About Next 18

Executive Committee

Matt McDonell

Matt McDonell

Executive Director

Matt McDonell is from Detroit, Michigan and lives in Fox Point, WI. Matt served in the US Army from March 2011 – December 2015 as an Airborne Infantryman with the 173rd IBCT and was stationed mainly in Germany. Matt deployed to Afghanistan in a combat role in 2012/13. He was medically retired in late 2015. Since exiting service Matt has owned a successful lawn and snow company, received his MBA (2020) from Cardinal Stritch University, and has received his MSW (2023) from Concordia University.

While not running camps across the country, Matt uses his MSW and private practice therapist role to take local veterans and first responders in Milwaukee out one-on-one to golf and facilitate their needs to tackle hurdles they are facing in a non-traditional counseling environment. He plans to use the program and education as a pilot program for those who would like to do similar, unconventional social work and counseling at the betterment of his brothers and sisters across the country.

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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.

Dustin Ashley

Dustin Ashley

Vice President​

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.

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.”

Kathy Brojek

Kathy Brojek

Treasurer

Kathy Brojek has worked for the last 40 years in Human Resources with an emphasis on Benefits and Wellness. Her HR career included positions at Rockwell International Automotive Division, Sony Corporation, and Pharmacia P-L Biochemicals. Kathy ended her career at Cleaver-Brooks in the Corporate HR Department, where she was the Benefits and Wellness manager with responsibility for employees in the US and Canada. During her time at Cleaver-Brooks, she sat on the Employer Advisory Board at UnitedHealthcare.

Kathy retired in 2020 and is now consulting. She also volunteers at the Economy Center, a thrift store that benefits Lutheran Counseling & Family Services. Proceeds from the store assist individuals and families who do not have the means to pay for services.

“I love attending the Next 18 camps as it gives me an opportunity to meet the Vets and First Responders and hear their stories. The golfers always have good things to say about the golf instruction and mental health resources provided at the camps.”

BOARD MEMBERS

Aniela Szymanski

Aniela Szymanski

Board Member

Aniela Szymanski is an experienced military and veterans law attorney and advocate currently working for a DC based non-profit focused on higher education benefits for servicemembers and veterans.

Her past notable roles include clerking at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, professor at William & Mary Law School, and lobbyist for Military Officers Association of America.

She is also a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve where she served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand Province Afghanistan as a civil affairs officer.

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.

Erin Souik

Erin Souik

Board Member

Erin has spent her career working in mental health with a passion to increase awareness and healing to others. With a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Counseling, she uses her education to engage in conversation and learning to help others grow. While in college, Erin started working in local residential facilities for the chronic mentally ill, an experience that took her knowledge out-of-the-textbooks and into the lives of others.

After several years working in “the system” including serving as an educator and advocate through social services and non-profit agencies, Erin eventually moved into higher education, where she spent 10+ years in advising.

Recently, Erin has shifted her intentions to a more holistic approach to wellness. As a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and her 1,000 hour Experience Yoga Teacher (E-RYT), Erin brings healing to those she connects with in a variety of ways. Whether teaching breathwork, meditation, yoga or simply holding space for others, Erin finds that her education and work-experiences have broadened her perspective and opportunities to help in the growth of others as well as herself.

Erin is thrilled to be part of the Next 18 organization, supporting mental health through sport and holistic approaches that are accessible and often bring positive, lasting shifts in the lives of others.

Tom Black

Tom Black

Board Member

Tom Black is a veteran Financial Services professional with over 20 years of experience focusing on Brokerage, Electronic Trading, and Wholesale Market Making. He is currently the Head of Broker Dealer Sales at Two Sigma Securities with offices in Chicago and New York.

Tom has served on numerous Boards in the Securities Industry since 2012, holding various leadership positions. He is passionate about supporting Veteran focused organizations, holding fund raisers for Honor Flight and Children of Fallen Patriots during his Board tenure. Tom is also an avid, life-long golfer who is passionate about passing along the virtues and benefits of the game.

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.

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, Postdoctoral Fellow at a private practice in Delafield, WI and holds her Professional Counselor license. Dr. Goldmann has extensive experience working with first responders (police, fire, and medical personnel), veterans, and correctional officers; 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/correctional officer.

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) and then completing 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, avidly watching and supporting Wisconsin sports teams (when her daughter allows her to), and trying new restaurants.

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.