Meet the Board of Directors

Founding Board Member, Chairperson

Emily Riley serves as a dedicated member of the Board of Directors for Belong Wisconsin and is deeply invested in creating opportunities for individuals in and beyond the foster care system in Wisconsin. With a deep passion for advocacy, community building, and child welfare, Emily brings nearly twenty years experience in child welfare, social work, victim services, and criminal justice, and a background in nonprofit leadership and advocacy to help advance the organization's mission.

For over a decade, Emily has developed her passion to help create opportunities and communities for children and youth through her involvement in sibling camps across the country, such as Camp To Belong, as well as actively creating safe and accessible spaces in Colorado's lands. Outside of her work as a Victim Advocate in Colorado and with Belong Wisconsin, Emily enjoys typical Colorado activities such as hiking and camping, attending all things live (music and sporting events, festivals, etc.), gardening, sight-seeing, cooking, public speaking, and vibing to the soundtrack of her life. 

Emily is driven by the belief that everyone deserves a strong, connected community and the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background.

Founding Board Member, Vice Chairperson
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Emma is a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) currently working at Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee. As a child life specialist, Emma works with patients and families from many backgrounds and supports them through hospitalization using play as a primary modality of education. Emma has always been passionate about working with children and has found her experiences both in and out of the hospital setting to be so rewarding. Outside of her day job, Emma additionally supports the FIRST Robotics programs as a FIRST Senior Mentor, where she helps grow and support K-12 robotics programs across the state. Emma found her love of robotics from her dad, who has coached robotics since she was a baby. In her free time, Emma enjoys reading, playing piano, being a bit too competitive about board games, and spending time with family (including her family’s dog Willie) and friends.

Emma has been part of the camp family for nearly five years, serving as a counselor, family lead, signature events coordinator, and now on the board of directors. Emma cherishes the opportunity to support siblings being siblings for a week every summer, as she grew up very closely with her two younger siblings. From the moment she met the Belong Wisconsin crew, she was hooked. She is continuously inspired by the adults and kids that make this program what it is, through their kindness, love, vulnerability, and strength. Emma hopes to share her compassion, laughter, and tears of joy with the Belong Wisconsin family for many years to come.

Founding Board Member, Treasurer

Jackie is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) dedicated to supporting youth and families in need. She earned her Bachelor’s of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, followed by obtaining her LCSW.  Since 2020, Jackie has been the Director of RAYS Youth Services, a program with Foundations Health and Wholeness, supporting homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth. She also supervises licensing for Foundations’ Treatment Foster Care program. With a strong foundation in foster care, nonprofit programming, grant management, policy, and advocacy, Jackie has spent her career advocating for vulnerable children and families.  In addition to her work, Jackie is a board member for the Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services (WAHRS), and is a founding board member of Belong Wisconsin, an organization and cause deeply aligned with her personal and professional values. Earlier in her career, she served as an in-home behavioral therapist for children and youth with special needs, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Currently living in Brillion with her husband and two children, Jackie enjoys gardening, canning, reading, photography, and spending time at the family cottage.

Founding Board Member, Secretary

Nicole Klug is a dedicated certified social worker with a decade of experience in child welfare, particularly in foster care. Currently pursuing her Master's in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, she is passionate about advocating for youth in the system, working diligently to ensure they receive vital services and maintain strong connections with their families. Inspired by her three children, Nicole cherishes her time on the family farm and enjoys photography and gardening, which enrich her life with creativity and a connection.

Founding Board Member

Teresa Buss is an experienced Licensed Professional Counselor, Art Therapist, and Educator. Teresa earned her Master of Science degree from Mount Mary University and her baccalaureate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Additionally, Teresa was formally trained in yoga, reiki, and equine assisted therapies and has extensive experience working with youth ages 5-18 years old. 

Currently, Teresa is the Milwaukee regional Clinical Therapist Supervisor for Rawhide Youth Services. Teresa oversees a team of therapists providing mental health services to youth and their families in the Greater Milwaukee area while supporting her own clients with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and identities, ranging in age from 5-65 years.

Before Rawhide, Teresa worked as a high school art educator, a full-time school-based therapist and created an art therapy resource center for students with emotional and behavioral challenges in Milwaukee Public Schools. Teresa also has experience working with women and their children in alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) rehabilitation programs and with Veterans utilizing equine therapy.

Founding Board Member
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Marisa has a strong passion for working with kids and facilitating their growth. She has been recognized for her patience and natural ability to work well with children and their families. Marisa graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Currently, she is a Special Education Teacher at an elementary school for students with emotional behavioral disorders. Marisa understands the importance of strengthening sibling connections and has been a dedicated volunteer to Camp to Belong-WI since 2018. She enjoys spending time in nature with her family, snuggling her two dogs and reading.

Founding Board Member
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Aaron is a Wisconsin native with a passion for creativity and connection. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Aaron has always found joy in creating art and exploring the vibrant culture of the community. Aaron earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he honed his artistic talents and creative vision. By day, Aaron works as a web programmer, combining technical expertise with a creative mindset to build impactful solutions. Since 2014, Aaron has dedicated his time as a volunteer to reunite siblings separated by the foster care system, inspired by a deep belief in the power of homemade family and communal connection. Through this work, Aaron has helped create meaningful opportunities for siblings to build lasting bonds. Aaron is proud to be part of an organization committed to fostering belonging and making a difference in the lives of those it serves.