Employee Spotlight: Angel Ramirez

A veteran that continues to serve others  
By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist 
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Last month, over 500,000 people flocked to Milwaukee’s lakefront to enjoy Summerfest, a world-renowned music festival. However, MMAC executive assistant Angel Ramirez did not attend to listen to the musicians, instead she dedicated her time to working the Veterans Community Project (VCP) fundraising table. 
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Founded by a group of combat veterans in 2016, this nonprofit organization provides homeless veterans, regardless of discharge status, with housing and resources intended to set them up for success. Using Kansas City, Missouri as the model, the VCP founders created two solutions to help stop veteran homelessness. The first are VCP Villages. These communities of tiny homes serve as a comfortable and safe transition from homelessness to permanent housing. VCP also runs an outreach center. The center provides veterans with a variety of services such as financial counseling, clothing resources, assistance with VA benefits and employment support. ​

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Raised in San Diego, Calif. as a first-generation American, Ramirez understood the importance of hard work and selflessness from an early age. Her parents, originating from the Philippines and Mexico, immigrated to the United States before she was born. Ramirez’s mother knew the United States would provide her children with better opportunities.  
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“My upbringing molded me into who I am now; the hard worker that I am and my values,” she said.  
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When her senior year of high school approached, Ramirez faced a tough decision. What path should she take following graduation? After reflecting on the cost of college and the hard work of her parents, she knew that enlisting in the Navy was the right choice.  
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“I felt the responsibility to pursue my own path here… looking at all the options, I found that the military was a really good route for how I wanted to be a productive member of society,” said Ramirez.
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Ramirez served five years in the Navy as a Quartermaster Second Class Petty Officer and spent time aboard the USS New Orleans during a Western Pacific Deployment. In her role, Ramirez mapped out routes to ensure the safe navigation of ships. She was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her service.  
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Shortly after discharge, Ramirez moved to Milwaukee and worked as a marketing program manager for the UW-Milwaukee Military and Veterans Resource Center while receiving her degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. When she began her role at MMAC following college graduation, Ramirez attended an event that introduced her to the VCP. 
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The VCP hopes to break ground on a new campus in the Milwaukee area next summer. Ramirez serves on the Capital Campaign Committee. The committee’s primary goal is to raise money to support the construction and operation of the campus. VCP still needs over one million dollars to help fund the Milwaukee project.  
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To raise money, the committee reaches out to local businesses, applies for grants, receives individual donations and creates incentives for companies to get involved. The VCP table at Summerfest raised $81,758. This was $6,000 more than the committee’s goal for that event!  
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When asked how she would like to stay involved with VCP once construction on the new campus begins, Ramirez said, “I definitely plan on wanting to be involved in any way.”  
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Ramirez’s time in the military not only led to her passion for helping other veterans, but it also sparked her desire to co-found The Litas Milwaukee, an all-women motorcycle group. 
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“Motorcycles can empower you, boost your confidence, help your mental health and bring you to friends,” she said. 
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Following her discharge from the military, Ramirez noticed that riding motorcycles improved her mental health. She also realized that motorcycles were a wonderful way to bring groups of people together. 
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“There is a community of us women who are there for each other on motorcycles…and so that brings me happiness. Motorcycling can provide that for women,” said Ramirez.  
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Under Ramirez’s leadership, The Litas Milwaukee has grown to over 200 members.