Guida Brown

Guida Brown graduated from Marquette University in May of 1988 with a bachelor’s of arts degree in Journalism and a minor in psychology.

She entered the world of social services in 1991, working at the HOPE Council, formerly known as the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Kenosha County, implementing the Children’s Safe House and also providing human resource services to the agency and training to the community.  While at the Council she continued her education by earning her master’s degree in Management from Cardinal Stritch College in May of 1995.

Newly degreed, she began the position as Executive Director at Women and Children’s Horizons, a non-profit agency that provides advocacy, support and emergency shelter for victims and child witnesses of domestic abuse, in June of 1995. 

After six years there and nearly ten years in social services, Brown thought she wanted a break from what she believes is some of the hardest work in the world.  She stepped out of social services to try her hand in the finance sector.  Brown left Women and Children’s Horizons in mid-2001 and joined AM Community Credit Union, a not-for-profit organization, as the Director of Human Resources and Training.

She realized that some people are just made for social service work, so, after nearly seven years at the credit union, Brown returned to social services.  She is now the Executive Director at the Hope Council, a position she started on January 26, 2009. 

“I feel like I’m going home,” she said.  “I can’t wait to learn about the new programs, get reacquainted with the old ones, and get back to making an impact in my community.”

She also teaches as a member of the adjunct faculty at Concordia University Wisconsin’s Kenosha Center and UW-Parkside and sells merchandise on the road for Dion DiMucci (of “Runaround Sue” fame) and other stars of the ’sixties as a side business with her husband, David McGrath, News Director of WGTD 91.1 FM.