Meet the Founders
After spending their formative college years in big metropolitan areas, co-founders Kristen Hardy and Makda Fessahaye met as law students in Milwaukee. During law school, they often reminisced about the joys of "big city living”, including the cities' knack for turning simple outings into grandiose events. After graduating and beginning her career in Milwaukee, Kristen devised a plan to mesh her love of food and the big city brunch scene with the comradeship of other women. As a Milwaukee-native and social butterfly, Makda collaborated with Kristen to augment the idea, ultimately founding Brunch of Professionals.
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KRISTEN HARDY
A proud Michigander, Kristen enthusiastically made the transition to Milwaukee after completing her undergraduate studies on the east coast. Embracing this Midwest city as her new home, Kristen sought out ways to become more involved in the community, and in particular, with other professionals. Frustrated with the limited and dated options for building meaningful relationships, Brunch of Professionals was born.
Professionally, Kristen is an in-house attorney. Personally, she is deeply involved in her local community: Kristen is a board member for the Milwaukee Public Museum and LOTUS Legal Clinic, a member of Professional Dimensions, a past-president and member of the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers, and a past secretary and chair of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors.
Over the years, Kristen’s professional experiences and personal pursuits have earned distinctions including Milwaukee Business Journal’s (MBJ) 40 Under 40, MBJ Top Corporate Counsel: Rising Star, Madison365 Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders, MBJ Young Power Broker, and the inaugural recipient of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Jackie Herd-Barber Community Service Award.
As a self-proclaimed amateur chef and dinner host extraordinaire, Kristen's love of well-executed events comes second only to her desire to help women achieve equity and success in the workplace. For Kristen, Brunch of Professionals is an opportunity to curate safe spaces for women to discuss timely issues, meet and support new women and their businesses, and support local restaurants. In many ways, BoP is her love letter to sisterhood and Milwaukee.
Hobbies: Traveling; Hosting dinner parties; Cooking/Baking; Reading (psychological thrillers); Fitness; Arranging flowers
Favorite Brunch Food: French toast
MAKDA FESSAHAYE
Returning home to Milwaukee after graduating from Northwestern University, Makda was hesitant of what her hometown could offer her as a young adult. Unbeknownst to her, she would soon fall back in love with Milwaukee's gems and take pride in its rapid transformation. For Makda, Brunch of Professionals is one way of adding to the city's evolution.
Makda serves on the board of directors for MENTOR Greater Milwaukee, City Year Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee Tennis Education & Foundation She is also heavily involved in several other non-profit organizations throughout Milwaukee. Makda also serves as a music minister at her church, is a member of TEMPO Milwaukee’s Emerging Women Leaders, a member and former president of Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers, and a member of the HOAN Group.
Makda has been fortunate to have been recognized for her various accomplishments, including Wisconsin Law Journal Up and Coming Lawyer, Wisconsin Women in Government Rising Star Award, Madison365 Wisconsin's Most Influential Black Leaders, In Business Greater Madison's 40 Under 40, Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 under 40 and Milwaukee’s 10 Young Professional Power Brokers.
For Makda, Brunch of Professionals provides an avenue for those building their careers in Milwaukee to discover the gems of the city, expand their network, invest in and support the community, and cultivate long lasting relationships with those around them.
Hobbies: Event Planning; Traveling; Reading
Favorite Brunch Food: Hash browns
Twitter: @MakdaFess
