Meet Our Team
April Bentley // President
April Bentley, a Lived Experience Expert, Certified and trained though the Department of Justice, has worked as an advocate and community leader behind the scenes for the last 17 years. She is genuinely passionate when it comes to reaching the heart and mind of our youth, educating and pushing them to become forward thinkers today, producing a purpose-filled life for tomorrow. Ms. April, a victim of child sex trafficking and a Milwaukee native learned the twisted art of the streets at the early age of 14, has dedicated her life to making a positive change in our communities. April has held various free community events around the city of Milwaukee to educate the public about the dangers of sex trafficking. Her motto: “It’s not what you’re taught, it’s what you learn that makes the difference.”
Terese Caro // Board Treasurer
Terese Caro has spent her entire 25-year career in banking and finance working in a diverse group of financial institutions ranging from credit unions to banks and is currently serving in the nonprofit sector with Legacy Redevelopment Corporation (LRC), a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Ms. Caro has a passion to help small businesses succeed and works closely with clients to provide the education, tools and development needed to allow them to become self-sustaining and achieve their organizational and financial goals. She earned Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees from Cardinal Stritch University.
Bregetta Wilson // Board Secretary
Bregetta Wilson, M.S., LPC-IT holds a master’s degree in Psychology from Alverno College and a B.S. in Human Service Management from Cardinal Stritch University. Her work began as an advocate for youth in foster care over fifteen years ago. She is one of the founding foster alumnae that supported the State of Wisconsin in spearheading the Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council that advocates on behalf of children in Foster Care. She has a passion for community and advocacy and has worked to address the challenges that individuals face around poverty, oppression and social detriments of health.
She is a recipient of the Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Award for Child & Youth Advocacy and on behalf of the Milwaukee Black History Month Committee; she received the Community Champion Award, which highlights trailblazers in the community doing great work. Bregetta is a mom to three beautiful children; she loves dancing, laughing, traveling, collecting crystals, kickboxing and spending time with her family and friends.
Aicha Sharis // Board Member Advisory
Assist with identifying resources, partnerships and opportunities for growth.
Renee Rencher // Board Member
Offers expertise in specific areas to enhance the organizations mission and goals.
Lashawanda Wilson// Board Member Advisory
Serves as an ambassador for Rubies within the community to promote awareness and build relationships.
Meet Our Team
April Bentley // President
Terese Caro // Board Treasurer
Terese Caro has spent her entire 25-year career in banking and finance working in a diverse group of financial institutions ranging from credit unions to banks and is currently serving in the nonprofit sector with Legacy Redevelopment Corporation (LRC), a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Ms. Caro has a passion to help small businesses succeed and works closely with clients to provide the education, tools and development needed to allow them to become self-sustaining and achieve their organizational and financial goals. She earned Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees from Cardinal Stritch University.
Bregetta Wilson // Board Secretary
Bregetta Wilson, M.S., LPC-IT holds a master’s degree in Psychology from Alverno College and a B.S. in Human Service Management from Cardinal Stritch University. Her work began as an advocate for youth in foster care over fifteen years ago. She is one of the founding foster alumnae that supported the State of Wisconsin in spearheading the Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council that advocates on behalf of children in Foster Care. She has a passion for community and advocacy and has worked to address the challenges that individuals face around poverty, oppression and social detriments of health.
She is a recipient of the Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Award for Child & Youth Advocacy and on behalf of the Milwaukee Black History Month Committee; she received the Community Champion Award, which highlights trailblazers in the community doing great work. Bregetta is a mom to three beautiful children; she loves dancing, laughing, traveling, collecting crystals, kickboxing and spending time with her family and friends.
Aicha Sharis // Board Member Advisory
Assist with identifying resources, partnerships and opportunities for growth.
Renee Rencher // Board Member
Offers expertise in specific areas to enhance the organizations mission and goals.
Lashawanda Wilson// Board Member Advisory
Serves as an ambassador for Rubies within the community to promote awareness and build relationships.
Meet Our Team
April Bentley // President
Terese Caro // Board Treasurer
Terese Caro has spent her entire 25-year career in banking and finance working in a diverse group of financial institutions ranging from credit unions to banks and is currently serving in the nonprofit sector with Legacy Redevelopment Corporation (LRC), a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Ms. Caro has a passion to help small businesses succeed and works closely with clients to provide the education, tools and development needed to allow them to become self-sustaining and achieve their organizational and financial goals. She earned Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees from Cardinal Stritch University.
Bregetta Wilson // Board Secretary
Bregetta Wilson, M.S., LPC-IT holds a master’s degree in Psychology from Alverno College and a B.S. in Human Service Management from Cardinal Stritch University. Her work began as an advocate for youth in foster care over fifteen years ago. She is one of the founding foster alumnae that supported the State of Wisconsin in spearheading the Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council that advocates on behalf of children in Foster Care. She has a passion for community and advocacy and has worked to address the challenges that individuals face around poverty, oppression and social detriments of health.
She is a recipient of the Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Award for Child & Youth Advocacy and on behalf of the Milwaukee Black History Month Committee; she received the Community Champion Award, which highlights trailblazers in the community doing great work. Bregetta is a mom to three beautiful children; she loves dancing, laughing, traveling, collecting crystals, kickboxing and spending time with her family and friends.
Aicha Sharis // Board Member Advisory
Assist with identifying resources, partnerships and opportunities for growth.
Renee Rencher // Board Member
Offers expertise in specific areas to enhance the organizations mission and goals.
Lashawanda Wilson// Board Member Advisory
Serves as an ambassador for Rubies within the community to promote awareness and build relationships.