Joanna Bautch

About Joanna Bautch

JoAnna is a community organizer and communications professional who has spent her career working with advocacy and nonprofit organizations across Milwaukee. Growing up in Milwaukee, JoAnna attended and graduated from Milwaukee Public Schools and then received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Alverno College. Currently, JoAnna serves as the Executive Director of VIA Community Development Center, working collectively and collaboratively to create a Milwaukee with healthy and equitable neighborhoods that empower all of our people to rise and thrive together. JoAnna believes we all deserve to live in a place that nourishes us with a healthy and sustainable environment, equitable economic opportunity, and grassroots community leaders. As a community organizer with the Reproductive Justice Collective, JoAnna advocated for and supported women of color to be their own advocates and to act upon the knowledge that they are the leading experts on their own lived experiences. JoAnna continued her community centered work at the United Community Center (UCC), where she led communications efforts focused on uplifting the education, economic development, and health of our south side neighbors. JoAnna is committed to structural change in Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. She has worked on historic political campaigns electing the first Latina/Latinx woman to the Wisconsin State Legislature and the first Latina/Latinx woman and openly-LGBTQ person to Milwaukee’s Common Council. In 2020, JoAnna made the life-changing decision to run for political office herself for Wisconsin’s 8th Assembly District. JoAnna ran to give a voice to fellow POC, women, and queer individuals who have been diminished or dismissed in Wisconsin politics. In 2022, JoAnna was honored as part of Wisconsin’s 46 Most Influential Latino Leaders. JoAnna also serves on the board of All in Wisconsin, Citizen Action of WI, and True Skool Inc.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   Via Cdc

   Mar 2022 — Present · Milwaukee, WI, US

Education

• Alverno College

  Bachelor's degree, Communication

  2014 — 2017