About Next 18

Executive Committee

Matt McDonell

Matt McDonell

Executive Director

Matt McDonell, originally from Detroit, Michigan, resides in Fox Point, Wisconsin. A U.S. Army veteran, Matt served as an Airborne Infantryman with the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), primarily stationed in Germany, and deployed to Afghanistan in a combat role from 2012 to 2013. He was medically retired in 2015. Since transitioning to civilian life, Matt has built a successful lawn and snow company, earned his MBA from Cardinal Stritch University in 2020, and received his Master of Social Work from Concordia University in 2023.
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Michael Keppen

Michael Keppen

President​

Michael Keppen grew up in Jacksonville, FL and Woodstock, IL before attending Marquette University on a NROTC scholarship. After graduating from Marquette in 2003, Michael was commissioned as a Naval Officer and served for over 20 years in the United States Navy, before retiring as a Commander in 2023. As an aviator, he completed multiple deployments and flew 38 combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2011, Michael transferred to the Navy’s Human Resources field and supported the training and development of future Officers and enlisted Sailors across the country and at the Navy’s only bootcamp, located in Great Lakes, IL. Michael made an indelible impact on the Navy and throughout his award-winning career, he was beloved by his crew and sought out by senior officials for his strategic leadership and ability to turn a vision into action.

Michael also earned an MBA from Arizona State University and holds multiple HR certifications. He is currently the Associate Director, Leadership Development for AbbVie. He lives with his family in Antioch, IL and enjoys golf, snowboarding and other outdoor activities.

Ben Hodge

Ben Hodge

Secretary

Ben Hodge oversees Supply Management in product development for Harley-Davidson based in Milwaukee since 2003. Hodge has been responsible for Electrical Systems, Data Systems and Electric Vehicles. He was part of the Harley-Davidson team to secure 3 patents and deliver first to market technology products as a leader in industry.

Ben Hodge holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with minors in both Acoustics and Business Management from Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute). Ben enjoys mentoring black youth in Milwaukee through Big Brother Big Sister, Hunger Task force and the YMCA. Ben is a self described audiophile In his spare time Ben enjoys riding his Road Glide Special and Buell Firebolt.

“As a board member, I look forward to expanding the Next 18 participant outreach and providing structure to grow the organization. My focus will be not only to drive measurable results but will inspire our communities to rethink how to solve complex problems such as mental health.”

Dustin Ashley

Dustin Ashley

Treasurer

Dustin is currently a Partner and Private Wealth Advisor with Prescient Financial Solutions – Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group. Prior to having spent the last 8 years of his professional career in the financial planning and services industry, he has had the opportunity in playing soccer at the NCAA Division 1 level while also earning his bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and playing at the professional level for a short period of time.

He has always prioritized and valued above everything, the importance of his family. His initial interest in wanting to get involved in NEXT18 was sparked from his personal experiences in having multiple family members as veterans and first responders, where he is excited to see where his contributions to NEXT18 and carrying out the mission of NEXT18 team can lead to in the years ahead!

Dustin is extremely passionate and committed to living a life that enables him to have significant impact, life-long learning, and in service to others and his community. Being a part of the NEXT18 team has allowed him the opportunity to align his involvement with the organization with these key core components, and doing so in a team-like environment, while making sure to never lose sight in having fun along the way.

BOARD MEMBERS

Keith Streicher

Keith Streicher

Board Member

Keith Streicher bravely enlisted to serve his country during the War on Terrorism and was deployed to the mountains of the Republic of South Korea and the valleys of Iraq Al Anbar Province. Following his service, Mr. Streicher completed his bachelor’s degree at the Catholic University of America and an Executive Entrepreneurship Program from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He has served at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue at The White House and Capitol Hill as intern and Military Legislative Assistant and United States Department of Veterans Affairs Secretarial Appointee advising the Secretary, the department, and the United States Congress on veteran’s issues as a veteran’s expert.

Keith Streicher formerly served as the Business Operations Manager for Rocketship Transformation Prep; Program Director for the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce; and Director of the Veterans Upward Bound Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Keith is the co-founder & co-CEO of RE-Imagine Education, Inc., Board of Trustee member of Milwaukee’s Finest Scholarship Foundation, and Technical Sourcer for Uber Technologies, Inc. in San Francisco, California.

Lashan Wanigatunga

Lashan Wanigatunga

Board Member

Lashan Wanigtunga is the Founder/Chief Ball Guy at Two Guys with Balls, an online retailer of used golf balls, and the co-founder at theNetStuff, a digital marketing/website design agency. He also works as a Business Relationship Manager at Clarios and has extensive experience in IT management, project/portfolio management, and business process design working for large global manufacturing companies.

Lashan has an MBA from the University of Wales and a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology along with PMP and BRMP certifications.

Dr. Rachael Goldmann

Dr. Rachael Goldmann

Board Member

Dr. Rachael Goldmann is a Marine Corps Veteran and trained as a Combat Photographer. She honorably discharged in 2007 after repetitive injuries left her unable to deploy in support of the ongoing wars at that time. After her discharge, she dedicated her professional and personal life to serving those who serve. Dr. Goldmann is a supervised, Interim Psychologist at Thin Line Psychological Services, a private practice in Delafield, WI and holds her Professional Counselor license. Dr. Goldmann has extensive experience working with first responders (police, fire, medical personnel, and correctional officers), veterans, and Active Duty military members; she has also worked with spouses, children, and couples. She specializes in treating and educating about Moral Injury, trauma/PTSD, and the complex issues that can manifest from serving as a first responder/veteran/Active Duty member.

Dr. Goldmann graduated from UW-Milwaukee with her Bachelor’s in Communication, minoring in Health Care Administration (2010). She attained her first Master’s degree in Marriage and Family from Edgewood College (2014) where her Master’s thesis assessed and investigated the impacts of PTSD on family members of veterans. She then attended the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology, earning a second Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology (2018). Dr. Goldmann completed her Doctorate in Psychology (2023); her dissertation research investigated the prevalence and symptom presentation and impact of Moral Injury on police officers; it remains the only quantitative study that assessed the specific symptoms of moral injury in officers.

Dr. Goldmann was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family (Dr. Goldmann’s partner is a Correctional Officer for the state of Wisconsin and they have an incredible daughter together), avidly watching and supporting Wisconsin sports teams, and cooking and baking.

Tom Black

Tom Black

Board Member

Tom Black is a seasoned leader in the financial services sector, with over 20 years of experience in Brokerage, Electronic Trading, and Wholesale Market Making. As Head of Broker Dealer Sales at Two Sigma Securities, he oversees critical operations in Chicago and New York, driving strategic growth and innovation within the financial industry.

Since 2012, Mr. Black has served on numerous boards within the Securities Industry, where his leadership has been instrumental in advancing industry standards and promoting market integrity. His strategic insights and governance skills have earned him a respected reputation across the sector.

In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Black is a passionate advocate for veteran-focused causes, reflecting his deep patriotism and commitment to service. He has actively supported organizations like Honor Flight, which honors veterans with trips to national memorials, and Children of Fallen Patriots, providing educational support to children of military service members who have lost their lives. His dedication to these causes underscores his belief in honoring those who have sacrificed for the country.

A lifelong golfer, Tom is committed to sharing the values the game imparts—discipline, perseverance, and camaraderie. His love for the sport and advocacy for its benefits reflect his broader commitment to building character and fostering community.

Mr. Black’s career and philanthropic work demonstrate a rare combination of professional excellence and a profound sense of duty to both industry and country.

Joel Correa

Joel Correa

Board Member

Joel Correa served in the US Marine Corps as an Infantryman from 2000-2008. He’s a combat veteran and served a tour in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005, specifically inside the “Triangle of Death”. He was awarded the Purple Heart for being wounded in action during his deployment.

He’s currently a Fire Lieutenant for the Milwaukee Fire Department and has been a firefighter at the busiest companies for the past 11 years. He’s on the Milwaukee Peer Support Team, Milwaukee Fire Honor Guard, a lead advisor for the Milwaukee Junior Fire Institute, and an instructor at the Milwaukee Fire Academy.

Joel is a father of four children and tries to spend as much time as he can with them. He is passionate about mental health. As a Next 18 camp alum, he’s experienced first-hand the positive impact this program has on veterans and first responders and is very excited to be a part of the board to help his fellow brothers and sisters.

Sarah Hoye

Sarah Hoye

Board Member

SARAH HOYE is an award-winning journalist and strategic communications expert who oversees marketing, media relations and branding for the Student Conservation Association, the nation’s largest non-profit provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults.

Prior to joining the SCA, Sarah served as Communications Director for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Interim Deputy Chief of Staff for Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers. Before entering state service, Sarah spent her career as a journalist reporting from nearly every corner of the United States for several media outlets, including CNN, Al Jazeera America, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and more. Her awards include the Peabody, Knight Foundation Digital Media Fellow at the Ohio State University, Women’s Media Center Carol Jenkins Emerging Journalist Award, National Association of Black Journalists Emerging Journalist of the Year Award, YMCA Black Achievers Volunteer of The Year, and a host of others.

Sarah holds a Master’s of Journalism from the University of Maryland and Bachelor’s of Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin. Sarah currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Alison Cefalu

Alison Cefalu

Board Member

Alison Cefalu is a meeting and event planner at Baird, a privately held financial services firm founded in 1919 in Milwaukee, WI, known for its strong workplace culture and a strict “No A-Hole” policy. Building her career in event planning, Alison brings extensive experience in fundraising, foundation work, gala planning, and corporate events. Before her involvement with Next 18, she served as Vice President of Echelon Milwaukee, the Salvation Army’s emerging leaders board.

A lifelong athlete, Alison enjoys the camaraderie of working within a team. In her free time, she loves staying active outdoors, baking, and making lasting memories with her family.

Erin Souik

Erin Souik

Board Member

Erin is a dedicated advocate for mental health, committed to promoting healing and growth through a compassionate and holistic approach. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Counseling, Erin has spent her career focused on creating meaningful change in the lives of others. Early in her journey, her work in residential facilities for individuals with chronic mental illness gave her firsthand experience in translating academic knowledge into real-world applications, profoundly shaping her passion for mental wellness.

Erin has served in various roles across social services and nonprofit sectors, advocating for those navigating the complexities of mental health systems. Her leadership extended into higher education, where she spent over a decade advising and mentoring students, reinforcing her commitment to fostering personal and emotional growth in others.

Recently, Erin has embraced a more holistic philosophy toward wellness. As a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and an experienced 1,000-hour yoga teacher (E-RYT), she integrates practices like yoga, meditation, and breathwork into her therapeutic approach. These practices allow her to connect with individuals on a deeper level, offering healing that encompasses mind, body, and spirit.

Erin’s unwavering love for her country and dedication to mental health advocacy is reflected in her work with Next 18, an organization that uses sport and holistic methods to support mental wellness for veterans and first responders. Through her compassionate leadership, Erin strives to bring accessible, life-changing wellness practices to those who need them most, leaving a lasting impact on individuals and communities alike.

Zach Deboer

Zach Deboer

Board Member

Zach is a financial advisor at Gentian Financial. Gentian is consistently ranked by Forbes and others as one of the top financial planning practices in the state of Wisconsin and the US.

He has a passion for helping people make smart financial decisions, and helping people plan for and live a more meaningful & joyful life.

He also has a passion for fitness. He has completed 6 Ultramarathons. The last Ultra being a 100miler June 2023, where he raised over $20,000 for a local charity that helps people with disabilities.

Being a student of our nation’s history, and specifically military history. Zach at one point had dreams of serving his nation through military service. However, 3 major shoulder surgeries before the age of 20 dashed those dreams.

He feels Next18 is his calling to serve those who have served or currently serve us. Zach believes he is on this Earth to give, to inspire, and to serve.