MEET JARROD

Hi, I’m Jarrod. I’m a community-builder, lawyer, and health policy advocate living in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. I’m also a dog-dad, an Ikea-furniture-assembly enthusiast, and a retired bartender (though I remain on-call to my wife 24/7).

I was born and raised in the Midwest, where I learned the value of grit, grace, and good humor. After college, I was hired by the Red Cross of Western North Dakota to spearhead new community health efforts. As the first Executive Director of the newly formed chapter, I led programs that installed smoke detectors in rural mobile homes, activated disaster services volunteers, and provided lifesaving training to the community. I loved this work, and I discovered a passion for advocating for better community health. But I wanted to do more.

I attended law school to learn how to be a better advocate. In my third year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I spent every free moment I had helping a local distillery modify its production methods to manufacture hand sanitizer for local hospitals. My greatest accomplishment in law school, however, was meeting my wife, Ellen Anderson.

When I fell in love with Ellen, I also fell in love with her hometown, Milwaukee. Since moving here, I have been fortunate to work for Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative, an organization that aligns closely with my passion for community health. For the last 3 years, I have managed the Cooperative’s legal and governmental affairs. I also helped establish the Cooperative’s charitable Foundation, of which I am the Chairman of the Board. Last year, we granted $419,000 to health-oriented nonprofits in Wisconsin. I am also on the Finance Committee of the Milwaukee Parks Foundation, where I have helped to design a new planned giving initiative.

Ellen and I live downtown with our black lab, Beaux. When we’re not experimenting in the kitchen or crafting cocktails behind the bar, you can likely find us on a walk along the lakefront.