About Us
Who We Are: Leadership
Dr. Deborah C. Blanks, PhD, M.Ed., MAPA, Executive Director and President
Firmly anchored in comprehensive research and community-responsive practices, Dr. Deborah Blanks is a highly regarded organizational development strategist and equity consultant with decades of experience in the nonprofit, public, and educational sectors. As a founding leader of MANI, she possesses a rich background in research, community engagement, and leadership development.
Her efforts focus on examining how systems impact individuals, particularly marginalized communities, and driving organizational and structural transformations that promote inclusion, psychological safety, and effectiveness. A longtime CEO of a prominent community action agency, Blanks has led various divisions within city and county governments, and instructed in diverse educational contexts, ranging from youth programs to college classrooms.
She earned her Ph.D. in Urban Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Additionally, she is certified in Equitable Community Change and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Human Resources from Cornell University.
Dr. Blanks brings extensive professional expertise and a wide range of consulting experience. As President of Kairo Communications, she has provided services to clients such as the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), Milwaukee County, and the Village of Shorewood.
Board of Directors
MANI is governed by a dedicated five-person Board of Directors, representing diverse expertise in education, social services, nonprofit leadership, research, media, business, and civic engagement. The board provides strategic oversight, ensures accountability, and upholds the organization’s mission to drive equity-centered community change.
David J. Pate, Jr.
Associate Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies and Consumer Science, School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Pate is a nationally known expert on non-custodial fathers and their interaction with the child support enforcement system. His recent research projects focus on Black fathers and their role in the reduction of infant mortality, the impact of trauma on their employment outcomes, and the policy challenges of formerly incarcerated men returning to their communities.
Kaite Pritchard
Consultant
Katie has worked in the government and nonprofit sectors for four decades. She is a planner, evaluator, and researcher who specializes in engaging partners to create change.
Karla Harvey
CEO, Harvey Enterprise
With over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, Karla Harvey delivers training on health management, trauma-informed practices, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and human trafficking awareness.
Element Everest-Blanks
Program Director, HYFIN
Element Everest-Blanks is the Program Director of HYFIN, Milwaukee’s premier Black music and culture platform, and one of the few Black women leading a media outlet in the U.S. Everest-Blanks is an award-winning cultural architect and founding member of Radio Milwaukee, a two-time Telly Award winner. Everest-Blanks is a Recording Academy District Advocate and was recently appointed to the newly formed Recording Academy's first-ever Sound Board to advance artist rights, equity, and representation.
Sherry Taylor
BMO Harris
Sherry Taylor possesses a wealth of experience in the banking industry, including commercial lending, loan payoffs, and auditor reviews. Her banking experience has involved working with lines of business and lines of credit. Sherry has extensive experience in the retail marketplace, specializing in merchandising, sales, and cashiering. She has served as a member of the Eastwood Condo Association board and the volunteer board of the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Qualifications & Leadership
MANI’s Executive Director, Deborah Blanks, PhD, brings over 15 years of nonprofit executive leadership, including contract management, compliance, evaluation, and board relations. Her career spans:
Nonprofit Leadership – Former CEO of a community-based organization, state and regional board chair, and national officer for a leading nonprofit association.
Government Administration – Director of city procurement and county disadvantaged business development divisions.
Corporate & Consulting – Experience in commercial insurance, collections management, and consulting on organizational systems, equity, and strategic planning.
Education & Training – University-level instructor in nonprofit management, public policy, proposal writing, and fiscal management.
Academic Credentials – PhD in Urban Studies (UWM), master’s degrees in educational psychology and public administration, bachelor’s in Therapeutic Recreation & Park Administration. Certified in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Cornell), Equitable Community Change, trauma-informed care, and research on vulnerable populations.
“It's been a tremendous privilege to work with Deborah on our guaranteed income study. Her ability to build connections and establish trusting relationships with our participants laid a foundation for gathering nuanced accounts of their lives throughout the study. She is a thoughtful collaborator whose commitment to authenticity in her encounters with the study team and study participants elevates the quality of our work at every step along the way.”
Michael H. Norton, Ph.D. | Chief Policy Analyst, Policy Solutions, Reinvestment Fund
