Abby is the mother of 2 HCS students who will be starting 4th and 6th grades in the fall. With 20 years of experience in higher education and academic medicine, she is the Chief Operating Officer of a medical startup, a job she does alongside her work as a grief and death doula with individuals and in community spaces. Abby brings board experience having served terms on the board of directors for the Alma Center and the Every Body Collective. She carries a passion for fostering community amongst students and parents in a larger culture that often seeks to disconnect us from one another. As our world makes it increasingly clear that community is everything, she would love to see Highland stand as a beacon for others on how to form and maintain community across social stratifications like race, class, and gender. Her aim in any project is always collaborative leadership, and she would love to share those skills with the Highland Board. Abby’s goals for Highland include continuing to support the teachers and staff in their incredible work and to help Highland keep growing as a place where kids and adults can be confident in any identity they hold, especially identities outside of the gender binary.

I’m a Milwaukee native and MPS grad. I have a BS in Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana and have worked mainly in healthcare sales roles. Although I’ve gone on to have a successful career in business, I’m always a mom first. I have one son at Highland (TJ) in 3rd grade. Seeing our young kids excel and improving Milwaukee by bringing up strong youth into impressive young adults is a passion of mine and I’d love to find more ways to be involved in that evolution. I am solution oriented and you can count on me to help find the ways to continue to build Highland up. I’m organized and work towards completion of projects in an efficient and accurate manner.

My name is Brittiny Qualls, proud parent of two HCS students; Micah who is a new Adolescent in the 7th grade and Ameenah who is a 6th grader in Ms. Serita’s class. My oldest, Ethan is a Highland Alum, whom is a Sophmore at Tenor. I’ve served as an active and engaged member of the HCS community for over 10 years with involvement ranging from parent, volunteer, chaperone, and even HCS staff. I love music, dance, festivals, art and my family. Professionally, I’m a change agent and an advocate for women and children. I am a licensed, Master level social worker currently working for Courage MKE group home as the Residential Care Manager. In addition, I am an adjunct facilitator for the Parenting Network, a Train the Trainer for FAST (Families and Schools Together), and a Crisis Respite Provider for La Causa. I would like to serve on the HCS Board to give back and share my knowledge and passion of systems and processes related to children and family wellbeing with the Highland Community. Highland Community School is a place that we call home! I am passionate about education and learning and providing the best environment for children to be able to thrive as individuals developing into their bestselves. I look forward to serving on the Board in ways that are measurable and impactful.