Meet the Development Staff

Craig Russow, vice president of development, received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin, and his teaching certification and master's degree from South Dakota State University. Craig served as the major gifts officer for the South Dakota State University Foundation in Brookings for the past seven years. He previously held two other positions with South Dakota State: recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach for the football team, and the assistant director of admissions. Contact Craig at 414.443.8544 or craig.russow@wlc.edu.

William Curtis, director of athletic development, also is the head softball coach at WLC. Bill received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to joining WLC, he held sales management positions in the Milwaukee area with Airborne Express, Corporate Express, Pilot Air Freight, and most recently, Unishippers. Contact Bill at 414.443.8546 or william.curtis@wlc.edu.

Lisa (Kosloske) Leffel '98, director of alumni and parent relations, began her career as an agency resource manager for Lutheran Brotherhood. After serving in that role for four years, Leffel was offered another marketing position, this time as a partner manager with Frank F. Haack & Associates. In August 2004, while on maternity leave with her first child, Leffel received a call to serve as alumni relations director at Wisconsin Lutheran College. In addition to building relationship with alumni and parents, Leffel also directs the college's Arts Insider Club and Warrior Club. Contact Lisa at 414.443.8796 or lisa.leffel@wlc.edu.

Kathleen Loose, development services specialist, joined the team in 2010. Contact Kathleen at 414.443.8823 or kathleen.loose@wlc.edu.

Sarah Malchow, director of annual giving, has been active in WELS world missions and ministry for a number of years prior to coming to the college in 2012. She has been blessed to serve in development at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and was president of the board of directors for the Lutheran Women's Missionary Society (LWMS). Sarah also lived and served alongside her husband in our Russian mission field and as LWMS representative to our sister synods in Nigeria. Contact Sarah at 414.443.8532 or sarah.malchow@wlc.edu.

Kristine Metzger, executive director of planned giving, has held several different positions within the development department since 1999. One of her primary roles is to coordinate activities for the Ella Post Legacy Society (the college's planned giving organization). Before she was called to WLC, she served for two years as an elementary educator in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and as a freelance artist and sculptor for 21 years. Contact Kris at 414.443.8925 or kris.metzger@wlc.edu.

Michael Miller, gift counselor, joined the development staff in 2008, but has a long-time history with the college. He was the secretary of the Board of Regents when the present campus was purchased and served as principal of Christ the Lord Lutheran School in a neighboring community for 35 years. Mike has a passion for Christian education on all levels. He enjoys sharing how the Lord continues to bless WLC with the time, talents, and treasures of his people. Mike enjoys updating people on how they can have an impact on the students and mission of WLC. Contact Mike at 414.443.8594 or michael.miller@wlc.edu.

Sharon Patterson, director of corporate and foundation relations, is a familiar face to many in the Milwaukee area, having spent 26 years in broadcasting for Milwaukee Public Television, several of those as co-host of the local show "Black Nouveau." Before that she worked as a producer at radio stations WLUM and WNOV. Patterson joined the development staff in 2006. Contact Sharon at 414.443.8556 or sharon.patterson@wlc.edu.

Victoria Walther, director of development services, joined the development staff in 2007. One of her primary responsibilities is the oversight of the WLC Fund, the college's annual fund. Before coming to WLC, she worked on the staff at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Wis., for five years where one of her responsibilities was administrative implementation of two capital campaigns. Prior to that, she worked for 20 years in engineering project management, consulting, and analysis. Contact Vickie at 414.443.8962 or victoria.walther@wlc.edu.