Faith, connection, and service

About the Wisconsin Chamber of Faith

We connect faith-driven businesses, ministries, churches, and individuals so they can build trusted relationships, share resources, and serve their communities together.

Who we are

Local relationships with statewide purpose

The Chamber creates a practical meeting place for people who want their faith, work, and service to strengthen one another. Through local chapters, members build relationships, exchange referrals, learn together, and collaborate on needs in their communities.

Our founding Milwaukee chapter provides an established base for the network, while new communities are forming across Wisconsin with the help of local founding members.

Find Your Chapter Connect With Us

Our mission

Bridging community by loving and serving for the glory of Jesus.

We strengthen Christian leaders and ministries by connecting, equipping, and championing collaborative initiatives that bless our communities.

How WCF and BASICS relate

The Wisconsin Chamber of Faith operates as a program of BASICS in Milwaukee, Inc., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides stewardship and ministry infrastructure for the Chamber and its related work.

BASICS in Milwaukee, Inc. · EIN 39-1880148

Our people

Staff

The staff supports members, programs, communications, and the day-to-day work that keeps the Chamber connected.

Nick Galezewski

Executive Director

Nick leads the work of BASICS in Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Chamber of Faith, supports Ministers to Milwaukee, and serves ministry leaders across the community.

Contact Nick

Deanna Ratz

Administrative Assistant

Deanna helps create and edit the newsletter and prayer calendar, coordinates event registrations, answers phones, and provides administrative support across the team.

Contact Deanna

Stewardship and guidance

Board of Directors

Our board brings experience from business, ministry, nonprofit leadership, and community service to guide the Chamber's mission and growth.

Craig Lowder

Board Chair

I am a devout Christian. I attended Christian school from 1st to 8th grades and regularly volunteer my time at the churches I've attended throughout my lifetime. My life has been filled with self-discovery and joy due to my relationship with Jesus Christ.

I am a strategic sales consultant and author, having published two books, in addition to being a professional speaker. I have a forty-year track record in creating predictable and sustainable top-line growth for both for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations. I have served as Board member for several community Chambers of Commerce and the Habitat for Humanity, where I was involved in launching a new ReStore. I am honored to join the WI Chamber of Faith leadership team.

I have been happily married for 44 years to my wife, Peg and have two daughters, Shanon and Erin, along with two granddaughters, Chloe and Jazz. I currently reside in Fox Point, WI, having moved from Chicago in August 2022 to be closer to family.

Michelle Stokes

Board Member

Tactical and strategic business professional working with senior executives to develop and execute business strategy and direction with over twenty-five years of successful experience leading Human Resource functions and teams in the areas of: talent acquisition, organizational development, succession planning, performance management, employee relations, diversity, employee benefits, compensation, payroll administration, unemployment and worker’s compensation insurance and employee wellness programs.

Natalia Román

Board Member

I’m passionate about people, their stories, and the power of connection. As the Philanthropy & Partnership Director at City on a Hill, I help mobilize networks that advance our mission to break cycles of poverty and promote whole-family, whole-patient care in Milwaukee — through strategic and transformative partnerships.

With 20+ years of experience across community activation, entrepreneurship, and operations, I bring a builder’s mindset and a relationship-centered approach to every project. I thrive at the intersection of innovation, collaboration, and impact — working alongside residents, donors, and partners to create sustainable change.

I’m especially committed to uplifting local businesses, creatives, and nonprofits — because strong communities are built from the inside out.

Gary Loop

Board Member

I help business leaders and entrepreneurs experience success they never thought possible.

With over 20 years of extensive business experience and an ability to build high levels of trust with my clients, I offer a unique array of skill sets. My history as a standup comedian allows me to rapidly assess human behavior — in highly dynamic and complex situations – to ensure a smooth process improvement implementation. As a result, every client relationship is highly engaged, intensely comprehensive, uniquely executed, and professionally enjoyable.

My clients succeed by participating in my full strategic business analysis. As a result, all vital operational objectives are identified and a comprehensive roadmap is created to set the course for an intentional implementation strategy. With all members of an organization participating in assigned tasks and deadlines, the entity begins to move in tandem. By tracking key performance indicators, results become tangible, measurable, and actionable.

In the end, when strategic business objectives are intentionally attacked and completed in a systematic fashion, with all levels of the organization participating and held accountable, everybody wins!

All businesses are unique and deserve customized solutions specific to their operations. Every entity deserves a business strategist who places client interests above their own. These attributes are trademarks of my life and career.

Contact me at gary.loop@loopgroupllc.com or message me on LinkedIn for a free consultation and see how I can serve your specific business needs today.

Contact Gary

Elzie Flenard, III

Board Member

Over the last decade, I’ve built brands, produced award-winning podcasts, and guided leaders to translate their calling into both influence and income. What I’ve learned is simple: when you master yourself and your business under God’s direction, transformation becomes inevitable. Are you a faith-driven entrepreneur who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or out of alignment?

You’re not alone. And you don’t have to stay there.

I help founders like you build boldly, scale with intention, and live out your God-given purpose.

I believe business isn’t just business. It’s a Kingdom assignment.

Through Journey to Mastery, I guide entrepreneurs through the Four Pillars of Mastery™ (Mind, Mission, Message, and Method) — a framework that delivers both business growth and spiritual transformation.