People

YMCA Camp Minikani is a community that is dedicated to your child’s experience. The Minikani staff and Board work together to intentionally design an experience that will support and value your child for who they are and what they love.

The success of Minikani rests on the shoulders of our energetic, responsible and passionate counselors and administrative directors (AD Staff). Counselors are former campers who have learned about leadership and youth programming for three years through Minikani’s nationally recognized Leaders in Training program. For summer staff, Minikani is the place where they developed resilience, independence and confidence, which is one of the reasons why they strive to recreate the same positive experience for your child. All summer staff are certified in First Aid and CPR.

The year-round leadership team provides the strategic vision and direction for YMCA Camp Minikani. We are always thinking about new ways to improve camp. Please consider sharing your experience with us by emailing minikani@ymcamke.org.

It’s with great enthusiasm that over the past 20 years I have had the chance to watch young people’s lives change through the power of camp as they discover their ‘best selves!’ As the executive director it’s my duty to provide leadership and support for all of the camp’s operations to ensure our programs are the highest quality, fully develop young staff and campers, and incorporate our strategic plan. Prior to my role as executive director I held positions as senior operations director, environmental education director and at Wisconsin Lions Camp. I look forward to continuing to serve at camp where the strength of our programs and staff develops confident, independent and character driven leaders. It’s my honor to steward the Spirit of Minikani for continued generations of campers and staff.

Eli Fyksen

Executive Director

Hello Camp Families. Summer 2025 will mark my 12th year at Camp Minikani. In addition to working with all of our amazing camp families regarding their camper’s accounts, I also work behind the scenes to ensure that your registration and paperwork experience is the best that it can be. Additionally, I work with other office staff members to ensure our processes are efficient.
When not working, I enjoy spending time with my dogs and volunteer for a local dog rescue. I also enjoy spending my free time reading a good murder mystery or comedy book. In the summer, I enjoy lounging by the pool and spending time on the lakes of Wisconsin.

AJ Laughlin

Director of Administration

bio coming soon

Robby Gral

Summer Camp Director

Bio coming soon.

Anna Rooney

Trips and Leadership Director

Bio coming soon.

Director Education and Conferences

Bio coming soon.

Ryan Parsons

Member Engagement Director

I work as the office admin at Minikani. I began this adventure in April 2016. Since then, I have been drawn to Minikani’s beautiful outdoors. Experiencing Minikani’s summer fun between counselors and campers makes my role at camp truly worthwhile. In my free time, I enjoy bringing out the colors of summer through gardening. My other hobbies include photography, drawing, watching sunsets from my porch and spending time with my horse and other pets.

Tracy Hennes

Center Administrator

Hello, all:
I have been a part of the maintenance team at Camp Minikani since 2014. I love working outdoors, and Minikani is the place to be for that. Prior to coming to camp, I worked behind a desk in an engineering capacity. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity of making camp a safe and fun-filled experience for visitors.

Patrick Quella

Property Director

Bio coming soon

Paul Schmidt

Assistant Property Director

Bio coming soon

Tiffany Slaasted

House Keeping

Bio coming soon

Olivia Volpentesta

Kitchen Manager

Our Board of Directors are dedicated and enthusiastic professionals who volunteer their time and talents to YMCA Camp Minikani. Through their service, members offer their expert advice and fundraising assistance in order to advance the strategic mission of camp and improve all aspects of Minikani.

Greg Valde, Board Chair
Professor, Retired

Aaron Bell, Board Member
Cannataro Family Capital Partners

Kevin Casper, Board Member
Founder/Owner Goldfish Swim Schools

Paul Ellsworth, Board Member
HORIBA Instruments, Inc.

August Herschede, Board Member
Realtor

Kate Hoffman, Board Member
Port Washington – Saukville School District

Jill Kohli, Board Member
[m]pirik Health Solutions

Drew Maxwell, Board Member
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design

Michael Mierow, Board Member
US Bank

Julie Molsky, Board Member
Brady Corporation

Hillary Phelps Lobenstein, Board Member
Watertown Unified School District

Andy Wiegman, Board Member

Kevin Wright, Board Member
Co-founder/Owner Third Space Brewing