in January of 2015. Since September of 2018, he has served as Senior Manager of Facility Operations and Safety. In this role, he is responsible for supporting the teams that manage all of our building, property, and technology needs as well as
our Residential Services program.

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jacob@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org

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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.

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sharise@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org

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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.

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samellajolly@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org

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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.

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maria@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org

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Shay Nabors

Senior Manager 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 Senior Manager 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.

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shay@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org

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Amy Rowell

Director of Fund Development

Amy is from St. Francis, WI and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education & Interdisciplinary Social Science from Marquette University and a Master of Arts in Public Service from Marquette University. She also completed the Future Milwaukee Leadership Program at Marquette University. Amy joined Guest House in November of 2014 as Manager of
Community Engagement and began serving as Director of Fund Development in February of 2020. In this role, Amy is responsible for implementing or supporting external communications & marketing, special events, private giving, in-kind donations, volunteer service, intern placements, and the Cream City Gardens.

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amy@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org

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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.

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catillia@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org

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