BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Lewenauer is affiliated with both HEAR Wisconsin and Robert Baird. His first exposure to HEAR Wisconsin dates back to the 1950s when, as a child with severe congenital hearing loss, he received speech and lip-reading training. His mother was determined that both he and his hard of hearing brother receive a mainstream education, which they did. They credit much of their lifetime personal and professional achievements to the early auditory training and support received from HEAR Wisconsin. That groundwork greatly contributed to John’s current role as a financial advisor/managing director at Robert Baird serving individuals, now in his 38th year. John’s mother served on the board of HEAR Wisconsin for over forty years, and he continues her legacy today. He now serves as Vice Chairman of the board.

Shannon Burns has been a dedicated member of the HEAR Wisconsin Board of Directors since 2013, serving as Treasurer since 2016. In his role as Treasurer, Shannon has been instrumental in overseeing the organization’s financial strategies, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss.

Professionally, Shannon is the Head of the Business Decision Support Office at Enerpac Tool Group, where he leads global financial planning and analysis (FP&A), regional finance, and operations finance teams. In 2024, he also served as Interim CFO, guiding the company through a period of transformation, overseeing a key acquisition, and supporting the integration of a new financial consolidations system. Prior to Enerpac, Shannon spent over a decade at Harley-Davidson in a variety of senior finance roles, including leading FP&A for the LiveWire electric vehicle division and overseeing Investor Relations.

Beyond his corporate career, Shannon is deeply committed to community service. In addition to his work with HEAR Wisconsin, he serves as a Board Trustee for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, where he helps support initiatives that provide educational and development opportunities for young people. He has also served on the boards of the Irish Cultural Heritage Center and the Milwaukee Urban League, leveraging his financial expertise to strengthen nonprofit organizations. His ability to combine financial acumen with a passion for service makes him a valuable leader in both corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Sarah Jerome grew up in Claxton, Georgia and Rose Hill, North Carolina. She graduated from Duke University with a doctorate in education and has spent 46 years as principal, curriculum director, and superintendent at Nicolet High School, School District of Kettle Moraine, and Arlington Heights School District 25.   During her service in Kettle Moraine, all 6 schools achieved the national recognition as Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence. She served as President of the American Association of School Administrators and as a search consultant with Hazard, Young and Attea (HYA).  Dr. Jerome has a strong interest in promoting music in the public schools and serves on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music.
Dr. Jerome is enthusiastic about the important work HEAR Wisconsin is providing for the community.  She believes in the critical and much needed services offered by HEAR Wisconsin and knows the exceptional professionals are dedicated and committed to their clients.  The children and adults served by HEAR Wisconsin see the services received as essential to improving their lives.
She is grateful and proud to be part of this transformative mission and to serve on this board.

Adam Kropp is a Senior Product and Strategic Marketing Manager at Komatsu, where he leverages his 14 years of experience in product management to support the long-term growth of the company and their customers. He is driven by a desire to tackle challenging obstacles, using his experience to create thoughtful, customer-focused solutions.

Adam’s involvement with HEAR Wisconsin started in 2020 when his daughter, Cora, was born with bilateral hearing loss. He and his family enrolled Cora into the birth-to-three program, which was essential in aiding her future development. This experience inspired him to want to further support the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and connect with other families who are facing similar challenges. Adam has been a member of the HEAR Wisconsin board since 2025.

Greg Zamzow is a Director of Modern Work & AI at Microsoft, where he has played a key role in advancing AI and workplace solutions. With a tech career spanning over two decades, Greg is passionate about leveraging technology to empower individuals and organizations to achieve more. He is also an active member of Microsoft’s disability resource group, advocating for the use of technology to support individuals with disabilities, including those with hearing loss. 

Greg’s involvement with HEAR Wisconsin began in 2013 when his son, Liam, was born with bilateral hearing loss. This personal experience ignited his dedication to advocating for the deaf and hard of hearing community. As Liam benefited from HEAR Wisconsin’s programs and services, Greg and his family navigated the challenges of a world filled with communication barriers. His passion lies in ensuring that no one faces disadvantages due to hearing loss and in championing the support, services, and programs necessary to empower the deaf and hard of hearing community. Greg has been a member of the HEAR Wisconsin board since 2022.