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Milwaukee-based WillBridge wants to help organizations leverage their data for greater social impact

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Milwaukee-based WillBridge wants to help organizations leverage their data for greater social impact


The phrase “knowledge is power” is particularly true when it comes to our local nonprofits and foundations and the unique goals they seek to achieve.

For organizations with a focus on social impact to serve an individual at the highest level, they need as much information about that person as possible – critical data like health records, educational history, family history and more.

The problem is there isn’t a single database that houses all of this information in a centralized, compliant platform. Milwaukee-based WillBridge, a public benefit corporation launched in 2022, was created to give organizations that secure platform.

WillBridge’s goal is to accelerate how organizations across multiple sectors leverage data and technology to achieve transformational community change. The organization was co-founded by Tina Chang, chief executive officer of Brookfield-based SysLogic, and Spencer Bonnie, former executive director of Achieve Brown County.

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Spencer Bonnie

“Collective impact is really predicated on how organizations from multiple sectors share data with each other,” said Bonnie. “That data is then used to paint a picture of what’s going on with the population that all those entities are seeking to serve.”

WillBridge is following in the steps of Achieve Brown County, which has a platform called the Brown County Community Information System. Through this system, various nonprofits, foundations, and social impact organizations can share individual-level data securely.  What makes this system unique is the fact that these entities have not only found a solution for securely sharing data, but also for building trust between themselves, said Bonnie.

While at Achieve Brown County, he quickly realized the importance of what the nonprofit was doing. He began talking with Chang and the pair considered the possibility of creating a platform that would allow organizations across the country to securely share data in the same way. The first question the duo faced was: what organization would take this data in good faith, while meeting compliance and governance rules, and not share the data at any point in time?

“I couldn’t find an organization that could be efficient and effective in offering all that technology has to offer while not having selfish uses of the data for their own benefit,” said Chang.

Tina Chang

Tina Chang

This left one option: they would need to build out the platform themselves. Leaning on the roadmap laid out by Achieve Brown County, Chang’s team at SysLogic helped build out WillBridge’s DataCommunity platform.

Through the DataCommunity platform, nonprofits, health care systems, government agencies and social impact companies can improve how they identify and understand the needs of the populations they serve. Research institutions, health information exchanges and other data sharing organizations can collaborate and learn from one another while deepening the value of the data they hold.

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DataCommunity is secure and allows organizations to remain fully compliant with federal laws like HIPAA and COPPA.

“We take our responsibility for ensuring the safe and ethical use of data very seriously,” said Bonnie. “What that especially means is we will not do anything with the data that is shared with us except what the data contributors tell us we should do with it.”

State-level change
Chang and Bonnie aren’t stopping with the creation of the DataCommunity platform. Together, the pair helped introduce a regulatory framework for data sharing between organizations a bill was introduced in the state Assembly in December and a public hearing on the legislation was held in February.

“We really care that there are rules of engagement and a playbook to follow that shows how you share data with good governance, good cybersecurity and good data,” said Chang.

Under the bill, a data owner would be required to limit the access to, sharing of, and use of its data to what is adequate, relevant, and reasonably necessary for the purposes for which the data is collected or generated. A data owner would also be required to establish and ensure compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and with internal policies related to the review of data sharing and data use requests.

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“A lot of people ask, ‘So, what’s in it for you, Tina and Spencer?’ Actually, nothing. We’re already following great rules because we know how to and we care. But we recognize that there’s no playbook out there of how to do good, responsible data sharing,” said Chang.

In the absence of any set framework, Bonnie said it took Achieve Brown County and its partners several years to build out their data sharing platform. If the bill is passed it will provide that framework.

Community partners
WillBridge is piloting its platform with a StriveTogether network member in Muscatine, Iowa. The organization, called Align Impact Muscatine County, already works with dozens of community partners, and is engaged with local school districts and government agencies to receive individual-level data. This made the organization the perfect partner, according to Chang.

Locally, WillBridge is working with the nonprofit Data You Can Use. WillBridge is readying housing data for Data You Can Use so the organization’s employees can focus on what they’re best at – doing research and interacting with other community partners.

“It’s all about making that data as useful as possible relative to how it helps organizations positively impact people and communities in whatever way they are seeking,” said Bonnie.

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To support the launch of WillBridge, Milwaukee-based Bader Philanthropies made a $500,000 investment into the company last summer. The investment was made in the form of a low-interest loan, as opposed to an equity investment, which would have seen Bader take a stake in the business.

Frank Cumberbatch, vice president of engagement at Bader Philanthropies, said the organization’s interest was piqued when it learned WillBridge was a public benefit corporation, since those types of entities are still uncommon.

“I love where the focus is,” said Cumberbatch. “When we talk about data and moving data for social good…it’s a space that’s still in an early stage and that intrigued me. It led me to question how smaller organizations are using data to drive decision-making in whatever space they’re in.”

WillBridge is currently going through the process to receive a B Corporation certification.

B Corporation certification requires an in-depth review of a business’ social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. Other B Corporation companies include gener8tor, Patagonia, TOMS, Ben & Jerry’s and Warby Parker.

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WillBridge is also looking to increase the number of Milwaukee-area organizations it partners with and to continue helping organizations build enough trust so that they’ll feel comfortable sharing data via the DataCommunity platform.

This goal of connecting with one another honors the inspiration behind WillBridge’s name. The company’s name pays respect to Chang’s father, William, who passed away during the founding of the company. He was a civil engineer who designed bridges for nearly 60 years.

“One of things he loved about bridges is they connected people and communities across horizons that weren’t easily connected with, in this case, physical structures,” said Chang. “That’s exactly what we’re doing (with WillBridge).”



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Milwaukee, WI

Former ‘Most Wanted’ Milwaukee man sentenced for killing cousin in 2020

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Former ‘Most Wanted’ Milwaukee man sentenced for killing cousin in 2020


A Milwaukee man, previously named one of Wisconsin’s Most Wanted, has been sentenced to prison for shooting and killing his cousin in 2020.

In court

What we know:

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A Milwaukee County jury found 39-year-old Brandon Gladney guilty of first-degree reckless homicide and possession of a firm by a felon earlier this year.

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Judge Michelle Havas sentenced Gladney to 29 years in prison on Friday, April 17. He was granted credit for more than a year’s time served and further sentenced to 14 years of extended supervision.

Arrested in Arizona after years on the run, court records show Gladney has also been ordered to pay the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office more than $1,800 for extradition costs.

Homicide investigation

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The backstory:

The shooting happened in May 2020. Investigators said Gladney was captured on video apparently arguing with the victim, his cousin, outside a Milwaukee convenience store near 21st and Meinecke.

“It’s all on video, and it’s devastating for that family,” the marshal on the case told FOX6 when Gladney was profiled on Wisconsin’s Most Wanted. “You have a family member that shot and killed another family member.”

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Prosecutors said Gladney walked away but then returned with a gun pointed directly at the victim and shot him. The victim died from his gunshot wounds at a nearby hospital. Multiple bullet casings were found at the scene.

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Gladney went on the run for years. He was arrested in Arizona in January 2023, years after he was charged.

The Source: FOX6 News referenced information from the U.S. Marshals Service, Wisconsin Circuit Court and prior coverage.

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Brewers beat Marlins in extras, Mitchell’s double the difference

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Brewers beat Marlins in extras, Mitchell’s double the difference


Brice Turang slides to home plate to score during a game between the Miami Marlins and the Milwaukee Brewers on April 17. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Garrett Mitchell went 2 for 4 with three RBIs including a two-run double in the 10th inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Miami Marlins 7-5 on Friday night.

By the numbers:

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Miami’s Calvin Faucher (1-2) entered a 4-all game in the 10th and walked Gary Sánchez with Brice Turang on second. Jake Bauers hit a single to load the bases.

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Luis Rengifo reached first on a throwing error by second baseman Xavier Edwards, allowing Turang to score. Mitchell followed with his double.

The Marlins scored one run in the bottom of the 10th when Jakob Marsee came home on Trevor Megill’s wild pitch. Megill settled in for his fourth save.

Coleman Crow, who made his debut on the mound for the Brewers, threw 77 pitches over 5 1/3 innings. He threw four strikeouts, gave up two earned runs and a walk.

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The right-hander was 2-0 with a 4.07 ERA in two starts with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville. He missed part of the 2023 season and all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Brewers scored three runs in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, Mitchell hit an RBI single, Bauers scored on a forceout at first and Rengifo scored on a throwing error by catcher Agustín Ramírez.

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Miami’s Otto Lopez hit a triple to center field in the fourth and scored on a sacrifice fly by Owen Caissie. Lopez hit a two-run homer in the sixth to pull Miami within 4-3 and Ramírez doubled in the eighth to tie the game at four.

Abner Uribe (1-0) earned his first win of the season, coming on in the ninth inning.

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Marlins third baseman Graham Pauley left the game in the seventh inning with right oblique discomfort after spinning out of the way of a pitch.

What’s next:

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The Brewers and Marlins continue their 3-game series on Saturday, with Brandon Woodruff (1-0, 4.36 ERA) taking the mound for Milwaukee and Sandy Alcantara (2-1, 2.67) for Miami.

The Source: The Associated Press provided this report.

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Beloit Memorial star Amare Hereford remains loyal, signs with Milwaukee Panthers

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Beloit Memorial star Amare Hereford remains loyal, signs with Milwaukee Panthers


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  • Amare Hereford, a Wisconsin “Mr. Basketball” finalist, honored his commitment to UW-Milwaukee’s basketball team.
  • Hereford turned down a last-minute scholarship offer from the Wisconsin Badgers to sign with the Panthers.
  • As a senior at Beloit Memorial, he led the state by averaging 37.5 points per game.

Loyalty is a word you rarely hear anymore when it comes to college sports.

Amare Hereford is an exception.

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The night before he was able to put pen to paper and make his commitment to the UW-Milwaukee men’s basketball team official earlier this week, the Beloit Memorial standout was invited for an on-campus visit with the Wisconsin Badgers.

Hereford did his due diligence. What player wouldn’t have in his position?

“Me being an 18-year-old kid, my first high major [visit], I just decided to go check it out,” Hereford said.

UW put on the full-court press in an attempt to lock down the Wisconsin “Mr. Basketball” finalist.

“They offered me a scholarship,” Hereford said. “It all happened so fast. It was all within a day.”

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Hereford went home, processed the situation with his family and came to a decision.

He would honor his commitment to the Panthers, with his signature cementing the deal and UWM announcing the news Thursday, April 16.

“No, it wasn’t really hard to turn down,” Hereford said, referring to UW’s offer. “I love every school and I appreciate every school that reaches out to me. But I’m going to choose a school that I have a great relationship with, with all the coaching staff, and that’s been thinking highly of me and recruited me for the longest time. And that was the Panthers.

“Wisconsin is a great school, of course. But I’m going to the school that has been with me for the longest time.”

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The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Hereford is a huge addition for a Panthers squad that, like so many other programs due to transfer portal madness, is in the midst of rebuilding its roster for the 2026-2027 season almost from scratch.

“Amare will be a star here at Milwaukee,” coach Bart Lundy said. “He will be a fan favorite from the beginning. He is a complete basketball player but probably has as good of an ability to score as I’ve seen in any high school player. He is a great student and a great worker and completely fits our culture.

“We are so excited that he will represent the city of Milwaukee and the state and especially his hometown of Beloit.”

Indeed, Hereford put the ball through the net for Beloit Memorial at a prodigious rate, averaging 37.5 points per game – tops in the state – as a senior. He finished as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,493 points in four years.

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Hereford also poured in 49 points in his final high school game, a WIAA sectional semifinal loss to Verona last month.

Hereford was tough to guard going to the basket as his 60.7% shooting this past season indicates, but he also shot a terrific 45% from from 3-point range (81 for 180) and capitalized on all the contact he drew to the tune of 83% accuracy at the free-throw line.

More than just a scorer, though, Hereford also finished with team-leading averages of 8.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.9 steals per game.

“My playing style fits the way [the Panthers] play – they get up and down, play fast,” Hereford said. “Coach Lundy said he definitely sees me running [point guard], having the ball in my hands, playing the same way I did in high school, finding teammates, getting to the rim and scoring at all three levels.”

Defense is typically where newcomers experience the biggest growing pains, learning the all-out effort it takes to guard at a high level on every possession.

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Hereford, however, indicates he’s more than just a scorer.

“I love playing defense,” he said. “Hitting the gaps, getting steals and different things like that, being active with my hands a lot. I’m definitely looking forward to getting pushed defensively and picking up the ball full court, on-ball pressure in the half court.”

Hereford took his visit to UWM in mid-March, after the season had been completed, but saw enough games on TV to cement his opinion of the challenge ahead.

“The Horizon League is amazing,” he said. “There’s a lot of guards who play the same way I play, like to get up and down, play fast. That’s why I love Coach Lundy and the Panthers and the rest of the staff. They let guys be themselves. They play fast, get up and down, play together as one.

“They let everybody touch the ball and be themselves.”

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Before Wisconsin entered the picture, Hereford said he’d narrowed his school choices to UWM and San Diego, where Whitefish Bay Dominican product and former Iowa State assistant JR Blount has taken over as head coach.

Now, Hereford projects as an important piece in the Panthers’ rebuilding process.

“Coach Lundy and the staff, they believe in me heavy. And I just want to prove them right,” Hereford said. “I want them to see that I can come in and make a huge impact right away for the team and in the Horizon League.

“I’m definitely going to come in and compete for my minutes. And obviously, I want to stay there.

“So, definitely looking forward to coming in and earning my spot.”

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