May Klisch: From Singapore to Shorewood

May Klisch is the operations manager of the North Point Lighthouse at Lake Park. The Singapore native has reinvented herself several times during her professional life, with stints in the semiconductor, hotel and public relations fields.

Nineteen years ago, Klisch arrived in Milwaukee, where she was expected to stay only for one year, during a orientation program with a cable company she was working for at the time. But, she met Russ, a local beer brewer, fell in love, bought a house and the rest, as they say, is history. 

What is your favorite thing about Shorewood?
I grew up in an environment — Singapore — that was always safe. You could walk the streets at 3 in the morning downtown and you're safe. Safety has always been an important issue to me, for myself and now that I have a family. It's a feeling that you get when you are walking down the street, whether it's the main drag or up your own street, walking your kids around in the evening, it's that feeling that you have in your gut — it's safe.  

What makes Shorewood special?
Once I got to know the school district, it comes down to the eye-to-eye contact. The feeling that you get when you talk to the principal, the teachers and even the secretaries in the offices. You get a feeling of the whole personality of the school is like. Again, I have that safe feeling I get with the schools. It has that same sort of values of westernized Asian community (Singapore) 14,000 miles away. For me to be able to capture that for my kids … I can give them the same experience of a community womb that I was lucky enough to grow up with in that part of the world.  

Tell me about your travels.
I have lived and worked around the world. I think the only places I haven't been are Africa and South America. I have gone around the globe a few times. Now I feel like I'm home. I want that feeling for my girls. When I left Singapore, went to Hawaii and then San Francisco … I sort of had a feeling like I don't really have real roots. But here I have all of my friends and my people.  

What were you up to right before the position at the lighthouse?
I started my little boutique - MK Wrapsody - in the basement of (owned by Tim Ryan when it was located North of Capitol Drive). His daughter and my daughter are the same grade. I asked him, "Tim, you've got a scary basement downstairs, how about giving me a little space?" After four years and many trips to fashion shows — Montreal, L.A., New York — I was like, I'm done. 

How did you get started with North Point Lighthouse? 
A mother of a friend of my daughter's … said (they) were looking for someone. That was February … and then by March I had met some of the board members and they wanted to talk to me. I told them, "Here's the deal" I'm looking for a job that is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that, if my daughters have some issues at school or they need me to pick them up …,I can lock the door and go."

I (didn't) want to climb the corporate ladder to prove myself. I don't want to climb ladders or step on backs. I wanted to work for a nonprofit for a cause that I believe in. So this was perfect. It's a beautiful history building and I make my own hours.

Klisch is taking part in Shorewood's public art event, “I Love Shorewood!”  will showcase the shops, restaurants, beautiful business district and village by attracting new visitors/customers to the area throughout the summer months.